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British Comedy Guide Newsletter
Weekly Newsletter Monday 25th June 2012
Hello! A brand new week, and there are a whole load of commissions to tell you about. This email doesn't mention Jimmy Carr and tax as we're guessing everyone is bored of hearing about that story now.
Latest Comedy News
News Picture Sky Atlantic brings Set List stand-up format to TV

Sky Atlantic is bringing Set List, a stand-up comedy format in which comedians must improvise routines based on a list of topics, to television. Read
News Picture BBC Three ratings continue to slide

The fortunes of BBC Three appear to be on a downward spiral, with new comedies Dead Boss and Live At The Electric struggling to achieve an audience. Read
News Picture Addison Cresswell named 'most influential' in British comedy

Addison Cresswell, owner of talent management company Off The Kerb, has been named the most influential person in British comedy by website Such Small Portions. Read
News Picture Sky confirm raft of new and returning comedies

Sky has ordered more episodes of Moone Boy and A Touch Of Cloth, before the first episodes have even aired. Other commissions include another series of Starlings. Read
News Picture Greg Davies pens Channel 4 sitcom pilot

Inbetweeners star Greg Davies has penned his own sitcom pilot for Channel 4, entitled Man Down. He will star alongside a number of other big comedy names. Read
News Picture ITV2 developing sitcom set in ancient Rome

ITV2 is developing Plebs, a new series set in ancient Rome which it hopes will become a 'channel-defining sitcom' like The Inbetweeners is for E4. Read
News Picture 10 O'Clock Live set to return for a third series

Reports suggest that 10 O'Clock Live, Channel 4's topical satire show, is being lined up for another series. Read
News Picture Kevin Eldon gets own BBC Two series

Acclaimed British comedy stalwart Kevin Eldon has been awarded his own comedy series on BBC Two, to be broadcast in 2013. Read
Also of interest...
Here are a couple links you might be interested in...

- Armando Iannucci gives some hints about what will be in the next series of The Thick Of It: The Daily Record

- An interview with Roy 'Chubby' Brown. He says he's recorded over 100 un-released serious love songs: Shropshire Star

- A poll to help name Channel 4's best comedy show. The results will form a countdown list style show: Channel 4

- An interview with Rufus Hound in which he talks about moving into 'serious' acting: Official London Theatre

For loads more of this kind of thing every day follow us on Twitter: @UKComedyNews
Features
Feature Picture Do The Right Thing

A new episode of the panel show podcast. Dan Tetsell and Chris Neill join the regulars to discuss topics including Sharks and Whoopee Cushions. Listen
Feature Picture Gig In A Castle - Isy Suttie & Elis James interview

An interview with Isy Suttie and Elis James, who are performing with Jonny Sweet at a special gig at Powis Castle in Wales on Friday 6th July. Read
Feature Picture Justin Edwards hosts Chat Show Roulette

Justin Edwards is trying out a new chat show comedy format at The Soho Theatre this week, in which comedy performers must improvise characters based on audience suggestions. Read
Feature Picture Stewart Lee podcast

Lee & Herring are reunited... for a one-off podcast. Richard Herring talks to Stewart Lee about lots of interesting topics. Listen
TV Highlights
Here is a guide to some of the things on TV this week...

Welcome To The Places Of My Life With Alan Partridge Welcome To The Places Of My Life With Alan Partridge
Monday, Sky Atlantic, 9pm

He's back! The marvel of Norwich, Alan Partridge, reveals the places that have made him the man he is today in this one-off mockumentary around north Norfolk. Guide
Walking And Talking Walking And Talking
Monday, Sky Atlantic, 10:30pm

A new four-part comic series about Kathy Burke's childhood, written by the star following the success of her 2010 Little Crackers short. Guide
The Ricky Gervais Show The Ricky Gervais Show
Tuesday, E4, 11:20pm

In this edition of the animated show, topics include Karl's thoughts on medical advancements, sickness, and an idea for a machine that would enable physicians to feel their patients' pain. Guide
A Short History Of Everything Else A Short History Of Everything Else
Wednesday, Channel 4, 10pm

Griff Rhys Jones, Marcus Brigstocke and Charlie Baker are this week joined by Robin Ince and Andi Osho to look at archive clips. Guide
Russell Howard's Good News Russell Howard's Good News
Thursday, BBC Three, 9pm

It's the last in the series of Russell Howard's topical show. With big ratings on the iPlayer, fear not, it'll be back for another series in the not-too-distant future. Guide
Live At The Electric Live At The Electric
Thursday, BBC Three, 9:30pm

Russell Kane presents more short films, quick-fire sketches and music from up-and-coming talent. As our ratings story at the top of this email says, this sadly isn't getting the audience numbers it deserves. Guide
Mock The Week Mock The Week
Thursday, BBC Two, 10pm

Marcus Brigstocke and one-liner comic Gary Delaney make their debut on the topical panel show. They join Dara O'Briain, Hugh Dennis, Andy Parsons, Chris Addison and Zoe Lyons to look at England's exit from Euro 2012 and more. Guide
Dead Boss Dead Boss
Thursday, BBC Three, 10:30pm

This new sitcom is picking up some nice comments. Frustrated with the lack of progress with her appeal, Helen takes matters into her own hands and decides to study the law. Guide
Would I Lie To You? Would I Lie To You?
Friday, BBC One, 8:30pm

Highlights from the comedy panel show, plus previously un-seen rounds. Did Alexander Armstrong have a curry with Andy Murray, go bowling with JK Rowling and attended an odd party with Todd Carty? Guide
A League Of Their Own A League Of Their Own
Friday, Sky1, 9pm

More sports-based laughs as Corden and the other ALOTO regulars return in this collection of the best bits from Series 5. Another series is in the works, with a new even bigger set being built now. Guide
Episodes Episodes
Friday, BBC Two, 10pm

Matt LeBlanc's life continues to fall apart when he falls foul of his fierce ex-wife. Beverly prepares to go on a second date with Morning's brother Rob, but things have become much more complicated now. Guide
8 Out Of 10 Cats 8 Out Of 10 Cats
Friday, Channel 4, 10:30pm

When we wrote last week's newsletter we never expected 8 Out Of 10 Cats to be the focus of the country, but Jimmy Carr's tax troubles brought huge ratings on Friday. This week it's a more normal end-of-series highlights package. Guide
The Graham Norton Show The Graham Norton Show
Friday, BBC One, 10:35pm

Graham's back with further guests on the big red sofa. Like last week, frustratingly the guest line-up hasn't been revealed at the time of pressing 'send' on this email. Guide
Stand Up For The Week Stand Up For The Week
Friday, Channel 4, 11:20pm

It's the last episode of the series. Jon Richardson, Seann Walsh, Josh Widdicombe, Sara Pascoe, Paul Chowdhry and Andrew Lawrence take one final swipe at the news. Guide
You Cannot Be Serious! You Cannot Be Serious!
Saturday, ITV1, 7pm

Following England's exit from the football, Alistair McGowan gets to really go to town this week with his impression of manager Roy Hodgson. Guide
Mad Mad World Mad Mad World
Saturday, ITV1, 10:20pm

It's a new non-topical (it was recorded a while ago) panel show that looks at fun news stories, events and TV clips from around the world. With regulars Paddy McGuinness, Rufus Hound & Rhys Darby. Guide
Starlings Starlings
Sunday, Sky1, 8pm

It's coming back for a new series (see the Sky story at the top of the email), but this is the last episode in the current series. Grandad receives a fleeting visit from his best mate, and Terry steps in to bring Belle and Reuben back together. Guide

Above is just some of the new comedy that can be found on the TV this week. For a complete list of shows, plus radio comedy, see our full schedule.
New DVDs
Mixed Blessings - The Complete Third Series Mixed Blessings - The Complete Third Series

Created and written by Sid Green (The Frankie Howerd Show), Mixed Blessings stars Christopher Blake (That's My Boy) and Muriel Odunton as a mixed-race couple struggling to placate their disapproving and constantly bickering families. Thanks to the good people at Network, this 9-part third (and final) series is now available to order on DVD. Pre-Order
The Ricky Gervais Show - Series 2 The Ricky Gervais Show - Series 2

It's more of The Karl Pilkington Show, and arguably the outright funniest project Gervais has indulged in to date: yes, the hit animated series based on the trio's (with Stephen Merchant) hit podcasts is back on DVD with the complete second series from today. Catch up with the bizarre musings of the round-headed one - they really are a wonder to behold! Order
A Touch Of The Casanovas A Touch Of The Casanovas

Following the resounding success of Up Pompeii!, Frankie Howerd delved into the pages of history once more to play the hapless valet of Venice's most infamous son in this 37 minute pilot. It isn't the comedy gold of its predecessors, but a must-have for any fan of Howerd or the good old historical comedy romp. Pre-Order
Crooks In Cloisters Crooks In Cloisters

Classic 1964 film starring Bernard Cribbins and Barbara Windsor. Little Walter and his sidekicks decide to get out of London after a daring train robbery and pretend to be monks in an abandoned monastery just off the Cornish coast. But old habits (ahem) die hard... Pre-Order
Episodes - Series 2 Episodes - Series 2

All nine episodes from the second series of Episodes, the sitcom starring Matt LeBlanc, Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig. Picking up four months after the end of Series 1, the show charts the trio attempting to produce a hit American sitcom amidst the fall-out of Beverly's affair with Matt, and Sean's struggle to deal with either of them. Pre-Order

For more, see our full list of new releases and DVDs coming soon.
Comedy Videos
Video Picture A Touch Of Cloth - Preview

Spoof detective show A Touch Of Cloth looks set to be a hit new show for Sky. Here's a video showcasing its silly style. Watch
Video Picture Dead Boss - Margaret's Special Request

Frank heads to Margaret's office to discuss the difference between a squeeze and a tap... Watch
Video Picture Mock The Week - Unlikely Things To Hear At Euro 2012

Football-themed suggestions in this video from last Thursday's show. Re-watch to cheer yourself up after England's exit from the competition. Watch
Video Picture The Midnight Beast - Trailer 2

E4 says "It's the year of The Beast!" Here's a new minute long trailer for the young sitcom which starts on the channel next week. Watch
Video Picture Welcome To The Places Of My Life With Alan Partridge

If you've not got Sky, you'll be missing out on Alan Partridge's brand new show this evening - but fret not, for a tasty teaser trailer for the one-off mockumentary has been released. Watch
Video Picture David Mitchell's Soapbox - Series 4, Episode 2

David Mitchell provides some sharp-eyed insights into couture by venting his spleen about men's pointy shoes, which now seem to dominate the male footwear market. Watch
Video Picture Seldom Differ - Don't Tape Over

A dark, twisted and bold sketch show pilot from Seldom Differ. They say it's "best viewed in the dark, with your eyes closed, and the sound muted." Watch
Video Picture Brett Domino's Internet For Idiots

A journey into the unexplained exciting world of the internet with your tour guides Brett Domino and Steven Peavis. Watch
Video Picture Anna Man: Who's for Turkish Delight?

Join the glamorous and beautiful actress, raconteur and spy Anna Mann (Colin Hoult) in Part 1 of her regular look back at a lifetime on stage and screen. Watch
Video Picture A Few Best Men - Trailer

A trailer for the film starring Kris Marshall and Kevin Bishop. After a carnage-filled stag night, it's time for a wedding with some ill-prepared best men. Watch
Message Board Posts...
Here are some quotes from our message board...

"The only thing I can really remember is it was a guy living in his apartment and he listened to the radio or record player..." yuppicide is attempting to identify an old programme

"I think they missed a trick this week. They should have had Carr himself on the panels, making biting satirical comments about his own story." Nogget on Jimmy Carr and 8 Out Of 10 Cats

"Received my copy only last week. I have to admit I found it slow to start with ... when I watch this show for a second time sometime in the future I will enjoy that much more." Stephen Ryder on Casanova '73

"Everyone is really well cast. Even down to the characters who don't even speak. (Susan Calman is one of the mute followers of the big bully, and even though she's never spoken she's brilliant.)" zooo on Dead Boss
Guide Spotlight
Guide Spotlight Bigipedia

Bigipedia! This late-night Radio 4 sketch show has gone under the radar of most, but certainly deserves far wider attention. Annoyingly, there are only 8 episodes of the show, but every installment of this spoof of Wikipedia, disinformation and internet marketing is wonderfully funny, packed with great jokes, delightfully deluded cross references, and oodles of wit and charm. If you've missed it in the past, it's super-cheap to purchase and catch-up with the series. Now, what about that Nazi Gold...? Guide
Thanks for Reading
That's all for another week. Don't forget to check out our website daily for the latest news, and Twitter for all the day's gossip, videos, and news highlights.

The British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk

Tomorrow night (Tuesday) Do The Right Thing is being recorded in London. The guests include Angelos Epithemiou and Katy Brand. Tickets