Welcome to this week's email. We start off with some news that may or may not excite Blackadder fans; read on for a full guide to this coming Bank Holiday weekend's telly treats. |
Latest Comedy News |
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Features |
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Ben Spiteri on Bad Robots Series 2
Ben Spiteri, the producer and co-writer of E4's riotous hidden camera prank show Bad Robots, which returns for a new series tomorrow, talks about writing and making Series 2, including creating all new Tezcorp machines. Read |
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Edinburgh Fringe Features
We have a whole host of content in our Edinburgh Fringe section. Find out who won the Amused Moose award, read lots of interviews (including a great one with Mark Thomas), and much more. Read |
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A new season of TV
September sees the launch of a number of TV shows. Check out our list here for the start dates for things like Rotters, a silent comedy starring Frank Skinner. View |
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Free TV & Radio Tickets
Mrs. Brown's Boys (in Glasgow) is amongst the shows you can find on our list of TV and radio shows you can go and watch being recorded for free. List |
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Podcasts
Podcasts are great for listening to when travelling or working at your desk. Head to our website for a whole list of shows, including the latest RHLSTP: Listen |
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Edinburgh Fringe reviews
Interested in how a comedian is doing at the Edinburgh Festival? We have collected up all the reviews from over 50 publications on our website. Just search for their name to see all. View |
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TV Listings |
Here is a guide to the new British comedy on TV this week...
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Yonderland Monday, Sky1, 8pm
The final episode of the fantasy comedy series, and a terrible threat looms over the magical kingdom as Imperatrix finishes her secret weapon and issues an ultimatum. Guide |
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Taskmaster Tuesday, Dave, 10pm
The fifth episode of challenges for the five comedians involved in this weekly game. Frank Skinner takes a boulder onto a train for a pleasant excursion. Guide |
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Bad Robots Tuesday, E4, 10pm
A new series of the prank show that uses technology to frustrate the general public. For example there's a Currency Exchange machine that ruins holidays before anyone has even got on a plane. It's easily as funny as Series 1, so don't miss out! Guide |
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Goodness Gracious Me Tuesday, BBC Two, 10pm
After the successful reunion in 2014, the cast of Goodness Gracious Me are returning for another one-off special of the ground-breaking British Asian sketch show, part of BBC Two's India Season. Guide |
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Fried Tuesday, BBC Three, 10:30pm
You may have seen the pilot episode of this fast food takeaway shop sitcom on BBC iPlayer last year as part of 2014's Comedy Feeds. A full series is now here. More info and a trailer in our guide. Guide |
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Top Coppers Wednesday, BBC Three, 10pm
Episode 2 of the spoof cop show. When the ageing star of hit sci-fi show Future Space starts receiving anonymous death threats, John Mahogany finds himself coming face to face with his childhood hero. Guide |
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Very British Problems Thursday, Channel 4, 9pm
The third (and final) episode of the show in which comedians discuss the good and bad points about being British. This week the celebrities talk about Brits' excruciating inability to express emotions and feelings. Guide |
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Safeword Thursday, ITV2, 10pm
The guests in this episode of the panels how are TOWIE regular Gemma Collins and former X Factor judge Louis Walsh. Dane Baptiste and Tom Davis are the comedy guests. Guide |
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Would I Lie To You? Friday, BBC One, 8:30pm
This week the guests on the always-funny panel show are Clare Balding, Rhod Gilbert, Nick Grimshaw and Rob Delaney. Play along at home and try and spot who is fibbing before the other team do. Guide |
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8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown Friday, Channel 4, 9pm
Jimmy Carr hosts the 16th episode in this latest series (yes, 16th). Sean Lock and Sara Pascoe who take on Jon Richardson and Josh Widdicombe. Susie Dent is joined by The Horne Section. Guide |
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The Last Leg Friday, Channel 4, 10pm
Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker once again provide some offbeat commentary on the significant moments of the past seven days. As always, it's live. Guide |
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Mountain Goats Friday, BBC One, 10:35pm
Episode 3 of the BBC's new studio audience sitcom about a team of mountain rescue volunteers. This week Jimmy loses Tom Jones - not the singer, but Bill's favourite dog. Guide |
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Sunny D Friday, BBC Three, 11:05pm
A TV broadcast for this Comedy Feeds sitcom pilot starring up-and-coming stand-up comedian Dane Baptiste as a 29 year-old man who feels trapped still living with his parents. Guide |
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Through The Keyhole Saturday, ITV, 9:30pm
Keith Lemon is back for a third series of the revamped game show. Gino D'Acampo, Corrie battle-axe Sue Cleaver and Johnny Vegas try to guess whose house Keith Lemon is in. Guide |
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Duck Quacks Don't Echo Monday 31st, Sky1, 8pm
A third series of Lee Mack's fact testing panel show launches on Bank Holiday Monday. Jerry Springer, Emma Bunton and Jason Byrne are the guests putting further fascinating titbits to the test. Guide |
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An Evening With Harry Enfield And Paul Whitehouse Monday 31st, BBC Two, 9pm
Given how good their Story Of The Twos special was, we're really looking for this one: it's a special celebrating 25 years of the partnership between Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse. Most of it is new sketches. Guide |
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Danny And The Human Zoo
Monday 31st, BBC One, 9pm
This new one-off BBC drama is due to be shown on Bank Holiday Monday. It's a fictionalised account of Lenny Henry's life as a working-class teenager in 1970s Dudley. Guide |
For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule. |
New Products |
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The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel & The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
OUT NOW. Double bill of British comedies directed by John Madden and starring Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel and Maggie Smith. The hit films follow the goings-on at a slightly ramshackle Indian hotel, marketing itself as a relaxing retirement destination "for the elderly and beautiful". Blu-ray Details & DVD Details |
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Mr Bean - Number 7
PRE-ORDER. Join family favourite Mr Bean in nine new adventures from the second series of the animated Mr Bean series. Episodes: Home Movie, Fish Sitting, The Cruise, Coconut Shy, Green Bean, Cash Machine, Litterbugs, Rat Trap, Valentine's Bean. Details |
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Bad Education - Series Three
PRE-ORDER. It's summer term at Abbey Grove and Alfie Wickers (Jack Whitehall) is back, however this term is going to be a challenge. Exams are looming and it's time for Alfie to finally knuckle down and start teaching his class, but the path to A*s never did run smooth... With The Bad Education Movie in cinemas now, if you missed Series 3 on TV it's time to order the DVD: Details |
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Get Well Soon
PRE-ORDER. Sitcom based on the meeting of comedy-writing powerhouse team Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
One day in 1947, Roy Osborne (Matthew Cottle) is admitted to a TB sanatorium. He thinks he'll only be there for a few weeks, then finds that it could be several years before he can leave. Also featuring Eddie Marsan, Anita Dobson & Samantha Beckinsale. Details |
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Hue & Cry
OUT NOW. A bunch of crooks use a comic paper, featuring stories penned by Felix H. Wilkinson (Alastair Sim), to pass on coded messages for robberies. When the comic's readers, a bunch of East End boys, discover what's going on they go to the police; unfortunately the constabulary are no help, so the plucky lads set out to foil the robbers themselves. Blu-ray Details & DVD Details |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
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Comedy Videos |
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8/10 Cats Countdown - Joe Lycett gets off a parking fine
In case you missed it, here's the funny story Joe Lycett told in Dictionary Corner about how he managed to dodge a parking fine. Watch |
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Ken Loach's Star Wars
This is what Star Wars would have been like it if had been directed in the North of England by Ken Loach. A great parody by double-act Haiste & Lawrence. Watch |
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Short & Curly - How To Selfie
In the first instalment of Judith and John's guide to modern living they reveal the best way to take a self portrait with your phone. Watch |
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Bill - Second Trailer
This film starring the original cast of Horrible Histories is out in cinemas next month. Here's the latest trailer for the movie. Watch |
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The Bad Education Movie interviews
Here're various video interviews featuring the cast of The Bad Education Movie, including our interview with Jack Whitehall if you missed that last week. Watch |
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Newsjack is back soon
Newsjack, the topical comedy sketch show that anyone can write for, is back for its 13th series on Thursday 10th September. Here's the trailer, with more details on how to submit sketches. Watch |
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Thanks a bunch
A discussion on how you should sign off your emails. This one probably isn't safe to watch at work, not only because of the language, but because it might give you ideas. Watch |
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Cradle To Grave trailer
Here's the trailer for the anticipated new sitcom based on Danny Baker's childhood. Peter Kay stars in the show, which launches next month. Watch |
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Guide Spotlight |
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All Our Saturdays
Do you remember this short-lived sitcom starring blonde bombshell Diana Dors? Often labelled Britain's answer to Marilyn Monroe, Dors starred as Di Dorkins, the owner of clothing business Garsley Garments. When the company's rugby league team flounder at the bottom of the table, she decides to take over managing the team herself, in an effort to boost morale and the company's public image. Guide |
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Thanks for Reading |
If you visit our homepage on Tuesday morning you'll be able to start your day by laughing at the top 10 jokes from the Edinburgh Fringe, which are set to be announced tomorrow. In the meantime, have a great week!
The British Comedy Guide
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