Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 14th March 2022 |
Latest comedy news
Ben Elton to record TV special
Ben Elton is set to record his recent stand-up show for television. The writer and comedian will "return to the London stage to explore the modern age".
Bridget Christie lands Channel 4 menopause comedy The Change
Bridget Christie is making The Change, a Channel 4 comedy drama about the menopause described as "Shirley Valentine meets Deliverance. With pigs".
Jimmy Carr show I Literally Just Told You to return for Series 2
I Literally Just Told You, the comic game show hosted by Jimmy Carr, is to return to Channel 4 for a second series. Channel 4 is backing the comedian despite recent controversy.
Chortle Awards 2022 shortlist revealed
The nominees have been announced for the Chortle Awards 2022. Bob Mortimer, Liz Kingsman and Adam Rowe lead the shortlists with two nominations apiece. Voting is open now.
Ellie Taylor lands two new Channel 4 shows
Stand-up comedian and actor Ellie Taylor has been lined up to present two new entertainment formats on Channel 4: a dating show built around movie love scenes, and a sleuthing-inspired game show.
Tom Davis developing Irish comedies
Tom Davis has revealed that four of his current screen projects are comedies tapping into his Irish roots, including a potential second series of crime caper The Curse on Channel 4.
Comic Relief 2022 highlights to include return of Rock Profile
Matt Lucas & David Walliams, Dawn French & Jennifer Saunders, the stars of Ghosts, Jack Whitehall, Stephen Fry and the QI team will be amongst those starring in the BBC One Red Nose Day broadcast this Friday.
Advert
Join us at London's Museum Of Comedy next week, Friday 25th March, to see some super funny comedians performing in the BCG Pro Talent Awards final. Stuart Goldsmith will be the host for the night. Come along for lots of laughs. Info & tickets
Features
Samson Kayo & Jane Horrocks on Bloods Series 2
As Bloods returns for Series 2, Samson Kayo and Jane Horrocks talk about reprising their roles as paramedics Maleek and Wendy.
Comedy Rewind: Mrs Merton & Malcolm
The late great Caroline Aherne may ultimately have regretted Mrs Merton & Malcolm as a spin-off to her wildly successful talk show. The programme may have come out a little darker and more offbeat than the team's original intent. But that certainly didn't mean it wasn't a great piece of comedy, bleak or otherwise, as we explain.
First Gig Worst Gig: Catie Wilkins
Stand-up comic turned sit-down author, Catie Wilkins recalls gong violence, crime crackers and an Ed Balls boost.
British Comedy Quiz #193
In hindsight, the first question in this edition of our quiz is probably a bit easy. But don't let that fool you into thinking obtaining the top score is any more likely this week!
Random 8: Catherine Bohart
Which hefty raffle prize became an unhealthy lockdown obsession? Catherine Bohart reveals all.
TV listings
Holding
A new comedy drama series based on the book by Graham Norton. When human remains are found in a sleepy Irish village, Sergeant PJ Collins (Conleth Hill) finally has a genuine crime to solve...
The Stand Up Sketch Show
Russell Kane, Travis Jay, Chloe Petts, Olga Koch, Michael Stranney, Sikisa and Seann Walsh are the comics delivering routines tonight.
Starstruck
In the final episode of the series, Steve and Sarah's pre-wedding celebrations bring Tom back into Jessie's life.
This Is Going To Hurt
Adam does his first shift at a posh private hospital, whilst Shruti has a challenging night shift. Whilst this particular episode still has comedy elements in it, it will be remembered for delivering a hard-hitting, sad, poignant and affecting plotline.
Cheaters
Just one episode airs this week (the final two are next week). As Josh tries to salvage his relationship with Esther, Fola and Zack rekindle their attraction in the most unusual way.
Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable
Mel and Lou are joined by Sara Cox, Keith Lemon and Nabil Abdulrashid. Sara faces the consequences of her less than model behaviour and Nabil is confronted by the many victims of his pranks.
The Witchfinder
Episode 2 of the new sitcom starring Tim Key and Daisy May Cooper. Bannister starts off on his journey to Chelmsford with Thomasine, to put on a show trial for the Witchfinder General.
What Just Happened?
Kiri Pritchard-McLean hosts this topical panel show pilot that "takes a distinctly Welsh look at the week's news at home and abroad". Team captains Robin Morgan and Priya Hall are joined by Anna Thomas and Leroy Brito.
Kate & Koji
Series 2 of the studio audience sitcom about a cafe owner and an African asylum seeking doctor. With Jimmy Akingbola now working in America, Okorie Chukwu takes over as Koji. In this opener, Kate is set to be rewarded for her work during the pandemic.
Bloods
Series 2 of the paramedic sitcom. Wendy and Maleek find new sources of conflict when they are involved in a malpractice investigation and Wendy's deeply irritating son starts work at the depot.
Frayed
Bev learns that the Coopers are expecting her to lie to the police about Jim's whereabouts on the day of Terry's death, and quickly reverts to type and bribes them in return for changing her story.
Guessable?
David Baddiel, Olga Koch, Donna Preston and Ranvir Singh play games. At one point, team captain Darren Harriott struggles to recall the colours of the rainbow.
Billy Connolly Does...
According to Billy, crocodiles hate heavy rock, polar bears are surprisingly sneaky and unicorns reside in Scotland. Settle in for more tales from the comedian.
Meet The Richardsons
Jon and Lucy reluctantly agree to look after their new neighbours' hamster. But with Lucy away filming a game show, Jon's left with sole responsibility for the mini pet.
Comic Relief
Sir Lenny Henry is live in the studio with Zoe Ball, Paddy McGuinness, Alesha Dixon and David Tennant as the fundraising show returns. As you may have read above, Lucas & Walliams, French & Saunders and Ghosts will be amongst the entertainment on offer.
The Last Leg
Jack Dee and Ria Lina are set to join the regular trio this Friday, as they continue to try to make sense of what Russia is doing.
Dating No Filter
Josh and Rowen don spandex tights and head into the squared circle as they grapple with the prospect of finding romance on a wrestling date. Will it be a smackdown or a let down? Join the show's comedians as they watch on.
For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
Shop
|
Rachel Parris - Advice From StrangersComedian Rachel Parris was asked to give an inspiring graduation speech. Who did she ask for advice? Total strangers... Over the course of a year award-winning comedian Rachel Parris asked members of her live audience for advice. Here she takes those random bits of wisdom - such as 'Be Kind' or 'Never Pass Up the Opportunity for a Wee' - and explores them in ways that are "funny and serious, hilarious and heart-breaking". This "uplifting feminist manifesto" of a book outlines the essentials of living in the modern world. |
 |
A Life Of BlissGeorge Cole stars in the classic BBC radio sitcom about a bashful, bumbling bachelor. First broadcast in 1953, A Life Of Bliss ran for six series and 118 episodes on radio, concluding in 1969 when a TV series was made. Sadly, most are missing from the BBC archive (including the first seven, starring David Tomlinson) - but 19 were rescued and rebroadcast by BBC Radio 4 Extra, and are included here. The comedy chronicles the misadventures of shy, absent-minded bachelor David Bliss, who goes through life with his head in the clouds and his mind in a fog. His friends and family agree that it's high time he settled down, but it's hard to find the right girl - though he's sure she'll come along sooner or later. Perhaps pretty Penny Gay will fit the bill - or Maxine, or Zoe... In the meantime, he's happy to live the single life, though he does keep finding himself in awkward situations. |
 |
Henry Churniavsky - With All Jew RespectA book on Jewish stand-up comedians, arranged chronologically by birth from Groucho Marx to Jerry Seinfeld. Read some of their well-known jokes and Liverpudlian Jewish comedian Henry Churniavsky's insight into the subjects that they covered. He has lovingly captured their history and key achievements, presenting this interesting and informative guide to the most important Jewish comedians to have come from the US and UK. Profits from the sale of this book are going to 'Laugh For Life', a charity for mental health awareness for young people. |
 |
Inspector SteineAll four series of Lynne Truss's comedy thrillers set in 1950s Brighton. Brighton, 1957: a sunny seaside resort with a sinister underbelly. This den of villainy is policed by the touchingly innocent Inspector Steine, who naively believes he wiped out all the hoodlums in the Middle Street Massacre six years earlier. Can long-suffering Sergeant Brunswick and keen Constable Twitten persuade him that a criminal mastermind is at large - and that the station's charlady, Mrs Groynes, might bear investigation? Michael Fenton Stevens stars as Inspector Steine, with John Ramm as Sergeant Brunswick, Matt Green as Constable Twitten and Jan Ravens and Samantha Spiro as Mrs Groynes. |
 |
Kevin Eldon Will See You Now - The Complete Series 1-4All four series of the acclaimed sketch show written by and starring Kevin Eldon. Having appeared in supporting roles alongside a range of top-name, acclaimed comedy talent, he decided to take it up a notch with this, his very own show. Featuring sketches, characters, sound effects, a bit of music and a lot of messin' about - as well as his all-important cast of stellar comedy names including Amelia Bullmore, Julia Davis, Paul Putner and Justin Edwards, and special guests Philip Pope and Phil Cornwell. In the first three series, Kevin goes into space, evokes the powerful gods of Ancient Egypt, extols the wonders of drink and sneezing, and finally discovers a use for avant-garde German film director Werner Herzog. The fourth series takes a narrative turn, as Kevin broadcasts from the family stately home, complete with his artistic genius Italian wife, Alessandra; his pair of adopted sons, Jacob and Rees; and their cat, Mogg. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Sessions
A three-part bitesize online sitcom. New teachers Elise and George meet their external tutor Krish during their first week at school.
Of Pints and Men
A 5 minute short film. Roy is a solitary figure who doesn't take kindly to the presence of others in his local pub. And Earl just wants a good, honest pint.
Twenty Quid Change
A man avoiding charity workers finds twenty quid.
Jenna Wimshurst meets Gal Gadot
Jenna Wimshurst explains: "Gal Gadot, to many of us mere mortals, looks like the perfect woman. So I thought it might be a good idea to ask her for any tips on how to improve myself."
Open Dad Night
A look at a space that has been created for men to try out their 'dad jokes'.
The Advert vs The Actual Game
Why does the advert never match the actual video game? A short but pretty perfect sketch from Alasdair Beckett-King.
Not-Notting Hill
Comic Relief partnered with comedy duo Stokes & Summers to make a parody of romantic comedy favourite Notting Hill.
Tell Us Darling
A daughter talks to her parents.
Comedy Central Live - Peter Rethinasamy
Belfast born Peter Rethinasamy takes a look at family life with his Asian Dad, taking his granny to church and day tripping with his nephew.
Spotlight
The Invisibles
The late Warren Clarke starred with Anthony Head in this one-series comedy drama (BBC One, 2008) about two old-time criminals. Returning from living it up on the Costa del Crime and hoping to live out their retirement in a quiet Devon village, fishing and utilising the NHS, Syd and Maurice soon find boredom set in and that their remaining cash reserves don't stretch nearly as far as they had hoped. A return to their old ways is the obvious answer, but the world of crime has moved on a lot since they were last in the game... From writer William Ivory (Made In Dagenham, Common As Muck), the top cast also included Jenny Agutter, Paul Barber and Mina Anwar. The show is available on DVD and we have interviews, character information and much more in our guide.
Thanks for reading
BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition was all about websites, and John Holding won with this joke:
There's a website for cliff-hangers. www...
That's the end of this week's newsletter, but for more - including a first look at Catherine Tate's Hard Cell - do visit our website. To make a donation to Comic Relief visit comicrelief.com/donate or text FIVE, TEN, TWENTY, THIRTY or FORTY to 70702.
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
Join our mailing list