The Five Best Sitcoms To Watch on iPlayer

Looking for something to binge? Ali Plumb has got your back

Not sure what to watch?

Radio 1's film critic Ali Plumb has put together his favourite TV shows which are available to watch across all major streaming platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV.

And below he rounds up the very best sitcoms available on BBC iPlayer.

3 series, 15 episodes

Despite all the BAFTAs and rave reviews for Daisy May and Charlie Cooper's Cotswolds-set mock-doc sitcom, I am often surprised at how few of my friends have gotten round to sitting down and watching This Country, top to bottom.

It's a work of art, this show, a beautifully-observed slice of country life that hits so close to home sometimes you have to laugh - which is the point, sure.

The way it captures rural life is unlike so much else we see on TV, tackling the boredom and social isolation head-on. Plus, like I say, it's funny. Always helpful with sitcoms, I find.

Why you'll love it: Lines like “Mini cheddars are like crack to old people” and “Look at ‘em. they’re bowling like a bunch of absolute pubes out there today.” I'd mention some of my other favourite lines, but I'm not sure what I'd need to **** out.

1 series, 10 episodes

Based on the beloved cult comedy film from loveable dry-witted New Zealanders Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement - the former now an Oscar-winning big deal in Hollywood, making films like Thor Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit - WWDITS (as I like to call it) is something a bit different.

First up, it's about vampires. Yes, you read that correctly. They share a house in New York and get on each other's nerves. There are different types of vampire, there are familiars, there are coffins... there's a lot of general vampiness going on.

There's only one series so far, with another on the way shortly, which means it's not actually all that bingeable per se, but there's something really special here and I highly recommend you get involved before every man and his undead dog starts crowing about it.

Plus good ol' Matt Berry is in it, veteran of Toast Of London, The IT Crowd and much more, plus Kayvan Novak of Fonejacker and Four Lions fame, as well as my personal favourite, Natasia Demetriou, whose vampiric voice had me in stitches.

All in all, it's undeniably an acquired taste / not for everyone / very much high concept, but trust me, if you like things a little off the beaten path, this is the one for you.

Why you'll love it: In What We Do In The Shadows, there's something called an 'Energy Vampire', and when you discover what exactly that means you'll immediately realise you know a few in real life. Just be careful not to tell them to their faces, it's... not a good thing.

3 series, 20 episodes

Also very much on the far end of the bizarrometer is The Mighty Boosh, a thoroughly bananas TV show from the mid-'00s that may well have passed you by.

Whether you've seen it already or not, now is the time to reconnect with the out-there oddities of Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding.

I have fond memories of first meeting Old Gregg and Lester Corncrake, as well as daydreaming of running my own zoo, and just what that would have been like (hint: probably terrible).

It's a tough one to describe, but The Mighty Boosh is mighty indeed, and a lot of its finest moments still circle round my brain, popping into my mind at the most unexpected times. Howard's "Don't kill me, I've got so much to give", for example, or Tony Harrison's "This is an outrage!" burst out of my mouth more often than I care to admit.

Why you'll love it: If you're not already aware of his Booshy past, it'll give a whole new twist on your favourite Bake Off host Noel Fielding.

3 series, 21 episodes

If you're looking to feel good and have a smile slapped on your face, Gavin & Stacey is just the ticket.

The recent(ish) Christmas special reminded us all why we loved the show so much, so there's no better time to take a trip down memory lane - the first series came out in 2007 (!) by the way - and of course you'd already watched at least some of it over the years.

So don't let me explain what you already know and love, just press play and have a chuckle.

Why you'll love it: Aside from everything else, James Corden looks SO YOUNG.

3 series, 13 episodes

I once read a review of Man Like Mobeen that described it as "Only Fools and Horses meets Breaking Bad" and it really stuck with me.

I truly struggle to think of a better turn of phrase to describe it, but I should probably give you the basics to begin with: Man Like Mobeen is a BBC Three comedy-drama series from the genius minds of Guz Khan (who also stars) and Andy Milligan.

Mobeen (Khan) is trying to lead a good life, but his drug dealing past lurks in the background as tries to look after his sister Aqsa (aka Aks).

The show is flat-out great, and it hits you right in the heart as well as making you laugh.

Why you'll love it: In a word, Aks. She's just the best.