Weekly Newsletter	Monday 27th April 2015

Gripped by election fever yet? No? Hopefully something of the below - political or not - will catch your interest.

Latest Comedy News

Jonathan Ross to present cookery panel show pilot Jonathan Ross is to present a food-themed comedy panel show pilot. The format is described as a "mouth watering, light-hearted celebration of food in all its forms". Read BBC One orders The John Bishop Show John Bishop will present a new eight-part comedy and entertainment variety show on BBC One on Saturday nights from later this spring. Read Channel 5 returns to making British comedy Channel 5 is to start broadcasting British comedy again. A deal with Comedy Central will see it broadcast series such as Impractical Jokers. Read BBC Salford Sitcom Showcase 2015 programme revealed Funz And Gamez, Fishbowl and Barbara Nice are amongst the comedy that will be showcased across BBC events in Salford on the 12th and 13th May. Read Jim Howick to star in BBC Two's Stag BBC Two boss Kim Shillinglaw has announced that Jim Howick will star in Stag, a comedy-thriller from The Wrong Mans director Jim Field Smith. Read Lesley Manville to star in new BBC Two sitcom 'Mum' BBC Two has commissioned Mum, a new sitcom from the writer and producers of hit BBC Three sitcom Him & Her. Read Sky Arts to make a series of slapstick comedies Kevin Eldon, Johnny Vegas, Kim Cattrall, Vic Reeves and Frank Skinner are amongst the stars of four silent physical comedies on Sky Arts. Read

Also of interest...

Here are some pages on other websites that you might also be interested in... - Monty Python celebrated 40 years of Monty Python And The Holy Grail at an event in America: CBS News; and they popped up on Jimmy Fallon's US chat show. John Cleese ended up hosting it: YouTube - The Bad Education Movie is currently due to be released in cinemas on Friday 21st August: Guide - A simple question from Brian May got Russell Brand in a flap. The comedian couldn't give the Queen guitarist any substance on his 'revolution' plans: Chortle - Due to lack of space, within this newsletter we only link to about 1/100th of the articles we spot. For more interviews, news and reviews see our Press Clippings Page - We also have a page for live comedy and event previews, reviews and interviews: Live Comedy Press Found these links interesting? For more like this each evening follow us on social media, or visit our website:

Features

Alex Horne interview His latest Edinburgh show involved ladders from Wickes, his first one was supposed to feature a bloke from Hot Chip - welcome to the unlikely career path of Alex Horne. And look out for a tremendous Tim Key revelation. Read Where has all the TV sketch comedy gone? The organisers of London Sketchfest (which is in the capital over the bank holiday weekend) ponder why there's hardly any sketch shows on TV nowadays. Read

TV Listings

Here is a guide to the new British comedy on TV this week... Jack Dee's Election Helpdesk Monday, BBC Two, 10pm The last of the three comedy panel show episodes in which Jack Dee and his guests help the studio audience answer their politics-based problems. Guide Virtually Famous Monday, E4, 10pm Celebrity guests Jimmy Bullard and Laura Whitmore, plus comedians Rhys James and Chris Ramsey join the regulars to look at what's going out on the internet. Guide Ross Noble Freewheeling Tuesday, Dave, 10pm The final leg of Ross Noble's screwball UK tour begins aptly in Land's End. The 'randomist' gets told off for borrowing a chair, as the clip in our guide shows. Guide Ballot Monkeys Tuesday, Channel 4, 10pm The feedback from the first episode of this topical sitcom was good (see the press clippings in our guide). We re-join the political battle buses on Tuesday night as they continue to plan for the election. The last episodes will be on Monday to Wednesday next week. Guide Newzoids Wednesday, ITV, 9pm More animated satire from the puppets. As we near the election, you can expect more political jokes, but there's still room for the show to take potshots at celebrities too. Guide Peter Kay's Car Share Wednesday & Thursday, BBC One, 9:30pm You may have already seen this sitcom about two workers thrown together in a company car share scheme. The comedy starring Peter Kay has been on iPlayer for a few days now. If you like watching things 'normally', the first two episodes are this week. Guide The Delivery Man Wednesday, ITV, 9:30pm Episode 3 of ITV's new sitcom. A prisoner is on release to give birth - the police need crucial information and so Ian (Paddy McGuinness) tries underhand interrogation. Guide You, Me & Them Wednesday, Gold, 10pm Lauren's school reunion throws an old flame into the mix and leaves Ed questioning their future. Meanwhile Ellie has some fun with her mum and dad's relationship. Guide Inside No. 9 Wednesday, BBC Two, 10pm The last episode of this brilliant series (note that it's on Wednesday this week, not the normal Thursday) sees creators Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton returning to the theme of horror. Guide Russell Howard's Stand Up Central Wednesday, Comedy Central, 10pm A new stand-up show for Comedy Central hosted by Russell Howard - it's a bit like their version of Live At The Apollo, but in a smaller venue. This week's guest performers: Nish Kumar and Sara Pascoe. Guide Celebrity Juice Thursday, ITV2, 10pm Fearne Cotton, Holly Willoughby and Gino D'Acampo welcome fashion guru Gok Wan and rapper Professor Green to their teams as Keith celebrates his birthday. Guide W1A Thursday, BBC Two, 10pm The satire on office politics continues. A game of Management Musical Chairs starts with the advertising of a new and important role, namely the Director of Better. Guide The Last Leg Thursday, Channel 4, 10pm Jeremy Paxman is amongst the guests joining Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe for the second of their special episodes counting down to next week's general election. Guide Have I Got News For You Friday, BBC One, 9pm Guest host Alexander Armstrong is joined by regular team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop and guest panellists Michael Grade and Katherine Ryan. Guess what the main topic will be? Yup, the election. Guide Alan Carr: Chatty Man Friday, Channel 4, 10pm Noel Gallagher chats to Alan and performs his latest single. Also joining Alan are the hosts of The Last Leg, and four members of the cast from new comedy drama No Offence. Guide The Graham Norton Show Friday, BBC One, 10:35pm With Game Of Thrones star Kit Harington; Friends actor Matt LeBlanc, who will be talking about the new series of Episodes (coming to BBC2 soon); Australian actress Rebel Wilson; and music from Mumford And Sons. Guide Play To The Whistle Saturday, ITV, 9:15pm On this week's panel show, team captains Frank Lampard and Bradley Walsh are joined by guests Dermot O'Leary and Romesh Ranganathan, with help from Jimmy Bullard and umpire Seann Walsh. Guide Celebrity Squares Sunday, ITV, 7:15pm Trying to get the answers right this week are Julian Clary, Ugo Monye, Katherine Ryan, Hayley Tamaddon, Paul Hollywood, Doon Mackichan, Paul Chowdhry and resident comedians Tim Vine and Joe Wilkinson. Guide Sunday Night At The Palladium Sunday, ITV, 8pm Bradley Walsh returns to the stage to host the first episode in the new series of the iconic ITV variety show. There's various music, whilst comedy comes from Jo Brand and the slapstick duo Men In Coats. Guide 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown Sunday, Channel 4, 9pm A new series of the popular spin-off format, now with more guests on each team. Sean Lock, Bill Bailey and Paul Foot go up against guest captain Sarah Millican, with Rob Delaney and Romesh Ranganathan. Nina Conti joins Susie Dent. Guide For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.

New Products

Room Service - The Complete Series OUT NOW. Written by Dad's Army co-creator Jimmy Perry, sitcom Room Service is set in a top London hotel and charts the complications and domestic disasters that beset a motley team of room-service waiters - from missing tips to vanishing brides, amorous dog owners to Triads. Matthew Kelly (yes, that one) is one of the stars in this show, originally broadcast in 1979. Details Shaun The Sheep Movie PRE-ORDER. Aardman, the creators of Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run, bring you Shaun The Sheep Movie. Shaun is a clever, mischievous sheep who lives with his flock on Mossy Bottom Farm, under the nominal supervision of The Farmer. Fun for all the family, this is the big-screen spin-off from the BBC's popular childrens' claymation comedy series. Blu-ray Details & DVD Details Monty Python's Life Of Brian - Steelbook Edition PRE-ORDER. Repeatedly voted one of the greatest comedy films of all time, Monty Python's Life Of Brian is now available in this Blu-ray Steelbook edition. A must-own for fans, it's absolutely jam-packed with extras. An equivalent edition for Monty Python And The Holy Grail will be released too - now where's And Now For Something Completely Different and The Meaning Of Life?! Details Not Going Out - The Complete Series 1-7 PRE-ORDER. For the first time you can view the complete Series 1-7 of Rose d'Or award-winning sitcom Not Going Out, starring BAFTA winning comedians Lee Mack and Tim Vine, alongside Sally Bretton, Miranda Hart, Megan Dodds, Katy Wix and Hugh Dennis. Out on 1st June, the recent - and final - Series 7 is available separately. Details The Jessie Matthews Revue - Volume One OUT NOW. Throughout the 1930s Jessie Matthews was Britain's best-loved musical film star, her dynamism and gamine charm captivating audiences on both sides of the Atlantic in a string of box-office hits. This first volume of a collection dedicated to her talents includes two comedies: 1933's Friday The Thirteenth, and First A Girl, released in 1935. Volume Two will be out in June. Details For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.

Comedy Videos

The Morning After Wedding season starts soon, so here's a sketch for anyone getting hitched: Observe as a man wakes up in a bad state. Can he get to the ceremony on time? Watch Totally Trented Prank Show David Trent is still trying to prank people with magic. Turns out you can't really be a hidden camera show if your camera crew is wearing high vis jackets. Watch Very English Racists Two English gents discuss the finer points of immigration control. A sketch directed by Dipak Patel. Watch Channel 4's Alternative Election Night - Trailer Some of the comedians involved in Channel 4's election night coverage knock on doors to promote the show. David Mitchell and Jeremy Paxman will be fronting the 9 hour show. Watch Dear Nigel Farage Godfrey Bloom, who was kicked out of UKIP, tries to get in touch with leader Nigel Farage. A song by the group Ministry Of Merkin. Watch Gary Miliband - Part 2 Meet Ed and David's cousin, the only normal one. Midlands based, straight-talking Gary still can't get hold of Ed so he's filmed another video with wife Sandra. Watch Sir Ian Bowler - Eric Pickles poem Politician Sir Ian gives us his highly charged poem about Eric Pickles, and counters some 'left-wing hypocrisy'. Watch Undercover - First Look A peek at channel Dave's new sitcom. Undercover is the story of traffic policeman Chris who ends up infiltrating a vicious Armenian crime family. Watch

Guide Spotlight

Mr White Goes To Westminster From Outnumbered, Drop The Dead Donkey and Ballot Monkeys co-writer Guy Jenkin came this 1997 Channel 4 satire, a comedy drama based on the election of former BBC war correspondent Marin Bell's election to Parliament earlier in that same year. Starring Bill Paterson with Robert Duncan and Celia Imrie, Ben White is elected to Parliament on an anti-sleaze ticket. But can he stay so clean once there? London Live will be repeating this comedy on election night at 9pm. Guide

Thanks for Reading

Have a lovely week! Don't forget to keep an eye on our website though - we have interviews with David Mitchell, Steve Pemberton, the cast of No Offence and more coming up soon. The British Comedy Guide

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