Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 24th March 2025 |
Latest comedy news
Smoggie Queens to return for Series 2
BBC Three has ordered a second series of Smoggie Queens, the Middlesbrough-based sitcom written by and starring Phil Dunning.
Sally Lindsay to host TV panel show
Sally Lindsay's Quiz Night, which is being recorded soon, will see the comic actor fronting shows themed around the 1970s, 1980s and Christmas.
Myra DuBois to tour Cosmic Empath show
Comedy show Myra DuBois: Cosmic Empath will tour between September and November 2025.
David Walliams' children's book FING becomes Sky film
Sky are in production on FING, a film adaptation of the 2019 children's book by David Walliams. The cast list includes Taika Waititi, Penelope Wilton and Blake Harrison.
Emmanuel Sonubi discusses surviving heart failure in new tour
Emmanuel Sonubi: Life After Near Death, a stand-up show in which the comic talks about his rollercoaster ride to recovery after surviving heart failure, will tour between September and November 2025.
Ben Elton pens his autobiography, 'What Have I Done?'
Ben Elton has written his autobiography, with What Have I Done? pledging to reveal the true stories behind his iconic sitcoms such as Blackadder, The Young Ones and Upstart Crow, while taking a "deep dive" into his private and public life.
Chortle Awards 2025 results
Rob Copland, Jin Hao Li, Emma Sidi, Flo & Joan, Michael Odewale, Phil Ellis and Sam Campbell were amongst the winners of the Chortle Awards 2025.
FYI
Diane Morgan to appear on 'Who Do You Think You Are?'; Amy Gledhill writes more Toads for Channel 4; Wallace & Gromit amongst Broadcasting Press Guild winners; Jamie Demetriou joins Charli xcx's music mockumentary The Moment; and Catherine Tate to star in London Palladium Pantomime.
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Features
Comedy Chronicles: John Le Mesurier and The Culcheth Job
A deep dive into The Culcheth Job, an obscure, light-hearted 'heist' movie short from the mid-1970s that John Le Mesurier ended up getting involved in after he split from his snobby agent, Freddy Joachim.
Musical Comedy Awards 2025 finalists
Eoghan Collins, Joe da Costa, Shots At The Dragon, Sarah Gaul, Zara Gladman, Jonathan Oldfield, Jack McMinn, Paras Patel, Alex Prescot, Abi Sharp, Vinny Shiu and Holly Spillar are ready for the 17th Musical Comedy Awards final.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Brennan Reece
How did Brennan Reece fare against 500 hairy bikers? All will be revealed.
Richard Herring, Mark Steel, Miles Jupp - Mark Muldoon's Comedy Diary
Our live comedy columnist Mark Muldoon sees three comedy shows about cancer in one week. Is that too much? What will he learn? Let's find out with Richard Herring, Mark Steel and Miles Jupp.
British Comedy Quiz #349
To get top marks you'll need to know Popsy Wopsy, the working title of Only Fools And Horses, who Dr Gordon Thorpe was, and more.
Jonny & The Baptists on touring The Happiness Index
Jonny & The Baptists talk about how they got started in musical comedy, their creative process for forming a show, and what audiences can expect from their current tour, The Happiness Index.
TV listings
Crongton
All ten episodes of this comedy drama about friendships and loyalties on a housing estate broadcast across this week, starting with three episodes tonight from 7pm. You can find the lot on iPlayer now.
Neil & Martin's Bon Voyage
Men Behaving Badly stars Neil Morrissey and Martin Clunes are celebrating 40 years of friendship on a bespoke road trip through southern France. This is the first of three episodes.
A League Of Their Own: The Rally
Across three episodes Jamie Redknapp, Jill Scott, Micah Richards and Tom Davis are competing in the ALOTO Rally Cup, making their way in pairs from London to Turin.
The Change
The return of the comedy written by and starring Bridget Christie. Linda finds herself on trial for lying to the town about her true identity. But her time in the forest is far from over.
Rob Beckett's Smart TV
Tom Allen, Ted Lasso actor Kola Bokinni, Steve Pemberton and The One Show presenter Alex Jones are the guests this time.
Last One Laughing UK
The final two episodes of this six-part show in which comedians try to make each other laugh land on Amazon on Thursday.
Douglas Adams: The Man Who Imagined Our Future
A profile of the late author, widely regarded as a pioneer of science-fiction, comedy, technology and environmental activism. Contributors include Stephen Fry, Griff Rhys Jones and John Lloyd.
Small Town, Big Story
A legal crisis puts I Am Celt in jeopardy, and the community is in mourning.
Horrible Histories
With Mother's Day coming up, Horrible Histories look at some of history's most monstrous mothers.
The Last Leg
Roisin Conaty and Tom Davis are set to appear on the live programme this week.
The Jonathan Ross Show
John Bishop and Judi love are set to appear. Plus Pierce Brosnan, Ben Stiller, Adam Scott, Britt Lower, AJ Tracey and Jorja Smith.
For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
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Sindhu Vee - ALPHABETIn her deeply personal stand-up special ALPHABET, Sindhu Vee explores being a parent (to kids who really haven't turned out how she had expected), being married (to a great communicator), being a sister (to someone waaay cooler than her) and being a child (who has lost her beloved mother). Vee also considers other serious topics: the hair we want, the friends we have, and what exactly makes a balloon fancy? |
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Johnny Ball - My Previous Life In Comedy: Part One Of My Autobiography"From an idyllic childhood in Bristol, with my gag-a-minute dad inspiring me to become a comedian, to dreadful teenage years in Bolton where education overlooked me, and all I learnt was how to be funny. My first job gave me a taste of success and confidence, followed by my real education in the RAF. Butlins gifted me an enduring smile, and in Liverpool, I worked with the less fortunate while crossing paths with future stars. Then came seventeen wonderful years of stand-up comedy, which took me across the UK and abroad, entertaining the British Forces, before a TV career began in failure, only to rise from the ashes with Di, the love of my life, and a new career in Maths and Science. Packed with wildly funny tales, this book isn't half a good story - or is it? Well, yes it is, as the sequel will follow shortly!" |
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The Upper Hand - The Complete SeriesWhen high-flying executive Caroline Wheatley advertises for a live-in home help, Charlie Burrows is the last person she expected to apply. But when Charlie, a footballer with a career curtailed by injury, moves into her luxurious country home with his daughter, he meets with approval both from Caroline's vivacious mother Laura and her son Tom. Before long, a romance blossoms - one that will take the pair all the way up the wedding aisle. But there are plenty of surprises along the way... This engaging sitcom stars Joe McGann as Charlie and Diana Weston as Caroline, with Avengers siren Honor Blackman as Laura and future EastEnders star Kellie Bright as Charlie's streetwise daughter, Joanna. Based on scripts for the hugely popular US series Who's The Boss?, this was a major hit for Central during the 1990s and ran for seven series, all of which are presented here. |
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TommyInnit's Guide To Survival"It's a cruel, cruel world out there. Trust me, I've seen it. You're pretty much doomed unless you know how to survive. Which you don't. Which I do. Which is why I have written the ultimate survival guide to life. My name is TommyInnit. I've been around the block these past twenty years. I've seen things you couldn't handle. I've eaten things you couldn't taste. Handled taxes in ways that (probably) won't get you arrested. Always prepped for the apocalypse, I know a thing or two about surviving. Don't believe me? Here's proof. Things I've survived: - Death of loved ones - Swans - Other stuff So you see? This book is going to change you. Let's begin." |
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One Person Found This Helpful - Series 2A second series of the celebrity panel show that delves into the bizarre world of online shopping, hosted by Frank Skinner. Everyone has an online life, and when the great British public put pen to keyboard to leave a review, they almost always write something hilarious. One Person Found This Helpful is the panel game that invites an all-star line-up to celebrate the good, the bad and the baffling. Over the course of six episodes and one special with a festive twist, the celebrity guests are presented with a selection of hilarious reviews and tasked with working out what exactly is being described. Maybe they'll even have a go at writing their own reviews along the way... If you're the person who went on Trip Advisor to review Ben Nevis as 'Very steep and too high', this show salutes you! |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Comic Relief - Strictly Come Dancing: The New Pro Dancers
Are Rachel Parris and Russell Kane the next Strictly stars? This sketch from Friday's Red Nose Day broadcast also features Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Comic Relief - The Gladiators with Chabuddy G
A brand new 'G'ladiator stepped into the arena for Comic Relief: Kurupt FM's self-appointed manager Chabuddy G.
Comic Relief - Not Going Beyond Paradise
Sally Bretton, who plays both Lee's wife Lucy in Not Going Out and DI Humphrey Goodman's wife Martha Lloyd in Beyond Paradise, is the anchor point for this sketch 10 minute Red Nose Day special featuring Lee Mack and Kris Marshall.
Busted
Sometimes the clues are staring you in the face. And they're sweaty. An animation by Birdbox Studio.
Quick chat about benefit cuts
A man who has had his benefits cut and PIP taken away asks the Government what his options are.
Movie villain's big day is ruined
This was supposed to be a really special moment...
Comedy Central Live - Eddie Kadi
Eddie Kadi breaks down the discombobulating communication styles of Nigerian women.
Spotlight
Tourist Trap
Welsh stand-up sensation Leroy Brito, with whom we've just recorded an interview for our BCG Pro service, is one of the cast members in this highly enjoyable ensemble sitcom set in the head office of Wales's tourism board. Sally Phillips starred as new boss Elaine in the two BBC One series, aired from 2018, alongside the likes of Elis James, Mike Bubbins, (co-writer) Tudur Owen, Mali Ann Rees and Tom Price. Although not currently on iPlayer, it's well worth keeping an eye out for.
Thanks for reading
BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition was about chocolate this time. Here is the entry by Garth ApThomas:
My girlfriend's sharing her delicious Easter Egg with me. But I don't want to be around when she comes back from work and finds out.
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
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