Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 6th September 2021 |
Hello and welcome to a new week! Don't miss our features section below - we've some particularly great pieces for you to read and enjoy today.
Latest comedy news
God Squad sitcom coming to Radio 4
Sketch comics Barney Fishwick and Jack Chisnall are piloting God Squad, a Radio 4 sitcom about a university's Christian Union struggling against the tide of secularism.
Stand-up comedian Phil Jerrod dies
Stand-up comedian Phil Jerrod has died, after a battle with cancer.
Russell Howard shoots 2022 Netflix special
Russell Howard has recorded a new Netflix special. The comic shot his latest stand-up tour, Respite, at the Hammersmith Apollo in London last week.
Chris and Rosie Ramsey land BBC chat show
Comedian Chris Ramsey and his influencer wife Rosie are to host their own late-night BBC chat show, following a successful pilot part-inspired by their smash-hit podcast Sh**ged, Married, Annoyed.
Stath Lets Flats Series 3 guest stars revealed
Stath Lets Flats Series 3 has finished filming, ahead of broadcast later this year. Guest stars in the new series will include Julia Davis and Charlie Cooper.
Ian Hislop and Nick Newman working on Italian opera house screenplay
Writers Ian Hislop and Nick Newman are working on a new screenplay together. The currently un-titled project focuses on an Italian opera house during World War II.
Code 404 set to return for Series 3
Work has begun on a third series of Code 404. Further episodes of the hit Sky Comedy cop sitcom, which stars Daniel Mays as a detective brought back to life as an AI experiment, and Stephen Graham as his long-suffering partner, have already been written, BCG understands.
Advert
Bridget Christie is a confused, sweaty lady who is annoyed by everything. Join her for her menopausal laugh-a-minute show touring Sep-Dec 2021. "She is among the last decade's most blissfully funny, ridiculous and radical standups..." - Brian Logan. Info & tickets
Features
George & Mildred at 45
Marking the 45th anniversary of its debut in September 1976, we take a look at sitcom George & Mildred and examine what what makes it so enduringly popular.
Novelty Jukebox: Tony Hancock - From East Cheam to the Pop Charts
Tony Hancock's work is much-celebrated amongst comedy aficionados, but long before complete CD releases were ever dreamt of, a series of re-recorded episodes of his and Galton & Simpson's iconic series were released on vinyl.
Bolu Babalola introduces Big Age
Bolu Babalola, the creator of Channel 4's Big Age, introduces her sitcom pilot, explains how Beyonce is a big inspiration in how she approaches her work, and more.
Greg Davies on The Cleaner
Greg Davies introduces the concept of his new sitcom, The Cleaner, and admits he's a bit jealous of his character.
Brian Murphy interview: George & Mildred at 45
To coincide with the 45th anniversary of hit sitcom George & Mildred today, we talk to star Brian Murphy about his long and varied career in comedy.
Comedy Chronicles: Just very naughty boys: Dave Allen, Peter Cook & Dudley Moore Down Under
Censorship can seem to be ever-growing in modern times - but it is nothing new, as Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Dave Allen found out 50 years ago this month on Australian television.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Patrick Monahan
Patrick Monahan takes us through his epic first gig, and beyond.
2point4 Children at 30
As host of a new podcast dedicated to the classic 1990s comedy series, J.D. Collins assesses the appeal and uniqueness of 2point4 Children as it turns 30 years old.
Ian Hislop on 60 years of Private Eye
As Private Eye celebrates its 60th birthday, we chat to editor Ian Hislop about satire, his favourite memories from over thirty years of Have I Got News For You, and the strange status of Hollywood hairpieces.
British Comedy Quiz #169
What is Arnold Rimmer's middle name? Know that and feeling smug? What about Constable Savage's arrests?
Advert
The Evening Standard's sold out Big Comedy Night, in association with Uber, celebrates a significant moment in the reopening of London with a fringe-style live event hosted by Underbelly Festival, Cavendish Square (Tuesday 7 September, from 7:30pm). The line-up features emerging and diverse comedy talent with the goal of Making London Laugh Again. FEATURING: Phil Wang, Babatúndé Aléshé, Evelyn Mok, Huge Davies, and Jessica Fostekew. Watch the comedians
TV listings
Ghosts
In this fifth episode the ghosts try to sabotage Alison's makeshift therapy session for Kitty. However, they unwittingly face their own demons. And Mike's desire to see the ghosts yields surprising results.
Channel Hopping With Jon Richardson
Suzi Ruffell and Judi Love join the host to look at US reality show Best Funeral Ever, and there's a televisual trip to Egypt.
Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled
Pulling up a chair at Alan's table this week are Joel Dommett, Rosie Jones, Sophie Duker and John Kearns, who swap stories about pulling, proposals and being unapologetic, plus insider secrets about the Houses of Parliament.
The Holden Girls: Mandy & Myrtle
This "documentary-style" comedy series starts with a double bill. It sees sees Amanda Holden move in with her beloved nan, Myrtle, played by Leigh Francis.
Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains
Josh Widdicombe, Clare Balding and Kiell Smith-Bynoe share their most mortifying teenage tales with Rhod Gilbert.
Code 404
Major and Carver are assigned an investigation into reports of a dangerous new drug used in an underground MMA fight ring.
Joe Lycett's Got Your Back
Clara Amfo joins the host as he bags up a massive financial victory with the Co-op. Plus, with the help of the SAS, Joe travels to Scotland to look into deliveries in the Highlands, and Rosie Jones ramps up the pressure on accessible renting.
A League Of Their Own
Joining Romesh, Jamie and Freddie this week are comedians Nish Kumar, Jo Brand and Catherine Bohart. Together, the crew try out some aerial yoga, take on the wall in a speed climbing challenge, and endure a Storm Warning in the final contest.
QI
The 19th series of the panel show starts on Thursday. Sandi Toksvig returns, joined by regular panellist Alan Davies, along with Maisie Adam, Jo Brand and Lee Mack.
The Russell Howard Hour
Series 5 of the topical comedy show. You can expect similar format points to the previous series, however now there's also a section showcasing rising stars from the stand-up circuit, much like in his previous BBC Three show.
The Scotts
Following on from a pilot last year, a full series of this reality show spoof in which Robert Florence and Iain Connell play two brothers has been filmed. Those not in Scotland will be able to find it on BBC iPlayer.
Late Night Mash
If you tuned in to last week's debut episode, you'll know that this is essentially The Mash Report continuing - same team, same format, same style of humour. There'll be more this Thursday.
The Cleaner
The start of the new sitcom in which Greg Davies stars as a specialist deep-cleaner of crime scenes. The opening episode features Helena Bonham Carter playing a character who interrupts his work.
Big Age
A comedy pilot following four young Black-British friends. Sade has turned 25, quit her job to be a writer and decided to tell her friend Zeke how she really feels...
Spitting Image
Spitting Image returns to BritBox, following the success of the previous series on the streaming platform.
Paul O'Grady's Saturday Night Line-Up
A new comedy entertainment show hosted by Paul O'Grady. It sees celebrities to pit themselves against each other, to find out what the great British public really thinks of them.
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse are in the Lake District to fish at some of the UK's best-loved beauty spots in the form of Derwentwater and Watendlath Tarn.
Just A Minute returns to Radio 4 today (6:30pm), with Sue Perkins as the new host. Also listen out for a new series of Bravo Two Charlies on BBC Wales today (6:30pm). For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
Advert
British Comedy Guide is hosting a stand-up competition final at the Museum Of Comedy in London on Friday 17th September. Felicity Ward hosts, as six rising stars (Brandon Burke, Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Liz Guterbock, Benjamin Lovell, Stuart Mitchell and Luke Rollason) perform their best sets - plus a special set from Bennet Kavanagh. Please come along - we'd love to see you there! Info & Tickets
Shop
|
Daniel Sloss - Everyone You Hate Is Going To DieAccording to Daniel Sloss, his show about bad relationships has caused 120 divorces and some 50,000 break-ups. Now he's written a book. In it, he "goes after every conceivable kind of relationship between two people" - with one's country, with America, with lovers, ex-lovers, ex-lovers who you hate, ex-lovers who hate you, parents, best friends (male and female), not-best friends, children, and siblings. |
|
Jeremy Hardy Speaks To The Nation - The Complete Series 1-10Included here are all 10 series of Jeremy Hardy Speaks To The Nation, with episodes on topics like "How to stay alive as long as you possibly can", "How to have a baby" and "How to confront the vexed issue of British identity without getting in the most fearful bate about the whole thing". This bumper collection also includes Jeremy Hardy's New Year Cavalcade - an unmissable meditation on everything Yule and a healthy dose of comic Bisodol to flush away the memory of driving up the motorway for seven hours in the dark to spend quantity time with your family - and the memorial programme When Jeremy Hardy Spoke To The Nation. |
 |
Dream HorseA comedy feature that was in cinemas as they reopened a few months back, starring Toni Collette, Damian Lewis, and the best of Welsh acting talent - based on a true story. Jan Vokes, a cleaner and bartender, recruits her reluctant husband Brian and local accountant Howard Davies to help her bring together a syndicate of villagers to breed a foal - which they raise on an allotment and name Dream Alliance. On the racetrack, he proves himself to be more than a match for the multi-million-pound race horses he comes up against - a true working-class champion, taking on the establishment at their own game. But much more than this, Dream begins to alter the lives of everyone in the syndicate, not least Jan's. |
|
John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme - The Complete Series 9The complete ninth series of BBC Radio 4's award-winning sketch show. John Finnemore returns with his multi-award-winning sketch show, but this series is very different to the previous eight. There are still sketches and songs, and it's still written and performed by him and his usual fantastic ensemble cast - but with no live studio audience, John has taken the opportunity to try something new. Each episode in this series of Souvenir Programme consists of scenes from one person's life, played in reverse order. There's no narrative as such - it's still a sketch show - but as we follow the characters back in time, from lockdown Zoom calls to childhood birthdays and funerals, the individual sketches link up to form an overall picture, portraying the sprawling history of an entire multi-generational family. |
|
The Assassination BureauOliver Reed and Diana Rigg head an impeccable cast in The Assassination Bureau, a spirited caper inspired by a book co-written by Jack London. Reed plays Ivan, the self-confident chief of an association of hitmen for hire, who will refuse no well-paid offer - especially the lucrative challenge of an aspiring reporter (Rigg). Reasoning that a running cat-and-mouse duel with his henchmen will rid the organisation of incompetents, Ivan agrees to become the object of a nonstop hunt. The game is afoot...and Europe is the playground! The Assassination Bureau is a lavishly produced comic sendup with unforgettable performances from Reed and Rigg. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Booking A Flight
The latest sketch from Stevie Martin and Lola-Rose Maxwell highlights how pricing and logistics on booking flights can be a nightmare.
Liza Minnelli delivers classic movie lines
Liza Minnelli (Sooz Kempner) delivers movie lines requested on Twitter, including Jaws, Ghostbusters and Gremlins.
Silent Lee in... The Virus!
Here's our boy with a serious case of COVID-1919...
Mission: Accessible - Cambridge
Dextra's autism and ADHD can make going on city breaks very difficult. Can Rosie Jones and Ashley Storrie help them plan an unforgettable accessible trip to Cambridge?
Important PSA: Anything
A Public Service Announcement about the symptoms of - and cure for - a disease that affects 1 in 1 people worldwide
Flaps - 'Grammanly' For The Pathetic Women
Ever wished you could be as blunt in your emails as Steve from Finance? Look no further - Grammanly is for YOU!
The Power of Stress Balls
Modern life has become way too stressful. That's why we have stress balls. Brilliant little things that make us calm and relaxed. They seem like a perfect idea to reduce stress, right? Maybe that's not what you always want...
The Toll - Trailer
A trailer for the new film, which is in selected cinemas now. On the Pembrokeshire border, a man (Michael Smiley) working solo shifts in the quietest toll booth in Wales hides from a criminal past where nobody would ever look.
Zoom Barber
When you need a trim but you don't like masks...who you gonna call? Zoom Barber.
Remember getting the period talk at school?
A sketch about the menopause from the women behind hit podcast Drunk Women Solving Crime.
Spotlight
Band Waggon
Spinning off from an extraordinarily popular BBC radio variety series of the same name, this 1940 film stars Arthur Askey and Richard 'Stinker' Murdoch as a pair of aspiring entertainers. Building on the radio format's sitcom elements that saw their characters living within Broadcasting House, the movie follows their discovery by BBC bosses and eviction, whereupon they try to find somewhere to stay in the country and end up launching their own pirate TV station - before outwitting a group of fifth columnists, naturally! Askey's first starring role in a feature film, it would be followed by a hugely successful string of pictures. Don't forget to enter our competition to win a newly restored copy of his second (reunited with Murdoch), Charley's (Big-Hearted) Aunt, based on a popular play.
Thanks for reading
Nicky Roberts has won the latest BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition on the topic of "the military":
I'd never be a lieutenant. They just sit around in nightclub toilets giving out wet wipes and deodorant.
To help keep British Comedy Guide running, please do consider becoming a BCG Supporter. If you have already donated, have you claimed your lovely metal pin badge from us yet?
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
Join our mailing list