British Comedy Guide Newsletter
Weekly Newsletter Monday 16th October 2017
We open with some sad news this week.
Latest Comedy News
Sean Hughes dies aged 51 Sean Hughes dies aged 51

Stand-up comedian, sitcom star, and Never Mind The Buzzcocks team captain Sean Hughes has died in hospital aged 51. Read
Colin Morgan to star in Simon Amstell's film Colin Morgan to star in Simon Amstell's film

Merlin actor Colin Morgan will star in Benjamin, a new film written and directed by Simon Amstell. Read
Micky Flanagan presented with key to The O2 Micky Flanagan presented with key to The O2

Micky Flanagan has been presented with a key to The O2, after reaching the milestone of 21 performances at the London arena venue. Read
Comedy Central to pilot new show Game Junkies Comedy Central to pilot new show Game Junkies

Comedy Central is to pilot Game Junkies, a comedy entertainment show fronted by Rick Edwards, Vick Hope and Phil Wang. Read
BBC iPlayer publishes Fright Shorts BBC iPlayer publishes Fright Shorts

Six five-minute comedies from Northern Irish comedy writers have been published on BBC iPlayer under a strand called Fright Shorts. Read
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy to return in 2018 The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy to return in 2018

Radio 4 has confirmed classic radio show The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy is to return in 2018 with a new series, The Hexagonal Phase. Read
CITV orders animated series The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud CITV orders animated series The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud

CITV is to broadcast The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud, an animated series about a disaster-prone boy. Johnny Vegas and Gina Yashere are amongst the voice actors. Read
Matt Berry films 1880s police sitcom Matt Berry films 1880s police sitcom

No news yet on any Toast Of London Series 4, but in the meantime Matt Berry is filming a sitcom pilot set around the police force in the 1880s. Read
Insert Name Here to return for third series Insert Name Here to return for third series

Sue Perkins will return with Josh Widdicombe and Richard Osman to host Series 3 of cult-hit panel show Insert Name Here. Read
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Features
Sandi Toksvig interview Sandi Toksvig interview

Sandi Toksvig talks about hosting QI, and shares some of her favourite facts from the new series, which starts on TV this Friday. Read
David Schneider interview David Schneider interview

We catch up with David Schneider to find out about his various current projects. He talks about co-writing new film The Death Of Stalin; directing the sitcom Josh; how his topical comedy podcast lets him vent; and more. Read
First Gig, Worst Gig: Kerry Godliman First Gig, Worst Gig: Kerry Godliman

Sitcom semi-royalty Kerry Godliman is back on the road, so we roam through her stand-up history. Read
Dawn French - 60th birthday portrait Dawn French - 60th birthday portrait

See the photo portrait of Dawn French taken by Trevor Leighton to mark her 60th birthday. View
Rogue Pun: Sooz Kempner and the Cat from Aliens Rogue Pun: Sooz Kempner and the Cat from Aliens

Sooz Kempner might have all the talents - singing, acting, animal-wrangling - but will she always be in the shadow of the family cat? Read
Podcasts Podcasts

Ed Byrne is the latest guest on RHLSTP; meanwhile Sitcom Geeks has a fascinating chat with Bad Move co-writer Pete Sinclair about the issues around making studio audience sitcoms. Listen
TV Listings
Josh Josh
Monday, BBC Three; Friday, BBC One, 11:25pm

The sitcom continues. The latest episode on iPlayer now sees Kate's friend make her godmother to a bawling baby boy, only to exploit her for free childcare. Guide
Upstart Crow Upstart Crow
Monday, BBC Two, 8:30pm

Will has finished Romeo and Juliet but now there's competition over who will play Juliet. Kate feels the part should be hers. If only lady-acting weren't against the law. Guide
Joel & Nish Vs The World Joel & Nish Vs The World
Monday, Comedy Central, 9pm

This week Joel Dommett and Nish Kumar are in Brazil where, under Nish's watchful eye, Joel trains with the 'Xavante' and takes part in a punishing relay race like no other. Guide
W1A W1A
Monday, BBC Two, 10pm

The renewal group has to respond to rumours that Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman is about to leave the BBC. Guide
Timewasters Timewasters
Monday, ITV2, 10pm

Nigel Planer guest stars in this new sitcom as Victoria's long-suffering butler. It turns out that Langley once had hopes of being an opera singer. Guide
Your Face Or Mine Your Face Or Mine
Wednesday, Comedy Central, 8pm

Dion and Travis are the couple of the show this week. As you can see from the preview clips on our site, they have some brutal decisions to make! Guide
Bad Move Bad Move
Wednesday, ITV, 8pm

Nicky and Steve are still missing the hustle and bustle of the city. They fantasise about all the exciting things they could be getting up to if they still lived in Leeds. Guide
Doc Martin Doc Martin
Wednesday, ITV, 9pm

It's a sort-of reunion in this week's episode of the comedy drama, as Caroline Quentin joins Martin Clunes on screen again as Portwenn's vet Angela. Meanwhile Mrs Tishell seems to be having a delayed onset of mourning. Guide
Stella Stella
Wednesday, Sky One, 9pm

It's the last ever episode of the comedy drama written by and starring Ruth Jones. Stella's graduation day arrives - how will it all end? Guide
Taskmaster Taskmaster
Wednesday, Dave, 9pm

With just three shows left, the five comics continue their quest to win a golden likeness of Greg's imperial skull. Greg has a heart to heart with Nish Kumar this week, who is still amusingly struggling. Guide
Stand Up Central Stand Up Central
Wednesday, Comedy Central, 10pm

Chris Ramsey performs more stand-up, and introduces two guests. Tonight he's joined by the youthful Tom Lucy and fiercely intelligent Nish Kumar. Guide
Red Dwarf Red Dwarf
Thursday, Dave, 9pm

The Dwarfers are arrested by the Mechanoid Intergalactic Liberation Front. Lister, Cat and Rimmer are uploaded into Mechanic bodies and forced into servitude while Kryten is given a new life of pampering and luxury. Guide
A League Of Their Own A League Of Their Own
Thursday, Sky One, 9pm

Sir Bradley Wiggins, Jimmy Carr and Sara Cox are the guests in a packed episode that features a synchronised diving challenge, a trip to the velodrome with a difference, and Mini Motors. Guide
John Bishop In Conversation With... John Bishop In Conversation With...
Thursday, W, 9pm

In an in-depth interview, John Cleese discusses his early success as a writer and performer on The Frost Report, being a founding member of Monty Python and star and co-writer of the comedy classic Fawlty Towers. Guide
GameFace GameFace
Thursday, E4, 9:30pm

Roisin Conaty's acclaimed new comedy continues. Marcella's wayward brother, Billy, is coming out of rehab and it isn't long before their sibling squabbles start up again. Guide
Zapped Zapped
Thursday, Dave, 9:40pm

Another episode of Dave's fantasy sitcom. Keen to protect himself from further harm, Brian takes a crash course in magic from Howell. Guide
Celebrity Juice Celebrity Juice
Thursday, ITV2, 10pm

Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli takes on Fearne Cotton as guest team captain, while other guests on the panel include The Chase's Mark Labbett and Anne Hegerty, and Geordie comedian Chris Ramsey. Guide
The Russell Howard Hour The Russell Howard Hour
Thursday, Sky One, 10pm

Russell Howard presents another hour of topical comedy, mixing some silly stories with more serious points that he wants to make. Plus, more views from those kids around the world he's been chatting to. Guide
Have I Got News For You Have I Got News For You
Friday, BBC One, 9pm

Ian Hislop and Paul Merton are joined by guest host Martin Clunes and panellists Jon Richardson and Kirsty Wark this Friday. Guide
Cold Feet Cold Feet
Friday, ITV, 9pm

When a threat is made towards David's daughters, he takes matters into his own hands. Although in no position to do so, Adam offers Pete some relationship advice - with disastrous consequences. Guide
Porridge Porridge
Friday, BBC One, 9:30pm

Fletch gets on the wrong aide of a mysterious new inmate. And to make matters worse he gets a present he wasn't expecting - he's inherited Scudds as a minder. Guide
QI QI
Friday, BBC Two, 10pm

In the first episode of the 'O' series, Sandi Toksvig sets out in search of 'Ologies' and 'Odoxies' - and finds out how an amusement arcade helped to win the Cold War. With Bill Bailey, Phill Jupitus and Claudia Winkleman. Guide
The Last Leg The Last Leg
Friday, Channel 4, 10pm

This week's guest booking isn't the most obvious one - Kasabian, the Leicester-formed rock band, are set to join the trio to try to make sense of the world. Guide
The Graham Norton Show The Graham Norton Show
Friday, BBC One, 10:35pm

A huge booking for Graham Norton this week - it could be a tricky interview though: Hillary Clinton will be joining him to discuss last year's US Presidential election. Also: Jeff Goldblum, Gerard Butler, Jack Whitehall, and music from Gregory Porter. Guide
The Jonathan Ross Show The Jonathan Ross Show
Saturday, ITV, 10:20pm

Ed Sheeran, Gordon Ramsay, and Rita Ora are set to appear with Jonathan Ross on ITV on Saturday. Guide
James And Jupp James And Jupp
Sunday, BBC Two Wales, 7pm

A brand new comic travelogue in which Elis James shows Miles Jupp around Wales. In this first episode, the pair attempt to photograph red kites. Those not in Wales will be able to see the show on BBC iPlayer. Guide

For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.
New Shop Products
Red Dwarf XII Red Dwarf XII Blu-ray & DVD

PRE-ORDER. The cult hit sitcom has just begun its twelfth series over on Dave, and now the DVD and Blu-ray editions of the series are available to order. An absolute must-own for fans throughout the land, and indeed across the globe, they pack in all 6 episodes from the current series as well as a traditionally hearty selection of extras. Details
The Rag Trade - Series 1 & 2 W1A - The Complete Series 3 DVD

OUT NOW. The final series of the sitcom is out on DVD today. Ian and the team are tackling the BBC's Charter Renewal, reacting to the new mission statement of doing More Of Less, which Head of Output Anna Rampton describes as being about "putting what we do best front and centre and identifying better ways of doing less of it more". The last episode is on TV next week. Details
Abi Smith - Russell Howard: Good News, Bad News Abi Smith - Russell Howard: Good News, Bad News Paperback

PRE-ORDER. Good news, Russell Howard fans! It's time to take a butcher's into the mad, rib-tickling, insane yet lovable world of the one of the UK's favourite comedians. Abi Smith finds out all about the Bristolian comic in this new and unofficial biography. Details
Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar Hardback & eBook

PRE-ORDER. Alexei Sayle has been telling people he runs a sandwich bar on Gray's Inn Road that doesn't exist since the mid-1970s. From behind this imaginary counter Alexei dispenses wisdom and focaccia as he explores his love of pretending, reveals why he disappeared from TV screens in the 1990s, lobbies for eleven-hour long episodes of Newsnight and discusses rampant nepotism. Details
Eat Locals Eat Locals Blu-ray & DVD

PRE-ORDER. Vampires with machine guns - what's not to love? Sebastian Crockett is in for the ride of his life when his night of desire with sexy, alluring cougar Vanessa turns into a fight for survival when she introduces him to some of her friends - a coven of hungry vampires - at a remote farmhouse. A heavily armed band of mercenary vampire hunters soon crashes the party! Details
Michael Whitehall - Backing Into The Spotlight Michael Whitehall - Backing Into The Spotlight Hardback & eBook

PRE-ORDER. Theatrical agent Michael Whitehall spent a career pushing others into the spotlight. Then, much to his surprise, his son Jack became a stand-up comedy star, and decided that his father, in his early 70s, should become his comedy partner and foil. This is Michael's biography, reflecting on his original and resurgent careers. Details

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

Trigger Happy is back for a new series today. Watch the episodes on All 4. New characters include the 'human troll', who is on the streets looking for nice things to ruin. Clip
Trailer The End Of The F***ing World - Trailer

The trailer for this very dark new comedy drama, which will premiere on Channel 4 soon. It follows the story of potential serial-killer school kid James and oddball friend Alyssa, who go on a journey together. Watch
That Mate Who Always Steals Your Things That Mate Who Always Steals Your Things

The difficulties of living with a flatmate who has sticky fingers is examined in this sketch. Watch
Counsel House Counsel House

Letting go of suppressed feelings doesn't always happen at the most appropriate of times. Watch
Pling Plong Rumpus Shorts - Pling Plong

A hypnotic animation from Aardman's new YouTube channel. A carefully timed game of Electro Ping Pong is ruined by a rhythmless Trumpet thing. Watch
Exclusive outtake: Mark Watson's extended text messages Taskmaster - Exclusive outtake: Mark Watson's text messages

If you've been watching Taskmaster you'll know Mark Watson wasted 5 months of his life sending Greg Davies a text message every day for no points. In this video, Alex reads out more of the messages. Watch
Adonis and Aphrodite Adonis and Aphrodite

A short film featuring a monologue from one character. It turns out accepting an invitation to a barbecue has turned this woman's life upside down... forever. Watch
Embarrassment The Party - Embarrassment

A clip from The Party, the comedy film from Sally Potter which is in cinemas now. In this scene the characters discuss embarrassment. Watch
Trailer Bounty Hunters - Trailer

Jack Whitehall and Rosie Perez are on the run in new Sky show Bounty Hunters. It starts on Wednesday 25th, and here's a first look. Watch
A Little Chewie A Little Chewie

Chewbacca from Star Wars as you have never seen him before. Watch
Episode Two The Fear - Episode Two

Here he is again to ruin your Sunday. Surprise! The Fear is here. Watch
You Took My Stuff You Took My Stuff

A comic song from Rich Keeble & The More Accomplished Musicians which will resonate with anyone who works in an office. The language in this makes it not suitable to watch at your desk though. Watch
First session Nina Conti, In Therapy

Impressionist Nina Conti has uploaded a five-part web series in which she improvises various therapy sessions. There's some very funny moments in this. Watch
Peach Club Peach Club

Most weeks we have a rather surreal sketch in our newsletter - this is definitely this week's oddball pick. It's everything you need to know about the Boatswain Peach. Watch
Guide Spotlight
Guide Spotlight Threesome

Marking its sixth anniversary this week, Comedy Central's very funny but criminally short-lived sitcom Threesome, about a trio of friends - Alice, her boyfriend Mitch, and their gay best friend, Richie - who are forced to give up their debauched young London lifestyle and raise a baby together when Alice falls pregnant. Both series are available to buy to download, and Series 1 is also out on DVD. Guide
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