British surreal comedy has had quite an evolution. Before and after Monty Python (1969) there was (some highlights):
The Goon Show (radio)(1951-1960). Included Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, and Harry Secombe. Very influential.
Beyond the Fringe (1964). Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.
At Last the 1948 Show (1967-1968) (included Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Marty Feldman, and Tim Brooke-Taylor (of The Goodies).
Do Not Adjust Your Set (1967-1969) (included Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam).
How to Irritate People (1968)(single show featuring John Cleese.)
Marty (1968) and It’s Marty (1969). (Many of the above.)
The Q Series (1969-1982). Spike Milligan. There were six series in all, the first five numbered from Q5 to Q9, and a final series titled There’s a Lot of It About. Q5 heavily influence Monty Python.
The Marty Feldman Comedy Machine (1971).
The Goodies (1970-1980).
Derek and Clive Get the Horn (1979). Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.
The Young Ones (1982–1984).
The Marty Feldman shows were wonderful. He had Pythons writing for them. A golden age for British comedy.
Anybody seen the new show “Vicious” starring those masters of knockabout comedy, Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Ian McKellan? It’s the old show Rising Damp with two of the biggest queens in show biz. Not hilarious but has possibilities.