'Hilarious, uncompromising, original and trailblazing'

Tim Key chooses his Perfect Playlist

1. Harold Lloyd

I used to love watching this goon when I was a kid, but I think the stuff we were served up were just clips of him. Highlights stitched together. You still got the impression he was an amazing comedian and stuntman and could nail a likeable vibe, but really, to understand his genius, you have to see his features, which I only did recently

Safety Last is my favourite. It’s got the classic clock scene, yes, but it’s the film as a whole that will win your heart. A beautiful story, crammed to bursting with comedy. I came to it late, and love it. And Lloyd’s just supreme in it.

2. The Office

Perfect. When I first moved to London it was showing for the second time, after it’s fabled under-the-radar first go. I wasn’t cool enough to watch it first time round, but, along with everyone else, this time I hoovered it up. I got the lot on DVD and then treated it like cocoa, slurping it down before bedtime every night.

It’s hilarious, uncompromising, original and trailblazing. Gervais is pretty virtuosic as Brent, but everyone plays their part supremely. From top to bottom those guys nailed this show. Very envious of all involved. I bumped into one of the Slough lot at a bar a couple of months ago. Starstruck.

3. Hancock

Hancock’s off the charts. My dad used to tape it and whack it on in the car when we went on long journeys, so I kind of have a sentimental attachment to it. I used to love listening to it, though I probably didn’t understand it. Weirdly, Bill Kerr was my favourite. I thought he sounded really nice.

Now I’ve gone back to it as an adult and it stands up uncannily well. There’s a ton of stuff made forty years after Hancock, which now seems dated. Hancock doesn’t. Galton and Simpson were miles ahead of their time and Tony Hancock is a genius. You NEED to listen to Hancock.

4. Police Squad

Probably should throw something American in. I watch Seinfeld and Curb probably too much these days, but Police Squad was the first import to get me going. I remember chuckling away with my brother as a youngster. There was a lot going on in this show and Leslie Nielsen at its centre not noticing any of it.

Haven’t seen it for ages so hope it stands up. I think that’s why I’ve put it on my list, so someone has to dig it out and then I can click on it.

5. Knowing Me Knowing You, with Alan Partridge

Bit weird to put this in, as he’s my boss but I have to. The first comedy I became genuinely obsessed by – this was the stuff me and my mate would listen to as we drove my Ford Fiesta around the place as sad little 17 year-olds. Infinitely quotable, the tapes feel like they’ve eased themselves into my veins and will forever ooze around me.

I can’t remember anything that I’ve watched over the past week, but I still remember every single word of those bloody tapes. Flipping hell. Funny.