7 Reasons John Oliver Is Britain's Greatest Export

4. Community

In addition to his "as himself" appearances, Oliver has launched an acting career in America which, even over its short lifespan, has been a real mixed bag. He's frequently mocked by comedy partner Zaltzman for his role in Smurfs (and 2013's much maligned Smurfs 2) but has also landed parts in respected comedy institutions like The Simpsons. However, his greatest role by far is as Professor Ian Duncan in Community, the oddball, always-two-seconds-from-cancellation sitcom. His plays his role as a professor at a community college with just the right amount of sleaze and casual incompetence. Though his character is ostensibly a psychologist, the show uses the "doctor heal thyself" trope to great effect, allowing Oliver to frequently play the nuttiest one in the room. Despite his only having a recurring role, his comic chemistry with the main cast is remarkable, particularly with Joel McCale as Jeff Winger, the show's protagonist. His comedic high points come through his satirisation of not just college professors but also Brits living in America. Oh and he plays drunk really well. Almost troublingly well.