Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 20th November 2023 |
Latest comedy news
Bernie Clifton to publish his autobiography
Veteran comedy entertainer Bernie Clifton is to publish his memoirs, Crackerjack To Vegas.
Green Wing team create police training sitcom Piglets
ITVX has ordered Piglets, a sitcom set in a fictional police training college, created by the writing team behind Green Wing.
Alison Steadman writes memoir
Gavin & Stacey star Alison Steadman is writing My Story, a memoir to be released in October 2024.
Alan Carr's sitcom Changing Ends to return for Series 2
ITV has confirmed that Changing Ends, the autobiographical comedy from and starring Alan Carr, is to return for a second series.
Hugh Bonneville & Karen Gillan lead ITVX comedy from Steven Moffat
Hugh Bonneville and Karen Gillan are to star in Douglas Is Cancelled, a new comedy drama for ITVX written by Steven Moffat, his first television comedy in the two decades since Coupling.
Mike Wozniak to host new improv show on Radio 4
Wing It, a new Radio 4 show hosted by Mike Wozniak, will see "improv legends compete alongside the form's modern all-stars".
Joe Kent-Walters wins BBC New Comedy Awards 2023 as Frankie Monroe
Joe Kent-Walters, appearing in character as Frankie Monroe, has won the BBC New Comedy Awards 2023 competition.
Radio 4 to pilot sketch show You're Part Of The Problem
Abi Clarke, Aurie Styla, Ed Jones, Lola-Rose Maxwell and Stephen Buchanan will star in character-driven Radio 4 sketch show pilot You're Part Of The Problem.
Crybabies to present their hit show Bagbeard on Radio 4
Comedy group Crybabies are adapting their hit live show Bagbeard to become a Radio 4 programme.
Frank Skinner hosts Radio 4 panel show One Person Found This Helpful
Frank Skinner is to host One Person Found This Helpful, a Radio 4 panel show about eccentric online reviews.
Scott Bennett records Radio 4 special
Scott Bennett has made a stand-up special for Radio 4. Stuff focuses on his two passions in life: comedy and product design.
The Horne Section to tour in 2024
Alex Horne and his band are due to tour again. The Horne Section's Hit Show will run between March and November 2024.
Schalk Bezuidenhout to tour the UK in October 2024
South African comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout will tour his stand-up show Keeping Up around the UK in October 2024.
John Pape wins West End Old New Act of the Year 2023
John Pape has won the inaugural West End Old New Act of the Year competition. The contest, for acts over the age of 35, saw twins Matthew Ali and Chris Ali coming in the runner-up spots.
FYI
Ricky Gervais special Armageddon launches on Netflix on Christmas Day; 'The Kemps: All Gold' cast revealed; Paul Sinha's Perfect Pub Quiz returns, as his book goes on sale; Tom Houghton publishes Absolute Shambles stand-up special on YouTube; and Big Boys Series 2 launches in January.
Advert
The West End's 'triumphant' (★★★★ The Sun) magic show, UNBELIEVABLE, fuses 'jaw-dropping' (★★★★ WhatsGoodToDo) magic with illusion, sleight of hand and mind reading, playing at London's Criterion Theatre only until 7 January 2024.
In a re-imagining of live magic, a company of multi-talented performers and musicians bring you an original evening of 'genuine, baffled amazement' (The I Newspaper). When you step inside the Criterion Theatre you become the beating heart of the production and after experiencing UNBELIEVABLE 'you'll believe in magic' (★★★★ Daily Mail).
UNBELIEVABLE is written and directed by DERREN BROWN and the team behind his ground-breaking stage productions.
Features
Such Brave Girls interviews
The cast of Such Brave Girls - Kat Sadler, Lizzie Davidson, Louise Brealey and Paul Bazely - talk about their roles.
Comedy Chronicles: Oooh, I say! The kind but clever comedy of Pat Coombs
Pat Coombs was, for more than half a century, one of British comedy's most effective and admired supporting performers. This article traces her career.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Josh Glanc
His best-of is about to grace Soho Theatre, but why did Josh Glanc once open a show in his birthday suit?
Test your knowledge of 2023 with this Have I Got News For You quiz
What a strange year 2023 has been. Here's an extract from the Have I Got News For You: The Quiz Of 2023 book to test how much you have been paying attention.
Interview with Alistair Barrie and Bagel the dog (unleashed!)
A dramatic trip downriver with the on-tour Alistair Barrie and his intrepid terrier, Bagel. Will we all get back in one piece? Why is Alistair so angry? And what made Lee Hurst ban him.
British Comedy Quiz #280
Mike & Angelo ran for over 120 episodes in the 1990s but is not very well remembered now. Do you even know what it was about? That question, and more, in our latest quiz.
Till Death Us Do Part's tumultuous Series 3
Till Death Us Do Part is one of the all-time great cultural institutions of British television comedy. After the recovery of two lost episodes last month, show historian Mark Ward looks at the hugely impactful third series.
Random 8: Rachel Fairburn
Racing regrets, Corrie dreams and a garment-lobbing legend: Rachel Fairburn answers the big questions.
TV listings
Dad's Army: The Animations
Private Frazer receives an ill-advised promotion to Lance Corporal as this series of recreated material continues. (This episode was produced back in 2016 so you may have seen it before.)
Boat Story
Episode 2 of the comic thriller. Janet and Samuel try to find a buyer for the stolen drugs, which proves trickier than they thought. Episode 3 will air on Sunday at 9pm.
Evil Genius With Russell Kane
Based on the podcast of the same name, this is a new discussion show delving into the biographies of polarising figures from the past. First up: Judi Love, Geoff Norcott and Charlie Higson join Russell Kane to discuss Winston Churchill.
Live At The Apollo
Lou Sanders introduces Celya AB and Neil Delamere to the Apollo stage.
The Scotts
Vonny invites a VIP to her posh soirée and attempts to make a good impression by keeping the family well away.
A League Of Their Own
Daniel Sturridge and Big Zuu join host Romesh Ranganathan and the regulars. There's a water dunking round this week.
Such Brave Girls
This new sitcom following a single mother and her two daughters launches with a double bill. Head to our website to find out more.
Taskmaster
The series reaches an exhilarating climax as Sam Campbell designs a small bikini, Sue Perkins forgets about the milk, Lucy Beaumont feeds her young, Susan Wokoma pairs cornflakes with hot sauce and Julian Clary gently assaults Alex.
Hullraisers
The final two episodes in the second series. Toni's nemesis Leanne hosts a lavish gender reveal party at her home.
Have I Got News For You
Professor Hannah Fry hosts this time, with Stephen Mangan and editor-in-chief of VICE UK, Zing Tsjeng, helping Ian and Paul.
Two Doors Down
Series 7 of the sitcom. Over at Colin's house, the neighbours gather for a surprise birthday party for Anne Marie. However, when the doorbell goes, it's Colin who gets the big surprise... Cathy is back.
The Last Leg
Katherine Ryan and Nabil Abdulrashid are currently booked to appear on the show this week.
Breeders
Paul and Ally take a 'family' holiday without the kids. Luke makes a decision about the future of his education and life with Maya.
The Graham Norton Show
Jennifer Saunders, starring in Peter Pan at the London Palladium, will be on the show. Also: Daisy Haggard, talking about Boat Story; plus Michael Fassbender and Take That.
Sorry, I Didn't Know
Axel Blake, Josh Jones, Fatiha El-Ghorri and Slim join Chizzy Akudolu and Eddie Kadi to answer questions from Jimmy Akingbola about black history.
For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
Shop
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No Sex Please, We're BritishFor the first time on Blu-ray in the UK comes the 1973 film adaptation of the extremely successful, long-running stage farce. It stars Ronnie Corbett, Beryl Reid and Arthur Lowe with a fantastic supporting ensemble. The tale of a Windsor bank, its staff, some Swedish glassware, and obscene material, the film has been remastered and restored for this new HD release, and is also available on DVD. |
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Room 101 - Highlights From The Classic BBC Radio 5 Comedy SeriesA chance to hear the original version of the long-running comedy format. In this incarnation it is Nick Hancock who is finding out what people, places and pop songs his celebrity guests would consign to oblivion. Twenty-seven episodes of the show were broadcast on Radio 5 between 1992 and 1994, with this compilation including sixteen. Amongst them are the very first, with guest and future host of its popular TV incarnation, Paul Merton. |
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RubbishQuirky comedy from the writer of Married, following the highs and lows of a local government officer Martin Christmas is a local government worker in the Sanitation department, whose days are shaped by endless recycling initiatives and green league tables, and whose nights are shadowed by his failed relationships and curmudgeonly interior monologues. While Martin is trying to cultivate his inner peace, things keep getting in his way: having to come up with slogans for the side of the 'Rubbish Bus', the irritating Pagans in the Youth and Leisure department, and the annual diversity workshop where he meets fellow local government worker Sarah. Whether he's trying to track down a suspicious rival whistleblower within the council, scaling the firefighter's climbing tower (naked), or joining an ex-girlfriend for a sponsored walk that may incur the wrath of some fearsome Brontë fans, Martin's life never seems to get better than...rubbish. Starring Reece Dinsdale (Coronation Street, Emmerdale Farm), with a cast including Nicola Walker (Unforgotten, Last Tango in Halifax), Oriane Messina (Green Wing), Paul Copley (Downton Abbey, Hornblower), James Lance (Teachers, Ted Lasso), Kevin Eldon (Kevin Eldon Will See You Now, Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle) and Katherine Jakeways (Miranda), this witty look at the upside of mid-life misery is perfect for listeners of Ed Reardon's Week, Little Blighty on the Down, and Married. |
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Blackadder - The Complete CollectionThe classic sitcom on Blu-ray for the first time, marking its 40th anniversary this year. Alongside all four original television series, you'll also find the specials Blackadder's Christmas Carol and The Cavalier Years, plus 25th anniversary documentary Blackadder Rides Again. These episodes have been restored and remastered, using the existing film where available. |
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Brett Domino - BrettrospectiveA 13-track album of comedy songs from Brett Domino. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Fin Vs The Internet - WhatWillyCook
This time: Instagram chef WhatWilly sits in a chair whilst Fin Taylor tells jokes.
Puppets take over MasterChef
A sketch from Friday's Children In Need. Basil Brush, Zippy and George from Rainbow, Tinky Winky, Hacker T Dog and Dodge invade John Torode and Gregg Wallace's hallowed MasterChef UK kitchen.
Jinxed
An 8 minute short film about a young man's battle with bad luck (in love and all else)...
People being "unfair" to client journalists - Broken News
A group of British journalists have been criticised for their close ties to those in power, which has impacted their ability to report truthfully on major political stories. They are calling the criticism "unfair".
Your Christmas Or Mine? 2 - Trailer
This romantic comedy film sequel is coming to Amazon on 8th December. This time James and Hayley spend Christmas together with their families, on a skiing holiday.
Diet Hard: With Indulgence
Temptation is an ugly thing. A sketch by Biscuit Barrel.
Brutalist
A short documentary following Milo on his alternative tourist attraction - a 14 hour walking tour of London's Brutalist architectural hotspots.
Spotlight
Lovesick
Lovesick is a sitcom following the disastrous exploits of a twenty-something who must contact everyone he's ever slept with after a chlamydia test. Starring Johnny Flynn, Antonia Thomas and Daniel Ings, it launched on Channel 4 in 2014 under the name Scrotal Recall. The premise and title put some viewers off giving a try, which was a shame, as it's actually not particularly crude; more a tender and kind-hearted comedy. Netflix spotted the potential and took over making it, but sensibly gave it a new name. Series 2 and 3 can be found on the streaming platform. Our website has lots more details.
Thanks for reading
Marc Pinto has won the latest BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition on the topic of supermarkets:
My friends staged an intervention because I keep muddling supermarket slogans. Guess every Lidl helps.
Have you entered our current competitions yet? We have Dudley Moore Blu-rays to hand out, and copies of a new Carry On book looking at the films' female stars.
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
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