Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 22nd November 2021 |
Good news for fans of Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse to start off today's newsletter:
Latest comedy news
Mortimer & Whitehouse return for Christmas special with Gazza
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing is to return to BBC Two this Christmas for another hour-long festive special. Special guests include former footballer Paul Gascoigne, and musicians Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott of The Beautiful South.
We Are Lady Parts to return for Series 2
We Are Lady Parts, the sitcom about the highs and lows of a Muslim punk band, is to return to Channel 4 for Series 2.
Larry Rickard and Ben Willbond create alien comedy We Are Not Alone
Ghosts stars Larry Rickard and Ben Willbond have created We Are Not Alone, a two hour scripted comedy in which Earth is run by aliens.
Filming starts on Series 2 of Bloods
Production is underway on the second series of Bloods, with Katherine Kelly and Nathan Foad joining the cast.
BBC pilots sitcom from writer accused of sexual harassment
The BBC is facing questions about its decision to pilot Saucer, a sitcom from Andrew Kreisberg - a writer with a string of sexual harassment allegations against him.
Advert
Brian Cox and Robin Ince of Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage bring their Christmas Compendium of Reason to the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 14 December. Science, comedy and music collide with a stellar line-up of guests, in a festive live show that's set to be out of this world! More info & tickets.
Features
Just a small features section this time, as we've been working on our new website.
Win a DVD box set of Morecambe & Wise's ITV work
Every single surviving episode of Morecambe and Wise's ITV shows are being released on DVD next week - many programmes now being seen for only the first time since their original broadcast. We have two 14-disc box sets to give away.
Win a box set of four classic sitcom film adaptations on Blu-ray
Four of the 1970s' most popular British television sitcom film adaptations have been released on Blu-ray in a single limited edition box set that's overflowing with extra features. We have one copy to give away to a very lucky reader.
Comedy Chronicles: Kings of comedy - When Muir & Norden bossed the BBC
Heard the one about the comedy writers who became some of the most powerful comedy executives in the country? The remarkable tale of Frank Muir and Denis Norden's time at the top of the TV tree is one that all broadcasters could learn from today.
Random 8: Tom Holmes
Linford Christie, a full loaf of bread and a hobbit from Lord Of The Rings: which of these is Tom Holmes most chuffed about?
Podcasts
As always, we have been publishing Richard Herring's latest podcasts, including RHLSTP (this time with Dave Gorman). There are also new Sitcom Geeks and Worst Writer In The World episodes to listen to.
TV listings
The Outlaws
Richard E Grant guest stars in tonight's episode of the comedy drama, playing Lady Gabriella Penrose-Howe's rich father.
Frankie Boyle's New World Order
Frankie Boyle is joined by Ahir Shah, Sophie Duker, Munya Chawawa, Miles Jupp and Sara Barron.
Along For The Ride With David O'Doherty
David O'Doherty goes on cycling trips with celebrity companions in this new series, starting with Richard Ayoade.
The Golden Cobra
A short-form animated comedy about a delivery driver working for an awful Indian takeaway, broadcasting as part of BBC Wales's Festival Of Funny season. If you miss it, it'll be on iPlayer.
Question Team
Making up Richard Ayoade's self-quizzing collective are Lou Sanders, Toussaint Douglass, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and special guests The Delightful Sausage.
Stath Lets Flats
A surprise stag do for Stath's dad Vasos turns into a nostalgic trip into the past when the gang discover a home video recording the early days of Michael & Eagle.
Live From Aberystwyth Pier
A new stand-up series hosted by Kiri Pritchard-McLean. The opening episode features performances from Robin Morgan, Athena Kugblenu, Frank Foucault and Jonny Pelham. If you're not in Wales, it'll be on BBC iPlayer too.
Vandullz
A six-part comedy following Wales's most exciting up-and-coming indie band. Each episode is five minutes. There's three this week, then three next week.
Comedians Giving Lectures
Sara Pascoe is joined by comedians Babatundé Aléshé, Jessica Fostekew and Josh Widdicombe who compete to deliver the best lecture.
Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains
Rhod is joined by Jim Moir (AKA Vic Reeves), Lorraine Kelly and Kae Kurd as they travel back in time. Discover who had erotic fantasies about Star Trek and who was a teenage criminal.
Brassic
Driven mad with worry, Erin has told Vinnie about the money she owes McCann. But when McCann's men kidnap Tyler as a warning, Vinnie is so furious that he kidnaps McCann's twins in retaliation and the situation worsens.
Live At The Apollo
Zoe Lyons introduces comedians Ria Lina and Tom Ward to the stage, as the BBC stand-up format continues.
Taskmaster
It's the Series 12 final. Guz Khan joyously gobbles chocolates, Victoria Coren Mitchell attempts to decipher Alan Davies's unfathomable body movements and Desiree Burch writes a very persuasive song for Alex Horne. Morgana Robinson also remains in the running.
The Russell Howard Hour
Another episode of topical comedy and chat with Russell Howard.
Mock The Week
Dara O Briain and Hugh Dennis look back at all the stuff that's been going on in the news this week, with Maisie Adam, Angela Barnes, Jen Brister, Rhys James and Ahir Shah.
Have I Got News For You
Jack Dee presents this week, with guest comic Phil Wang and former co-Chairwoman of the Conservative Party, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi.
The Last Leg
Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker continue to deliver the laughs on a Friday night.
The Graham Norton Show
Richard Osman, whose new novel is The Man Who Died Twice, will appear this week. Plus Hollywood star Will Smith, Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, and music from Yola who performs Starlight.
The Big Narstie Show
The grime MC and co-host Mo Gilligan are set to be joined by guests Dawn Butler MP, Lily Cole, Fatman Scoop, Digga D and Paul Chowdhry.
Age Of Outrage
The sketch comedy series looking at the big issues of the day continues. Like what did the first Snapchat filter look like? Plus the company where a word out of place could land you in hot water.
Blankety Blank
Bradley Walsh hosts as Tess Daly, Adil Ray, Roisin Conaty, Sue Perkins, Gregg Wallace and Mark Wright try to fill in the missing blanks and help the contestants win big prizes.
The Jonathan Ross Show
The host welcomes actor Riz Ahmed, TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson and comedy writer and actor Stephen Merchant. Music is provided by Sting, who also chats, while Gary Barlow and Sheridan Smith perform their festive duet How Christmas Is Supposed To Be.
Billy Connolly: In His Own Words
A profile of the comedian and actor drawing on interviews, TV appearances and stand-up performances from his career to reveal his journey from a childhood of maternal abandonment in the tenement blocks of Glasgow to the very top of international showbusiness.
For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
Shop
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HoffmanOne of the most unsettling films in the Peter Sellers canon, Hoffman sees the actor in a sinister starring role as a bachelor who obsesses over his secretary (Sinead Cusack) and, discovering that her boyfriend (Jeremy Bulloch) has been fiddling the books at work, blackmails her into spending a week with him. Their time together reveals Hoffman's tragic, lonely existence. Alvin Rakoff (Death Ship) directs a film that is by turns amusing, poignant and uneasy, and boasts a central performance so uncomfortable and revealing that its star tried to have the film's negative destroyed. This Blu-ray world premiere release is a new restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative. |
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Alma's Not NormalCritically acclaimed, this is Sophie Willan's "bitingly funny and unflinching take" on class, sexuality, mental health and substance abuse. After a recent break-up, Alma tries to get her life back on track. But with no job, no qualifications and a rebellious streak a mile wide, it is not going to be easy. Meanwhile, her heroin-addicted mum has been sectioned for arson, and her vampish grandma Joan wants nothing to do with it. Alma's Not Normal celebrates women dealing with the hand they were dealt, while doggedly pursing their dreams. |
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The Goes Wrong Show - Series 2Once again, Cornley Drama Society return to the BBC with six shows performed live for the public to 'enjoy'. Sadly, they are as inept as ever, this time with the added complication of an internal feud that spills out into open, incompetent warfare. Disaster-fuelled fun for all the family to enjoy. |
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Only Fools And Horses - The 80s SpecialsOn Blu-ray for the first time - lovely jubbly! Join Del, Rodders and the rest of the gang in this collection of some of their most-loved adventures. Uncle Albert takes to the seas once more in To Hull And Back, Del Boy makes a lasting impression when he joins a clay pigeon shoot in A Royal Flush, the highs and lows of romance are revealed in Dates, and The Jolly Boys' Outing to Margate sees the entire Peckham faithful get into all sorts of trouble. Includes collectors' booklet, behind the scenes photo galleries, 5 exclusive double-sided art cards, plus both the original and writer's cut versions of A Royal Flush, and a fully restored 4 minute scene in The Jolly Boys' Outing. |
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The Larkins - Series 1In the idyllic and beautiful Kent countryside the Larkin family have a achieved a small patch of paradise where nothing is wasted, and they enjoy life to the full. There's an overwhelming sense of plenty in their lives and a lot of joy and raucous laughter, as Ma Larkin provides a seemingly endless supply of delicious, hearty meals. And no matter what time of day, the Larkins and their guests aren't averse to enjoying the odd cocktail or two! Based on the novels of H.E. Bates - previously adapted for television as The Darling Buds Of May starring David Jason, Pam Ferris and Catherine Zeta-Jones, this new heart-warming ITV comedy series has been delighting audiences across the autumn and will be available on DVD and Blu-ray just before Christmas. Watch out for a special festive episode on TV over the period too. |
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Harry Hill - Fight!: Thirty Years Not Quite At The TopIn this "highly entertaining" memoir from one of the nation's most popular comedians, Harry Hill takes an honest and hilarious look back at his life and career through the lens of what didn't go right. We join him on the journey in childhood, and his starring role in the cub panto, through a short-lived career as a hospital doctor - where he was reprimanded for daydreaming during a life-saving operation - to slogging it out on the comedy circuit in the 90s alongside comics like Bill Bailey and Jo Brand - to becoming a national TV teatime favourite. He takes us behind the scenes of his ill-fated X-Factor musical I Can't Sing!, on a very strange car journey with Simon Cowell, and shares what he said to The Queen when he found himself alone with her backstage at The Royal Albert Hall. Harry's was a fight to not quite the top of the showbiz food chain. Full of truthful reflection and uproarious stories, he finds joy in failure, creativity in struggle and revels in the lessons to be learnt from a flop. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Hogwarts: It's Riddikulus
Hogwarts doesn't seem to be all it's cracked up to be for these first years! It's 20 years of the Harry Potter movie franchise, so to celebrate Quirks & Foibles get sorted into their houses...
Very personalised celebrity video message on Cameo
This celebrity has worked out the perfect way to film Cameo videos.
Self Defence Tips
Life on the streets is dangerous. You need to know how to defend yourself. Josh and Chris, martial arts experts, show you all the moves you need to demolish your attacker. The only self defence class you'll ever need.
Squid Game - Bev's Induction
Bev is working on Squid Game.
Jazz Emu - Hoergupjelly Kisses
Jazz Emu says: "Be aware that this contains: 1) flashing images; 2) dashing visages".
Estate Agents
The latest from Joz Norris. "Oh no, it's a sketch about estate agents."
Dragon's Den
When Holly Hall was a kid she did a brief stint on Dragon's Den, here's her famous pitch...
Train Watching
What could be more interesting?...
Being A New Mum: Expectation v Reality
Ellie Taylor, Jessica Fostekew and Athena Kugblenu talk about the maternal mental health challenges of being a new mum through their own personal real life experiences.
After Life - Series 3 Teaser
The third series of Ricky Gervais's After Life is coming soon. It's expected to launch on Netflix early in 2022.
Spotlight
Never The Twain
Acting legends and comedy favourites, Sir Donald Sinden and Windsor Davies starred together in this popular, long-running ITV comedy series about friends, rivals, in-laws and antique dealers Simon Peel and Oliver Smallbridge. Accumulating eleven series from 1981, the knockabout sitcom followed their varied relationship, from warring former friends to business partners and in-laws, delighting millions every week who tuned in to watch. All episodes are available now on DVD, to relive and enjoy the daftness once more.
Thanks for reading
Marc Pinto has won the latest BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition, which was on the topic of teenagers:
Monosyllabic teenagers are rebels without a clause.
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
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