British Comedy Guide Newsletter
Weekly Newsletter Monday 8th December 2014
Brrr. Here's a selection of comedy news, features and videos to warm up your day...
Latest Comedy News
News Picture John Henshaw and Mark Benton star in Educating Yorkshire spoof

Early Doors stars John Henshaw and Mark Benton are amongst the cast for Educating Bitchfield, a sitcom pilot spoofing Educating Yorkshire. Read
News Picture Comedy Central orders Drunk History series

Jimmy Carr will narrate a new Comedy Central series in which comedians get very drunk and attempt to recount stories from history. Read
News Picture Almost Royal to return for a second series

Almost Royal, the prank show in which two British actors fool the American public into thinking they're minor royals, is to return for a second series. Read
Also of interest...
Here are some pages on other websites that you might also be interested in...

- 78 per cent of 'elite' comedians die young, according to a study: The Daily Mail

- The BBC is reportedly preparing a £3m golden handcuffs offer to tempt Harry Hill away from ITV: The Mirror

- Mrs Brown's Boys could becoming to an end. The son of Brendan O'Carroll says: "As far as I know, he said he's not doing any more series". Daily Record

- The shotlists for the Writers Guide Awards have been revealed. Nominated comedies include House Of Fools, Strange Hill High and John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme: Read

- Stand-up Paul Foot tweeted the police to tell them he is not the man in their mugshot. Here's the picture: The Argus

- The BBC appears to have confirmed it has axed Mitchell & Webb comedy drama Ambassadors: Evening Standard

- Due to a technicality, Dapper Laughs is in the running for the Best British Breakthrough prize at the Brit Awards: Cosmo

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Features
Feature Picture Brian Pern interview

Simon Day and Rhys Thomas, the creators of Brian Pern: A Life In Rock, talk about the show. Read
Feature Picture Unique art inspired by British comedy

Check out some unique artworks inspired by classic British comedy shows like Blackadder, Vic & Bob and The Young Ones. View
Feature Picture Simon Evans interview

A long-serving sage of artisanal gagsmithery, Simon Evans has just made his first stand-up DVD - not that he's a fan of the genre. Nor is he fond of one particular newspaper, which he's boycotting. And don't get him started on cars. Read
Feature Picture Podcasts

Head to our podcast area for lots to listen to. New episodes feature the likes of Josh Widdicombe, Brendon Burns, Nish Kumar and the No Pressure To Be Funny team. Browse
Feature Picture British Comedy Awards sweepstakes

Have you entered the British Comedy Awards Sweepstakes yet? If you can correctly predict who will win all the awards you could win a prize. Enter
TV Listings
Here is a guide to the new British comedy on TV this week...

Shaun The Sheep Shaun The Sheep
Monday - Friday, CBBC, 3pm

More new episodes featuring everyone's favourite fluffy character, one every day. There's a crazed chicken thief in this first episode. Guide
Royal Variety The Royal Variety Performance
Monday, ITV, 7:30pm

Michael McIntyre hosts the variety special. The other stand-ups on the bill are Jack Whitehall, Russell Kane, Sarah Millican and Trevor Noah.
Trollied Trollied
Monday, Sky1, 8:30pm

Gavin is determined to make Charlie look good when dad Brendan swings by the store. Plus, Colin forces Rose and Lisa to resolve their differences. Guide
Never Mind The Buzzcocks Never Mind The Buzzcocks
Monday, BBC Two, 10pm

The regulars are joined by Charley Bagnall and Jake Roche from Rixton, Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh, Van McCann from Catfish and the Bottlemen and comedian Romesh Ranganathan. Guide
8 Out Of 10 Cats 8 Out Of 10 Cats
Monday, Channel 4, 10pm

Host Jimmy Carr and team captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson select their favourite bits from the last series for this special highlights compilation show. Guide
Some Girls Some Girls
Monday, BBC Three, 10pm

Greenshoots Academy has been shortlisted to feature in a television documentary series. Unfortunately Headmaster Mr Jefferies is having traumatic personal problems so Holli tries to help. Guide
Toast Of London Toast Of London
Monday, Channel 4, 10:35pm

Last in the series. An old flame of Toast's turns up in London. He hasn't seen her since they starred in an American soap opera in the 80s. Guide
Bob Servant Bob Servant
Monday, BBC One Scotland, 10:35pm

Episode 2 of the new run of episodes. Bob faces court after assaulting his arch-rival, Hendo, with a bag of frozen burgers. Viewers south of the border can get it on iPlayer, or wait till January when it'll be on BBC4. Guide
Psychobitches Psychobitches
Tuesday, Sky Arts 1, 9pm

This week the sketch show features appearances from Lucrezia Borgia, Nefertiti, Gertrude Jekyll, Lady Godiva, Wallis Simpson, Marie Antoinette and more characters. Johnny Vegas guest stars. Guide
Bad Robots Bad Robots
Tuesday, E4, 10pm

The hit new prank show continues. This week the electronic pests include a tourist information machine which feeds eager London visitors a load of nonsense facts. Guide
Brian Pern Brian Pern
Tuesday, BBC Two, 10pm

Brian Pern is back, now on BBC Two. His band mates reunite to discuss the making of their first ever Jukebox Musical, Stowe Boys. Looks out for lots of guest stars. Guide
The British Comedy Awards The British Comedy Awards - Nominations
Tuesday, Channel 4, 11:05pm

A programme running down the nominees in each of the British Comedy Award category. There's lots of funny clips and interviews with many of those involved too, so even if you know the list already it's worth tuning in. Guide
Spike Milligan: Love, Light And Peace Spike Milligan: Love, Light And Peace
Wednesday, BBC Four, 9pm

A new feature length documentary profiling the career of Spike Milligan. Assorted Q, a show featuring highlights from his long-running sketch series, follows straight after. Guide
Sweat The Small Stuff Sweat The Small Stuff
Wednesday, BBC Three, 10pm

The light-hearted panel show continues, this time with guest panellists Dr Christian Jessen, Jamie Reynolds from Klaxons and comedians Katherine Ryan and Nish Kumar. Guide
Live At The Apollo Live At The Apollo
Wednesday, BBC One, 10:35pm

Frankie Boyle hosts the stand-up show, with Simon Evans and Aisling Bea showing the public what they can do. Read our interview (above) with Evans if you haven't already. Guide
Russell Howard's Good News Russell Howard's Good News
Thursday, BBC Two, 10pm

More topical comedy from the youthful stand-up. It's only just launched, but the show's YouTube channel already has over 100,000 subscribers, so you might be watching it that way. Guide
Puppy Love Puppy Love
Thursday, BBC Four, 10pm

More from Joanna Scanlan and Vicki Pepperdine. This week Nana V has arranged some potholing work for her long-lost brother Fatdraic, so is currently visiting. Guide
Babylon Babylon
Thursday, Channel 4, 10pm

Finn and Liz are still stuck in their battle. Meanwhile there's a vacancy at the top of the force and Charles Inglis is the obvious candidate? Guide
Celebrity Juice Celebrity Juice
Thursday, ITV2, 10pm

A Christmas special - the first of this year. Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid, Take Me Out's Paddy McGuinness, musician Professor Green and TV personality Joey Essex join Keith and Co. Guide
Citizen Khan Citizen Khan
Friday, BBC One, 8:30pm

It's the big one - the day of the wedding of Mr Khan's daughter Shazia to 'pakora short of a picnic' Amjad. However, all is not well in the Khan household. Guide
Have I Got News For You Have I Got News For You
Friday, BBC One, 9pm

Martin Clunes guest hosts the topical panel show, with Reginald D Hunter and Kirsty Wark the panellists this week. It's been a while since Reg has been on the show, but he's always a highlight. Guide
Not Going Out Not Going Out
Friday, BBC One, 9:30pm

This sitcom has hit a strong patch - can it keep it up? Flying off on holiday, Lucy and Daisy endure the worst flight of their lives when Lee gets a bad case of the jitters on the plane. Guide
QI QI
Friday, BBC Two, 10pm

Adam Hills, Sara Pascoe and Jack Whitehall are the guests on the panel show this week. The episode is titled 'Lying', so in theory they should get points for anything. Guide
Alan Carr: Chatty Man Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Friday, Channel 4, 10pm

Alan is joined by Stephen Fry who talks about his new book More Fool Me; and Micky Flanagan who discusses the DVD release of his series Micky Flanagan's Detour de France. There's also Clare Balding and Gorgon City. Guide
The Graham Norton Show The Graham Norton Show
Friday, BBC One, 10:35pm

Hollywood star Jim Carrey drops in to talk about new movie Dumb & Dumber To. Also Jude Law, Tamsin Greig and Nicole Scherzinger. Guide
Comedy Central At The Comedy Store Comedy Central At The Comedy Store
Friday, Comedy Central, 10:40pm

Stand-up. Bobby Mair knows how to get super powers, Carl Donnelly doesn't have time for the good old days, Holly Walsh never gets windy, and John Robins is getting old! Guide
Perry And Croft: Made In Britain Perry And Croft: Made In Britain
Saturday, BBC Two, 8pm

The documentary series concludes. This episode looks at the how each series of the duo's work - from Dad's Army to You Rang, M'Lord? - encapsulates the end of an era, reflecting old ideas as a new British identity was forged. Guide
The Jonathan Ross Show The Jonathan Ross Show
Saturday, ITV, 10:35pm

James Corden, who is preparing to jet off to America to become a chat show host over there, joins Jonathan, presumably to pick up some tips (and to plug The Wrong Mans). There's also Jon Hamm, Boris Johnson (!), Keith Lemon, Tulisa Contostavlos and Paloma Faith. Guide

For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.
New Products
Comedy Shop Newsletter

Stuck for gift ideas this Christmas? Just looking for something for yourself? Want to be kept up to date with the latest books, DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs and more? We've just relaunched our Shop Newsletter, packed with the latest new releases and the best pre-orders. Make sure you're subscribed and catch up with the first edition here.
Still Game - Live In Glasgow Still Game - Live In Glasgow

OUT NOW. Glasgow's wayward pensioners are back! This brand new for 2014 live show sees the whole cast of the much-missed BBC Scotland sitcom reunited for the first time in six years, as Jack is invited to Canada for his daughter's renewal of her wedding vows. If you watched the show on TV last month, this DVD version contains more than an hour of extra comedy that was cut. Details
Lee Mack - Hit The Road Mack Lee Mack - Hit The Road Mack

OUT NOW. Fresh from the continued success of wonderful, gag-packed BBC One sitcom Not Going Out, Lee Mack went back on the road this year for a brand new national tour. A perfect family DVD, including both uncut and swearing-free edits of the show - there are plenty of great gags to entertain the kids this Christmas. Details
Paddington Paddington

PRE-ORDER. If you went to the cinema with the family this weekend, there's a good chance you'll have sat down and enjoyed this delightful comedy caper from the producer of the Harry Potter series. Based on Michael Bond's books, it stars Hugh Bonneville, Nicole Kidman, Julie Walters and more in the tale of the Peruvian bear who finds a home in London. Blu-ray Details & DVD Details
The Upper Hand - The Complete Series The Upper Hand - The Complete Series

OUT NOW. When high-flying executive Caroline Wheatley advertises for live-in home help, widowed ex-footballer Charlie is the last person she expected to apply. When he and his daughter move in, they are met with instant approval both from Caroline's mother and her young son. Starring Joe McGann, Diana Weston and Honor Blackman, this is the complete 1990s hit sitcom. Details
The Inbetweeners 2 The Inbetweeners 2

OUT NOW. Needing - we hope - very little introduction, the comedy film of the year is out now on both DVD and Blu-ray. A perfect gift for the 'inbetweener' in your life, it follows Will, Simon, Jay and Neil as they venture down under and end up on a road-trip to heal Jay's - yes, Jay's! - broken heart. Absolutely nothing can go wrong. Blu-ray Details & DVD Details
Miranda - Christmas! Miranda - Christmas!

OUT NOW. A selection of two Christmas episodes to warm the hearts of all but the coldest of characters this Winter. In The Perfect Christmas (2010), Miranda is craving a relaxing and fun time without her parents. It Was Panning (2012) sees Penny threaten to cancel Miranda's Christmas if she doesn't sort her life out sharpish. Details

For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon. Don't miss out on the Shop Newsletter too!
Comedy Videos
Video Picture Isis Movie Trailer

A trailer for ISIS: The Utterly Predictable Backlash, a new film from the makers of Iraq, Afghanistan and other disaster movies. David Cameron stars as Tony Blair. Watch
Video Picture Dance Like My Dad

A song from Jonathan Kydd. How many of these dance moves do you do? Watch
Video Picture The Boy in the Dress: Trailer

A trailer for the BBC One comedy drama written and starring David Walliams. Watch
Video Picture Harry Enfield spoofs Southern Comfort advert

Harry Enfield is getting ready for Save The Children's Christmas Jumper Day. This is his rather British version of that beach advert. Hot stuff. Watch
Video Picture Charley Says Be Careful On Twitter

Remember Charley? Here's a new public information film for those who use Twitter. Watch
Video Picture Professor Branestawm Trailer

Meet Professor Branestawm, the original mad professor. Starring the like of Harry Hill, this looks set to be one of the festive highlights. Watch
Message Board Posts...
Here are some quotes from our message board...

"Anyone else been listening to the Radio 2 new stand-up competition? Some really funny people on it." Will Cam on Current radio comedy

"I think it will be basically the same as it is now, but on hoverboards." DougWonnacott on How will comedy change in the future?

"This show is a gem. I like the fact that it's getting more and more deranged as it goes on." Dr Sanchez on Toast Of London

"I really enjoyed Friday's episode - I thought it was cleverly set up." Bonzo on Not Going Out

"I'm going to stand up for this - I'm really pleased to see it coming back actually." snrub on Virtually Famous
Guide Spotlight
Guide Spotlight Sid And Dora

Well here's a very special curio from the radio archives. A one-off special broadcast on Christmas Day 1965, it stars Dora Bryan OBE (pictured - Absolutely Fabulous, Carry On Sergeant, The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery) and the one-and-only Sid James, as husband-and-wife Sid and Dora Edge. To be repeated on Christmas Day after Dora's death in July, we're really looking forward to hearing it. Guide
Thanks for Reading
As always, more on the website and our social media accounts...

The British Comedy Guide

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