British Comedy Guide Newsletter
Weekly Newsletter Monday 17th November 2014
News, features, videos - you know the drill by now, people...
Latest Comedy News
News Picture Taking Liberties season to include Bremner & Novak comedies

The BBC has revealed its Magna Carta celebration season, to include new Horrible Histories, and new programmes from Rory Bremner, Kayvan Novak, and others. Read
News Picture UKTV Gold to commission five new scripted shows in 2015

UKTV has announced it is increasing its investment in original scripted comedy, with a commitment to make five new shows for Gold in 2015. Read
News Picture John Cleese named most influential British comedy icon

John Cleese has been named as the most influential British comedy icon in a poll. David Jason was 2nd, with Rowan Atkinson 3rd. Read
News Picture Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe gets another series

BBC Two has ordered another series of Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe, and another round-up of the year from him, Charlie Brooker's 2014 Wipe. Read
News Picture People Just Do Nothing gets a second series

People Just Do Nothing, the BBC Three sitcom set around a pirate radio station, has been given a second series. Read
News Picture Julia Davis gets new Channel 4 sitcom

Julia Davis's latest sitcom project, Morning Has Broken, has been commissioned for a full series by Channel 4. Read
News Picture ITV ends Dapper Laughs show after 'sexist' claims

ITV has confirmed that it will not order a second series of comedy-dating show Dapper Laughs: On The Pull, following accusations of sexism. Read
News Picture Filming begins on new BBC sitcom series Woody

Bradley Walsh and Kayvan Novak are now filming Woody, a new BBC One sitcom about an undercover reporter on a Spanish island. Read
Feature Picture Eddie Izzard to write autobiography in 2015

Stand-up comedian and actor Eddie Izzard is to write his memoirs. He has signed a book deal with a US publishing company. Read
Also of interest...
Here are some pages on other websites that you might also be interested in...

- There's now a memorial bench for Rik Mayall - 'the man, the myth, the legend' - in Hammersmith: BBC News

- A list of shows you can get free tickets to watch being recorded. Options include Michael McIntyre's Christmas special, and the final two episodes of Miranda: British Comedy Guide

- Lee Evans has revealed he suffers from depression. "I get very gloomy and dark, very deep and depressed". Huffington Post

- Ben Miller has told how he got to stay in a lavish hotel room for 3 days after staff got him confused with Ben Stiller: The Independent

- Polling by YouGov has revealed that Russell Brand is 'disliked' by 60% of us, and has made more of a negative contribution to politics than any other celebrity: YouGov

- Kevin Bridges was surprised by his mum. She queued to meet him at one of his book signing sessions: Pictures

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 Big Comedy Conference - 29th November

Are you interested in comedy writing? If so our conference is for you. We've got the likes of Graham Linehan, Simon Nye, Hamilton & Jenkin and Damon Beesley offering advice, a panel of commissioners telling you what they're looking for, free one-on-one sessions, and much more. Today is the last day to save £20 - use the code 20OFF: View
Feature Picture Who is this?

Do you recognise the stand-up comedian in this picture? Maybe not. Click the link for the answer: View
Feature Picture What is a joke?

An article in which Dave Cohen looks at the structure of a joke, and explains how it fits into the classic three act story structure first defined by Aristotle. Read
Feature Picture Stand-up newcomers report back from their charity gig

Nine of the brave souls who performed stand-up for the first time as part of the Changing Faces charity gig report back on their experience. Will they get back on stage again? Read
Feature Picture Sara Pascoe podcast

Stand-up Sara Pascoe is this week's guest on Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast. The programme includes an interesting discussion about TV panel shows. Listen
Feature Picture Joseph Morpurgo interview

Co-founder of the wildly successful improv troupe Austentatious, Joseph Morpurgo's solo work is more audacious, and his new show shares an ethos with some notable musical mavericks. Read
TV Listings
Here is a guide to the new British comedy on TV this week...

Trollied Trollied
Monday, Sky1, 8:30pm

Some fake banknotes are doing the rounds and officious Rose shops a customer for the crime in this week's episode. Only problem is, his notes turn out to be fine. Guide
Never Mind The Buzzcocks Never Mind The Buzzcocks
Monday, BBC Two, 10pm

Singer Michael Ball, grime artist Lethal Bizzle, Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney and comedian Sarah Millican are this week's guests on the pop panel show. Guide
8 Out Of 10 Cats 8 Out Of 10 Cats
Monday, Channel 4, 10pm

The boys are back to jest over another week's polls, with Jamie Cullum, Kirsty Young, Joe Wilkinson and Katherine Ryan the guests trying to guess what the public have been talking about this week. Guide
Some Girls Some Girls
Monday, BBC Three, 10pm

A new series of the sitcom about four schoolgirls. Viva is surprised when Rocky tells her he is dropping out of school. She tries to persuade him that it's not a good idea. Fans of the show will love this new run - don't miss it! Guide
Scot Squad Scot Squad
Monday, BBC One Scotland, 10:35pm

The mockumentary series running in Scotland continues. The police officers attend to noisy neighbours, an ice cream van man serving hard liquor, and raid an arcade tonight. Guide
Toast Of London Toast Of London
Monday, Channel 4, 10:50pm

This sitcom looks set to win an accolade or two at the British Comedy Awards next month. This week a return to the West End stage in the play The Moose Trap is in the balance when Toast reveals the killer's identity on the radio. Guide
Give Out Girls Give Out Girls
Tuesday, Comedy Central, 9:30pm

Last in the series. A stay in a hotel becomes complicated when Marilyn has an evening with Edward, the client. Meanwhile, Poppy and Andy finally attempt to seal their relationship. Guide
Bad Robots Bad Robots
Tuesday, E4, 10pm

People went wild for this new prank show on social media last week - it looks like E4 might have a hit on its hands! A spray tan that goes wrong is amongst the set-ups in Episode 2. Guide
The Revolution Will Be Televised The Revolution Will Be Televised
Tuesday, BBC Three, 10:30pm

Series 3 of this show ended last week, but here's a compilation of the best bits from the first two series. Featuring bite-sized comedy hits from fictionalised characters to stunt-led sketches. Guide
Sweat The Small Stuff Sweat The Small Stuff
Wednesday, BBC Three, 10pm

Team captains Rochelle Humes and Melvin Odoom are joined by pop stars Rixton and Stacey Solomon and comedians Ed Gamble and Sam Simmons for another dose of inconsequential fun. Guide
Live At The Apollo Live At The Apollo
Wednesday, BBC One, 10:35pm

The new batch of episodes - Series 10 - kicks off with Sarah Millican as host. She's joined on stage by Russell Kane and star-of-the-future Joe Lycett. Guide
Drifters Drifters
Thursday, E4, 9pm

Meg finds herself organising a hen do. Unfortunately, it clashes with a romantic date she simply can't get out of. She ends up struggling to run between both events. Guide
Russell Howard's Good News Russell Howard's Good News
Thursday, BBC Two, 10pm

More topical comedy presented by Russell Howard. The show is clearly a hit format, as this week Dave and Comedy Central continue running old repeats, despite there being a new one to take in. Guide
Puppy Love Puppy Love
Thursday, BBC Four, 10pm

Episode 2 of the new sitcom about dog training. Nana V and Super Intendant Gerry Hooper plan to run a Canine Responsibility Awareness Community Day. Guide
Babylon Babylon
Thursday, Channel 4, 10pm

The cop comedy drama continues. Eager to justify Commissioner Miller's faith in her, Liz presents her vision for Metwork: the force's very own digital news channel. Guide
Citizen Khan Citizen Khan
Friday, BBC One, 8:30pm

After a break for Children In Need, the BBC's Friday night comedy schedule is back. Mrs Khan takes on more shifts at the local supermarket, leaving Mr Khan in charge as househusband. Guide
Have I Got News For You Have I Got News For You
Friday, BBC One, 9pm

David Mitchell is the reliable comedy presenter tasked with fronting this week's episode of the topical panel show. The guests are less comedic though: DJ Sara Cox and MP Alan Johnson. Guide
Mock The Week Mock The Week
Friday, BBC Two, 9:30pm

Series 13 might have ended a few weeks back, but out of nowhere here comes a highlights package. Regular viewers of the show will know these specials tend to contain new material too. Guide
Not Going Out Not Going Out
Friday, BBC One, 9:30pm

Lee Mack's sitcom delivers the episode everyone has been waiting for this series. In an attempt to impress Lucy with his intellectual prowess, Lee joins Daisy as a contestant on the TV quiz show Pointless. Guide
QI QI
Friday, BBC Two, 10pm

Bill Bailey, Sandi Toksvig and Jason Manford and - of course - Alan Davies are the panellists tasked by Stephen Fry with being interesting and funny. The questions are themed around the word 'Lethal'. Guide
Alan Carr: Chatty Man Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Friday, Channel 4, 10pm

Alan Carr is joined by the iconic Bette Midler. The multiple Grammy Award-winner tells him all about her upcoming new album. Keith Lemon pops by to talk about his latest book, and James Blunt joins Alan on the sofa to plug something too. Plus music from Sam Smith. Guide
The Graham Norton Show The Graham Norton Show
Friday, BBC One, 10:35pm

Together on Graham's sofa tonight:Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman, together in new movie Horrible Bosses 2; Dame Judi Dench, talking about her book Behind the Scenes; and Oscar-winning Hollywood legend Dustin Hoffman. Pop favourite Olly Murs performs his new single Wrapped Up. Guide
Comedy Central At The Comedy Store Comedy Central At The Comedy Store
Friday, Comedy Central, 10:40pm

More stand-up. Charlie Baker takes up dancing, Luisa Omielan isn't happy with the rules of dating, Ola gives judgement on wi-fi networks, and Matt Forde does impressions. Guide
Perry And Croft: Made In Britain Perry And Croft: Made In Britain
Saturday, BBC Two, 8pm

Part two of the documentary series looking back at the work of the sitcom writing duo Jimmy Perry and David Croft. This episode examines British attitudes towards class and social status. Guide
The Jonathan Ross Show The Jonathan Ross Show
Saturday, ITV, 10:45pm

Jonathan Ross welcomes Lee Evans, singer Noel Gallagher and Jack Whitehall to his sofa. Lee Evans spoke about depression recently - could be an interesting one. The one and only Boyzone are the musical guests. Guide

For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.
New Products
Nice Work - The Complete Series Nice Work - The Complete Series

PRE-ORDER. Following his untimely death last week at the age of just 67, this 1986-set black comedy drama starring Warren Clarke and Drop The Dead Donkey's Haydn Gwynne will be released next Monday. A culture-clash tale, it follows a stuffy university lecturer assigned to shadow the self-made boss of an engineering firm, and their gradual growing closer to each other. Details
Miranda Hart - My, What I Call, Live Show Miranda Hart - My, What I Call, Live Show

OUT NOW. Fans of Miranda Hart's quirky brand of real-woman, faux-pas comedy will absolutely adore this new DVD of her sell-out live arena tour from earlier in the year. Miranda brings a party atmosphere to the O2's 20,000-something seater arena, as she delights the audience with tales and observations from her life. Details
Not Going Out - Christmas Specials Not Going Out - Christmas Specials

PRE-ORDER. Collection of Christmas specials from the hit sitcom. Includes the laugh-out-loud festive trio of Murder At Christmas (Series 2), Absent Father Christmas (Series 3) and 2013's Series 6 special, The House. Details
Simon Evans - Live At The Theatre Royal Simon Evans - Live At The Theatre Royal

PRE-ORDER. This is comedian Simon Evans's first ever stand-up DVD. Simon looks back at his life and times, from his early days in London to his family life by the seaside. Along the way, his reflections are as ever as dry and delicious as a good Sancerre, or perhaps a really good radish. Details
Man Down Man Down

OUT NOW. Greg Davies, Roisin Conaty, Mike Wozniak and the fantastic, late and lamented Rik Mayall star in the first series on Channel 4 sitcom Man Down, which makes its DVD debut today. Series 2 had been due on screens around now, but following Rik's untimely death this summer, rewrites have only recently finished and filming just begun. Don't miss his wonderful final performance. Details

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

A new five-part sitcom set in a school class room. Stars include Coronation Street villain Brian Capron and Hollyoaks actress Zoe Lister. Watch
Video Picture K and the Gang - Lonely

A song from a comedian who we can't name in full here for fear of setting off the bad language filter on your inbox, about a topic we definitely can't write here. Not one to watch at work. Watch
Video Picture A Wooden Box

A view of a basement... where something weird is occurring. We're now a little concerned about the welfare of the two comedians involved in this. Watch
Video Picture Jerry Sadowitz challenges Dynamo

Jerry Sadowitz, the controversial comedian who also happens to be a gifted magician, challenges Dynamo in this video. Watch
Video Picture The Wrong Mans 2

More details on the plot, and a linked trailer, for the second series of the comedy thriller. It's back next month. Watch
Video Picture Jason Statham's Swear Spray

Jason 'Stubbly' Statham has a spray to sell. As you can imagine, this sketch contains some rude words. Watch
Message Board Posts...
Here are some quotes from our message board...

"'The Desperate Hours', with Leonard Rossiter and J.G. Devlin, who incidentally was considered for the part of Albert when they were putting the series together." Hercules on Greatest episode of Steptoe and Son

"Well done all, especially Galton and Simpson. Excellent." Oldrocker on The Missing Hancocks

"Watched this today and it told a fantastic story. Really interesting the difference over and in America and how the 'puppet' provides an outlet for the ventriloquists true thoughts." CallumS on Nina Conti - A Ventriloquist's Story

"Another top notch series, Gino did a great job of filling in for Holly and Keith and Fearne were as funny as always! Great news to hear a festive special is on the way." G180e on Celebrity Juice

"I've caught up on the earlier series that I initially missed via BBC Radio Player as most of them are available on there at the moment. Stand out episodes have featured Simon Day and Paul Whitehouse plus the John Cooper-Clarke/Kevin Eldon one is really entertaining." TheBlueNun on Chain Reaction

"I rather liked Thieves Like Us." Tursiops on Potentially great sitcoms that only last one series

"I just hope that he continues writing comedy, and doesn't do what Stephen Fry did, giving it up for presenting/acting/general national treasure duties." Nogget on John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme
Guide Spotlight
Guide Spotlight 2014 in comedy

As we draw ever closer to Christmas and the schedules fill up with the final treats of the year, it seems like a good opportunity to look back over 2014's comedy offerings. What's your comedy highlight been so far? Inside No. 9? Monty Python Live? Still Game Live? W1A? Or one of any number of films and radio series? There's plenty to choose from - why not browse through previous years, too? Browse
Thanks for Reading
Interested in writing or producing comedy? If so, just to check, did you get our 'Make It' newsletter last Wednesday? Advice, insight and news in there for you.

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