Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 24th January 2022 |
Monday has somehow forced itself upon us again already and so we have another comedy round-up to share, including some more news exclusives you won't find anywhere else.
Latest comedy news
Tony Hancock sketch show to be released on DVD
Tony Hancock's first television series, a sketch show from early 1956 unseen since its original broadcast, is to be released on DVD next month.
Wallace & Gromit to return for new adventure in 2024
The characters Wallace & Gromit will return in 2024 in a currently un-titled new special. The plot focuses on Gromit's concern that Wallace has become over-dependant on his inventions. The comedy will premiere on BBC One in the UK, whilst Netflix has the rights for the rest of the world.
Mo Gilligan announces second Netflix special
Mo Gilligan is releasing a new Netflix special. His There's Mo To Life show, recorded at the Hammersmith Apollo on his recent tour, will be available from 17th February.
Jason Manford wins two prizes at North West Comedy Awards
Jason Manford, Dan Nightingale, Paul Smith and Dan Tiernan were amongst the winners at last week's North West Comedy Awards.
John Shuttleworth extends his radio sitcom record
John Shuttleworth is poised to extend his record of having the longest-running sitcom on radio made exclusively by the same creator. Graham Fellows has confirmed The Shuttleworths has been recommissioned for two more, as-yet-untitled Radio 4 specials to air later this year.
The Larkins to return for Series 2
The Larkins, the ITV comedy drama based on the Darling Buds Of May novels, starring Bradley Walsh and Joanna Scanlan, is returning for a second series.
Paramount Plus adapts Beth O'Leary's The Flatshare as first UK comedy
Streaming service Paramount Plus has commissioned its first UK comedy series, Flatshare, directed by The Full Monty's Peter Cattaneo and based on Beth O'Leary's bestselling novel.
Bradley Walsh's Blankety Blank to return to BBC One
Iconic comedy game show Blankety Blank is to return to BBC One later this year for a second series with Bradley Walsh as host.
Advert
Jack Dee hosts I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, the multi award-winning antidote to panel games, in a triumphant return to the stage for 2022. Recently voted 'Greatest Radio Comedy of All Time' by Radio Times, the new tour dates promise to be unmissable evenings of inspired nonsense. Info & tickets
Features
Comedy.co.uk Awards 2021 - have you voted yet?
It's the last week to vote in our TV and radio awards. If you haven't already, do please click through and pick your favourite from each of the shortlists. It'll take about two minutes in total (well, admittedly maybe slightly longer if you can't make your mind up as to which shows to support).
Stephen Mangan interview: Can we call him a comedian?
From I'm Alan Partridge to Episodes, The Old Vic to children's author, Landscape Artist of the Year to Slapstick gala host, Stephen Mangan doesn't know what to call himself. Many fans still call him Dan...
How we made The Mind Of Herbert Clunkerdunk Series 2
Here's a feature from BCG Pro, our website for comedy creators. It's a fascinating chat with producer Ben Worsfield and director Martin Stirling about the challenges involved in bringing what's inside the mind of Spencer Jones to the screen.
Comedy Chronicles: The documentaries of Dave Allen
Anglo-Irish comedian Dave Allen is best remembered for his various ratings-winning sketch and stand-up series, but a number of fascinating, exploratory documentaries such as In Search Of The Great English Eccentric, are also worthy of modern reverence.
First Gig, Worst Gig: John Moloney
He's one of the sharpest wits on the circuit, and Radio 4, but why does John Moloney still shudder about a Victoria Wood Christmas special?
British Comedy Quiz #186
What colour tie does Mr Bean normally wear?
Random 8: Flo & Joan
Midler, Manilow, Meatloaf and Marmite: Flo & Joan take our random stuff test before heading off on tour.
Win Morecambe & Wise At Thames DVD
Eric & Ernie's acclaimed BBC run was followed by 6 popular years at Thames before Morecambe's sad death, and those 34 final programmes are now available to own on DVD for the first time. We have two copies to give away.
Advert
Two of the best online shows created during the first lockdown are making their live debuts in an exciting double bill at one of London's most celebrated comedy venues, The Bill Murray.
Comics Solving Problems - the audience-led satirical show from Steve N Allen (as seen on BBC2's The Mash Report) and Erich McElroy (from BBC Scotland's Breaking The News, Sky News, BBC Breakfast).
Let's Kill Twitter - the first and only video chat show based on tweets, hosted by freelance writer and PR Julian Hall and comedian Sajeela Kershi (Immigrant Diaries, Mother Tongues From Farther Lands, Fights Like A Girl) - with special guest Ria Lina (known for her appearances on Have I Got News For You, The Now Show, Mock The Week and Live At The Apollo).
TV listings
Guessable?
Sara Pascoe and team captains Alan Davies and Darren Harriott welcome guests Shaun Ryder, Nick Helm, Sindhu Vee and Melvin Odoom into the loft to play another round of guessing games.
Toast Of Tinseltown
After attending a 'doctor acting' masterclass by Richard Chickentoss, Toast lands the role of a doctor in a successful hospital soap alongside Latina singing sensation, Carmen.
The Tuckers
Series 2 of this sitcom by Steve Speirs launches with a double-bill. In the first, Glyn has a dating dilemma. The second episode sees Billy having a business idea. The whole series will be on iPlayer from Wednesday night.
The Mind Of Herbert Clunkerdunk
Series 2 of the the bonkers prop-packed sitcom by Spencer Jones. In the first, Herbert's got an audition that could redefine him. Then, in the second episode of the night, he has to deal with a large belly.
Screw
Leigh becomes increasingly isolated from her sceptical colleagues. A guilt-ridden Rose takes a chance to make amends and Toby's suspicions lead him to his own investigations.
Scot Squad
PC Charlie MacIntosh has a decision to make after he is offered an exciting opportunity, while officers Karen and Sharon deal with a rowdy Burns Night that got out of control.
Would I Lie To You?
Sorting fact from fiction this week are guests Lou Sanders, Gyles Brandreth, Sarah Millican and Yung Filly.
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
Jimmy Carr hosts, as Lee Mack and Joe Wilkinson take on Jon Richardson and Jessica Knappett. Comedian Nigel Ng is in Dictionary Corner.
QI
Sandi and Alan are joined by Holly Walsh, Stephen K Amos and Ivo Graham as they take part in a silly season edition.
The Last Leg
The topical show returns for yet another series... but there'll be a difference this time: the show will have a brand new set.
The Graham Norton Show
Ella Henderson, Nicole Lecky, Penelope Cruz, James McAvo and director Pedro Almodovar will be amongst this Friday's guests.
The John Bishop Show
No news yet on who will appear on this weekend's show, but you can expect more light-hearted chat, with the odd funny video clip and sketch thrown in.
For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
Shop
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Worzel GummidgeInspired by the classic books of Barbara Euphan Todd, Worzel Gummidge is the treasured tale of a charming and irreverent scarecrow scarecrow who mysteriously comes to life. Written by and starring the multi-BAFTA award-winning Mackenzie Crook (The Office, Detectorists), Mr Gummidge returns for four new adventures, broadcast between Christmas 2020 and New Year 2022: Saucy Nancy, Guy Forks, Twitchers and Calliope Jane. Infused with a fun, mischievous spirit and delivered with a timely environmental message, these glorious stories are sure to bring you into his magical, funny, weird world. |
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Career Girls - Special EditionPresented on Blu-ray for the first time, Mike Leigh followed up Secrets & Lies with Career Girls, a "comic masterpiece" about youth, sex, and memory. Hannah (Katrin Cartlidge) and Annie (Lynda Steadman) were inseparable when they shared an apartment, years ago. Now, they are reunited for one weekend on the town. As they encounter several people with whom they were students in London in the mid-1980s, these 'career girls' awaken their memories - of loves lost and old rivalries - that builds a picture of just how they have changed in the intervening years. This release is reated from a newly restored, director-approved 4K digital transfer of the film, supervised by cinematographer Dick Pope. Also includes two other newly remastered films directed by Mike Leigh, the comedy shorts The Short & Curlies and A Sense Of History. |
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The Lovers!Reprising the classic sitcom roles that first made them household names, Richard Beckinsale and Paula Wilcox star as Geoffrey and Beryl - an inexperienced young couple attempting to negotiate the sexual minefield of the 'permissive' society. Like everyone else Geoffrey and Beryl want to fall in love - or they think they do; like everyone else since Adam and Eve. But Adam and Eve didn't live in Manchester in 1972... This big-screen transfer of Jack Rosenthal's top-rated comedy series sees old-fashioned girl Beryl continuing to slap down the advances of her frustrated boyfriend - whose clumsy attempts to initiate 'Percy Filth' suggest he's not quite up to speed himself! The Lovers! is featured here as a brand new high definition remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio. |
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Galton & Simpson: The CollectionRay Galton and Alan Simpson were Britain's best-loved and most successful comedy writing partners, and this compilation brings together some of the finest programmes from their 60-year career, as well as interviews with them both. Galton & Simpson's Half Hour consists of four single comedy plays adapted from TV originals; The Galton And Simpson Playhouse features three more adaptations; a fourth episode from Playhouse can be heard in I Did It My Way: Galton And Simpson, in which the pair chat to Peter Reed and select some of their favourite work. Also included is Hancock's Half Hour: The Threatening Letters; Up Je T'Aime; the 1963 Royal Variety Performance Steptoe & Son sketch; Steptoe And Son: Porn Yesterday and classic Hancock's Half Hour TV episode The Radio Ham, recreated before a live audience for an album release in 1961. Topping off the collection is Very Nearly An Armful - The Galton & Simpson Story. Talking to Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, Stephen Merchant explores how their ground-breaking work brought social realism to British comedy, and helped lay the foundations for modern-day classics. |
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A Hard Day's Night - The Criterion CollectionRichard Lester's iconic adventure comedy starring The Beatles, newly issued on the Criterion Collection label. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
The Person Behind The Celebrity
A three-part web series from Channel 4 in which Luke McQueen interviews an interesting member of the public sat directly behind a well-known celebrity. Guests James Acaster, Lou Sanders and Alex Horne must not talk. It's a funny idea, well executed - check it out.
This Is Going To Hurt - Trailer
The comedy drama about a junior doctor, based on Adam Kay's best-selling book, starts on Tuesday 8th February. Here's the trailer, giving a first look at Ben Whishaw in the lead role.
The Curse - Trailer
This comedy caper set in London in the early 80s, starring Tom Davis and the stars of People Just Do Nothing, begins on the 6th February.
Competitive Dads
This is what happens when dads collect their kids from school. Why do dads always have to be so competitive?
The Real Charlie Chaplin - Trailer
Groundbreaking, controversial, outspoken and visionary. For decades he was the most famous man in the world - but who was the real Charlie Chaplin? This forthcoming documentary film aims to explain.
Dodger - Trailer
The hair-raising adventures of Dodger, Fagin, his gang and a colourful gallery of fantastic Victorian characters arrives on CBBC on 6th February. Here's the trailer for the new comedy drama.
Comedy Central Live - Rosie Jones
Each week, for the next 40 weeks, Comedy Central will be publishing routines from comedians to its online platforms. First up here is Rosie Jones, who questions people's assumptions on disability.
Spotlight
Mad About Alice
Do you remember this sitcom? On BBC One way back in 2004 and marking its 18th anniversary yesterday was this series about a divorced couple - played by Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston - who remain in regular, close contact over parenting of their 9 year-old son. One of a tranche of comedies that were quickly eschewed in the wake of the critical acclaim and industry furore around the success of The Office, it was directed by the late, great Gareth Carrivick, and also featured John Gordon Sinclair and Debra Stephenson as the couple's friends. A traditional studio sitcom, it ran for a single series.
Thanks for reading
Chris Ballard has won the latest BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition on the topic of "technology":
I'm a genius who invented a cloning machine. At least, that's what I keep telling myself.
Don't forget it's the last week of voting for the 2021 Comedy.co.uk Awards. Across categories like sitcom, panel show and comedy drama, you can vote to name the best of the last twelve months.
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
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