British Comedy Guide Newsletter
Weekly Newsletter Monday 21st July 2014
Were you watching Monty Python's final show last night? Whilst the group may have called it a day, their influence lives on. See below for some modern silliness, and a few archive gems too...
Latest Comedy News
News Picture Chris Barrie expresses interest in reviving The Brittas Empire

Chris Barrie has expressed an interest in starring in a revival of the hit 1990s BBC sitcom The Brittas Empire. Read
News Picture Some Girls Series 3 begins filming

Filming has started on Series 3 of BBC Three sitcom Some Girls. Read
News Picture Bill Bailey pilots a revival of Name That Tune

Bill Bailey has hosted a pilot episode of a revival of the classic TV quiz show format Name That Tune. Read
News Picture Give Out Girls switches to Comedy Central

Give Out Girls, the Sky Living sitcom set around a group of promo girls, is switching to Comedy Central. Read
Also of interest...
Here are some pages on other websites that you might also be interested in...

- The BBC has released 9 pilots on the iPlayer. Stars include Jack Dee: iPlayer

- Peter Kay will switch on the Blackpool Illuminations this year: BBC News

- Here's a copy of a funny letter John Cleese wrote to a fan a few years ago: Twitter

- Miranda Hart is working on a book linked to her sitcom, called The Best of Miranda. She explains more in this video: British Comedy Guide

- The Comic Relief idea is heading to America. NBC will broadcast its own version of Red Nose Day next May: Radio Times

- Michael McIntyre used to drive a broken Austin Metro to gigs. He's now bought a Ferrari California: Daily Mail

Found these links interesting? For more like this each evening follow us on social media, or visit our website:

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Features
Feature Picture Shaun The Sheep named top kids character

Shaun The Sheep has been named as the nation's most popular BBC children's character. His new movie is out next February. Read
Feature Picture Ray Peacock: It's not how you start

Stand-up comic Ray Peacock discusses the myriad of ways to open a show at the Edinburgh Fringe, and why he is (and isn't) a little apprehensive. Read
Feature Picture Carly Smallman: Judge my jokes, not my looks

Carly Smallman reveals her experiences of receiving Twitter abuse about her appearance, rather than her comedy - and talks how it inspired her to create a new Edinburgh show. Read
Feature Picture The Hitchhiker's Guide To Hacking

Anti-virus firm Norton have released a guide to hacking in the style of The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Read
Feature Picture Hayley Ellis: How to deal with other people on social networks

Hayley Ellis provides this handy, funny guide on how to deal with other people on social networking websites. Read
TV Listings
Here is a guide to the new British comedy on TV this week...

Virtually Famous Virtually Famous
Monday, E4, 10pm

A brand new panel show in which one of the stars of American TV series Glee, Kevin McHale, hosts with team captains Seann Walsh and Chris Stark unearthing the funniest bits of the internet. Guide
Kevin Bridges Live At... Kevin Bridges Live At The Commonwealth
Monday, BBC One, 10:35pm

The first of two stand-up specials from Kevin Bridges. The latter one, due on screens in around a month's time, will look at Scottish independence. Tonight's episode, however, looks ahead to the Commonwealth Games. Guide
Set List: Stand-Up Without A Net Set List: Stand-Up Without A Net
Monday, Sky Atlantic, 11:15pm

Tony Law, Andrew Maxwell and Drew Carey perform improvised stand-up comedy routines based on subjects presented to them while on stage. Guide
The Alternative Comedy Experience The Alternative Comedy Experience
Tuesday, Comedy Central, 11pm

On this week's show, the madcap Paul Foot is joined by the musical David O'Doherty, Nish Kumar, Michael Legge and Josie Long. There's also backstage chat with Stewart Lee too. Guide
The Mimic The Mimic
Wednesday, Channel 4, 10pm

The low-key comedy continues. Martin realises he has no job, no car, no son and no woman so gets Jean to set him up on a blind date with her friend from Zumba - Harriet, an assertive body-language expert. Guide
TV OD TV OD
Thursday, ITV2, 10pm

Matt Edmondson hosts this topical series which takes a humorous look at the most talked about shows on TV. It's the last in the series... so the team will now be waiting to hear if they've done enough to get a second series. Guide
Alan Carr: Chatty Man Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Friday, Channel 4, 9pm

Alan Carr returns to our TV screens with his very own summer special. He's booked some big name guests too... Miranda Hart and the stars of The Inbetweeners are amongst those joining him for a sunny drink. Guide
Friday Night Dinner Friday Night Dinner
Friday, Channel 4, 10pm

Get ready - this week's episode, sadly the series finale, is a real gem. It's Grandma's wedding day, and she's getting married to the horrible Mr Morris. The family are distraught, but will Grandma really say 'I do'? There's two funny preview clips in our guide. Guide
People Just Do Nothing People Just Do Nothing
Sunday, BBC Three, 10:45pm

Episode 2 of this comedy which has picked up lots of praise from viewers who've already seen it via iPlayer. Grindah is preparing a special party to celebrate Angel's fifth birthday but doesn't know where to start. Guide

For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.
New Products
Loser Takes All Loser Takes All

PRE-ORDER. Adapted by Graham Greene from his own novel, this comedy-drama stars Italian screen idol Rossano Brazzi alongside British stars Glynis Johns, Robert Morley, Tony Britton and Felix Aylmer. When a London accountant is called to his Managing Director's office to look at a mistake in the accounts, he ends up being sent on a honeymoon to Monte Carlo, courtesy of the company! Details
Sunstruck Sunstruck

PRE-ORDER. This family comedy-drama stars Harry Secombe as a Welsh schoolteacher and choirmaster who emigrates to Australia to 'teach in the sun' - but finds reality falls somewhat short of the blissful image on the recruiting poster. Details
Cuckoo - Complete Series 1 Cuckoo - Complete Series 1

PRE-ORDER. First series of the BBC Three sitcom starring American actor Andy Samberg and British comedy giant Greg Davies. Ken (Davies) and Lorna Thompson's (Helen Baxendale) daughter Rachel has returned from her gap year with a new husband, an impossibly annoying hippie type who goes by the name of Cuckoo... Series 2 begins soon with Taylor Lautner the new star. Details
The Café - Series One The Cafe - Series One

PRE-ORDER. Written by and starring Ralf Little and Michelle Terry, The Cafe is a slow comedy set in and around a cafe in Weston-Super-Mare, run by generational trilogy Mary, Carol and Sarah. Acting as the social hub of the seafront town, the cafe sees all walks of life pass through and is home to a surprising number of local dramas. Details
Not In Front Of The Children Not In Front Of The Children

PRE-ORDER. Not In Front Of The Children is the first sitcom in which Wendy Craig played a harassed and scatter-brained mother of a young and unruly middle-class family. A huge success, 40 episodes - including a number of short specials - were produced over 4 series; sadly only 8 episodes are known to survive, all of which are included in this new set. Details

For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy Videos
Video Picture Siblings Trailer

This new sitcom about the world's worst brother and sister starts next month on BBC Three. You can get a taste via this trailer. Watch
Video Picture Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy - Series 2 Trailer

Here's a peak at Series 2 of Noel Fielding's sketch show. You'll be able to see it on E4 from next week. Watch
Video Picture Alan Carr - The Singer Takes It All

The comic trailer for Alan Carr's new talent show. The comedy star has a go at dancing and singing in this video. Watch
Message Board Posts...
Here are some quotes from our message board...

"Listened to this for the first time today not really knowing what to expect. It was very funny with some very clever jokes as well." Will Cam on Radio 4 show Alfie Moore: It's A Fair Cop

"I just caught up with the first six episodes. So far, I got to say, I love Josh Widdicombe." NateSean on Mock The Week

"Wow... nice little surprise there in the Galaxy song." Shandonbelle on Monty Python Live

"I'm late in seeing this series, but it seems just as watchable as the last one. Sure, some gags fall flat, and they should have thought twice about redoing the montage routine, but overall there's much to enjoy." Nogget on Badults

"I have just watched Series 1 in its entirety over two days and despite trying to get into the show twice before this time I hit the jackpot and it was brilliant." TheBlueNun on 15 Storeys High

"The first episode hooked me instantly. It's refreshing to see a dedicated mockumentary." HotWasp on People Just Do Nothing

"I keep changing my mind about it. Sometimes I find it very funny (last night's was very good), sometimes I find it too over the top and irritating." DougWonnacott on Friday Night Dinner
Guide Spotlight
Guide Spotlight Going Straight

Often overlooked, Going Straight is the delightful sequel to Porridge, again starring Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale. Beginning as Fletch is released, it sees him tempted by his old ways right from the go - on board the train heading back down south, in fact - but he's determined to lead an honest life from here on. Of course, when criminality is all you've ever known, that's easier said than done... Guide
Thanks for Reading
Things continue on our website. From tomorrow (Tuesday) our Edinburgh Fringe coverage properly kicks off: we'll have multiple new articles to read every day through till the end of the festival.

The British Comedy Guide

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