Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 18th November 2024 |
Latest comedy news
Dinosaur gets Series 2 on BBC Three
Ashley Storrie will return in BBC sitcom Dinosaur, which has been recommissioned after picking up two BAFTA awards this weekend.
Eric Morecambe's entire archive to be auctioned
Eric Morecambe's never-before-seen "lifetime of treasures" are to be auctioned in January, as his family put all his possessions up for sale. Across the 700 lots, notable items will include star's iconic glasses, his ventriloquist dummy and the letter he wrote to Ernie Wise suggesting they break up their double act.
Peter Kay extends tour until February 2026
Peter Kay Live: Better Late Than Never will now run through until February 2026, with new dates in cities including Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, London, Aberdeen, Birmingham and Cardiff.
Taskmaster New Year Treat 2025 line-up revealed
David James, Hannah Fry, Martin Lewis, Melanie Blatt and Sue Johnston will take part in the next Taskmaster one-off special.
All Likely Lads episodes collected on DVD for the first time
The BBC is releasing a new DVD box set collating every single episode of The Likely Lads and Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? - although some only survive as audio recordings.
Johnny Vegas to star in Ideal stage show
A 20th anniversary theatre show linked to BBC sitcom Ideal is to launch in Salford in September 2025, with Johnny Vegas reprising his role as Moz.
Rhys Darby reveals 2025 UK tour
Kiwi comic and actor Rhys Darby has announced his return to comedy in the UK with a 2025 tour.
Paul Hilleard wins BBC New Comedy Awards 2024
Stand-up comedian Paul Hilleard has won the BBC New Comedy Award for 2024.
Timothy West dies aged 90
Actor Timothy West - the actor known for comedy roles including Brass, Not Going Out and Last Tango In Halifax - has died aged 90.
Terry Jones exhibition to open in Colwyn Bay
Never seen before 'gems' from the personal archive of Monty Python star Terry Jones are to be exhibited in Colwyn Bay from 10th December 2024 to 1st February 2025.
FYI
Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award 2025 nominations open; Suzi Ruffell's Snappy released online; Lucy Beaumont wants to build a statue to Caroline Aherne; Ashley Storrie wins Audience Award at BAFTA Scotland Awards; Jordan Gray's sitcom Transaction begins filming; Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse return for Gone Christmas Fishing; Greg Hemphill & Robert Florence's Queen Of The New Year returns to BBC; Adam Kay's Undoctored show becomes a medical drama; Peter Serafinowicz teases more Look Around You as he joins Amandaland; Joke Thieves becomes first Edinburgh Fringe 2025 show on sale; The Road Trip first look & details announced; Josh Widdicombe joins Strictly Christmas special; and Rose d'Or 2024 nominees revealed.
Advert
Book tickets now to see the comedian Stewart Lee describes as "the best stand-up I have seen for some years", in a brand new show: Alfie Brown: Open Hearted Human Enquiry. Leicester Square Theatre 6, 7 & 14 Dec.
Features
Comedy Chronicles: Do I have to spell it out? Neil Innes own right
A profile of Neil Innes, the comedy writer and musician who so many times managed to dip our hearts, as well as our brains, in joy.
Mark Muldoon's Comedy Diary
Our live comedy columnist Mark Muldoon delivers news on two phenomenal new comedy shows, as he heads out to see Netflix/Amazon Prime star Natalie Palamides, viral comedian Tom Lawrinson, Trusty Hogs stalwart Andrew White, and Josephine Lacey's show about her autistic son.
Tarot present: The beginner's guide to doing sketch in your 30s
Despite the almost certain guarantee of celebrity and riches, very few sketch groups continue into their 30s. Apart from Tarot. Here they explain how they've managed to get this far, in five easy steps.
Chizzy Akudolu introduces Series 5 of 'Sorry, I Didn't Know'
As Sorry, I Didn't Know returns to ITV1 for a fifth series, we talk to the panel show's regular team leader Chizzy Akudolu about the format, her career, and more.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Milo Edwards
On tour with Sentimental, Milo Edwards recalls Russian mall angst and reappraises a stand-up legend.
British Comedy Quiz #332
Cropping up this time as topics: Les Dawson, Mark Arden & Stephen Frost, Tamsin Greig, DJ Dave Clifton, Maureen Lipman and more.
Random 8: Paulina Lenoir
Bringing the spectacular Puella Eterna to Soho Theatre, Paulina Lenoir talks tarot garden, Jodorowsky joints and a flying diva.
TV listings
Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains
Lucy Beaumont, Rickie Haywood-Williams and Lara Ricote look back on their early years.
QI
Sandi Toksvig presents a visual episode of QI with Maisie Adam, Jack Dee, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Alan Davies.
Cheaters
Series 2 of the relationship-based sitcom kicks off with three episodes. After the adrenaline of their affair, Josh is eager to take his relationship with Fola to the next level but she'd prefer to take things slow while still in the midst of a painful divorce.
Bad Sisters
A devastating event leaves the sisters reeling. Loftus and Houlihan's search takes a turn. Ursula hits a breaking point.
Never Mind The Buzzcocks
DJ Target, Harriet Kemsley and Carl Barat and Pete Doherty of The Libertines join the regulars.
Only Child
A new sitcom starring Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh as a father and son. Catch it on BBC Scotland (and iPlayer) on Thursday, then airs on BBC One UK-wide each Friday.
Junior Taskmaster
We're nearly halfway through the heats, and the competition to get through to the semi-finals is hotting up.
Peter Kay Live: Comedy Genius
A programme showcasing some of the comedian's funniest moments. Garlic bread?
Have I Got News For You
Lorraine Kelly hosts, and on the panel is Maisie Adam and BBC Radio 5 Live presenter and journalist Matt Chorley.
The Last Leg
Harry Hill and Lara Ricote are set to join the live show this Friday evening.
The Graham Norton Show
Chris McCausland appears this week, as his profile continues to rise following his time on Strictly. Also: Nicole Kidman, Cynthia Erivo, James Norton and Benson Boone.
Breaking The News
For a fresh take on the week's news, check out this panel show hosted by Des Clarke.
Legends Of Comedy With Lenny Henry
Lenny Henry joins Sally Phillips for a cup of herbal tea and a lot of laughs as they look back over Sally's career and some of the best sketch comedy of the last 30 years.
David Baddiel: Trolls, Not The Dolls
Stories of the dark, terrible and hysterically absurd cyber-paths that interacting with internet trolls has David Baddiel down in this latest stand-up special.
Sorry, I Didn't Know
Ola Labib, Nadia Jae, Marcus Brigstocke and Richie Anderson join team leaders Chizzy Akudolu and Eddie Kadi to answer questions about black history.
For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
Shop
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Father Ted - The Complete Box SetFrom award-winning creators Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews, this much-loved comedy tells the tale of three Irish priests and their housekeeper, with Dermot Morgan, Ardal O'Hanlon, Frank Kelly and Pauline McLynn. This re-released box set includes all episodes from Father Ted's three sensationally successful series, plus more than two hours of extra features. |
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Alma's Not Normal - Series 2The award-winning series is back and don't worry: Alma's still not normal. The eponymous 30-something from Bolton continues to try to give her life meaning and find the "fabulous" outcome she has always dreamed of, while coping with the strained relationships of her family that saw her spend time in care, something else with which she is trying to reconcile. The series is written by and stars Sophie Willan and is inspired by her own experiences of the care system. |
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Carry On - Collection 4Collection 4 debuts the first four films from the Rank era of the beloved film series, appearing for the first time worldwide on Blu-ray in high definition. The titles are Don't Lose Your Head (1967), set amidst the French revolution; Follow That Camel (1967), in which Phil Silvers stars as a French legionnaire; Carry On Doctor (1967), in which Kenneth Williams and Hattie Jacques rule hospital wards with a fist of iron; and the widely celebrated, acclaimed imperial comedy Carry On Up The Khyber (1968), set in India in 1895. This set includes various episodes from the various Carry On television series, archive and new interviews, a range of commentaries, and more. All four films are fully remastered and restored from original negatives. |
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A Whole New Ball GameA "hilarious" dark comedy from BBC Radio 4 about a football-crazy priest, starring BAFTA winner Brenda Blethyn. The late Gregory Patterson was a stalwart of the Roman Catholic Parishioners. With his passing, how will Mrs Patterson cope with her headstrong daughter, Barbara? And can young Robert step into his father's shoes and face up to new responsibilities? The man with the answers would appear to be football-crazy priest Father Benedict who tries to help the grief stricken family as best he can... It's not long before he has more pressing concerns - the Frewitt Cup final is weeks away and the team must win at all cost... |
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Bigamy Killed The Radio Star: The Complex Life Of BBC Comedy Pioneer John HenryIt is 1923 and the BBC is at war. Theatre managers have banned their stars from broadcasting on the new wireless, leaving the BBC to nurture its own talent. Which is how a bespectacled office clerk, moonlighting under the assumed name of John Henry, quickly becomes a nationwide comedy sensation. The first BBC comedian to perform topical comedy. The first to have his own comic strip. The first to broadcast live from an aeroplane. And when wife Blossom joined the act, the rudimentary sitcom was born. But his fame soon began to fade and when the press revealed his complicated secret life (and secret wives), Henry's misfortunes abruptly ceased to be funny. Alan Stafford has exhaustively researched the fascinating life of this overlooked comedy innovator. The jokes, the sketches, the successes and failures of an absurdist comedian who entertained millions in their own homes. When radio was new, John Henry was right at the heart of it - the first true pioneer of BBC comedy. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Bangmouth Village - Episode Two
Episode 2 of the soap opera written by Christopher Bliss. It's raunch o'clock for Billy Bangmouth.
Unhinged - Inappropriate coworker dream
This definitely constitutes some sort of HR violation...
Booking an Airbnb
There are so many options on Airbnb, and there are no complications at all.
The Penguin Lessons - Trailer
Steve Coogan stars in this new comedy drama, coming to cinemas next year, from director Peter Cattaneo. It follows an Englishman's personal and political awakening after he adopts a penguin during a cataclysmic period in Argentine history.
Fascinating Aïda - Rudest Christmas Song Ever
Dillie, Adèle and Liza's inimitable wish for us to behave toward family and friends with kindness and respect over the festive period feels even more pertinent as we enter 2025.
Labour minister questioned about historical Trump tweets
Steven Pineless MP has a bit of a swivel to do in this latest political sketch from Michael Spicer.
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy - Trailer
Bridget is alone once again, widowed four years ago, when Mark was killed on a humanitarian mission in the Sudan. She's now a single mother to 9-year-old Billy and 4-year-old Mabel, and is stuck in a state of emotional limbo, raising her children with help from her loyal friends and even her former lover, Daniel Cleaver.
1963: Londoners imagine life in the year 2000
In this parody by Al Nash, residents of Willesden in north-west London predict what life will be like in the year 2000.
A lady's guide to fine dining
A simple easy to follow guide to fine dinner etiquette.
The Blondey Way
All six episodes of this web series following a man trying to make a BBC comedy show are now online. Filmed by an experienced crew, and even involving some foreign locations, this is an ambitious semi-autobiographical project from clothing designer Blondey.
Spotlight
Upright
Musical comedian - and now musical theatre darling - Tim Minchin co-stars in this British/Australian comedy drama, which has run for two series to date. It follows the lives of Lucky and Meg, a very unlikely pseudo father-daughter duo who first meet whilst travelling across the continent-sized country by road and soon find their journeys, and lives, inextricably intertwined.
Thanks for reading
Stu Cooke submitted this topical joke to the wrestling-themed BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition:
For his next fight, Jake Paul is in talks with The Undertaker - not to wrestle, just to help dig up his opponent.
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
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