British Comedy Guide Newsletter
Weekly Newsletter Monday 9th February 2015
We're already a full week into February, with Valentine's Day fast approaching. Not got a date? Don't worry - your lot could be worse...
Latest Comedy News
News Picture Comic Relief unveils Donation Statues

A series of statues of comedians has been unveiled by Comic Relief. The models, which will appear in shopping centres, let people donate to the charity via card. Read
News Picture Nish Kumar named as the new host of Newsjack

Stand-up comedian Nish Kumar has been named as the new host of Newsjack, the topical Radio 4 Extra sketch show that the public can write for. Read
News Picture ITV orders Benidorm Series 8

ITV has ordered an 8th series of Benidorm, its hit holiday-based sitcom. 7 new episodes will be filmed later this year. Read
News Picture Mark Watson prepares for 27 hour Comic Relief gig

Stand-up comedian Mark Watson is preparing to present a comedy gig for 27 hours straight, to raise funds for Comic Relief. Read
News Picture Rick Edwards to host ITV2 panel show pilot Safe Word

ITV2 is piloting Safe Word, a new panel show in which celebrity reputations are put in the hands of comedians. Rick Edwards will host. Read
News Picture The Office voted best TV show of the past 20 years

The Broadcast Awards 2015 winners have been announced, with The Office named the best series of the past 20 years. Other comedy winners include BBC Three's Uncle. Read
News Picture Stewart Lee complains about 'ticket touts'

Stewart Lee has complained that tickets for his live shows are appearing on sites like Stub Hub, Viagogo and eBay with nearly a 400% mark-up. Read
News Picture Revolution Will Be Televised to deliver political special

The team behind The Revolution Will Be Televised have filmed a political special for BBC Three called Revolution Presents: Democracy Dealers. Read
News Picture Transgender sitcom Boy Meets Girl begins filming

Filming has begun on BBC Two sitcom Boy Meets Girl, focusing on a transgender relationship. It will star Rebecca Root, Harry Hepple and Denise Welch. Read
Also of interest...
Here are some pages on other websites that you might also be interested in...

- It's been revealed that Ted Robbins suffered 12 broken ribs as medics gave him CPR after he collapsed on stage: The Daily Mirror

- We're sad to hear Charlie Phillips has died. He was the Editor behind some great TV comedies: Giggle Beats

- Roy 'Chubby' Brown has turned 70. Here's a photo album from his life: Gazette Live

- Neil Morrissey says he is up for making another series of Men Behaving Badly if Martin Clunes can find time to film it too: Digital Spy

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 Valentine's Day jokes

Ahead of Valentine's Day, UK Pun Champion Darren Walsh has written us a bunch of romance-related jokes. He's drawn some great themed cartoons too. View
Feature Picture Nick Helm interview

Nick Helm talks about the return of Uncle, and explains why he would love to swear at his young co-star. Read
Feature Picture Only Fools and Horses - Top 10 catchphrases

Lovely Jubbly! A poll has determined the top 10 most-used phrases from Only Fools And Horses, plus the most loved scenes too. Read
Feature Picture Podcasts

There's lots to listen to in our podcasts area. Download or listen online now. Visit again on Wednesday for a Richard Herring and Stewart Lee special. Listen
TV Listings
Here is a guide to the new British comedy on TV this week...

Asylum Asylum
Monday, BBC Four, 9pm

A new satirical comedy about a government whistle-blower and a millionaire internet entrepreneur trapped together in a London embassy. Ben Miller, Dustin Demri-Burns and Kayvan Novak star. Guide
Asylum Bob Servant
Monday, BBC Four, 9:30pm

A UK-wide repeat for the second series of the Scottish sitcom in which Brian Cox plays a stubborn burger van owner living in Broughty Ferry. Guide
Drunk History Drunk History
Monday, Comedy Central, 9:30pm

Russell Kane talks King Charles II, Alex Horne on the 1966 World Cup trophy theft, and Diane Morgan chats Lady Godiva... they're all drunk, of course. Guide
Catastrophe Catastrophe
Monday, Channel 4, 10pm

The new sitcom continues. Rob's secret friendship with Chris explodes in his face in a way he could never have imagined, and Sharon receives a visitor. Guide
Backchat Backchat
Monday, BBC Two, 10pm

Jack Whitehall and his father Michael look back at some of the highlights of the series, in this episode featuring a mix of new chat between the hosts and repeat footage. Guide
Cockroaches Cockroaches
Tuesday, ITV2, 10pm

Things are still pretty grim for our post-apocalyptic heroes. Tom deals with the arrival of his troublesome in-laws, as well as a beautiful and mysterious stranger. Guide
Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled
Tuesday, Dave, 10pm

Anything goes as Alan Davies and guests Ross Noble, Janet Street-Porter, Angela Barnes and Michael Ball are given free reign to chinwag about Cher, crossbows and The Archers. Guide
Uncle Uncle
Tuesday, BBC Three, 10pm

The return of the hit new sitcom. Andy and Errol have to sneak around just to spend time together. Can they help each other conquer their fears and get unblocked? Guide
Count Arthur Strong Count Arthur Strong
Tuesday, BBC One, 10:45pm

Episode 6 of the studio sitcom. In the aftermath of yet another 'trouser fire', Arthur temporarily moves in with Michael. You can imagine what Michael thinks about that. Guide
An Idiot's Guide To Politics An Idiot's Guide To Politics
Wednesday, BBC Three, 9pm

A one-off show in which The Revolution Will Be Televised star Jolyon Rubinstein investigates Magna Carta and proposes an updated version for the 21st Century. Guide
Up The Women Up The Women
Wednesday, BBC Two, 10pm

The gentle comedy from Jessica Hynes continues. This week they leave the village hall. On their way to London, the BICCPRWS meet a very important person. Guide
Birds Of A Feather Birds Of A Feather
Thursday, ITV, 8:30pm

Tracey and Sharon take a trip to a Spa to cope with Tracey's shattering news and try to make plans for the future: and Dorien prepares to say a long goodbye to her daughter. Guide
Monty Python's Personal Best Monty Python's Personal Best
Thursday, Sky Arts 1, 9pm

The highlights series presented by the stars themselves. Michael Palin selects his favourite Python clips, including the fish-slapping dance he performed with John Cleese. Guide
Crims Crims
Thursday, BBC Three, 10pm

Marcel and Daz are furious after Dawn's clampdown on drugs, so in an attempt to boost Luke's popularity, Jason volunteers him for a drugs snatch. Last in the series, but a recommission is likely. Guide
Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe
Thursday, BBC Two, 10pm

Charlie Brooker and his team point present more funniness in a magazine format. Expect Charlie to insult your parents again, and Jake Yapp to boil down a TV show into just a minute. Guide
The Keith Lemon Sketch Show The Keith Lemon Sketch Show
Thursday, ITV2, 10pm

The fast-paced sketch show in which Leigh Francis as Keith Lemon affectionately spoofs the world of TV, film and famous faces, continues. Guide
Reality Bites Reality Bites
Thursday, ITV2, 10:30pm

Guests on the second episode of this panel show that looks at the world of reality TV include Rylan Clark (someone they dub a 'TV legend'?) and Katherine Ryan. Guide
Room 101 Room 101
Friday, BBC One, 8:30pm

This series keeps getting bumped out the way for sport, but here's a new one. Frank Skinner is joined by Victoria Coren Mitchell, Warwick Davis and Christian Jessen. Nominations include James Bond and people who send emails. Guide
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
Friday, Channel 4, 9pm

No Jon Richardson for the first time... giving Sean Lock a chance to win one. Jason Manford joins Sean and they go up against guest captain Sarah Millican and Jonathan Ross. Bill Bailey sits with Susie Dent. Guide
Benidorm Benidorm
Friday, ITV, 9pm

It's a packed episode of the holiday comedy. Mateo's Mother-in-Law is threatening to kill him. Glynn's wife arrives at the Solana, and Liam is made an offer he can't refuse. Guide
Stella Stella
Friday, Sky1, 9pm

Series 4 of the comedy drama continues. Stella is worried about Michael, who seems to be inching towards a mid-life crisis after splashing out on a motorbike and leathers. Guide
The Last Leg The Last Leg
Friday, Channel 4, 10pm

David Mitchell is the guest this week, as Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker review the main talking points of the week. Guide
The Graham Norton Show The Graham Norton Show
Friday, BBC One, 10:35pm

Graham's guest include Jamie Dornan, starring in Fifty Shades of Grey, comedy favourite Julie Walters in new drama Indian Summers, Stephen Mangan talking about his new play, and music from Charli XCX and Rita Ora. Guide
The Jonathan Ross Show The Jonathan Ross Show
Saturday, ITV, 9:20pm

Jonathan Ross welcomes Ant & Dec to his sofa. Plus QI star Alan Davies, and legendary Hollywood star Goldie Hawn. Grammy award-winning musician Diana Krall joins them for a chat and performance. Guide

For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.
New Products
Withnail And I - Special Edition Withnail And I - Special Edition

OUT NOW. Brand new on shelves today, this double-disc Blu-ray release includes the cult classic film Withnail And I, and its follow-up film How To Get Ahead In Advertising, both directed by Bruce Robinson and starring Richard E Grant. Both movies have been painstakingly restored from the original film negatives, and a wealth of extras are included. A real must-own for fans. Details
Benidorm - The Complete Series Seven Benidorm - The Complete Series Seven

PRE-ORDER. The complete seventh series of the ITV sitcom set among the Brits abroad at the all-inclusive Solana resort in Benidorm. It's been getting huge ratings for the network, and - as you'll have read above - an 8th series is already in the works. If you missed any episodes, this complete DVD set is out in a fortnight. Details
Uncle - Series 1 Uncle - Series 1

PRE-ORDER. Andy (Nick Helm) is a dissolute out-of work musician who forges an unlikely alliance with his 12-year-old nephew Errol after being morally blackmailed into looking after him by his chaotic sister Sam - all on the day Andy was planning to kill himself. Critically acclaimed and loved by audiences, a second series of Uncle begins tomorrow. This DVD is out next Monday. Details
One Night In Istanbul One Night In Istanbul

OUT NOW. Two down on their luck Liverpool cabbies, Tommy and Gerry, strike an unusual deal with a local gangster to take their sons to one of the most legendary encounters in football history - the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul between Liverpool FC and AC Milan. But big trouble awaits them in the form of two ruthless crooks and a bag of stolen cash... Details
The Incredible Adventures Of Professor Branestawm The Incredible Adventures Of Professor Branestawm

PRE-ORDER. The praised 2014 Christmas special starring Harry Hill as eccentric inventor Professor Branestawm, fighting the forces of evil and based on Norman Hunter's iconic children's books. Armed with a multitude of crazy inventions, and alongside his eccentric allies Colonel Dedshott, Mrs Flittersnoop and young apprentice Connie, Branestawm's workshop faces destruction. Details
Paddington Paddington

PRE-ORDER. Adapted from Michael Bond's beloved books, Paddington follows the comic adventures of a polite young Peruvian bear with a passion for all things British, who travels to London in search of a home. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Nicole Kidman, Peter Capaldi and many others - plus Ben Whishaw as Paddington - it's comic fun for the whole family. Blu-ray Details & DVD Details

For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy Videos
Video Picture Drunk History - Russell Kane on King Charles II

A clip from tonight's show. Russell Kane tries to talk about King Charles II... after he has had a bit to drink. Watch
Video Picture Moone Boy - Series 2 episode & Series 3 clips

Series 3 of Moone Boy starts next month. Ahead of that you can watch the final episode of Series 2 in full on our website (even if you don't have Sky), and see a clip from and trailer for Series 3. Watch
Video Picture Adam Buxton's BUG

BUG, the music video show by Adam Buxton, is now back, but as an online show. You can watch for free on the BFI website. BFI Player
Video Picture Yellow Fronted Brown Backs

Sick and tired of stains in your underwear men? Introducing 'Yellow Fronted Brown Backs'. Watch
Video Picture The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - Intro

The cast talk about the plot of the new sequel to the hit 2012 film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Watch
Video Picture Robin & Partridge - Funeral Directors

Meet G. White and Sons, funeral directors. They look like the sort of people we'd do business with. A sketch by Robin & Partridge. Watch
Video Picture Shaun The Sheep Movie - Clips

Various clips from the hit new Aardman movie, including the sheep singing. There's some behind-the-scenes videos too showing you how the film was made. Watch
Video Picture House Of Fools - Series 2 Trailer

House Of Fools is back next week, and more foolish than ever it is too. Check out the trailer here. Watch
Video Picture The Banning Committee - Meeting 1

The Banning Committee gathers monthly to decide what should be banned. Here's a video observing what they've been discussing this time. Watch
Guide Spotlight
Guide Spotlight Hi-De-Hi!

Hi-de-hi, campers! This long-running 1980s sitcom classic, from the writers of Dad's Army, It Ain't Half Hot Mum and You Rang, M'Lord?, is now enjoying a long overdue repeat run on BBC Two each weekday afternoon. Set at a holiday camp somewhere on the British coast during the summers of 1959 and 1960, the range of classic characters need little introduction for most people. We've plenty of info: Guide
Thanks for Reading
This email is just a summary of some of what's been going on. We'll have more detailed updates on our website every day, so keep clicking to check us out! Have a lovely week,

The British Comedy Guide

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