Press Clippings
Inside No. 9, season 3 review
Where the writing really succeeds in Inside No. 9 is the slow unveiling of the characters' secrets.
Anglonerd, 20th July 2017
Has there ever been a more auspicious time to launch a show offering a satirical take on the week's news? In the era of Theresa May, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Donald Trump, the jokes will surely write themselves. This new Nish Kumar vehicle - filmed just prior to transmission to reflect the fast-moving torrent of horror and absurdity that constitutes public affairs circa 2017 - will use sketches, news spoofs and studio set-pieces to pick apart our bewildering times.
Phil Harrison, The Guardian, 20th July 2017
Preview - The Mash Report
There are many films and radio shows that have been spun-off into TV shows, but this series is a rare example of a website being turned into a TV show.
Ian Wolf, On The Box, 20th July 2017
First picture of Vic Reeves in Corrie
The funnyman is fulfilling a life long dream to be part of the ITV soap.
Jill Robinson, The Sun, 19th July 2017
Mr Bean makes his TV return in airline safety video
British Airways has released the director's cut of its new star-studded safety information video. The airline bagged an impressive A-list cast to 'audition' for a part in its new pre-take off clip in front of comedian Asim Chaudhry in aid of Comic Relief.
Digital Spy, 19th July 2017
Graham Norton comes third on BBC pay chart
Comedian-turned chat show host Graham Norton is the BBC's third highest paid star, according to figures released today. Other comedy figures in the list were Mel Giedroyc and Roy Clarke.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 19th July 2017
To Sandringham, for shooting! In the world of The Windsors, that means visiting Princess Anne (Vicki Pepperdine), whose shtick - a scurrying housekeeper - is among the show's funniest. Its other standout performer is Harry Enfield as Prince Charles, and this week the writers find a way to double his screen time. In the adequate subplots, Harry accidentally agrees to a duel, and Beatrice and Eugenie give a motivational talk to Port Talbot steelworkers.
Jack Seale, The Guardian, 19th July 2017
Greg Hemphill urges fans to shout abuse at him
Hemphill wants fans to use the catchphrase made famous by OAP duo Jack and Victor if they see them filming in Glasgow - "Two pints p***s"
Daily Record, 18th July 2017
Lenny Henry: onscreen TV diversity is 'fake'
Lenny Henry has said the BBC will continue to demonstrate "fake diversity" unless it is forced to improve off as well as onscreen representation. The actor and comedian argued that broadcast watchdog Ofcom must set minimum standards for black, Asian, and minority ethnic diversity behind the camera.
Giverny Masso, The Stage, 18th July 2017
Nish Kumar on The Mash Report - interview
'Post-truth is an intellectual label for bulls**t'
Siobhan Smith, i Newspaper, 18th July 2017
BBC admits error over Billy Connolly's banana noots
The quiz show University Challenge incorrectly attributed Billy Connolly's banana boots to artist John Byrne rather than their true creator Edmund Smith.
BBC, 18th July 2017
Politics is beyond satire: can the Mash Report keep up?
The Daily Mash's new satirical TV show has a hard challenge ahead as the web spews out gags with lightning speed - it needs to find a distinctive voice.
Jack Bernhardt, The Guardian, 18th July 2017
This Country Series 2 confirmed by BBC Three
BBC Three has confirmed a second series of This Country, the hit new sitcom set in a Cotswold village starring Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper.
British Comedy Guide, 18th July 2017
Interview with The Windsors director Adam Miller
The Windsors is currently charming audiences every Wednesday night on Channel 4.
The Velvet Onion, 17th July 2017
Crazyhead won't return for season 2
The relatively small, but loyal, audience that loved the Susan Wokoma/Cara Theobald series will be left hanging...
Cult Box, 17th July 2017
Ruth Jones brings new sitcom to BBC Radio Wales
Ruth Jones will write and star in Splott, a new sitcom for BBC Radio Wales.
British Comedy Guide, 17th July 2017
E4 orders plane crash survivors sitcom High & Dry
E4 has ordered High & Dry, a sitcom series from Marc Wootton about a group of plane crash survivors trying to live on a tropical island.
British Comedy Guide, 17th July 2017
Prince William 'loves' The Windsors and gypsy Kate
A royal insider said: "The Duke finds The Windsors absolutely hilarious.
"He loves it. He finds the whole 'Kate is a gypsy' thing particularly funny.
"He watched the whole of the first series and will be tuned in for the second."
Camilla Tominey, The Daily Express, 16th July 2017
New film from Garth Marenghi creator Matt Holness
Matt Holness, who created comic horror writer Garth Marenghi, is in the process of finishing his first full-length British independent feature film as director.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 16th July 2017
The Mash Report hopes to puts a UK spin on US satire
The Mash Report on BBC2, hosted by Nish Kumar, is inspired by America's late-night shows but hopes to add some British warmth to the mix.
Sarah Hughes, The Guardian, 16th July 2017
Are you a default parent who ends up doing everything?
It's something that actress Laura Patch, who plays the titular character, can understand especially juggling her own career and three young children. "I'm lucky, my husband is self-employed and we parent together. Which is really cool. It's still working especially when it's creative. And you've still got to do everything and give them [the children] a 100 per cent. It's tough."
Daily Mail, 15th July 2017
Can Daphne and The Pin save Radio 4 comedy?
One act offers Badults-style sketches, the other does mindbending meta-gags. Both bring new shows to a station that specialises in self-satisfied comedy.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 14th July 2017
BBC announces bursary scheme in memory of Caroline Aherne
As part of its plans for the 2017 Salford Sitcom Showcase, the BBC has announced the introduction of a new bursary for Northern female comedians in memory of Caroline Aherne.
British Comedy Guide, 14th July 2017
Nick Helm to present food-based TV travel series
Nick Helm is to star in a new show for UKTV channel Dave. Eat Your Heart Out With Nick Helm - part reality, part sitcom - will see the comedian and actor travelling around the UK and Europe.
British Comedy Guide, 14th July 2017
Preview - Count Arthur Strong: Safari Park
There is no news on a fourth series yet, but it seems safe to say the Count will return.
Ian Wolf, On The Box, 14th July 2017
A decent biopic of the Carry On and EastEnders star, strung together from archive and talking heads, and featuring the usual tabloid suspects, but also benefiting from friends and colleagues who know what happened because they were there. It's useful as a primer on Windsor's early work in theatre and film, where her energy and skill were utilised more artfully than in the soaps and sauce she is better remembered for.
Jack Seale, The Guardian, 14th July 2017
The sitcom following retired performer Strong reaches the end of its third season. If the guest appearance of John Shuttleworth didn't confirm it, gentle 90s comedy continues to rule. Tonight it's Michael's birthday, an event that, after childhood disappointment, he prefers to manage himself. He reckons without Arthur's box of expiring vouchers. Soon, a mystery excursion is, with occasionally humorous consequences, under way.
John Robinson, The Guardian, 14th July 2017
Book review: Emergency Questions by Richard Herring
In short, Emergency Questions offers 500 surprisingly diverting talking points.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 13th July 2017
From the vault - Whites
Should you find yourself in need of a British comedy binge fix, check out Whites, the 2010 BBC Two comedy starring Alan Davies, Darren Boyd and Katherine Parkinson. Set in the kitchen of a country house hotel, Whites has Davies playing Chef Roland White, a culinary genius of a chef that, in foodie terms, is several days past his sell-by date.
Bill Young, Tellyspotting, 13th July 2017
The Day Today: stand out moments
Arguably the high watermark of spoof/satire television in the UK, The Day Today is unquestionably an important slice of British comedy history.
Cult Box, 13th July 2017