Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 27th November 2023 |
Latest comedy news
The Flatshare team making The Road Trip rom-com for Paramount+
Paramount+ has ordered its second romantic comedy series based on a Beth O'Leary novel, The Road Trip, starring Everything I Know About Love's Emma Appleton, Laurie Davidson and Rye Lane breakout David Jonsson.
Joe Lycett to investigate water companies spilling sewage
Joe Lycett is to take on water companies and the sewage crisis for a new TV special.
Dawn French Is A Huge Twat special to air on BBC One this Christmas
Dawn French has landed a stand-up special, bringing her show Dawn French Is A Huge Twat to BBC One this Christmas. Recorded at the London Palladium, the show will also be available on iPlayer.
John Bishop announces 2024 tour
John Bishop will tour his new stand-up show, Back At It, between March and November 2024.
Alfie Moore's It's A Fair Cop returning for eighth series on Radio 4
Alfie Moore's Radio 4 policing comedy It's A Fair Cop is returning for an eighth series next year, after the copper-turned-stand-up delivers his first festive special this Christmas Day.
Troy Hawke gets Radio 4 special
Milo McCabe will perform as his hit character Troy Hawke in New Year's Eve Radio 4 comedy special Sigmund Troy'd.
Nick Helm to tour his Super Fun Good Time Show
Nick Helm: Super Fun Good Time Show will tour between March and June 2024.
Taskmaster's New Year Treat 2024 line-up revealed
Deborah Meaden, Kojey Radical, Lenny Rush, Steve Backshall and Zoe Ball will take part in this January's one-off Taskmaster special.
Dan Tiernan to embark on debut tour
BBC New Comedy Award winner Dan Tiernan will tour his stand-up show Going Under between January and March 2024.
Paul Black to front BBC Scotland entertainment show pilot
Comedian Paul Black is piloting an entertainment format for BBC Scotland in which he will take on challenges set by his social media followers.
James Acaster's Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999 to air on Sky
Sky Comedy is to broadcast three stand-up specials this December: James Acaster: Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999, Alan Carr: Regional Trinket and Leo Reich: Literally Who Cares?!.
Liam Withnail to embark on first UK tour
Stand-up Liam Withnail is to take his multi award-winning health-focused show Chronic Boom on a live tour between March and May 2024.
James Acaster's spoof crime podcast Springleaf attracts all-star cast
James Acaster has launched his spoof true crime podcast, Springleaf, in which he plays his undercover cop alter-ego, Pat Springleaf, with a cast that includes Finn Wolfhard, Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, Tom Allen, Sara Pascoe, Joe Lycett, Lolly Adefope, Nish Kumar, Rosie Jones, Guz Khan, Phil Wang, Ed Gamble, Josh Widdicombe, Sindhu Vee, Natalie Cassidy and Domhnall Gleeson.
Bob Mortimer wins Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction 2023
Bob Mortimer has won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction 2023, for his book The Satsuma Complex. The judges noted he "has this strange ability to keep the reader on the very brink of guffawing for whole chapters at a time".
FYI
Alison Spittle to tour Soup and premiere Christmas play, Glacier; Chris McCausland's You Heard It Here First returning to Radio 4; Leicester Comedy Festival founder Geoff Rowe gets top civic award; Boarders: First look images; Extraordinary to be shown on ITV; How The Young Ones responded to a road crash and appalled Steve Martin; Taskmaster wins at Televisual Bulldog Awards 2023; and Bill Bailey, Sean Lock and The Night Of The Wardrobe.
Advert
Garry Starr is coming to the Southwark Playhouse from 29th November to 23rd December. The disgraced actor will defy his critics by performing every style of theatre imaginable, tearing through genres with little regard for personal safety and even less regard for art!
Features
Comedy Rewind: Back to basics on The Good Life
Initially conceived as a vehicle for comic actor Richard Briers, The Good Life has become an all-time British TV classic, as Comedy Rewind explains.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Dan Lees
He's bringing Edinburgh hit The Vinyl Countdown to Soho, but why won't Dan Lees listen to the odd albums he acquired?
Ivo Graham, Leila Navabi, Paddy Young - Mark Muldoon's Comedy Diary
Ivo Graham is touring bigger venues following his Taskmaster 'achievements' - but how is the show stacking up? Also: We continue searching for the next big thing. This time it's the turn of newcomers Leila Navabi and Paddy Young.
British Comedy Quiz #281
Arnold Rimmer, Alf Garnett, Del Boy and Monty Python are amongst this week's question subjects.
Advert
Stuart Goldsmith is terrified of the climate crisis, but no-one he knows ever mentions it, so it must be fine. Hilarious, optimistic, and vaguely educational, his award-winning stand-up show Spoilers is at London's Soho Theatre from Wednesday 29th November to Saturday 2nd December. "The funny side of climate change, no really!" - **** The Times. Info & tickets
TV listings
Dad's Army: The Animations
The series concludes with these two shorts (from Christmas Day 1968 and Christmas Day 1970). Captain Mainwaring drills his platoon in physical fitness and assembles a choir to entertain the troops.
Boat Story
The clock is ticking for Janet and Samuel as opposing forces make moves in the sleepy town. Episode 5 is on Sunday at 9pm.
Evil Genius With Russell Kane
Rachel Parris, Ria Lina and Rick Edwards join Russell Kane to discuss whether Albert Einstein was a genius or a controlling egomaniac.
Live At The Apollo
Maisie Adam hosts the stand-up showcase, introducing fellow comedians Michael Odewale and Susie McCabe.
The Scotts
Vincent rescues all sorts of junk from his mum's loft. Cue a family unboxing. The biggest surprise of the lot is the discovery of a long-lost crematorium urn.
A League Of Their Own
Romesh Ranganathan hosts as Stuart Broad and Tom Davis join the regulars.
Such Brave Girls
Episodes 3 and 4 of the new sitcom. Josie is determined to make her birthday dinner last as long as possible and Deb thinks Dev might pay for once.
Have I Got News For You
Guz Khan hosts the satirical panel show, with Ross Noble and Janet Street-Porter joining Ian and Paul.
Two Doors Down
A new bathroom is a big commitment, and Christine can't decide, driving Beth and Eric demented.
The Last Leg
Harry Hill, Chris Packham and Oti Mabuse are all set to appear this Friday.
Breeders
Paul and Ally are on their way back from their holiday. Luke and Maya discuss Luke's future prospects when Maya's water breaks and goes into labour.
The Graham Norton Show
Some big movie and music stars this week: Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Timothee Chalamet and Cher.
Dodger
The first new Christmas special of the year. It is Fagin and the gang's biggest heist yet - getting their hands on Queen Victoria's crown from her Coronation ceremony.
Sorry, I Didn't Know
Desiree Burch, Nick Helm, Tez Ilyas and Sikisa join Chizzy Akudolu and Eddie Kadi to answer questions set by Jimmy Akingbola.
For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
Shop
|
Kevin Bridges - The Overdue Catch-Up LiveKevin Bridges is back on DVD and funnier than ever with his hotly anticipated new show from his sold-out international live tour. The Overdue Catch-Up welcomes audiences into the mind of one of the sharpest comedy talents the UK has to offer and features new updated material With a career spanning an incredible 19 years, Bridges already has the life experience of a man twice his age, helping him to hit the nail on the head with his shrewd and hilarious outlook on the modern world. Filmed live at the Cork Opera House and giving a performance described as "glorious" (The Times), "barnstorming" (The List) and "a comedy masterclass" (The Herald), Bridges is "on his way to becoming a comedy great" (The Times). |
 |
Jen Brister - The OptimistA new stand-up show from comedian Jen Brister, The Optimist is available now in digital formats. If middle age has taught Jen Brister anything, it's that optimism does not come naturally to her. In fact it's fair to say that her cup is very much half empty and she's making no attempt to fill it. Can Jen work against her natural instincts and finally see the light? Or will she stay the same old pessimistic naysayer she's always been. I mean, I think we know the answer to that, but let's try and be optimistic. |
 |
Worzel Gummidge: The Combined Harvest EditionJon Pertwee stars as Worzel Gummidge, the lovable scarecrow of Scatterbrook Farm in these six internationally successful childrens' sitcom series from 1979 - 89. When children John and Sue move to the countryside, they learn that life is never dull with Worzel around. The restless scarecrow dreams of a life away from his post in Ten Acre Field and often wanders off into mischief. Whether getting his heart broken by the creaking fairground doll Aunt Sally (Una Stubbs) or disobeying his maker, the eccentric old Crowman (Geoffrey Bayldon), Worzel is lucky to have his young friends on hand to help rescue him from trouble. Besotted by Aunt Sally, the sequel series sees Worzel follow her on a similarly disaster-prone journey to New Zealand where he must learn to behave all over again. Based on the stories of Barbara Euphan Todd, Worzel Gummidge has been meticulously restored from the rediscovered original 16mm film in high definition for these landmark releases, alongside an overwhelming plethora of special features. With both incarnations of the series also available separately, this complete collection contains an exclusive bonus CD containing both shows' soundtracks. |
 |
Bernie Clifton - Crackerjack To VegasGrowing up in wartime St. Helens (where a bomb missed his head by a few yards), comedian Bernie Clifton began his career as a teenage singer with a local dance band. This was the first step on the long and winding road that took him to a Royal Variety Show where he reduced our late Queen to tears of laughter and then, after many years of touring, to a standing ovation in Las Vegas. In this autobiography Bernie takes us along on his hilarious journey, explaining how he failed as a plumber but made it to Beijing as a trombonist. We read about his exploits piloting his 'Flying Ostrich' microlight (without a licence) and keeping fit with the odd London marathon... on the back of an ostrich! We also learn of his penchant for practical jokes which helped him keep sane. |
 |
Mitch Benn's Crimes Against Music - The Complete Series 1-3Music, mayhem and madness from Mitch Benn and Robin Ince. There can be only one parody musical master, and Mitch Benn thinks it's him. Although Richard Stilgoe may have something to say about that... Mitch sets out on a musical journey through the showbiz glitz and backstage litter of pop music. Teaming up comedian Robin Ince, they delve into the world of super fans, the glamorous trappings and excesses of pop-star life and its highs and lows. Along with special guest presenters, they wonder if you really can manufacture greatness, why pop stars need fans, and the art of self-promotion. Can death revive a rock star's career? How many people does it take to make something a music 'scene'? And is heavy metal getting soft? Mitch's music-master credentials are tested in every episode as he performs a newly written song, hoping to prove he is indeed the world's greatest musical satirist. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
The Heist Before Christmas - Trailer
The trailer for the forthcoming Sky special in which James Nesbitt and Timothy Spall play two Santa Clauses.
Movember - It's All Coming Back To Me Now
Nick Helm stars in a sketch for Movember. The end is in sight for those that braved the shave...
The bag check that shocked the world
Hate having your bag checked at the theatre?
British public supports totally privatising NHS - Broken News
A health care think tank has proposed a strategy to save the NHS by privatising all of it.
Poor Things - Trailer
From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by a brilliant and unorthodox scientist.
Killing for a Living
An award-winning 9 minute spoof documentary that follows four inept assassins who reveal what it's really like killing for a living.
Spotlight
Ladies Of Letters
Based on a popular series of books and Radio 4 comedy of the same name, this witty comedy ran for two series on ITV3 in 2009 and 10. Telly favourites Maureen Lipman and Anne Reid star as the titular ladies, widows who form a complicated friendship as widowed pen pals, against the backdrop of their family situations. Both series - totalling 20 episodes between them - have been released on DVD.
Thanks for reading
Hatty Hodgson has won the BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition on the topic of school:
Last week I went on a school field trip. It was well boring. Seen one school field, you've seen them all.
Four of the best shows from the Edinburgh Festival (as determined via the Comedians' Choice Awards vote) are coming to the Museum Of Comedy between the 2nd and 8th December. You can get 2-for-1 tickets when you book to see two shows using the code CCHOICE. Shows & dates
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
Join our mailing list