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Comedy Butterflies helped launch the career of Nicholas Lyndhurst (left) on BBC Two, which has turned 40.

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The Weakest Link saw the sardonic wit of former Watchdog host Anne Robinson on unwitting audiences.

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The alternative comedy explosion was kick-started by the sketch show Not the Nine O'Clock News

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Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry moved from Blackadder to their own sketch show A Bit of Fry and Laurie

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Rock acts like Ian Dury and the Blockheads made The Old Grey Whistle Test must-watch music TV.

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Pukka! The Mockney tones of chef Jamie Oliver became almost as famous as his enthusiastic cooking.

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The game show Shooting Stars, hosted by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, rewarded its winners with useless prizes.

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Historian Simon Schama helped revitalise historical TV with his History of Britain.

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The Young Ones took the anarchy of student life to ridiculous extremes, and made icons of its characters.

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The 21st Century has seen a new breed of comedy shows - like this year's Little Britain.