British Comedy Guide Newsletter
Weekly Newsletter Monday 3rd October 2016
We can't quite believe it: this is the 300th edition of our weekly newsletter. Thanks to all our readers, particularly those of you who have been subscribed since we launched this mailing list 6 years ago.
Latest Comedy News
Dave orders Taskmaster Series 4 and Series 5 Dave orders Taskmaster Series 4 and Series 5

Channel Dave has ordered two more series of Taskmaster, the show created by Alex Horne in which Greg Davies sets comedians challenges. Read
Red Dwarf stage show considered Red Dwarf stage show considered

Red Dwarf writer Doug Naylor has suggested that the sci-fi sitcom could have a live stage show spin-off that tours the country. Read
Sky Arts reveals Halloween shorts Sky Arts reveals Halloween shorts

Jason Manford, Ross Noble, Matt Holness, Jamie Demetriou, Jayde Adams, Steen Raskopoulos, Guz Khan and Kiri Pritchard-McLean have made Halloween shorts for Sky Arts. Read
John Bishop announces 2017 tour, 'Winging It' John Bishop announces 2017 tour, 'Winging It'

John Bishop has announced a new live tour. Winging It will see him play arenas around the country in October and November 2017. Read
Still Game Live 2 announced for February 2017 Still Game Live 2 announced for February 2017

Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill have announced Still Game: Live 2, ten live shows at the Glasgow Hydro featuring the characters from their hit TV sitcom. Read
Funny Women Awards 2016 winners announced Funny Women Awards 2016 winners announced

The winners of the Funny Women Awards 2016 have been announced. Harriet Braine, Carolyn Goodyear and Carol Walsh were the acts selected by judges. Read
BBC cancels Boy Meets Girl BBC cancels Boy Meets Girl

BBC Two sitcom Boy Meets Girl has been cancelled after two series. Read
Morecambe & Wise statue for Blackpool Morecambe & Wise statue for Blackpool

A statue of Morecambe & Wise is to be erected in Blackpool, the "spiritual home" of the duo, later this month. Read
Advert
Advert

Last week Stewart Lee said "Hans is one of the greatest stand-ups ever". The hilariously absurd, wildly energetic and joyously unpredictable Hans Teeuwen returns to the UK after a six-year absence. Combining stand-up, clowning and cabaret, he is a uniquely endearing yet provocative showman. Hans is touring the UK until 27th October, then he's at Leicester Square Theatre in London in November. Dates & Tickets
Features
Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill interview Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill interview

Still Game's creators and stars Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill talk about the sitcom as it prepares to return to TV after a nine year break. Read
London Hughes on Immigration London Hughes on Immigration

Comedian London Hughes, who is performing at the 'We Love Immigration' comedy night tomorrow, talks about what it's like being the daughter of an 'immigrant'. Read
First Gig, Worst Gig: Ahir Shah First Gig, Worst Gig: Ahir Shah

Philosophical stand-up Ahir Shah recalls folk club basements, Free Fringe revelations and one genuinely horrific night. Read
Kurupt FM: bonus videos Kurupt FM: bonus videos

A series of bonus People Just Do Nothing videos, filmed by the stars of the show as online extras. You won't have seen these on TV. Read
Win Tandoori Nights on DVD Win Tandoori Nights on DVD

We've five copies of the complete ground-breaking 1980s Channel 4 sitcom Tandoori Nights to give away. Enter
John Sullivan's Only Fools & Horses script John Sullivan's Only Fools & Horses script

Some pages from an Only Fools And Horses script, scribbled on by writer John Sullivan. This is an extract from The Peckham Archives book. View
Win Meet The Wife on DVD Win Meet The Wife on DVD

Win the complete surviving collection of 1960s sitcom Meet The Wife, as immortalised by The Beatles. Freddie Frinton and Thora Hird star. Win
Podcasts Podcasts

Elis James is on RHLSTP; Milton Jones and Natasia Demetriou are guests on Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown; and other new things to listen to or download here too: Listen
TV Listings
Danger Mouse Danger Mouse
Monday - Friday, CBBC, 6:45pm

The mouse is back! A new run of episodes in the revived animated series continues daily this week on CBBC at 6:45pm. Fans of the original 1980s show and newcomers alike should find plenty to enjoy. Guide
Cold Feet Cold Feet
Monday, ITV, 9pm

Jenny is shocked when an old flame turns up at work. Reformed alcoholic Grant is on the pathway to atonement and wants to right the wrongs of the past, but his arrival opens a can of worms with irreversible consequences. Guide
Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit
Monday, Dave, 10pm

Comedians Dave Gorman and Josie Long join host Dara O Briain, games expert Ellie Gibson and team captains Steve McNeil and Sam Pamphilon to play five video games. Guide
Morgana Robinson's The Agency Morgana Robinson's The Agency
Monday, BBC Two, 10pm

Vincent receives news of a huge audition for EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy opposite a Hollywood A-lister. Also in this episode, we meet pop star Cheryl Cole, and Danny Dyer is up for an unlikely award. Guide
Duck Quacks Don't Echo Duck Quacks Don't Echo
Tuesday, Sky 1, 8pm

Mad Dogs actor Philip Glenister and comedians Jo Brand and Josh Widdicombe join host Lee Mack in putting more madcap theories to the test. Guide
Mount Pleasant Mount Pleasant
Tuesday, Sky 1, 9pm

This week in the comedy drama Roger finds out the truth about Jane, and Denise and Ollie have their first date. But things don't go quite as smoothly as they'd hoped. Guide
Taskmaster Taskmaster
Tuesday, Dave, 10pm

Greg Davies and Alex Horne return with a new set of challenges, this series frustrating the minds of Al Murray, Dave Gorman, Paul Chowdhry, Rob Beckett and Sara Pascoe. The opening episode includes vegetable propulsion. Guide
Damned Damned
Tuesday, Channel 4, 10pm

Channel 4's new sitcom about a social services department continues. Rose uncovers an embarrassing truth whilst investigating an improper teacher-pupil relationship. Guide
Unspun With Matt Forde Unspun With Matt Forde
Wednesday, Dave, 10pm

Expect plenty more talk about the triggering of Article 50, grammar schools, and other news from Conservative Party Conference on Unspun this week. Matt will be joined in the studio by Labour MP Chuka Umunna. Guide
Josh Josh
Thursday, BBC Three, 10am

Episode 3 of this sitcom launches on iPlayer on Thursday morning, and Jennifer Saunders returns to guest star as flatmate Kate's mum. Episode 2 makes its TV debut on Friday night at 11:25pm on BBC One. Guide
Red Dwarf Red Dwarf
Thursday, Dave, 9pm

The hit new series of the sci-fi sitcom continues. After an altercation with a deranged droid Lister has his kidneys organ-napped. The only solution is to ask Cat, the most selfish creature in the universe, to give him one of his. Guide
A League Of Their Own A League Of Their Own
Thursday, Sky 1, 9pm

The guys are joined by former West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp, comedian David Walliams and the UK's number one female tennis player, Johanna Konta. Guide
Celebrity Juice Celebrity Juice
Thursday, ITV2, 10pm

Joining the teams this week are Geordie TV queen Vicky Pattison, comedian Johnny Vegas and Emmerdale star Danny Miller - plus Johnny Vegas should be back for more outrageous debauchery. Guide
The Outcast Comic The Outcast Comic
Thursday, Sky Arts, 10pm

One-off documentary exploring censorship and free speech in comedy, through the experience of centre-right comedian Andrew Lawrence. Guide
Would I Lie To You? Would I Lie To You?
Friday, BBC One, 8:30pm

Another edition of the regularly laugh-out-loud parlour game, with Claudia Winkleman, Jamie Laing, Rhod Gilbert and Tracy-Ann Oberman. Guide
Have I Got News For You Have I Got News For You
Friday, BBC One, 9:30pm

The long-running panel show returns for an amazing fifty-second series - with another two already commissioned for 2017. This week, former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg takes to the host's chair. See our guide for the fortune-teller themed trailer. Guide
Still Game Still Game
Friday, BBC One, 9:30pm

It's back! The critically acclaimed Scottish sitcom Still Game makes a highly-anticipated return to television this week, now on BBC One. In Episode 1, Craiglang's residents can't resist the temptation of the Futuroo catalogue and Jack needs help after having a long bath. Guide
Mock The Week Mock The Week
Friday, BBC Two, 10pm

Dara O Briain and Hugh Dennis mock the events of the last seven days with guests James Acaster, Rob Beckett, Ed Gamble, Sara Pascoe and John Robins. Guide
The Last Leg The Last Leg
Friday, Channel 4, 10pm

Paralympic champions Jonnie Peacock and Ellie Simmonds join Adam, Alex and Josh on the sofa for the first episode in a new series of the show. Guide
The Graham Norton Show The Graham Norton Show
Friday, BBC One, 10:35pm

This week Graham is joined by legendary actor Danny De Vito; Jurassic Park star Sam Neill; and top comedians John Bishop and Miranda Hart. With musical guest Amber Riley. Guide
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
Saturday, Channel 4, 9pm

Guest captain David Walliams and Jessica Hynes go up against Jon Richardson and Rhod Gilbert in the words and numbers game. Meanwhile Sam Simmons is in Dictionary Corner. Guide
Newzoids Newzoids
Saturday, ITV, 10pm

Final episode of the latest series of the topical puppet animation sketch show poking fun at pop stars, politicians, sporting personalities and other celebrities. It's been getting notably higher viewing figures than Jonathan Ross's chat show straight after it, so expect a third series to be commissioned. Guide
The Jonathan Ross Show The Jonathan Ross Show
Saturday, ITV, 10:30pm

This week Jonathan welcomes Strictly Come Dancing's Darcey Bussell; comedian Jack Whitehall; star of Whiplash and Fantastic Four, Miles Teller; award-winning comedian Alan Carr; and chart-topping band Years and Years who give a live performance in the studio. Guide

For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.
New Shop Products
The Complete Up The Elephant And Round The Castle The Complete Up The Elephant And Round The Castle

OUT NOW. Comedian Jim Davidson consolidated his phenomenal rise to fame with this hit early-80s sitcom from Thames TV, starring as a happy-go-lucky Cockney who inherits a house but finds owning his own 'castle' brings its own set of problems. Written by Spike Mullins, his co-stars over 3 series are John Bardon, Anita Dobson, Sue Nicholls and others, plus a range of great guests. Details
Only Fools And Horses - The Peckham Archives Only Fools And Horses - The Peckham Archives

PRE-ORDER. A brand new collection of documents relating to the smash hit sitcom and its characters. As well as extracts of scripts from John Sullivan's personal files, the book includes the Trotters' family tree, paperwork from Rodney's school days, snapshots from family holidays, and even the first chapter draft of Rodney's novel. Details
The Renown Comedy Collection - Volume One The Renown Comedy Collection - Volume One

OUT NOW. Collection of ten British comedy films, starring the likes of Bob Monkhouse, Peggy Mount and David Kossoff, Brian Rix, William Hartnell, Norman Evans, David Tomlinson, with direction from the likes of Val Guest. Titles include Dentist In The Chair, Inn For Trouble, Demobbed, And The Same To You, and Two On The Tiles. Details
Scottish Mussel Scottish Mussel

PRE-ORDER. 2015 romantic comedy set in the Scottish Highlands, with Martin Compston, Talulah Riley, Joe Thomas, Rufus Hound, Russell Kane and Harry Enfield. Glaswegian chance Ritchie hopes to make his fortune as an illegal pearl fisher, but his intentions change when he meets and falls for a beautiful English conservationist. Details
Tony Robinson - No Cunning Plan: My Story Tony Robinson - No Cunning Plan: My Story

OUT NOW. Blackadder. Maid Marian. Time Team. In this brand new autobiography, Sir Tony Robinson reveals how a boy from South Woodford went from child stardom in the first stage production of Oliver! to comedy icon Baldrick, and archaeology and history TV icon. Details

For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy Videos
Part 1 Trigger Happy

Dom Joly is back with a new series of Trigger Happy TV... but now as an online show. There's some inventive new prank ideas here... like a street full of jack in the box wheelie bins. Watch
Part 1 Tales Of The Serengeti

A new animated comedy series by Ralph Kidson, published via BBC Three's YouTube channel. It follows the story of some animals tried to hide the fact they've killed some hunters. It may initially look cute, the very strong language means it's for adults only. Watch
Heston Blumenthal cooks humans Heston Blumenthal cooks humans

It was only a matter of time... Heston has gone mad and is now making a dish out of the great British public. This is a great mash-up of clips edited together by CopeandDalton. Watch
Dial a Punch Dial a Punch

A documentary about an agency that helps people let out their anger by being a personal punch bag for them. Watch
Stakeout Stakeout

Detectives McGuffen & McGiffin are on the hunt for the elusive Steve's Gang in this short film from Broken Toaster. Watch
Shirley Ghostman versus Derek Acorah Shirley Ghostman versus Derek Acorah

This below video shows the moment that Marc Wootton, in character as 'psychic' Shirley Ghostman, invaded the stage during a Derek Acorah show. The stunt resulted in him being lead away by the police. Watch
Series 4 trailer Drifters - Series 4 trailer

Series 4 of Drifters starts on TV next Monday. Here's the trailer: Watch
Russell Howard & Mum: US Road Trip Russell Howard & Mum: US Road Trip

The trailer for Russell Howard's new TV show. In the six-part series he goes on an eye-opening trip around the USA with his mum. It starts on Comedy Central on Wednesday 19th October. Watch
Yonderland Series 3 trailer Yonderland - Series 3 trailer

The fantastical world of Yonderland is in grave danger - but there is hope! A prophesy speaks of a chosen one: an ordinary mum, named Debbie. The new series starts on the 16th October. Watch
All the movie references Spaced - All the movie references

Homage, pastiche, tributes, call them what you will, you can check out of all Edgar Wright's best movie references in Spaced and celebrate the show's 17th anniversary! Watch
Guide Spotlight
Guide Spotlight Not Now, Comrade

Leslie Phillips, Roy Kinnear, Windsor Davies, Don Estelle, Michele Dotrice and June Whitfield lead the all-star cast in this 1976 farce written and co-directed by stage legend Ray Cooney. Amidst the height of the Cold War, a visiting star Russian ballet dancer escapes his minders and intends to defect to the West. Catch it on TV at 9:50pm tonight, or order the DVD. Guide
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