Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 29th April 2024 |
Latest comedy news
Topical panel show 'What Just Happened?' returns to BBC Radio Wales
Topical comedy panel show What Just Happened?, hosted by Robin Morgan and featuring regular panellist Kiri Pritchard-McLean, returns to BBC Radio Wales for a second series this May.
Hullraisers ends after two series
Channel 4 has declined to order a third series of Hullraisers, the sitcom starring Leah Brotherhead, Taj Atwal and Sinead Matthews as three working class women living and working in Hull.
Green Wing cast reunite for Audible podcast series
The cast of Green Wing have reunited for a six-part podcast sitcom. Green Wing: Resuscitated is available now via Audible.
Jack Rooke wins BAFTA for comedy writing
Jack Rooke has won in the 'Writer: Comedy' category at the BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2024 for his Big Boys scripts. The ceremony also saw Such Brave Girls creator Kat Sadler win an award for emerging talent. You can see their speeches in our story.
Frank Skinner to star in Radio 4 sitcom about a charity
Do Gooders is a new sitcom for Radio 4 about the charity industry, created by comedian Garrett Millerick. The cast includes Frank Skinner, Ahir Shah and Ania Magliano.
Fantasy Football League cancelled
Fantasy Football League, the Matt Lucas and Elis James fronted reboot of the 1990s TV format, has been cancelled by Sky.
Sky orders specials from Stewart Lee, John Kearns, Tom Davis and more
Sky has announced specials for Stewart Lee, John Kearns, Tom Davis, Lucy Beaumont, Chris Ramsey and David Baddiel, as well as travel show Joe Lycett's United States Of Birmingham and returns for Rob & Romesh Vs and A League Of Their Own.
Joe Lycett's United States Of Birmingham coming to Sky Max
Joe Lycett is spreading his love for Birmingham internationally, with Joe Lycett's United States Of Birmingham, a Sky travel series in which he attempts to visit all of his home city's namesakes in North America.
Colin Hoult announces 2024 tour
Colin Hoult is set to embark on a national tour in the autumn, after a full run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. His new show Colin sees him set aside his trademark characters, such as Anna Mann, to perform as himself for the first time.
Helen Lederer receives 2024 Bath Plug Award
Bath Comedy Festival has bestowed its Bath Plug Award for outstanding services to comedy to Helen Lederer.
Luke Richards wins Bath New Act 2024 competition
The winner of the Bath New Act 2024 competition was Luke Richards. Vinny Shiu was runner-up, with third place going to Aisha Amanduri.
FYI
Matt Forde returns to the Edinburgh Fringe following cancer treatment; Recovered Hancock's Half Hour to air for star's centenary; Satirical autistic news site The Daily Tism launches; Series 9 of Inside No. 9 launches on 8th May (the trailer is in the story); Everyone Else Burns Series 2 filming now; and My Lady Jane launches on 27th June.
Advert
A time loop stand-up show. Laugh again, and again!
Dylan's last show ("an innovative way to experience a quarter-life crisis" – Wee Review) ended with him deciding to have children. Since then he's been stuck in a time loop. Yes, exactly like that film. No, Bill Murray isn't in this...
Join Dylan in the time loop across the UK from May 1st. See here for dates and tickets
Features
Comedy Rewind: Passport To Pimlico at 75
On its 75th anniversary, we take a look back at the background, plot and themes of classic Ealing comedy film Passport To Pimlico.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Robin Morgan
Stags, XL Bullies and David Attenborough: the on-tour Robin Morgan takes us back in time.
British Comedy Quiz #303
Have we got a rodent infestation at BCG? You might think so after taking this week's fun set of quiz questions.
TV listings
Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains
Oti Mabuse, Asim Chaudry and Ellie Taylor are the guests revisiting their teenage years tonight.
Meet The Richardsons
Jon goes into business with old friend Adrian Chiles in a bid to save grassroots football from Hollywood, and Lucy struggles to keep up with new neighbour Kimberly Wyatt.
Dinosaur
The final episode. Evie's wedding hangs in the balance. Can Nina come through for her sister and save the day whilst her own future is calling?
QI
Sandi Toksvig is joined by Bridget Christie, Rosie Jones, Cariad Lloyd and Alan Davies to find out about ulex and other obscure U words.
Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable
Jamie Laing reveals why he got arrested after a bungee jump, Fern Brady lifts the lid on the terrible education she gave to her friends, and Jordan Stephens spills the beans on a long-running feud with a famous children's TV presenter.
Hold The Front Page
Nish Kumar and Josh Widdicombe work for the Westmorland Gazette, launching an investigation into the mysterious Beast of Cumbria and reporting on the World Gurning Championships.
Mammoth
Following the death of his close friend, Tony Mammoth decides he doesn't want to die alone and embarks on trying to find a special person to spend his life with.
Taskmaster
The series passes the halfway stage and the epic battle to win Greg Davies' beautiful bonce begins to intensify. Steve Pemberton delivers a timely message of peace.
Joe & Katherine's Bargain Holidays
In this second episode, Joe Wilkinson takes fellow comic Katherine Ryan on a low-cost family beach holiday to the Bulgarian resort of Sozopol.
Horrible Histories
Loo Man provides a guided tour through some of history's grossest things.
Have I Got News For You
Martin Clunes hosts his 15th edition, with comedian Chloe Petts and BBC Chief International correspondent Lyse Doucet both set to make their debut this week.
Avoidance
The final two episodes of the second series, one at 9:30pm and the other at 10:40pm. Will Jonathan manage to make it up to Claire?
Late Night Lycett
Episode 4 of the entertainment show beamed live from Birmingham. No news on the guests yet, but one of them will have to sit next to the host's character Richard Yewtree and read from the autocue.
This Cultural Life: Michael Palin
This interview was on Radio 4 at the start of the month, but now there's a chance to watch it. Sir Michael Palin talks to John Wilson about his formative creative influences.
Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains
On this episode you can look forward to embarrassing confessions from guests Rosie Jones, Eshaan Akbar and Jordan Gray.
Meet The Richardsons
In Episode 5, Jon does a daytime quiz show with Kemah Bob and upsets Alexander Armstrong, and Lucy shows journalist Mark Lawson her typically perfect day for a newspaper feature.
For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
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Natalie Haynes - Divine Might: Goddesses In Greek MythIn Divine Might, best-selling author and comic Natalie Haynes introduces us to the stories of the Greek goddesses. As fearsome, powerful and beloved as their male counterparts, it's time to look beyond the columns of a ruined temple to the awesome power within... We meet Hera, who, whilst most often known for enacting vicious, creative revenge on the women - mortal or otherwise - who catch the wandering eye of her husband Zeus, turns out not to be such a villain after all. We meet Demeter, a mother who will go to any lengths, no matter the cost, to retrieve her daughter Persephone from Hades' clutches. We'll be introduced to The Furies, three women who will literally go to the ends of the earth to enact bloody vengeance but who, surprisingly, are the goddesses who can teach us the most about the way we live now. Examining the role of these goddesses and more, Divine Might will change everything you thought you knew about our most ancient stories. |
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Wicked Little LettersA 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a farcical and occasionally sinister scandal in this riotous mystery comedy. Based on a stranger than fiction true story, Wicked Little Letters follows two neighbours: deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley). When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town's women - led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) - begin to investigate themselves, they suspect that something is amiss, and Rose may not be the culprit after all. |
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George & Mildred - The Complete SeriesOne of an array of classic comedies from the Thames Television archives to be re-released on DVD in the coming months, this 6 disc set contains all six series of the wonderful Man About The House spin-off. The acclaimed series follows dispassionate landlord George Roper (Brian Murphy - Last Of The Summer Wine) and his upwardly mobile wife Mildred (Yootha Joyce - Nearest And Dearest) as they move from working class life to the mild-mannered suburbia of Peacock Crescent. The move is long awaited for domineering Mildred, who climbs the social ladder to middle class with gusto. George, however, is working-class and proud, and intends to stay that way. Much hilarity follows this transition, which, together with the mishaps of a staling 25 year marriage, create a timeless comedy. This illustrious series was created and written by Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke (Full House) and co-stars Norman Eshley (Randall And Hopkirk Deceased) and Sheila Fearn (The Likely Lads) as snobbish neighbours Jeffery and Ann Fourmile. |
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The Italian Job - 55th Anniversary 4K Collector's EditionIn this furiously fast-paced action-comedy, Charlie Croker (Oscar winner Michael Caine) is out of jail and on the make with an ingenious plan for the heist of the century. Aided and abetted by top criminal mastermind Mr. Bridger (Noël Coward), Charlie sets off with an ace team and three very special cars to lift a major stash from under the noses of the Turin Polizei. Featuring one of the most incredible car chase sequences in movie history, and a true cliff-hanger of a finale, The Italian Job is an essential classic caper. This 55th Anniversary Collector's Edition includes both 4K UHD (for the first time in the UK) and standard HD Blu-ray discs. |
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Any BlokeLife for supply teacher Phil (Jim Sweeney) is turned upside down when his wife, Sarah (Caroline Quentin), is offered a new job. Phil agrees to give up work and become a stay-at-home dad to daughter Sophie - after all, how hard can it be? Phil quickly realises parenthood isn't all coffee mornings and cake. He has to grapple with playgroups (when he can find them), new friends (some a little more 'out there' than others), a 'helpful' mother-in-law (she isn't) and when Sarah goes to Paris with work, can Phil contain his jealousy? Listen and laugh as Phil and Sarah try to navigate their middle-class angst and new family dynamics with hilarious results. Just when Phil thinks he's getting the hang of things, Sarah has big news... And events really end with a bang! |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Rob Beckett's Smart TV: Un-seen
9 minutes of footage that didn't make it into the recent Sky series, including Gregg Wallace revealing even more about his routine.
Wealthy voters call for election tax cuts - Broken News
A group of wealthy British individuals prioritise lower taxes in the upcoming election, stating they will support any party that promises reduced tax burden.
Relationship tipping point
Every relationship has a tipping point. This is the latest sketch from WarmingUpComedy, a series using humour to talk about climate change.
Trying - Series 4 trailer
Six years post-adoption and nothing has got easier. All they can do is try. Series 4 of Trying starts on Apple TV+ on 22nd May.
A Family Affair - Trailer
A Family Affair - starring Joe Wilkinson as a cash-strapped manager having to try to put people off buying his hotel - will be available to own or rent from all major digital platforms from 20th May.
Comedy Central Live - Dane Buckley
From Irish mammies in care homes, to passive aggressive tea leaf readings, to dancing on pole-ish men... talk about a triple threat.
Spotlight
Jonathan Creek
Is it just us, or is contemporary television severely lacking in genuinely entertaining comedy dramas? One of the best examples of the form from years past is David Renwick's sublime crime mystery series Jonathan Creek, starring Alan Davies in the title role. Beginning in 1997, it was a quick hit with BBC One audiences and ran for 5 series. Its latest - and, seemingly, last - episode was a special that aired back in 2016, with all 32 editions available to collect and own on DVD, and currently on BBC iPlayer. Why not dip in for a reminder of how good comedy drama actually can be?
Thanks for reading
We asked our BCG Pro members to joke about detectives. Here is Dave Hefford's submission:
I used to investigate hedge funds - what's known as a privet detective.
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
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