| If you were away for half-term last week you missed lots of news and features. Here's last week's newsletter. But back to this week... |
| Latest Comedy News |
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| Also of interest... |
Here are some pages you might also be interested in...
- Stand-up Andrew Lawrence has sparked all kinds of debates after writing a controversial Facebook post about the way British comedy attacks the political party UKIP, and commenting on mandatory women on panel shows. It blew up on Twitter, with him Dara O Briain and Frankie Boyle trading insults. If you missed it it all, we've got the key messages here: British Comedy Guide
- Bob Servant is back in December, and this time he and Frank have got girlfriends: Guide
- Leslie Phillips, the legendary star of British stage and screen, is back at home following a stroke 9 weeks ago. He joked his nurses were 'just what the doctor ordered'. 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 |
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| TV Listings |
Here is a guide to the new British comedy on TV this week...
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Trollied
Monday, Sky1, 8:30pm
A new series of the supermarket sitcom, featuring a range of new characters. Colin is horrified when he recognises one of the fresh faces strolling down the aisle is none other than his nan, Rose. Meet the new characters via videos in our guide. Guide |
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Plebs
Monday, ITV2, 10pm
The last in the series... how will it end? Marcus is stressed because the girls will soon be deported unless they raise 3,000 denarii. Stylax suggests they bet their savings on him winning an underground chariot race. Guide |
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Never Mind The Buzzcocks
Monday, BBC Two, 10pm
Sara Cox, Adam Ant and rapper Fuse ODG are guests on the music-based quiz show this week. Based on his previous performances, it's Noel's comedian friend Paul Foot who will bring the most laughs though. Guide |
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Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
Monday to Friday, Gold, 10pm
Broadcast every night this week, this series celebrates the best bits of Monty Python's Flying Circus. Hugh Bonneville hosts with top A-list stars (the likes of Stephen Fry and Jim Carey) revealing their favourites. Guide |
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Dapper Laughs: On The Pull
Monday, ITV2, 10:30pm
The last episode. Which some people will be pleased by. Dapper is now off on a live tour, however a campaign seems to be forming to stop him bringing his 'sexist' views to certain venues. Cardiff students have made their views clear. Guide |
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Scot Squad
Monday, BBC One Scotland, 10:35pm
The spoof police comedy continues. Chief Commissioner Miekelson launches a charm offensive with a radio interview this week. Guide |
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Toast Of London
Monday, Channel 4, 10:35pm
Series 2 of the award-winning comedy. Steven Toast enters a competition in this opening episode... the name of which we can't print in this newsletter as it would set off filters. Guide |
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Mount Pleasant
Tuesday, Sky Living, 9pm
The last episode in Series 4. Mount Pleasant is engulfed in panic in the tense series finale. We won't spoil the plot here, but if you want some clues head to our guide for a write-up. Guide |
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Give Out Girls
Tuesday, Comedy Central, 9:30pm
The promotions team are working at a canine show this week and, with Steve off for the day, Marilyn gets made boss. However it turns out most of the dogs are far more obedient than her workforce. Guide |
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8 Out Of 10 Cats
Tuesday, Channel 4, 10pm
Rather confusingly this panel show is on a Tuesday this week (there's some documentary on Channel 4 tonight getting in the way). Alex Brooker and James Acaster are amongst the guests. Guide |
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The Revolution Will Be Televised
Tuesday, BBC Three, 10:30pm
More pranks. North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un sends Dennis Rodman a memento of their friendship and the Catholic Church gets a brand new saint to protect them from dodgy priests. Guide |
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Sweat The Small Stuff
Wednesday, BBC Three, 10pm
Lacey Turner from EastEnders and Blur's Alex James are amongst the guests on the youth-skewed panel show this week. The fact neither of them are comedians should help you decided whether to tune in or not. Guide |
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Drifters
Thursday, E4, 9pm
Meg realises that everyone she knows is on the new dating app BangR. Anxious to prove to Mark that she's winning their break-up, she joins up and scores a date with a fittie. Preview clip in our guide. Guide |
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Detectorists
Thursday, BBC Four, 10pm
We wish Thursday would hurry up so we can find out how this great series is going to end. Andy and Lance now have one last chance to discover their hearts' true desire... we've no idea if it'll be a happy ending or not. Guide |
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Scrotal Recall
Thursday, Channel 4, 10pm
Another sitcom that is coming to an end this week, another show with a big question hanging over it. Will Dylan tell Evie what he really thinks? Or will she get married? Guide |
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Russell Howard's Good News
Thursday, BBC Two, 10pm
Russell Howard once again offers his unique perspective on the big stories dominating the media. With over 1 million viewers tuning in live, plus lots of catching up on iPlayer, this show is still a big hit. Guide |
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Celebrity Juice
Thursday, ITV2, 10pm
This week's episode is a McBusted special with pop-rock superstars Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter, Harry Judd, James Bourne and Matt Willis on the panel. Guide |
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Citizen Khan
Friday, BBC One, 8:30pm
Shazia and Amjad's wedding is fast approaching. As Mr and Mrs Khan's relationship with Amjad's mother, Mrs Malik, has been fractious at best, they invite the Maliks to the house for a dinner party. Guide |
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Have I Got News For You
Friday, BBC One, 9pm
Guest host Jo Brand is joined by guest panellists including Richard Osman. The Pointless fact man is always great value, so it's an episode to look forward to. Guide |
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Still Game Live
Friday, BBC One Scotland, 9pm
A television broadcast of the hit Still Game live show, based on the popular BBC Scotland sitcom of the same name. Viewers south of the border can see this via iPlayer. Guide |
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Not Going Out
Friday, BBC One, 9:30pm
Lucy aspires to be friends with her posh new neighbours, Toby and Anna, but hasn't reckoned on Lee dragging her back down to earth. Guide |
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QI
Friday, BBC Two, 10pm
Bill Bailey, Reverend Richard Coles and Sara Pascoe take part in the brainy quiz this week. For 100s of interesting and funny facts from past episodes why not browse our comprehensive pages? Guide |
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Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Friday, Channel 4, 10pm
Alan Carr is joined by the tricky Derren Brown; ventriloquist extraordinaire Nina Conti; and Sue Perkins, who drops by to chat about her new BBC2 documentary, The Mekong River. The Chatty Man audience don't seem like obvious viewers for that, but never mind. Guide |
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The Graham Norton Show
Friday, BBC One, 10:35pm
Lots of comedians this week. David Walliams, Catherine Tate and Richard Ayoade all appear. Graham is no doubt most excited about his other guest though: Dame Shirley Bassey. Guide |
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Comedy Central At The Comedy Store
Friday, Comedy Central, 10:40pm
Jarred Christmas explains why December is the best month, Suzi Ruffell has a party house, Carl Donnelly is suspicious of animals, and Nish Kumar is 'mysterious'. Guide |
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The Jonathan Ross Show
Saturday, ITV, 9:45pm
This week Jonathan welcomes Frank Skinner to his show. The Hunger Games stars Stanley Tucci and Natalie Dormer also appear. There is music and chat from the outspoken 'princess of pop' Lily Allen. Guide |
For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.
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| New Products |
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Mrs. Brown's Boys D'Movie
OUT NOW. Currently the #1 best-selling DVD with Amazon UK, Mrs. Brown's Boys D'Movie is the hit feature-film adventure for the stars of the BBC sitcom. We have to admit to feeling a little ambivalent over the TV series, but this big-screen spin-off is a stong offering. For fans, it's an absolute must-buy. Blu-ray Details & DVD Details |
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Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle 3
PRE-ORDER. The multi-award winning Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle made a long awaited return to BBC Two in Spring 2014 and now you order the series on DVD. Throughout the six episodes, Stewart tackles topics including marriage, England and Satire. Extras include extended, unseen interview footage with Chris Morris, and an exclusive interview with script associate, 'Baconface'. Details |
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Bill Bailey - The Shameless Plug Boxset
PRE-ORDER. This brand new three-disc box set packs together fantastic comedian Bill Bailey's three most recent live shows. The titles included are Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide To The Orchestra, Dandelion Mind and Qualmpeddler. All are well worth adding to your collection. Details |
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'Allo 'Allo! - Christmas Specials
OUT NOW. Welcome to Nouvion in occupied France, and to Café René, where there are plenty of surprises in these Christmas Specials. With the war going badly for the Germans, the General has taken control, and nobody's happy - not the resistance, the army, or the Gestapo. He must be eliminated, but how? Note that these specials are already available on the series DVDs. Details |
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Derek - Series 2
PRE-ORDER. A year has gone by since we last visited Broad Hill Retirement Home and the old gang is back. This series, Derek's dad moves into the home. But far from being a sweet old man, he's got a bottle of whisky in his back pocket - and far too much lead in his front one! Meanwhile, grumpy handyman Dougie has quit, and Hannah's hoping for a baby with boyfriend Tom. Details |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon. |
| Comedy Videos |
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WaterAid - World Toilet Day
World Toilet Day - It's no joke! Comedians including Jo Caulfield, Milton Jones, Tim Key, Arthur Smith, Helen Lederer and Paul Foot share their favourite toilet jokes as part of a campaign from the charity WaterAid. Watch |
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Watch the Cofilmic 2014 award winners here
Watch the winners and runners-up of the Cofilmic Awards 2014 here, including This Glorious Monster, Ivan Brackenbury and The Butcher. Watch |
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Unbroadcast Modern Men pilot
In 2007, Channel 4 broadcast a pilot called Ladies And Gentlemen, written by Peep Show's Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong. There was actually a non-broadcast pilot filmed prior to that called Modern Men. This can now be seen here: Watch |
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Winston Churchill on The Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain, one of the critical junctures in the second World War, ended on the 31st October 1940. In this recently found video, Sir Winston - the Prime Minister at the time - talks of his admiration for the British Air Force. Sort of. Watch |
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Babylon - Trailer
A trailer for the police comedy-drama Babylon, coming to Channel 4 next week. Watch |
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Bad Robots - Trailer
The trailer for the new comedy prank show, coming to E4 next week. Michael Gambon is involved in this! Watch |
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An Armed Robbery Goes Wrong
You really need to concentrate when it comes to robbing a shop, as this independent sketch demonstrates. Watch |
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Steve Coogan getting into character
17 years ago today I'm Alan Partridge started. Series 2 of Alan Partridge's Mid Morning Matters is now being filmed. Here's Steve Coogan getting into character. Watch |
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| Message Board Posts... |
Here are some quotes from our message board...
"First series was hilarious, really hope the new one lives up to it." Will Cam on Toast Of London
"How emotional was that? I felt almost tearful during the build up and thought that all involved did a very fine job." A Horseradish on The Missing Hancocks
"The best episode I have seen since Tim left the show. It was full of hilarious innuendos and jokes." G180e on Not Going Out
"I love this - hope there's a third series." Splodge on The Job Lot
"If I'm ever asked 'what do you recommend? - something lovely and easy going to watch', I would recommend this particular show for sure'." fightxfight on Detectorists
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| Guide Spotlight |
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Cockneys Vs Zombies
Shaun of the whatnow? Meh! What happens when a 350-year old zombie infestation breaks out in London's East End? This rip-roaringly funny comic action film, of course! Brothers Terry, Andy and their cousin, Katy, are in the middle of a bank robbery when the curse sweeps through the neighbourhood. Quite fortuitous really, as it means they've access to a lot of weaponry... An all-star cast includes Alan Ford, Richard Briers, Honor Blackman, Dudley Sutton, Tony Selby, Tony Gardner, plus Michelle Ryan, Rasmus Hardiker and Harry Treadaway in the three lead roles. Packed with zombie-killing action, this 2012 film is heaps of fun. Guide |
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| Thanks for Reading |
Keep visiting the website for more to read and watch. Coming up this week we've got a Noel Fielding interview, a sitcom that has been knitted, and (hopefully) news on a TV show some fans have been waiting for news on...
The British Comedy Guide
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