Comedy Playhouse

The first and most celebrated of all pilot and comedy trial seasons, Comedy Playhouse was originally devised to find new programmes for Ray Galton and Alan Simpson following the end of Hancock's Half Hour.

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TV ComedyClicquot Et Fils

Broadcast: 1961

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TV ComedyLunch In The Park

Broadcast: 1961

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TV ComedyThe Private Lives Of Edward Whiteley

Broadcast: 1961

Steptoe And Son

TV ComedySteptoe And Son

Broadcast: Fri 5th January 1962

Albert Steptoe and his son Harold run a rag and bone business. Harold wants to move on in the world and leave home but his plans are always thwarted.

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TV ComedyThe Reunion

Broadcast: Fri 12th January 1962

A group of old friends find that their reunion has unfortunate consequences for all concerned.

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TV ComedyThe Telephone Call

Broadcast: Fri 19th January 1962

If you are worried about the world situation pick up your telephone and do something about it? Lionel Baxter does .. and regrets it!.

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TV ComedyThe Status Symbol

Broadcast: Wed 24th January 1962

Cyril Bradley tries to persuade his customer, Wilfred Swann, to park his Rolls Royce outside his garage in order to attract customers ..

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TV ComedyVisiting Day

Broadcast: Fri 2nd February 1962

There's always one patient in hospital who looks forward to their operation more than a visit from relatives.

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TV ComedySealed With A Loving Kiss

Broadcast: Fri 9th February 1962

When two people agree to meet after a long romance by letter, they find themselves caught in the web of lies they have spun for each other.

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The Channel Swimmer

TV ComedyThe Channel Swimmer

Broadcast: Fri 16th February 1962

Clive is about to swim the Channel but is unaware that his manager is planning to make money out of him.

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TV ComedyThe Bachelor Girls

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyComrades In Arms

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyThe Chars

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyHave You Read This Notice?

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyThe Handyman

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyImpasse

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyNicked At The Bottle

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyOn The Knocker

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyOur Man In Moscow

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyA Picture Of Innocence

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyThe Plan

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyShamrot

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyUnderworld Knights

Broadcast: 1963

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TV ComedyAnd Here, All The Way From...

Broadcast: Fri 8th March 1963

Comedy Playhouse pilot from Galton and Simpson, starring Eric Barker as a man brought from Borneo to his brother's This Is Your Life appearance.

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TV ComedyA Clerical Error

Broadcast: Fri 5th April 1963

Comedy Playhouse one-off starring John Le Mesurier as a conman who impersonates a clergyman upon release from prison.

Fools Rush In

TV ComedyFools Rush In

Broadcast: Sat 12th October 1963

Major Humphrey Carlton has retired from the Army and finds that arranging his own domestic affairs is more meddlesome than he ever expected.

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The Walrus And The Carpenter

TV ComedyThe Walrus And The Carpenter

Broadcast: Sat 14th December 1963

Gascoigne Quilt & Luther Flannery meet in a graveyard. The two old men have little in common but Luther's sense of adventure leads them into scrapes.

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TV ComedyMeet The Wife

Broadcast: Sat 28th December 1963

Plumber Freddie Blacklock lives with his wife Thora in the north of England. Freddie is a down-to-earth bloke who likes to take things easy whereas his wife has ambitions for the couple to improve their social standing. Snobbish Thora often put on a 'posh voice' in an attempt to impress those she was speaking to.

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TV ComedyGood Luck Sir, You've Got A Lucky Face

Broadcast: 1964

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TV ComedyThe Hen House

Broadcast: 1964

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TV ComedyThe Mascot

Broadcast: 1964

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TV ComedyThe Mate Market

Broadcast: 1964

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TV ComedyThe Siege Of Sydney's Street

Broadcast: 1964

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TV ComedyThe Vital Spark

Broadcast: 1965

Captain Para Handy steers his famous 'puffer', The Vital Spark, up and down the Clyde, together with his motley crew.

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TV ComedyBarnaby Spoot And The Exploding Whoopee Cushion

Broadcast: 1965

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TV ComedyBetsy Mae

Broadcast: 1965

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TV ComedyHappy Family

Broadcast: 1965

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TV ComedyHere I Come Whoever I Am

Broadcast: 1965

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TV ComedyHudd

Broadcast: 1965

Improbable stories from the chaotic world of a man called Hudd.

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TV ComedyMemoirs Of A Chaise Longue

Broadcast: 1965

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TV ComedyMother Came Too

Broadcast: 1965

The Time And Motion Man

TV ComedyThe Time And Motion Man

Broadcast: Fri 25th June 1965

Kingsley Binns is a man who can't switch off from his job and that involves him trying to make everybody he meets more efficient.

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Murray And Me

TV ComedyMurray And Me

Broadcast: Thu 8th July 1965

Murray believes he can train his mind for practical purposes and he endeavours to teach his skills to young Tommy, a young boy he is looking after.

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Till Death Us Do Part

TV ComedyTill Death Us Do Part

Broadcast: Thu 22nd July 1965

Opinionated Alf Garnett regularly reels off a string of misinformed, bigoted, reactionary opinions each week - his long-suffering wife Else mostly turns a deaf ear.

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Sam The Samaritan

TV ComedySam The Samaritan

Broadcast: Thu 5th August 1965

1910 - when three long term friends and fellow stokers are let ashore, a bet over downing a pot of ale causes the friendship to be broken.

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TV ComedyThe Reluctant Romeo

Broadcast: 1966

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TV ComedyThe Whitehall Worrier

Broadcast: 1966

The corridors of power have never been the safest of places, but for one minister there are an unusual amount of booby traps.

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TV ComedyThe End Of The Tunnel

Broadcast: 1966

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TV ComedyJudgement Day For Elijah Jones

Broadcast: 1966

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TV ComedySeven Year Hitch

Broadcast: 1966

All Gas And Gaiters

TV ComedyAll Gas And Gaiters

Broadcast: Tue 17th May 1966

The fictional St. Ogg's Cathedral is the setting for a good natured look at life among the clergy.

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TV ComedyBeggar My Neighbour

Broadcast: Tue 24th May 1966

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TV ComedyA Little Learning

Broadcast: Tue 31st May 1966

Comedy Playhouse pilot starring Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge.

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TV ComedyRoom At The Bottom (1966)

Broadcast: Tue 14th June 1966

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TV ComedyHeirs On A Shoestring

Broadcast: 1967

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TV ComedyHughie

Broadcast: 1967

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TV ComedyLoitering With Intent

Broadcast: 1967

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TV ComedySpanner In The Works

Broadcast: 1967

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TV ComedyTo Lucifer - A Son

Broadcast: 1967

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TV ComedyUncle Fred Flits By

Broadcast: 1967

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TV ComedyNot In Front Of The Children

Broadcast: Fri 26th May 1967

The domestic bliss of "oldly-weds" Jennifer and Henry Corner and their three young children.

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TV ComedyThe Old Campaigner

Broadcast: Fri 30th June 1967

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TV ComedyThicker Than Water (1968)

Broadcast: 1968

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TV ComedyWink To Me Only

Broadcast: 1968

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TV ComedyState Of The Union

Broadcast: 1968

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TV ComedyStiff Upper Lip

Broadcast: 1968

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TV ComedyThank You Sir, Thank You Madam

Broadcast: 1968

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TV ComedyWild, Wild Women

Broadcast: Fri 24th May 1968

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TV ComedyB-And-B

Broadcast: Fri 7th June 1968

The arrival of an pretty au pair has an explosive effect on a successful T.V. family's life.

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TV ComedyMe Mammy

Broadcast: Fri 14th June 1968

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TV ComedyThe Gold Watch Club

Broadcast: Fri 28th June 1968

A Comedy Playhouse presentation about Edward Wilkins, whose vision of retirement turns out to be rather different than the reality.

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TV ComedyThe Loves Of Larch Hill

Broadcast: 1969

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TV ComedyThe Making Of Peregrine

Broadcast: 1969

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TV ComedyTooth And Claw

Broadcast: 1969

The Liver Birds

TV ComedyThe Liver Birds

Broadcast: Mon 14th April 1969

Vintage sitcom about two girls who share a flat together in Liverpool.

The Valley Express

TV ComedyThe Valley Express

Broadcast: Mon 21st April 1969

Reg and Stan are local reporters in Wales who make up stories and sell them to Fleet Street. They are in for a shock when they are taken seriously.

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TV ComedyAs Good Cooks Go

Broadcast: Mon 5th May 1969

A travelling cook turns a run down transport cafe into a fashionable restaurant.

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TV ComedyJoint Account (1969)

Broadcast: Thu 18th December 1969

A Comedy Playhouse presentation starring Keith Barron in a tale of domestic disharmony with a radical solution.

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TV ComedyBetter Than A Man

Broadcast: 1970

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TV ComedyHaven Of Rest

Broadcast: 1970

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TV ComedyKeep 'Em Rolling

Broadcast: 1970

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TV ComedyMeter Maids

Broadcast: 1970

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TV ComedyMind Your Own Business

Broadcast: 1970

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TV ComedyThe Old Contemptible

Broadcast: 1970

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TV ComedyWho's Your Friend?

Broadcast: 1970

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TV ComedyThe Jugg Brothers

Broadcast: Thu 1st January 1970

A Comedy Playhouse written by and starring Bob Grant and Stephen Lewis as brothers who work in a block of flats as caretakers.

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An Officer And A Gentleman

TV ComedyAn Officer And A Gentleman

Broadcast: Thu 8th January 1970

A Comedy Playhouse starring James Grout as a military man finding it hard to embrace civilian life without the help of his faithful Army batman.

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TV ComedyThat's Your Funeral

Broadcast: Wed 25th March 1970

Basil Bulstrode is pompous, grouchy and stubborn - he's also an undertaker who loves his work.

Don't Ring Us... We'll Ring You

TV ComedyDon't Ring Us... We'll Ring You

Broadcast: Wed 29th July 1970

A Comedy Playhouse revolving around the Northern working men's clubs and two agents who find a rich, new boy has hit town.

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TV ComedyUnder And Over

Broadcast: 1971

Three Irish labourers spend their lives digging away on the Waterloo tunnel.

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TV ComedyEqual Partners

Broadcast: 1971

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TV ComedyIt's Awfully Bad For Your Eyes, Darling...

Broadcast: 1971

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TV ComedyThe Importance Of Being Hairy

Broadcast: 1971

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TV ComedyUncle Tulip

Broadcast: 1971

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TV ComedyNow Take My Wife

Broadcast: Thu 1st April 1971

A married couple struggle with the age-old problem of coping with the adolescent behaviour of their teenage daughter.

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TV ComedyThe Rough With The Smooth

Broadcast: Thu 22nd April 1971

The misadventures of two bachelor flat mates working on a terrible radio serial. One's an east Londoner, the other an old Etonian.

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TV ComedyBorn Every Minute

Broadcast: 1972

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TV ComedyThe Dirtiest Soldier In The World

Broadcast: 1972

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TV ComedyIdle At Work

Broadcast: 1972

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TV ComedyWeren't You Marcia Honeywell?

Broadcast: 1972

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TV ComedyAnd Whose Side Are You On?

Broadcast: Fri 21st January 1972

Comedy Playhouse pilot set in Nazi-occupied France.

Are You Being Served?

TV ComedyAre You Being Served?

Broadcast: Fri 8th September 1972

Mr Grainger and his staff learn they must share their floor with the Ladies' Intimate Apparel department at Grace Brothers, a London department store.

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TV ComedyThe Gordon Peters Show

Broadcast: 1973

Last Of The Summer Wine

TV ComedyLast Of The Summer Wine

Broadcast: Thu 4th January 1973

Gentle sitcom following a group of pensioners living in Yorkshire. This show is Britain's longest-running comedy programme.

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TV ComedyThe Rescue

Broadcast: Thu 11th January 1973

Comedy Playhouse pilot about a man who tries to commit suicide and the problems he causes his rescuer.

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Elementary, My Dear Watson

TV ComedyElementary, My Dear Watson

Broadcast: Thu 18th January 1973

Sherlock Holmes finds Edwardian solutions to problems in 1973.

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TV ComedyMarry The Girls

Broadcast: Thu 1st February 1973

Luke Elms must marry off his five daughters before they bankrupt him.

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TV ComedyHome From Home (1973)

Broadcast: Thu 8th February 1973

When Bill's wife leaves him to become a traffic warden - she makes him her most frequent victim.

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TV ComedyNo Strings (1974)

Broadcast: 1974

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TV ComedyThe Dobson Doughnut

Broadcast: 1974

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TV ComedyFranklyn And Johnnie

Broadcast: 1974

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TV ComedyIt's Only Me - Whoever I Am

Broadcast: 1974

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TV ComedyThe Last Man On Earth

Broadcast: 1974

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TV ComedyThe Reverent Wooing Of Archibald

Broadcast: 1974

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TV ComedySitting Pretty (1974)

Broadcast: 1974

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TV ComedyHowerd's History Of England

Broadcast: Tue 30th April 1974

Period sketch show starring Frankie Howerd and Patrick Newell. A Comedy Playhouse pilot.

Happy Ever After

TV ComedyHappy Ever After

Broadcast: Tue 7th May 1974

Now that all the children have left, Terry and June Fletcher can look forward to doing all the things they have planned - until Aunt Lucy arrives.

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Mr Big

TV ComedyMr Big

Broadcast: Tue 21st May 1974

Eddie finds that if he's planning a bank job or robbing the local post office it is probably not a good idea to involve the rest of his family.

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TV ComedyPygmalion Smith

Broadcast: Tue 25th June 1974

A Comedy Playhouse pilot, written by Roy Clarke and starring Leonard Rossiter.

A Girl's Best Friend

TV ComedyA Girl's Best Friend

Broadcast: Wed 3rd July 1974

A 1974 sitcom pilot about a mother who shares her daughter's boyfriends. Broadcast as part of the Comedy Playhouse series.

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Starlings interviews

Starlings interviews

Interviews with the people behind Starlings, the new Sky1 comedy drama by Steve Edge & Matt King. Read

Tim Minchin podcast

Tim Minchin podcast

Richard Herring's new London-based podcast series kicks off with an interview with Tim Minchin. Listen

Episodes interviews

Episodes interviews

Matt LeBlanc, Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig share their thoughts about the BBC2 sitcom. Read

Kayvan Novak interview

Kayvan Novak interview

Facejacker star Kavan Novak tells us more about how he films his hidden camera prank show. Read

Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown

Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown

Catch up on the funny 2nd series of the award-winning panel podcast with sketch group Pappy's. Listen

Paul Sinha interview

Paul Sinha interview

An interview with GP turned comic Paul Sinha, who is also now the star of ITV quiz show The Chase. Read

VIP: Cast Interview

VIP: Cast Interview

An interview with Morgana Robinson and Terry Mynott, the stars of C4's new impressions show. Read

No Pressure To Be Funny

No Pressure To Be Funny

TalkSport's Matt Forde guest hosts the topical panel show podcast. Guests include Andy Hamilton. Listen

Ian Bowler for London Mayor

Ian Bowler for London Mayor

This video from MP Ian Bowler is how you raise the money to stand for Mayor of London... maybe. Watch

Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown

Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown

The new series of Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown, the hit panel show podcast is now here. Top laughs! Listen