Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 27th March 2023 |
Latest comedy news
Jonathan Pie 2024 tour announced
The character Jonathan Pie is to tour new show Heroes & Villains between January and March 2024.
Derry Girls wins at Broadcasting Press Guild Awards
Derry Girls, This Is Going To Hurt actors Ambika Mod and Ben Whishaw and Big Boys writer Jack Rooke are amongst the winners of the 49th annual BPG Awards.
Alfie Brown apologises for using racist language in historic routine
Alfie Brown has apologised for using racist language in a 2015 routine that has been widely circulated on social media in the last two days.
James Murphy wins BCG Pro Performance Awards 2022
James Murphy took the top prize at the BCG Pro Talent Awards: Performance live final in London on Thursday night. Click through to see the video of his set.
Frankie Boyle's New World Order axed by the BBC
Frankie Boyle's New World Order has been axed by the BBC after six series, the comedian has revealed.
Your Christmas Or Mine? sequel starts filming next month
Your Christmas Or Mine?, the festive rom-com starring Asa Butterfield, Cora Kirk, Daniel Mays and Angela Griffin, written by sketch comic Tom Parry, is returning for a sequel set in the French Alps.
Adrian Edmondson to publish autobiography, Berserker!
Adrian Edmondson's autobiography, entitled Berserker!, is to be published in September.
BAFTA TV Awards 2023 nominations
Am I Being Unreasonable?, Big Boys, Derry Girls and Ghosts are amongst the nominees for the BAFTA Television Awards 2023.
FYI
My Parents Are Aliens cast reunite; James Acaster joins Ghostbusters; Hayley Ellis releases debut YouTube special; Spitting Image The Musical transfers to the West End in May; British comics join The Great American Joke Off; ITVX to celebrate Eric Sykes; Lee Kyle releases stand-up special on YouTube; Sooz Kempner to star in Doctor Who multiplatform story Doom's Day; and Chris McCausland in pitch-black reality show Scared Of The Dark.
Advert
The Musical Comedy Awards final is in London this Friday. Join headliner and MCA alumni Rachel Parris plus 12 finalists at the Bloomsbury Theatre for the 15th awards final. Last few tickets
Features
Taskmaster Series 15 interviews
Series 15 of Taskmaster begins on Thursday! Let's hear from those involved...
Dara O Briain, Alfie Brown, Róisín & Chiara - Mark Muldoon's Comedy Diary
Suddenly at the centre of a big online controversy, read our report on the Alfie Brown live comedy experience. Plus: the latest big tour from Dara O Briain, and clown duo Róisín & Chiara.
Comedy Chronicles: It seemed a good idea at the time #2 - When Peter Gabriel met Charlie Drake
Comedian Charlie Drake was the subject of the inaugural Comedy Chronicles, and we return to Charlie Drake Land in this fascinating tale of his one-time encounter with the world of prog rock.
Daniel Rigby on playing The Maniac in Accidental Death Of An Anarchist
Daniel Rigby talks about taking on the role of The Maniac in hit play Accidental Death Of An Anarchist.
British Comedy Quiz #246
Have you seen The Green Man, Johnny Vaughan's sitcom and The League Of Gentlemen?
Alvin Liu / Ruth Hunter / Ania Magliano - Bobby Carroll's Glasgow Comedy Festival Diary
Bobby heads over to the Glasgow International Comedy Festival to see two new acts fresh off the boat from Shanghai, the cosmic dread of Ruth Hunter and Ania Magliano's well received debut hour.
Advert
BCG Pro's Big Comedy Conference is now only a few weeks away. With a packed line-up of commissioners, writers, producers and other esteemed comedy talent, no new or aspiring comedy writer should miss out. If you book before 6th April, you'll also have the opportunity of getting a free consultation on your comedy script, worth £150 alone. Fully inclusive tickets are just £130. Find out more
TV listings
Jerk
The last two episodes in Series 3. Things are starting to get serious between Tim and Lily. When his mum drops a hint that they're rich, Lily makes a sudden announcement...
Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled
Stephen Mangan, Isy Suttie, Jordan Gray and Seann Walsh join Alan Davies to discuss everything from time keeping and bathroom habits to mistaken identity and Jesus Christ.
Billy Connolly Does...
A second series of the show in which the comedy star talks to the camera. This time he tackles heroes and villains, both public and personal. As ever with Billy, you rarely get what you expect.
Taskmaster
Frankie Boyle, Ivo Graham, Jenny Eclair, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Mae Martin are the courageous comics entering the Series 15 crypt to task like they've never tasked before.
Would I Lie To You?
Tom Allen, former Blue Peter presenter Sarah Greene, rugby star Ugo Monye and Morgana Robinson join host Rob Brydon and regular captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack on the offbeat panel show.
The Cleaner
Wicky is called to a theatre where there's been a 40-woman brawl. He soon meets a clown.
Late Night Lycett
A new comedy entertainment series in which Joe Lycett is joined by celebrity guests, Brummie local legends, friends and family, and LGBTQ+ heroes, "for an hour of mischief and mayhem".
The Jonathan Ross Show
Ed Sheeran chats and performs his new single Eyes Closed, while Jonathan is also joined by singer Michael Bublé, Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe, and musician-turned-actress Lily Allen (starring in comedy Dreamland, which is coming soon).
For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
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Frankie Boyle - MeantimeSeemingly ever-irate Scottish comic Frankie Boyle's debut novel, a "funny and moving" crime thriller, makes it to paperback this week. Glasgow, 2015. When Valium addict Felix McAveety's best friend Marina is found murdered in the local park, he goes looking for answers to questions that he quickly forgets. In a haze of uppers, hallucinogens, and diazepam, Felix enlists the help of a brilliant but mercurial GP; a bright young trade unionist; a failing screenwriter; semi-celebrity crime novelist Jane Pickford; and his crisis fuelled downstairs neighbour Donnie. Their investigation sends them on a bewildering expedition that takes in Scottish radical politics, Artificial Intelligence, cults, secret agents, smugglers and vegan record shops. Meantime is a picaresque detective story set against the backdrop of post-referendum Scotland: a tale of murder and revenge, and of personal and political loss. |
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On The Up - The Complete CollectionJoin Tony Carpenter (Dennis Waterman) for the complete series of Bob Larbey's On The Up, along with his trusty hired help Mrs Wembley (Joan Sims), Sam (Sam Kelly) and Maggie (Jenna Russell). Having made his fortune from an executive car hire business, Tony's humble beginnings in the East End of London are long gone and as far as his wife is concerned good riddance too! His daughter hardly speaks to him and his mum just can't get used to the well-to-do lifestyle. Ever the successful businessman, if only he could apply the same formula to his marriage and family relationships, life would be a lot easier! Follow this comical bunch of characters through trials and tribulations, in this entertaining sitcom about life when it's on the up. Contains all episodes from Series 1-3. |
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The News Quiz 2015-2016 - The Complete Series 88, 89, 90 & 91Four series of the satirical radio panel show chaired by Miles Jupp. In these 33 episodes from September 2015 to October 2016, Miles takes over from Sandi Toksvig. Joining him in the name of news are an esteemed panel of guests including Samira Ahmed, Susan Calman, Chris Addison, Nish Kumar, Steve Lamacq, Jeremy Hardy, Mark Steel, Andy Hamilton, Rebecca Front, Zoe Lyons, Kerry Godliman, Holly Walsh, Francis Wheen and Lucy Porter. Using their considerable comedic talents, they dissect topics as diverse and diverting as Jeremy Corbyn, the EU referendum, Donald Trump, the Panama Papers, the collapse of BHS, the exit of Sam Allardyce as England manager and The Great British Bake Off. There's also an entertaining selection of comical cuttings sent in by listeners, read by newsreaders Corrie Corfield, Caroline Nicholls, Neil Sleat, Kathy Clugston, Susan Rae, Diana Speed and Zeb Soanes. |
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Elis James & John Robins - How Do You Cope?Based on their hit BBC podcast, comedians Elis James and John Robins share memorable stories, struggles and strategies around mental health, all to answer the question - 'How Do You Cope?'. The show must go on. What does it mean to worry? How can we deal with loss? When adversity strikes, how do we cope? In their hit BBC podcast, Elis James and John Robins have delved deep into their own and others' personal experiences to explore a diverse range of mental health issues, from anxiety and grief to illness, identity and exclusion. Drawing on these rich conversations, along with the help of team of mental health experts, How Do You Cope? is a unique exploration of how we overcome the everyday struggles, as well as the more significant challenges, in our lives. Including expert advice and practical tips from psychologists and counsellors, How Do You Cope? is an inspiring journey through the front lines of mental health. |
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Cry BabiesA frank and funny comic drama about two late 30-something friends and the pressures on their friendship, starring Montserrat Lombard and Ophelia Lovibond. Sally and Bea have been friends since school, but life always threatens to push them apart, whether it's about family and relationships, or work and money - or the thousands of other issues that come up in adulthood. They meet whenever they can for coffee and a catch-up, and each time discover new issues that will decide if their friendship is just one more thing, they wish they could ditch, or whether it's exactly what they need for many more happy decades. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Freelancer
A short film that follows artist and writer Babak Ganjei as he makes his way through life, navigating everything from single parenting to freelancing to the onset of middle age.
The biggest gym mistake I see every day
Want to know the BIGGEST mistake you're making in the gym? Don't worry, PT Goodbod is going to help you out.
Where Did It Come From? - The Sausage
A documentary about the phallic enigma, mistress of mash and the pig's mystery limb.
Lesbian speed dating
What happens at a lesbian speed dating evening? A sketch by Jenna Wimshurst.
Uber does ambulances
The future of healthcare isn't looking too great at all. Lack of ambulances mean that London's unsung heroes must step in and save the day... that's right... Uber riders.
'Literally' being used incorrectly
The sports presenter who hates it when 'literally' is used incorrectly. The latest sketch from Michael Spicer.
Climate Science Translated
Kiri Pritchard-McLean helps Professor Bill McGuire spell out the actual risks of climate change, pulling zero punches, and using highly unscientific language throughout.
Comedy Central Live - Sian Davies
Sian Davies talks about how she has become her mum, and dad! But what's even worse than turning into your parents? Liking boring crisps...
Spotlight
The Larkins
Peggy Mount and David Kossof star as ever-bickering married East London couple Ada and Alf Larkins in this hugely successful sitcom from ITV's earliest years on screen. Starting just three years after the network's launch, the first four series followed the couple, their son, daughter and son-in-law in a succession of domestic adventures, quandaries and mix-ups in a perfect depiction of working class life of the time. Initially concluding after a spin-off feature film, Inn For Trouble, the characters' popularity was such that Alf and Ada returned three years later for another two series of marital arguments that saw them running a working man's café. Amazingly, all 40 episodes survive in their entirety and are available to own on DVD. Look out for a range of guest appearances, plus regular support from future producer/director Shaun O'Riordan, actress Barbara Mitchell, comedy favourite, Hugh Paddick, and the show's writer, Fred Robinson.
Thanks for reading
John Holding ran away with our circus-based BCG Pro Gag-a-Week win:
I used to tour a dolphin show in a big top. 'Sea World' but all in tents and porpoises.
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
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