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Weekly Newsletter	Monday 15th September 2014

As summer draws to a close, the TV schedules begin to fill up with new programmes again. What's to look forward to though? Read on to find out...

Latest Comedy News

W1A to return for Series 2 W1A, the sitcom which mocks the BBC's management culture, is to return for a second series in 2015. Read Ricky Gervais confirms Derek will end with final special Ricky Gervais says he will stick to his "usual formula of two series and a special" for his Channel 4 show Derek, signalling the show will end soon. Read Sir Donald Sinden dies aged 90 Acclaimed actor Sir Donald Sinden CBE, star of sitcoms Never The Twain and Two's Company, has died at the age of 90. Read BBC Three orders Siblings Series 2 Siblings, the sitcom starring Charlotte Ritchie and Tom Stourton as a lazy and self-centred sister and brother, is to return for a second series. Read Stephen Fry discusses new book More Fool Me Details have been released about More Fool Me, the book in which Stephen Fry discusses becoming 'a high functioning addict' in the 1980s. Read John Cleese book tour announced John Cleese is to tour the UK in a series of live shows connected to his autobiography. Read

Also of interest...

Here are some pages on other websites that you might also be interested in... - Rowan Atkinson had a head-on crash in a car race at Goodwood Revival this weekend. Don't worry though, he's un-hurt: The Telegraph - David Mitchell writes about what it was like to film bedroom scenes in Peep Show: The Observer - An in-depth article looking at the career of impressionist Mike Yarwood: Chortle - Phoenix Nights co-writer Dave Spikey says he's heard nothing about the mooted live shows: Giggle Beats - James Corden has been confirmed as the new host of The Late Late Show on American TV. He starts next year: BBC News - Steve Coogan will take the lead role in Boswell for the Defence, a film about the famous lawyer from 1760s: Variety - For lots more links related to live comedy shows, see our dedicated page. The stage version of Rudy's Rare Records has been widely praised: List Found the above interesting? These are just some of the links we find each week. For more:

Features

British Comedy Awards vote - Last Day! Today (Monday 15th) is your last chance to help shape the shortlist for the new British Comedy Awards category looking for the best online comedy videos. Watch some funny content, then vote for your favourites: Vote Bad Education interviews Interviews with the cast of Bad Education. It's looking like it's going to be the last series, based on what they say. Read Bad Bridesmaid - Holly Burn blog Holly Burn talks about how her cover was almost blown whilst she was being a nightmare character on ITV2 show Bad Bridesmaid. Read Is a Scottish kilt a skirt? An eBay argument A topical extract from a new book consisting of prank eBay messages. A Scottish seller gets into an argument over whether his kilt is technically a skirt. Read Comedian launches Kickstarter for cartoon calendar Stand-up comedian and illustrator John Cooper has launched a Kickstarter campaign fund a calendar featuring the best of his stand-up related comic strips. Read Video: Cardinal Burns psych up for their tour We chat to Cardinal Burns, who are getting ready to tour the country with their new live show. The interview ends in a funny way. Watch

TV Listings

Here is a guide to the new British comedy on TV this week... Duck Quacks Don't Echo Monday, Sky1, 8pm More scientific fact-finding with Lee Mack tonight. He's joined by Johnny Vegas, Mel Giedroyc and Freddie Flintoff. Will anything be as horrendous as last week's toiletary revelation? Tune in to find out. Guide Kevin Bridges: What's The Story? Monday, BBC One, 10:35pm As the referendum on Scottish Independence fast-approaches, Kevin Bridges takes to the road - and to the stage - to gather diverse views from the streets of Scotland. Guide Mount Pleasant Tuesday, Sky Living, 9pm The hit Sky comedy-drama is back for a new series this week. Domestic life is far from quiet for the residents of Manchester's Mount Pleasant. Lisa and Dan are stronger than ever, despite the presence of Tanya, the temptress next door. Guide Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish Tuesday, Dave, 10pm Sharp stand-up from Dave Gorman, who answers life's burning questions. What is Richard Branson capable of? And should David Dickinson be stopped? Guide Bad Education Tuesday, BBC Three, 10pm Jack Whitehall's sitcom is back for a third - and almost certainly final - series. The summer term has started, and Fraser's got the school into dire financial straits. Guide The Alternative Comedy Experience Tuesday, Comedy Central, Midnight Satirist Andy Zaltzman is joined on tonight's line up by Alan Parker, Liam Mullone, Simon Munnery, Tony Law, Hattie Hayridge, and glasses wearing John Hegley. Backstage interviews from Stewart Lee. Guide Celebrity Squares Wednesday, ITV, 8pm ITV's comic reimagining of the light entertainment classic continues, featuring Dame Edna Everage, Emmerdale star Lucy Pargeter, Patrick Monahan, Britain's Got Talent's Ashleigh and Pudsey, Rufus Hound, Carol Vorderman and Roisin Conaty. Guide Scotland In A Day Thursday, Channel 4, 12am One-off half-hour mockumentary set on the day of the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum. Stars include John Hannah, Brian Cox, Doon Mackichan, Kayvan Novak and Jack Docherty. Guide Bad Bridesmaid Thursday, ITV2, 9pm More preposterous antics from the new ITV2 comedy-reality embarrassment series. Bride-to-be Nicola must convince her hens that 'Jemma' is her fiance's relative and not an imposter. Guide Mock The Week Thursday, BBC Two, 10pm Dara O Briain hosts the topical panel show as guests Rob Beckett, Gary Delaney, Sara Pascoe and Romesh Ranganathan discuss topics including the Scottish Independence Referendum vote. Guide Celebrity Juice Thursday, ITV2, 10pm Keith, Holly and Fearne present more ludicrous games. Sports presenter Gabby Logan is among the guests tonight, but which other celebs will be joining her? Guide Would I Lie To You? Friday, BBC One, 8:30pm Regular team captains Lee Mack and David Mitchell are joined by Bruno Tonioli, Adam Buxton, Kirsty Wark and Rob Beckett for more funny stories and made up fibs. Guide Boomers Friday, BBC One, 9pm The final episode of the series attempting to appeal to older audiences, who actually make up the majority of the viewing public. As the gang head off for their annual 1960s-themed getaway weekend, it looks like there could be a little less fun and a little more stress at the seaside. Guide A League Of Their Own Friday, Sky1, 9pm Russell Howard, Una Healy and Kevin Keegan join the regulars on the sports-based comedy game and quiz show this week. There's a preview clip in our guide featuring Keegan singing, if that's your sort of thing. Guide 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown Friday, Channel 4, 9pm Vic Reeves and Jo Brand take on the words and numbers. Adam Buxton is in with Countdown's resident lexicographer Susie Dent and there's a special appearance from Rob Beckett as Joe Wilkinson is still 'on holiday'. Guide Big School Friday, BBC One, 9:30pm More sitcom fun. When Ofsted arrive to conduct an impromptu inspection, Greybridge School is thrown into even more chaos than usual. Guide The Perfect Morecambe & Wise Friday, BBC Two, 10pm The final episode of highlights from both the BBC and ITV shows of Eric and Ernie. It includes the bit in which the boys travel back to ancient Egypt as Glenda Jackson takes a starring role in Antony and Cleopatra. Guide Alan Carr: Chatty Man Friday, Channel 4, 10pm Alan is also joined by Kate Hudson and Zach Braff, stars of the new movie Wish I Was Here; Lee Mack discusses his latest live stand-up tour; and there's music from UK pop star Professor Green, who performs his latest single Little Secrets. Guide Flat TV Friday, BBC Three, 11pm A TV broadcast for the iPlayer pilot based on the premise of the previous internet series by Tom Rosenthal and Naz Osmanoglu. Press reviewers liked this - will it get a series? Guide Through The Keyhole Saturday, ITV, 9:15pm Whose houses will Keith be violating this week? He'll be joined by guests Kian Egan, Warwick Davis and Christine Bleakley to work out the answers. Guide Sunday Night At The Palladium Sunday, ITV, 7pm Jason Manford hosts another edition of the comically-minded variety series, packed with musical and speciality acts, including Maroon 5, Ella Henderson, a performance from musical Evita, and acrobats Les 7 Doigts de la Main. Guide Almost Royal Sunday, E4, 10pm Yee Haw! The regal Carlton siblings are in Nashville, Tennessee, for the final episode of this character-based comedy show. This went down very well on BBC America so we won't be surprised if there's a second series. Guide For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.

New Products

Lucky Feller - The Complete Series PRE-ORDER. David Jason stars with Cheryl Hall & Peter Armitage in this LWT sitcom centred around the tangled romantic lives of two brothers living at home with their mum in south-east London. We can't wait for this release - think Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em meets Only Fools & Horses. Packed with 14 half-hours of fun, it's out next week. Details Last Of The Summer Wine - Series 25 & 26 PRE-ORDER. Welcome back to sleepy Holmfirth, in the lovely, quiet Yorkshire Dales - the ideal place to spend a lovely, quiet birthday. So how will Clegg feel when the entire village dresses up to help him celebrate his? Note that, due to earlier errors, this is actually Series 24 and 25 of the world's longest-running sitcom. Details Please Teacher PRE-ORDER. This entertaining pre-war farce stars diminutive music-hall stalwart Bobby Howes as a heir-hunter whose determined efforts to trace his aunt's legacy lead to ructions in a girls' school! Also featuring stage veteran Lyn Harding, Australian comedian Vera Pearce and noted character player Wylie Watson. Details The Indian Doctor - Series 1 - 3 PRE-ORDER. All 15 episodes from the three series of the BBC comedy starring Sanjeev Bhaskar as an Indian doctor who ends up in a sleepy Welsh mining village in the 1960s. Dr Prem Sharma (Bhaskar) arrives from India eager to meet his new patients and settle into the community. Details Dear John.... - The Complete Collection OUT NOW. From writer John Sullivan (Only Fools And Horses, Citizen Smith and Just Good Friends), Dear John is a gem in the crown of British television comedy. The series follows recently-single middle-aged teacher John Lacey, as he attempts to rebuild his life and join the local '1-2-1' club for singles. Underrated and overlooked, this is one of Sullivan's best works. Details For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.

Comedy Videos

Loretta Maine - Underneath The Music A video looking at the background of singer songwriter Loretta Maine (played by musical character comedian Pippa Evans), explaining how she ended up in England. Watch Racing Minds - Scottish Independence Song Alex Salmond is summoned to an emergency Cabinet meeting, where the Westminster government make one last plea to save the union. A musical sketch by Racing Minds. Watch Marek Larwood - Weight Loss Tips Marek Larwood offers a great tip on how to motivate yourself to go jogging. Watch Morph - Episode 6: Bin It to Win It Has Morph got the winning lottery ticket? The latest new episode featuring the 1970s star (who is still as fresh and funny as ever). Watch Scottish Referendum - Musical Politicians Megamix Editing super power Swede Mason has mixed up footage of Alex Salmond, Alistair Darling and David Cameron to create this topical musical megamix. Watch Cardinal Burns - Do the Skagwalk Learn how to walk like a 'skag' and be the envy of all your friends. Come on people, do the Skagwalk! Watch Crackanory - Rik Mayall interview The late Rik Mayall talks about his role in Crackanory and the skills needed to be a good storyteller. Watch David Bowie records Warszawa Here's footage of David Bowie, Brian Eno and Tony Visconti recording the 1977 song Warszawa. This sketch was created by Adam Buxton and animators The Brothers McLeod. Watch

Message Board Posts...

Here are four quotes from our message board. For more, visit our forums. "Anyone else thrilled by the news they're turning Good Omens into a radio series?" Traxy on Good Omens "I think the back half of the series was certainly an improvement on the opening episodes for me. The Ken getting promoted episode was your standard sitcom fare, but somehow they really made it work." snrub on Cuckoo "I literally almost died laughing during Lee Mack's key chain piece de resistance. Especially when he went through the whole thing again at lightning speed." Wout Thielemans on Would I Lie To You? "Another great episode this week. As much as I like Joe, it was nice not to see him on it for a change, Alex Horne and The Horne Section did a great job. Plus, Joey Essex in Dictionary Corner was a right laugh." G180e on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown

Guide Spotlight

Very Important Person This 1961 comedy film gives those oh-so-serious war dramas of the period a gentle ribbing, with stars such as the great James Robertson Justice, Eric Sykes, Stanley Baxter and Richard Wattis. Whilst on a top secret reconnaissaince mission over Germany, Professor Earnest Farse is captured and must pretend to be an ordinary rank-and-file British military man in order to survive, never mind escape... Guide

Thanks for Reading

That's all for this one! Have a wonderful week, The British Comedy Guide

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