Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 24th April 2017 |
Taskmaster has become an international hit format. Alongside all the other news and features below, you'll find details of a new USA version, and interviews with the stars taking part in Series 4 of the UK version. |
Latest Comedy News |
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E4 & Netflix order The End Of The F***ing World
Filming has begun on a "darkly comic road trip tale" for E4 and Netflix. Based on a graphic novel, The End Of The F***ing World follows a psychopathic teenager and his female friend as they search for the father she has never met. Read |
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Mum writer Stefan Golaszewski wins BAFTA Award
Stefan Golaszewski, the writer of BBC Two sitcom Mum, has won the BAFTA Craft award for Comedy Writing. You can see his speech and host Stephen Mangan's comic monologue here. Read |
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Susan Calman and Stephen K Amos to present LGBTQ documentary
Comedians Susan Calman and Stephen K Amos are to present BBC Four documentary series Prejudice And Pride: The People's History Of LGBTQ Britain. Read |
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HBO to make Spitting Image series
American network HBO is reportedly set to make a new version of satirical puppet show Spitting Image. Read |
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League Of Gentlemen anniversary special confirmed
Mark Gatiss has confirmed that The League Of Gentlemen will be reuniting for an anniversary special of their TV series. Read |
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Julian Clary, Nigel Havers & Paul Zerdin return to Palladium panto
Julian Clary, Nigel Havers and Paul Zerdin will return to the London Palladium for a second year of pantomime this Christmas, in an all-star production of Dick Whittington. Read |
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Ross Noble and Lesley Joseph to star in Young Frankenstein
Ross Noble, Lesley Joseph and Hadley Fraser will star in a new musical stage adaptation of Mel Brooks comedy Young Frankenstein. Read |
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Ben Elton to deliver The Ronnie Barker Talk on BBC One
BBC One has announced that Ben Elton will deliver the inaugural The Ronnie Barker Talk, a lecture on a comedy related theme. Read |
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Andy Hamilton to launch audio show about Donald Trump
Comedy writer Andy Hamilton is seeking funding for Inside Donald Trump, a new three-part audio documentary series about the US president. Stars will include Michael Buerk, Hugh Dennis, Ronni Ancona, Claire Skinner and Jimmy Mulville. Read |
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Radio 4 to broadcast John Cleese Presents
Radio 4 is to broadcast John Cleese Presents, a series which features extracts from the Fawlty Towers star's autobiography alongside new material. Read |
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Channel Dave orders hospital sitcom Porters
Channel Dave has ordered Porters, a comedy about "the unseen life of a modern hospital". Ed Easton, Susan Wokoma and Claudia Jessie will star. Read |
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Comedy Central USA buys Taskmaster format
Comedy Central is to make its own version of Taskmaster in America, the challenge show involving comedians. Reggie Watts will host, with creator Alex Horne reprising his role as the assistant. Read |
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Advert |
The smallest city in England hosts a BIG weekend of comedy. The Wells Comedy Festival in association with Brothers Cider is bringing some of the country's finest comedians to the heart of Somerset for one jam-packed weekend, May 26-28. Acts include Stewart Lee, Milton Jones, Bridget Christie, Sara Pascoe, James Acaster, Joe Lycett, Richard Herring, Kieran Hodgson and many more. wellscomfest.com |
Features |
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Ring of Fire: Do weddings and stand-ups mix?
With his own nuptials on the horizon, Si Hawkins looks at the often painful clashes between weddings, stags, hens, and stand-up comedians. Read |
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Want to be an Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2017 judge?
The Edinburgh Comedy Awards are looking for comedy fans to join their judging panel this August. This article contains details on what is involved and how to apply. Read |
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Taskmaster interviews
Taskmaster regulars Greg Davies and Alex Horne talk about returning for another series of the hit format. We also hear from contestants Lolly Adefope, Hugh Dennis, Noel Fielding, Mel Giedroyc and Joe Lycett. Read |
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Win The Goose Steps Out on Blu-ray
Win Will Hay's WWII comedy The Goose Steps Out on Blu-ray. Fully restored and full and uncut for the first time, this is a laugh-out-loud example of wartime, morale-raising British cinema. Enter |
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Meet the Hospital People staff
Hospital People characters Susan Mitchell, Ivan Brackenbury, Ian D Montfort and Father Kenny talk about their jobs at Brimlington Hospital. Read |
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The top 20 British comedy insults
A poll has revealed the most popular put downs in British TV comedies. Mrs Merton, Basil Fawlty and Del Boy are amongst those featured. Read |
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Podcasts
It's the British Podcast Awards on Saturday, and Richard Herring's Leciester Square Theatre Podcast and Do The Right Thing are in the running in the comedy category. You can hear all the episodes from those shows, and many other funny formats, on our site. Listen |
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TV Listings |
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Micky Flanagan Thinking Aloud Monday, Sky 1, 9pm
In the second episode of his new show, Micky Flanagan explores snobbery and the British obsession with class as he tries to understand where he fits into the social strata. Guide |
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8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown Monday, Channel 4, 10pm
The panel show mash-up is back. It's Jon Richardson and James Acaster versus Lee Mack and Sarah Millican this week, with John Cooper Clarke in Dictionary Corner. Guide |
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Don't Ask Me Ask Britain Tuesday, ITV, 8pm
Episode two of the new live broadcast comedy panel show, linked up to viewers at home to vote on the answers via a mobile phone app. Alexander Armstrong and team captains Frank Skinner and Jonathan Ross are joined by guests. Guide |
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Taskmaster Tuesday, Dave, 9pm
Taskmaster is back for a fourth series. The first episode sees Hugh Dennis, Joe Lycett, Lolly Adefope, Mel Giedroyc and Noel Fielding aim to be the best in painting a model they can't see, fell a load of rubber ducks and beautifully destroy a cake. Guide |
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Car Share Tuesday, BBC One, 9pm
Episode 3 of the latest series sees the characters driving somewhere different for once. Kayleigh has had enough of work and fancies a day off, so they head to a safari park. Guide |
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Our Friend Victoria Tuesday, BBC One, 9:30pm
Michael Ball presents the third installment of this tribute series to Victoria Wood, which looks at her refreshingly candid views on relationships and her unique ability to say what we were all thinking when it came to getting it or not getting it. Guide |
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Murder In Successville Wednesday, BBC Three
The hit format continues on BBC Three (and BBC One on Saturday). This one is set in Victorian times. Martin Kemp is tasked with solving the very first murder in Successville. Rita Ora has been found slayed in an alley. Guide |
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Tonight At The London Palladium Wednesday, ITV, 8pm
Tonight's bill sees the cast of hit musical Half A Sixpence, music from James Blunt, Louisa Johnson, and Grammy and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson, comedy from Adam Hess, the hair-raising sword skills of Samurai Hayashi. Guide |
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Benidorm Wednesday, ITV, 9pm
Only Fools And Horses star John Challis returns this week: what's Monty planning this time? There's a preview clip in our guide. Meanwhile suspicion surrounds Malcolm's identity and Kenneth is intent on an exposé. Guide |
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Drunk History Wednesday, Comedy Central, 10pm
Ashley Walters and Mark Benton star in Judi Love's mortal tale of Charles I's downfall. Miles Jupp takes on Operation Mincemeat with Jack Howard and Dean Dobbs as the WW2 heroes. See our Guide for an interview with Judi. Guide |
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Celebrity Juice Thursday, ITV2, 10pm
This week's show is dubbed a couples special. Joining the panel alongside show regular Gino D'Acampo are TV psychologists Nik and Eva Speakman and Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley. Guide |
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Bucket Thursday, BBC Four, 10pm
Episode 3 of the new road-trip sitcom. It's off to the home of cousin Pat again, this time the night before her daughter Gemma's wedding. Guide |
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The Trip Thursday, Sky Atlantic, 10:05pm
Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are still having a look around Spain. This time they take in the historic cathedral city of Siguenza. You can find a full guide on our website. Guide |
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Carters Get Rich
Friday, Sky 1, 8pm & Sunday, Sky 1, 8:30pm
Concerned that Harry needs a break from technology, Tony signs the two of them up to the Wildboys' Wilderness Survival Group. The final episode is on Sky on Sunday. Guide |
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Have I Got News For You Friday, BBC One, 9pm
This week Paul Merton and Ian Hislop are joined by guest host Kirsty Young and guest panellists Jon Richardson and Robert Peston. Expect to hear the word 'election' a lot. Guide |
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Comedy Bigmouths Friday, My5, 11pm
Ian Stone is joined by guest Clive Anderson and guests for the fifth episode of this topical comedy show, which discusses what is going on in the world. Guide |
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Hospital People Friday, BBC One, 9:30pm
There has been an intruder at Brimlington Hospital. Head of Hospital Security, Hillary (Car Share's Sian Gibson), is given a briefing from manager Susan Mitchell, to up security - at no expense spared. Guide |
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Sarah Millican: Outsider Friday, Channel 4, 10pm
Channel 4 plays out a TV broadcast of Sarah Millican's 2016 stand-up show this Friday. This is a TV edit of the DVD you might already own. Guide |
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The Graham Norton Show Friday, BBC One, 10:35pm
With Goldie Hawn and Amy Schumer promoting action comedy Snatched; and Star Wars star John Boyega, appearing in a play in London. Pirates of the Caribbean star Orlando Bloom appears too. Meanwhile Lucie Jones performs the UK's Eurovision entry. Guide |
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All Round To Mrs Brown's Saturday, BBC One, 9:20pm
In the final episode of the series, Agnes and the family are joined by West End legend Michael Ball, actress Sunetra Sarker and ghost hunter Yvette Fielding. The Vamps play out the series in Foley's bar. Guide |
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The Story Of Miranda Hart
Bank Holiday Monday 1st, Channel 5, 9pm
Fans of Miranda Hart will enjoy this documentary on Bank Holiday Monday, which looks back at her career, starting with her performances before she was famous. Guide |
For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule. |
New Shop Products |
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The Complete QI A To D and E To G
PRE-ORDER. Over two brand new box sets, the complete first seven series of QI will be released on DVD on 8th May. Alongside every single episode from those series - complete and uncut - are a host of special extras, including behind-the-scenes footage; unbroadcast out-takes; interviews; documentary and more. 19 discs of quite interesting goodness to enjoy. Details
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Rentaghost - Series 1 & 2
OUT NOW. A bundle of the complete first two series of childrens' comedy classic Rentaghost, about an agency that supplies ghosts. Details
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The Goose Steps Out - 75th Anniversary Edition
PRE-ORDER. Will Hay stars as an English schoolteacher who is found to be the double of a notorious German spy and sent deep into Nazi territory, tasked with bringing back vital information about a new bomb. Whilst there, he infiltrates a Hitler Youth college. Charles Hawtrey and Peter Ustinov co-star. With extras, this new version is restored, uncut, and available on DVD and Blu-ray. Details
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Sykes - The Complete Series
PRE-ORDER. Comedy genius Eric Sykes stars alongside Hattie Jacques, Richard Wattis and Deryck Guyler in the complete run of this classic BBC series. Sharing a house with his twin sister, Hat, Eric has to suffer the slings and arrows of everyday life - something he invariably does with bad grace and obstinacy. An absolute sitcom gem, we can't wait to get our hands on this set. Details
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Round The Horne Compendium
PRE-ORDER. An exclusive collection of restored episodes and archive rarities from the fondly remembered BBC radio comedy series starring Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee. Details
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ChuckleVision - The Complete Third Series
OUT NOW. The Chuckle Brothers are back in the third series of their long-running, hit childrens' comedy - this, the first to follow the daft sitcom format that 1990s kids grew to know and love. All 13 episodes are included, as first broadcast during Winter 1989-90. Details
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For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon. Signed up for our Shop Newsletter? |
Comedy Videos |
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No Filter - Relationship Goals
A funny sketch starring comedian London Hughes. Her boyfriend is trying to break up with her... Watch |
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Why Guys Do Yoga
Why do men go to yoga? The answer revealed by this sketch may not surprise you. Watch |
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Climaxed
Six episodes of this comedy, which focuses on characters after they've just 'done it', are now online to watch. Each episode is quite, er, quick. Watch |
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Skankee Candles
Life not what it used to be? Fear not, the candles advertised here are the answer. Having watched this 'advert' we are now trying to work out where to buy them from. Watch |
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White Gold - Teaser Trailer
White Gold is a new sitcom about double glazing salesmen, coming soon to BBC Two. Here's the first look: Watch |
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Making Babies
Don't go in the study, you'll get pregnant! That's the message of this funny sketch. Watch |
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Glastonbury Tickets
One of the hardest endeavours known to mankind: purchasing Glastonbury tickets. We guarantee you'll not guess how this sketch ends though. Watch |
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Your Face Or Mine - Trailer
A brief trailer to introduce the new series of Your Face Or Mine, with Katherine Ryan and Jimmy Carr. It's coming soon to Comedy Central. Watch |
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Big Field - Pointless
This episode of the BBC Three sketch show hijacks the sound of TV quiz show Pointless to create a surreal vision where Alexander Armstrong encounters a strange group of contestants in a field. Watch |
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Chicago Rice - Never Have I Ever
Getting information can be a struggle for these downtown cops, but they've got their methods and they'll be damned if it's by the book. Watch |
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Loaded - Trailer
Loaded - starring Jim Howick, Samuel Anderson, Jonny Sweet and Nick Helm - is coming soon to Channel 4. Here's the trailer. Watch |
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Guide Spotlight |
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...And Mother Makes Three
Including sequel ...And Mother Makes Five, this Wendy Craig sitcom was a big hit for ITV during the first half of the 1970s, clocking up an impressive 8 series. It follows widow Sally Harrison and her two sons attempting to get by as best they can, before she later meets - and marries - widower David, who brings his own daughter, making the family a group of five. Thursday marks the show's 46th anniversary, and the entire collection is available now on DVD. Guide |
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Thanks for Reading |
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