Awards News

"What's funny is funny," says Michael Lombardo, president of the programming group and West Coast operations for HBO. "Comedy travels."

There was a slew of U.S. comedies that featured global talent last season. While Ricky Gervais starrer "Extras" finished out its run with a movie, HBO found niche success with a couple of odd New Zealanders in "Flight of the Conchords."

Over at Showtime, "Tracey Ullman's State of the Union" marked the longtime U.K. comedian's look at everything American -- a typical day in the life of political figures, celebrities and athletes.

Ullman, who received her Stateside citizenship a few months ago, has been a master of impression for decades, and her popularity in America is nothing new. Many auds first became aware of her comic talents during "The Tracey Ullman Show" in the late 1980s on Fox. Showtime entertainment topper Robert Greenblatt shares a long history with idea how she would translate to an American sketch comedy series," Greenblatt recalls. "And, of course, I was blown away. ... Now it's come full circle. I think she will always have a fresh and unique point of view about American life and culture in that she began as an outsider."

A Brit's sense of humor can often be dry, but there's nary a shortage of sheer hilarity. Gervais, for example, found his sweet spot with a droll sarcasm that translates equally well for both English and American audiences.

"In comedy, we're always looking for a distinct voice," says Michael Lombardo, president of the programming group and West Coast operations for HBO. "Good or bad, we have found that the U.K. and BBC have nourished those kind of distinct voices in a way that American TV has not."

Gervais, who'll be performing standup at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood next month, is the reigning Emmy champ, winning last year for lead actor in a comedy for "Extras." He defeated a stellar group: Charlie Sheen, Alec Baldwin, three-time champ Tony Shalhoub, and, ironically, Steve Carell for his turn in "The Office," the role that was originated by Gervais.

For "Conchords," starring Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, the premise for the show is the fact that they, and their music, are so unfamiliar to everyone in the States, everything New Zealand-related is played for laughs. Instead of trying to tap into Americans' sense of humor, the boys are finding that audiences appreciate the foreign twist.

Granted, the show is far from a ratings hit -- longtime HBO comedy series "Curb Your Enthusiasm" fares better -- but the show does have a strong niche following and several critics have warmed to it.

Tim Goodman of the San Francisco Chronicle says, " 'Flight of the Conchords' may well be the funniest thing you've seen in ages," while Entertainment Weekly calls it a "simple bit of joy."

"What's funny is funny," says Lombardo. "Comedy travels."