Originally airing in the UK on 22 November 1992, the series consisted of six 50-minute episodes with each one focusing on a different aspect of humour and show business entertainment.

Each section illustrates examples of mostly early visual comedy and references to the comedians, actors, and directors that defined these movements.

"Montreal Gazette's Mike Boone found that Funny Business is incomplete and outdated as it failed to include Roseanne, Seinfeld, and The Larry Sanders Show.

Funny Business talks to the best and brightest in network comedy: English, Larry Gelbart, Norman Lear, James Burrows.

"[4] Derek Leather of The Age praised the television series, writing, "In spite of this roster, Kevin is one of the funniest characters in Funny Business, underlining the preeminence of Atkinson as a visual comedian.