British Comedy Guide Newsletter
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
E4 & Netflix order The End Of The F***ing World 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
Mum writer Stefan Golaszewski wins BAFTA Award 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
Susan Calman and Stephen K Amos to present LGBTQ documentary 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
HBO to make Spitting Image series HBO to make Spitting Image series

American network HBO is reportedly set to make a new version of satirical puppet show Spitting Image. Read
League Of Gentlemen anniversary special confirmed 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
Julian Clary, Nigel Havers & Paul Zerdin return to Palladium panto 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
Ross Noble and Lesley Joseph to star in Young Frankenstein 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
Ben Elton to deliver The Ronnie Barker Talk on BBC One 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
Andy Hamilton to launch audio show about Donald Trump 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
Radio 4 to broadcast John Cleese Presents 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
Channel Dave orders hospital sitcom Porters 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
Comedy Central USA buys Taskmaster format 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
Advert
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
Ring of Fire: Do weddings and stand-ups mix? 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
Want to be an Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2017 judge? 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
Taskmaster interviews 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
Win The Goose Steps Out on Blu-ray 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
Meet the Hospital People staff 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
The top 20 British comedy insults 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
Podcasts 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
TV Listings
Micky Flanagan Thinking Aloud 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
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown 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
Don't Ask Me Ask Britain 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
Taskmaster 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
Car Share 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
Our Friend Victoria 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
Murder In Successville 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
Tonight At The London Palladium 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
Benidorm 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
Drunk History 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
Celebrity Juice 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
Bucket 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
The Trip 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
Carters Get Rich 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
Have I Got News For You 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
Comedy Bigmouths 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
Hospital People 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
Sarah Millican: Outsider 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
The Graham Norton Show 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
All Round To Mrs Brown's 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
Carters Get Rich 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
The Complete QI E To G 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
Rentaghost - Series 1 & 2 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
The Goose Steps Out - 75th Anniversary Edition 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
Sykes - The Complete Series 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
Round The Horne Compendium 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
ChuckleVision - The Complete Third Series 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

For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon. Signed up for our Shop Newsletter?
Comedy Videos
Relationship Goals No Filter - Relationship Goals

A funny sketch starring comedian London Hughes. Her boyfriend is trying to break up with her... Watch
Why Guys Do Yoga Why Guys Do Yoga

Why do men go to yoga? The answer revealed by this sketch may not surprise you. Watch
Quickies 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
Skankee Candles 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
Teaser Trailer 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
Making Babies Making Babies

Don't go in the study, you'll get pregnant! That's the message of this funny sketch. Watch
Glastonbury Tickets 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
Trailer 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
Pointless 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
Never Have I Ever 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
Trailer Loaded - Trailer

Loaded - starring Jim Howick, Samuel Anderson, Jonny Sweet and Nick Helm - is coming soon to Channel 4. Here's the trailer. Watch
Guide Spotlight
Guide Spotlight ...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
Thanks for Reading
Have you entered our competitions yet? We have various DVDs and Blu-rays to give away.

British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk

BCG on social media:
Twitter   Facebook   Instagram   Google+