Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 24th February 2025 |
Latest comedy news
Verity Sharpe & Ellen Turnill Montoya win 2025 Luke Rollason bursary
Verity Sharpe and Ellen Turnill Montoya have won this year's Luke Rollason Memorial Memorial Bursary, assisting them in staging new shows at the 2025 Brighton Fringe.
Dom Joly announces Trigger Happy TV live tour
Dom Joly is reviving Trigger Happy TV for a live tour, with the comic announcing four UK dates to mark the 25th anniversary of the hidden camera show airing on Channel 4.
Louise Atkinson wins Leicester Comedian Of The Year 2025
Louise Atkinson has won the Leicester Comedian Of The Year 2025 competition. Andy Fox was named runner-up.
Dom Joly's giant mobile phone "nicked"
Dom Joly has confirmed that his giant mobile phone has been stolen, after the comic and travel writer took to social media yesterday to share a video in which he said that he was "gutted" by the theft of the iconic Trigger Happy TV prop while it was the centrepiece of an exhibition at the Mobile Phone Museum in Amsterdam.
Rhys James is to publish his first book
Rhys James has written his first book. You'll Like It When You Get There: A Life Lived Reluctantly, due to be published in August, is described as "a refreshingly honest look at modern life, and how to get out of living it".
New book imagines Kenneth Williams's 90s life
A new book pays tribute to the celebrated comic talent Kenneth Williams, imagining his infamous diaries and a continued career five years beyond his 1988 death.
Ex-MP Mhairi Black's stand-up journey shared in new BBC documentary
Mhairi Black's transition from MP to stand-up comedian is traced in a documentary coming to the BBC next month, with Mhairi Black: Being Me Again following her in the House of Commons and at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Amandaland set for Series 2
Amandaland, the sitcom spin-off from Motherland, has reportedly been commissioned for a second series.
James Martin, who played Eric in Still Game, dies aged 93
James Martin, who played Eric in Still Game and had roles in a number of other Scottish comedies, has died aged 93.
Carry On star Julian Holloway dies aged 80
Julian Holloway, the actor who appeared in a number of British comedy productions including seven Carry On films, has died aged 80.
FYI
Chicken Town: First-look pictures; Jordan Gray already writing a second series of Transaction for ITV; Christmas special for Mammoth; Richard Ayoade adapting The Unfinished Harauld Hughes for television; Greg Davies to headline first Rik Mayall Comedy Festival; Outnumbered stars reunite in co-creator's audiobook; and Film Club: First-look images of Aimee Lou Wood and Nabhaan Rizwan.
Features
Comedy Chronicles: The Great Tiddlywinks Caper - Goons, Royals and Cambridge games
The story of the time the Royal Family asked The Goons to represent them in a game of tiddledywinks against the University of Cambridge.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Jena Friedman
Back in London with her most personal show yet, Jena Friedman plays us the greatest toddler heckle, ever.
British Comedy Quiz #345
First Of The Summer Wine, Smack The Pony, The Goon Show and Sir Roderick Ryall are amongst the topics in this quiz.
Adam Flood / Phil O'Shea / Kate Hammer / Maddie Fernando - Bobby Carroll's Live Comedy Diary
Bobby catches some inclusive and progressive mixed bill shows, All Mouth Queer Comedy and Clown Extravaganza. He is also wowed by Adam Flood's Back Of The Spoon tour.
Random 8: Alwin Solanky
What do Richard Dawkins, Jane Goodall and Jurassic Park 3 have in common? They all appear in Alwin Solanky's pre-Leicester ruminations.
TV listings
At Home With Katherine Ryan
Katherine Ryan is starting a 10 month comedy tour of the UK and Europe. If that wasn't enough pressure she's leaving behind Violet, a teenager in her GCSE year and her two newest babies, Fred and Fenna, both under 3.
Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish
Screen? Check. Clicker? Check. Shirt? Definitely Check. Dave's back in a sixth series probing modern life's follies: fake search engines, big tech's rules - and a wager that goes too far.
QI
Host Sandi Toksvig is in search of victory with panellists Rob Beckett, Daliso Chaponda, Lara Ricote and Alan Davies.
Amandaland
Amanda goes on a date with South African property developer Johannes, while Georgie and Darius's relationship starts to get serious, much to Anne's delight.
Am I Being Unreasonable?
The village witch trial brings Nic and Dan together, and they confront Ollie about Mr Meowgi. Nic questions whether she should have trusted Jen again but realises she's just being paranoid. Meanwhile, Suzi appears to know more than she's letting on, and Ollie makes a shocking discovery.
Small Town, Big Story
A Tinseltown production rolls into a small Irish town and throws the spotlight on a secret that's been kept hidden since before the Millennium.
The Chief
The Chief signs up for a personal revamp after his colleagues point out a long list of his privileges.
G'wed
Mia-Louise finally meets the person she's been talking with online, and the school is divided after seeing what unfolded between Connor and Lauren at Scousechella.
Horrible Histories
From camels to space rockets, via Dandy Horses, actual horses, royal train rides, cars, balloons and planes, it's the Horrible History of travel.
Would I Lie To You?
Stand-up comedian Josh Jones, comedian and actor Shazia Mirza, social media commentator and bodybuilder Matt Morsia and writer and presenter Rosie Ramsey join host Rob Brydon and regular captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack on the offbeat panel show.
Funboys
Gemma brings home a new pet and unwittingly unlocks some painful memories for Lorcan. Callum moves in with Jordan and his two dads and learns about a thing called "feelings."
The Last Leg
Adam, Josh and Alex are joined by guests Gyles Brandreth and Judi Love.
Asian Network Comedy
An evening of stand-up from the BBC Radio Theatre in London. Performers include the fearlessly honest and witty Fatiha El-Ghorri, finalist of the BBC's Best New Act in 2022 Dinesh Nathan, stand-up comic and writer Shalaka Kurup and BBC Writers Room and Never Mind The Buzzcocks contributor Bas Rahman. Hosted by Nikita Kanda and SMASHBengali, with an live DJ set from Asian Network's own DJ Kizzi.
The Graham Norton Show
Claudia Winkleman guest hosts this week. Among the interviewees: Hollywood star Chris Pratt talking about his new sci-fi comedy drama The Electric State; British actor Toby Jones (Mr Bates Vs The Post Office) starring as Richard Burton's inspirational teacher in Mr Burton; Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Erin from Derry Girls) in new BBC drama series This City Is Ours; and top comedian Rob Beckett back for a new series of panel game Rob Beckett's Smart TV. Singer-songwriter Rachel Chinouriri performs her single All I Ever Asked.
Jordan Gray: Is It A Bird?
Jordan Gray brings her universally acclaimed stand-up comedy show, Is It A Bird?, to TV for the first time. Shot in Jordan's home town theatre in Essex, this transgender comedy TV stand-up special is a whirlwind of music and comedy covering every possible topic, from politics to Batman.
For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
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Jeffrey Holland - The First Rule Of Comedy..!: Memories And MomentsFondly remembered as Spike Dixon in Hi-De-Hi!, Jeffrey Holland is one of our best-loved situation comedy actors. An invaluable member of the repertory company of writer and director David Croft, his many other television credits include Are You Being Served?, Dad's Army, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Oh Doctor Beeching!, and You Rang, M'Lord?. This unique memoir reveals hilarious tales from his illustrious career, through the comedy greats that have inspired him, to the comedy colleagues with whom he has worked. The book also provides poignant and deep reflection on his all-time favourite comedian, Stan Laurel, and reveals stories of working with the great and good of variety theatre - from understudying Frankie Howerd in pantomime, to unforgettable encounters with Ben Warriss, the no-nonsense straight man of Jewel & Warriss fame, via many happy years as part of Russ Abbot's Madhouse. Filled with the enthusiasm and affection, The First Rule Of Comedy..! is a life told through the eyes of one of the true greats of the genre. |
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Robin Ince - Normally Weird And Weirdly Normal: My Adventures In NeurodiversityWhat if being a bit weird is actually entirely normal? What if sharing our internal struggles wasn't a sign of weakness, but strength? For over thirty years, award-winning broadcaster and comedian Robin Ince has entertained thousands in person and on air. But underneath the surface, a whirlwind was at play - a struggle with sadness, concentration, self-doubt and near-constant anxiety. But then he discovered he had all the hallmarks of ADHD and his stumbling blocks became stepping stones. In Normally Weird And Weirdly Normal, Robin uses his own experiences to explore the neurodivergent experience and to ask what the point of "being normal" really is. A powerful, personal exploration of anxiety, ADHD and neurodiversity, the book reminds us all - no matter how weird we feel - that it's okay to be a little different. We all are. |
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The New Statesman - The Complete SeriesAlan B'Stard (Rik Mayall) appears in his sleazy entirety in this four-disc box set of the anarchic sitcom satirising the politics of the late 1980s. Immorality is permanent flavour of the month in B'Stard's office, as it seems that the cunning MP cannot sink low enough, nor come up with a plot nasty enough even for his deeply flawed sense of justice and fair play. |
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PagansFrom comedy writer James Henry (Green Wing, Smack The Pony, Wosson Cornwall) comes this refreshingly different police procedural, the book presents an alternative contemporary Britain where the Norman conquest of 1066 never happened. In this modern Britain, political allegiances are demonstrated through tattoos, the ancient gods are a part of everyday life and kids use runes instead of text speak. Amid a bid to unite a country divided into the Celtic West, Saxon East and an independent Nordic Kingdom of Scotland, two mismatched police officers - D I Drustan from the Celtic West and Captain Aedith from the Saxon East - must work together to find and stop a serial killer. |
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Rainer Hersch: All Classical Music Explained & MoreStand-up comic, musician and conductor Rainer Hersch has performed in comedy clubs worldwide, made numerous appearances at the Edinburgh Festival and put on several comedy-concert series at London's Southbank Centre. This audio anthology brings together two of his BBC radio series, All Classical Music Explained and Rainer Hersch's 20th Century Retrospective, plus the standalone programme Gershwin's Horns - and some stand-up from The Comedy Store. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Haunted by hangover yet to come
Would you warn your past self about how bad the hangover from last night was?
Climate 'beyond saving' after recycling mistake - Broken News
Climate past the tipping point? Broken News reveals how one British man's recycling slip-up spells doom for the planet.
Asian Network Comedy - London 2025 highlights
Comedy from Fatiha El-Ghorri, Dinesh Nathan, Bas Rahman and Shalaka Kurup.
Digital detox on a 12-hour flight?
Alone with your own thoughts and locked in a flying metal tube?
How to really screw over your customers
Crafty Marketing's greed specialist lets you in on her trade secrets! How to really screw those customers once and for all...
Comedy Central Live - Sarah Keyworth
Sarah Keyworth is not a 17 year-old boy.
Decluttering with a Spanish mum
You don't understand the history behind these assorted objects...
Alex Horne is an answer on Countdown
On the 14th February 2025 episode of Channel 4 show Countdown, the letters could be re-arranged to spell out Alex Horne's name.
Spotlight
Drop Dead Gorgeous
From Hat Trick Productions, this comedy drama satirising the world of fashion and modelling ran for two series on BBC Three in 2006-7. Set in the north west, it followed teenage twin Ashely and her family after she is spotted by a modelling scout and propelled quickly into a world of fame and plenty, but it's mum Pauline who's keenest to take up her position in this new realm. From The Royle Family co-writer Carmel Morgan, Sinead Moynihan took on the lead role alongside Lee Boardman, Linzey Cocker, Elizabeth Berrington and others.
Thanks for reading
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British Comedy Guide
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