Weekly Newsletter	Monday 30th March 2015

From Dad's Army to Keith Lemon, we've got something for every comedy fan. Check out what's on TV this Easter weekend too...

Latest Comedy News

Holly Willoughby to host new ITV panel show Holly Willoughby has signed up to present Play To The Whistle, a new comedy panel show for ITV focused on the world of sport. Read ITV2 to show Keith Lemon's Back To The Future Tribute The character Keith Lemon is to star in a one-off special on ITV2 celebrating the 30th anniversary of the first Back To The Future film. Read Comedy Central reveal Russell Howard's new show Russell Howard's Stand Up Central, which launches in April, will feature guests including Doc Brown, Katherine Ryan and Joe Wilkinson. Read BBC Two orders Charlie Brooker election special Charlie Brooker will return to BBC Two in the run-up to the May General Election with a new Wipe special focusing on the political campaign. Read Filming starts on Series 7 of Doc Martin Martin Clunes and the rest of the Doc Martin cast are now in Cornwall to film Series 7 of the hit ITV comedy drama. Read

Also of interest...

Here are some pages on other websites that you might also be interested in... - There were reports last week that Sacha Baron Cohen has returned to a Freddie Mercury biopic film. Brian May says that's nonsense: Radio Times - Paddington won Best Comedy Film at The Empire Awards: The Velvet Onion - James Corden has said the positive reaction to his US chat show debut has been 'overwhelming': BBC News - Head over to our Facebook page to check out a Toast Of London tattoo: Facebook - Here's details of the cast who will play the new family in Series 8 of Benidorm. Johnny Vegas is also confirmed as returning: British Comedy Guide - Rowan Atkinson talks about 25 years of Mr Bean in this interview with a US paper. "I enjoyed the vindictive side of Bean": LA Times - Remember Trev & Simon from Live & Kicking etc? They're making a comic sci-fi audio sitcom: Kickstarter Found these links interesting? For more like this each evening follow us on social media, or visit our website:

Features

Comedians select films for Barbican's 'This Made Me Laugh' season The Barbican has invited eight stars from the world of comedy to select and introduce their favourite classic comedy films. Miranda Hart and Lenny Henry are amongst those taking part in 'This Made Me Laugh': Read Ray Peacock tackles the taboo In a great blog, Ray Peacock explains why he has decided to open up about his suicide attempt in his latest stand-up show. Read How the BBC nearly didn't make Dad's Army A speech by TV executive Huw Wheldon revealed that the BBC nearly didn't make Dad's Army. They were convinced it wouldn't work. Read Graham Fellows interview Graham Fellows celebrates his 30th year as John Shuttleworth with a big benefit gig at the Palladium in June - but could it be the character's last hurrah? It looks very much that way! Read

TV Listings

Here is a guide to the new British comedy on TV this week... Moone Boy Monday, Sky1, 9pm Episode 5 of the sitcom starring, co-written and directed by Chris O'Dowd. Dessie works on a new business venture as he plans to open Boyle's first Catholic book shop. Martin, meanwhile, embarks on a building project. Guide I Live With Models Monday, Comedy Central, 9:30pm The sitcom filmed in London but set in America continues. Scarlet gets a break from her hero - powerful magazine editor Joanna Vermouth (guest star Kate Mulgrew). Guide House Of Fools Monday, BBC Two, 10pm How is this the last episode of the series already? Time flies. Vic receives an exciting letter from his ex-girlfriend Mary. He enlists help from Julie to prepare for their big date. Guide Bluestone 42 Monday, BBC Three, 10pm The army-based comedy continues. Word reaches the team that a Taliban attack is imminent, doing nothing to help Simon's paranoid suspicion of the new ANA recruit. Guide Raised By Wolves Monday, Channel 4, 10pm Episode 3 of the neatly scripted comedy. In a Wolverhampton heatwave, cousin Cathy arrives at the Garry home, and soon catches the eye of Lee, Germaine's would-be boyfriend. Guide Ross Noble Freewheeling Tuesday, Dave, 10pm More adventures with Ross Noble. In Scotland, the comedian lands a part in a Braveheart-style film and does a Trainspotting runner from The Krankies and Nessie. Guide Nurse Tuesday, BBC Two, 10pm The last episode in this short series in which Paul Whitehouse has presented a bit of an acting masterclass. Herbert becomes lonely and confides in Liz that he would like some female company. Guide Celebrity Juice Thursday, ITV2, 10pm Holly Willoughby, Fearne Cotton and regular Gino D'Acampo welcome actor Will Mellor, TV presenter Rylan Clark and Glee star Kevin McHale to their teams for an Easter-themed special. Guide Inside No. 9 Thursday, BBC Two, 10pm This week's episode of Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's show is actually a psychological drama, not a comedy. It is more likely to make you cry, than laugh. Still worth watching though: critics are lauding Sheridan Smith's performance. Guide Talking Comedy Friday & Monday, BBC Two, 3:10pm A new four-part series featuring archive clips of Bob Hope, Bob Monkhouse, Les Dawson and Cook & Moore appearing on various BBC chat shows. Angela Thorne narrates. Guide Stella Friday, Sky1, 9pm It's nearly the end of Series 4 of the Ruth Jones comedy drama. Preparations for Big Alan and Celia's impending wedding day are now in full swing. Guide Carry On Forever Friday, Saturday & Sunday, ITV3, 9pm This three-part documentary series - playing out Friday to Sunday - focuses on the funny British comedy institution that is the Carry On films. There's classic clips, un-seen footage and new interviews. ITV3 is also broadcasting some of the series' best films back-to-back throughout the weekend. Guide Alan Carr: Chatty Man Friday, Channel 4, 10pm Alan is joined by Noel Fielding, who chats about his current stand-up tour, and football star Frank Lampard, who discusses his, er, latest children's book? There's music from Lethal Bizzle. Guide Sketchland Friday, BBC Two Scotland, 10pm Viewers in Scotland can see this sketch show pilot based around the topic of moving out of the family home. It's written and performed by young writers and actors involved in BBC training schemes. Guide You're Back In The Room Saturday, ITV, 8:25pm Dance group Diversity are involved in one of the games in the comedy hypnotism game show this week. This is the last episode, but given the strong ratings it could very well be back later in the year. Guide The Jonathan Ross Show Saturday, ITV, 9:35pm Wossy welcomes award-winning actor and director Ethan Hawke, adventurer Bear Grylls, sports broadcaster Clare Balding and the princess of pop, Kylie Minogue. Guide Pompidou Sunday, BBC Two, 6:35pm The last episode of Matt Lucas's latest TV project. It's cold and the electric heater in the caravan is bust, but the repair man won't come to fix it. The only thing left is for Pompidou and Hove to go on holiday. Guide Off Their Rockers Sunday, ITV, 7:30pm More pranks from the OAP team of jokers. Barry gets hygiene tips, Dave performs a strange act of kindness and Seb tries his hand at arm wrestling. Guide Michael McIntyre's Easter Night At The Coliseum Sunday, BBC One, 8pm Michael McIntyre hosts a special Easter entertainment extravaganza from London's Coliseum. The line-up of comedy acts booked is said to include A-listers like Eddie Izzard and Bill Bailey. Guide Jack Dee - So What? Live Sunday, BBC Two, 10:30pm A TV broadcast of Jack Dee's 2013 stand-up show, his first in six years. Join the 'the Glum Meister' for some of his trademark deadpan cynicism. Guide For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.

New Products

Spitting Image - The Complete 11th Series PRE-ORDER. As the General Election campaign kicks off in earnest today, how about tickling your comedy-tastebuds with the political characters of old, in this 11th series of hit ITV satirical sketch show Spitting Image. Sadly it's not out until 1st June - but the previous 10 series are available to own already. Details Roald Dahl's Esio Trot OUT NOW. Family-friendly viewing this Easter, from the imagination of the great Roald Dahl. In this BBC adaptation of his much-loved story, Dustin Hoffman and Judi Dench star as Mr Hoppy and Mrs Silver. He lives a quiet retiree's life, tending to his balcony garden, pottering to the shops and back and secretly being passionately, hopelessly in love with his downstairs neighbour, Mrs Silver. Details The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins OUT NOW. Seven comic morality tales based on the seven deadly sins: 'Avarice'; 'Envy'; 'Gluttony'; 'Wrath'; 'Lust'; 'Pride'; and 'Sloth'. Starring such comedic actors as Bruce Forsyth, Harry Secombe, Spike Milligan and Leslie Phillips, with an equally impressive array of writers, this is a film positively bursting with wonderful British comedy talent. Blu-ray Details & DVD Details Benidorm - The Complete Series Seven OUT NOW. The complete seventh series of the ITV sitcom set among the Brits abroad at the all-inclusive Solana resort in Benidorm. This series sees the departure of the Garvey family, whilst former manger Janey York, and frequent guests Noreen and Geoff 'The Oracle' Maltby return to Benidorm. Series 8 is now being planned, and is expected to be on TV early in 2016. Details House Of Fools - Series One OUT NOW. Series 2 concludes this evening, and the bonkers fun of Series 1 is available here on DVD. Stand by for unadulterated daft fun in the wonderfully original sitcom written by and starring iconic comedy duo Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer. Set in Bob Mortimer's home, each episode sees Bob frustrated by the uninvited lodgers, visitors and guests who constantly fill his house. Details For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.

Comedy Videos

Totally Trented Prank Show David Trent manages to confuse an audience by performing a 'magic trick' involving a cash machine. Some of the onlookers don't seem that convinced it's magic. Watch David Beckham and James Corden underwear advert A sketch from James Corden's US chat show. He and David Beckham share an exclusive sneak peek of the advertisement which will launch their new underwear line. Watch Sunshine Desserts building demolished A slideshow of pictures showing the demolition of 32-36 Telford Way in Acton. This building was used for the external shots of 'Sunshine Desserts', Reggie Perin's workplace in the sitcom The Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin. Watch Inside No. 9 - Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith interview Inside No. 9 creators Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, along with producer Adam Tandy, talk at a BFI event about the second series of their show in this 19 minute video. Watch Nick Helm's Heavy Entertainment: Trailer Heavy Jokes, Heavy Music, Heavy Philosophy and Heavy Dancing. The full series of Nick Helm's Heavy Entertainment starts in April. Here's a preview. Watch Invisible Robbery This is not your standard request for money. A slightly surreal sketch, which it is worth watching to the end. Watch

Guide Spotlight

Three Men In A Boat Based on Jerome K. Jerome's beloved comic novel, this 1956 film adaptation stars comedy legend Jimmy Edwards, Mary Poppins star David Tomlinson, and celebrated actor Laurence Harvey as the eponymous three men: Harris, J and George. If you're not familiar with the story, it's a tale of three London chums who hope to get away from their problems with a relaxing boating trip up the Thames toward Oxfordshire. Little goes to plan from the start, and when they catch the eye of three beautiful young women at Hampton Court all plans seem to go out of the window! Guide

Thanks for Reading

Have a great Easter break! We'll be back in your inbox after the holidays. Our website will still be updated every day though - so click over to comedy.co.uk or our social media accounts (links below) if you want updates in the meantime. The British Comedy Guide

(c) The British Comedy Guide 2015. Not yet subscribed? Join our mailing list