British Comedy Guide Newsletter
Weekly Newsletter Monday 11th December 2017
Snow is in the air, so perhaps unsurprising that this newsletter contains some festive treats.
Latest Comedy News
ITV to broadcast panel show about the Royal Family ITV to broadcast panel show about the Royal Family

ITV is to broadcast A Right Royal Quiz, a TV format described as "Britain's first ever panel show about the Royal Family". Read
Comedians support Komedia Bath's Community Ownership plan Comedians support Komedia Bath's Community Ownership plan

The Komedia venue in Bath is attempting to secure its future by raising funding via a Community Ownership campaign. Various comedians - including Nick Helm, Katherine Ryan and Mel Giedroyc - have filmed videos to support the plan. Read
Sky Arts reveals Christmas Comedy Shorts 2017 Sky Arts reveals Christmas Comedy Shorts 2017

Sky Arts is to broadcast three festive shorts this December. Stars involved include James Acaster, Humza Arshad and Vicky McClure. Read
Dom Joly accuses YouTube star Remi Gaillard of copying his ideas Dom Joly accuses YouTube star Remi Gaillard of copying his ideas

Trigger Happy TV creator Dom Joly has accused French YouTube star RĂ©mi Gaillard of copying his prank ideas. Read
Frankie Boyle's New World Order returns to look back at 2017 Frankie Boyle's New World Order returns to look back at 2017

Frankie Boyle's New World Order will return to BBC Two this December for a festive special that will "attempt to make mincemeat of the last 12 months". Read
Michael Palin's career to be celebrated in BBC Two special Michael Palin's career to be celebrated in BBC Two special

BBC Two, in collaboration with BAFTA, are to celebrate the life and career of Michael Palin in an hour-long television special. Read
Britain's Hardest Working Comedians of 2017 announced Britain's Hardest Working Comedians of 2017 announced

Gary Delaney has been announced as Britain's Hardest Working Comedian of 2017, in data analysed by website Ents24. The full top 20 is in this story. Read
Writers' Guild Awards 2018 shortlists Writers' Guild Awards 2018 shortlists

The shortlists for the Writers' Guild Of Great Britain Awards 2018 have been announced. Nominees include the writers of This Country, Back, Inside No. 9 and Sarah Kendall, John Finnemore and Kevin Eldon. Read
Midlands Comedy Awards 2017 results Midlands Comedy Awards 2017 results

The results of the Midlands Comedy Awards 2017 have been announced. Rob Kemp took home three awards, whilst other winners included Joe Lycett, Barry Dodds and promoter Spiky Mike. Read
Advert
Advert

Late Night Gimp Fight - the washed-up boy band of sketch comedy - are back with their first new show in four years. Strap yourselves in for a blistering hour of mind-blowing nonsense at the Soho Theatre, 18th December to 6th January. Info & Tickets
Features
2018 Live Tours 2018 Live Tours

A list of the comedians set to travel around the UK in 2018 attempting to cheer people up. Why not book tickets now as something to look forward to, or as a nice present for a loved one this Christmas? View
Late Night Gimp Fight interview Late Night Gimp Fight interview

The increasingly inventive sketch quintet get festive at Soho Theatre - but can they also banish the January blues? Read
10 things you probably didn't know about Taskmaster 10 things you probably didn't know about Taskmaster

An article about the making of Taskmaster, featuring 10 things you probably didn't know about the show. e.g. what is Alex Horne's favourite task? Read
First Gig, Worst Gig: Dane Baptiste First Gig, Worst Gig: Dane Baptiste

The increasingly in-demand Baptiste drifts wistfully back to Brandy, Bill Burr, and a full list of weird gigs. Read
League Of Gentlemen interviews League Of Gentlemen interviews

Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith and Jeremy Dyson talk about returning to the world of Royston Vasey. Read

See also: Picture preview & trailer
Behind-the-scenes on Big Field Behind-the-scenes on Big Field

Some behind-the-scenes pictures from Series 3 of BBC Three's Big Field, alongside details about how the show is made, by writer and director Darren Dutton. Read
Christmas TV Comedy 2017 Christmas TV Comedy 2017

We've updated our guide to all the comedy specials on TV this Christmas to include broadcast dates and times. Read
Mark Gatiss podcast Mark Gatiss podcast

A very entertaining podcast interview in which The League Of Gentlemen star Mark Gatiss talks to Robert Ross about his career, as we launch Series 2 of the Museum Of Comedy Podcast. Listen
Podcasts More podcasts

The latest Sitcom Geeks episode discusses researchers who have been looking into the main types of comedy. Meanwhile Richard Herring chats to historian Greg Jenner; The Worst Writer In The World continues; and culture idiots Hayley and Ruth talk to a pantomime director. Listen
TV Listings
The Celebrity Voicemail Show The Celebrity Voicemail Show
Monday, BBC Three (online)

In a TV adaptation of his Radio 4 format, Kayvan Novak recreates voicemail messages left for celebrities. This pilot - which is now on iPlayer - is themed around Star Wars. Guide
Would I Lie To You? Would I Lie To You?
Monday, BBC One, 8:30pm

Susie Dent, Ore Oduba and Stacey Solomon are amongst the guests on this episode. Bob Mortimer is also back - fans of the show will know he has outlandish claims. Guide
Insert Name Here Insert Name Here
Monday, BBC Two, 10pm

Josh Widdicome is joined by Ed Gamble and historian Suzannah Lipscomb, and Richard Osman is joined by Katy Brand and the BBC's media editor Amol Rajan in the panel show hosted by Sue Perkins. Guide
Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish
Tuesday, Dave, 10pm

This week Dave Gorman ponders society's image obsession and investigates how far people will go for fame. Guide
Motherland Motherland
Tuesday, BBC Two, 10pm

In the last episode of the series Julia's childcare problems are solved after she finds the perfect Nanny, but her friendship with Liz is strained. Guide
Sick Note Sick Note
Tuesday, Sky One, 10pm

Officer Hayward is still on the prowl in this series finale, just a hair's breadth away from uncovering the truth. A second series has already been filmed for 2018. Guide
Your Face Or Mine Your Face Or Mine
Wednesday, Comedy Central, 8pm

Vicky and Akil are this week's loved up couple who are getting grilled by Jimmy Carr and Katherine Ryan. Guide
Taskmaster Taskmaster
Wednesday, Dave, 9pm

The first of two Champion of Champions specials. Josh Widdicombe, Katherine Ryan, Noel Fielding, Rob Beckett and Bob Mortimer are back to see who is the best of the best. Guide
Detectorists Detectorists
Wednesday, BBC Four, 10pm

"There's something about karma going on" is Lance's wise observation in this series finale. Watch out for an interview with Mackenzie Crook which will be on our site on Wednesday. We ask him if it's true this is the last series of the show. Guide
The Rebel The Rebel
Wednesday, Gold, 10pm

In this, the last episode in the current series, a burglary at Henry's house includes the theft of the Urn with Henry's late wife in. Fingers crossed for a third series in 2018. Guide
Scot Squad Scot Squad
Wednesday, BBC One Scotland, 10:40pm

Canine courage is officially recognised by the force when PC Leanne Hunter is summoned to meet the Chief. Meanwhile PC Ken Beattie finds himself duped by the offer of free hugs from a stranger. Guide
Ross Noble Off Road Ross Noble Off Road
Thursday, Dave, 8pm

As Ross Noble continues his quest to take on a tough motorbike challenge, the team reach breaking point as they discover what challenges this legendary event has hidden up its rather rocky sleeves. Guide
Tommy Cooper Forever Tommy Cooper Forever
Thursday & Friday, ITV3, 9pm

A new two-part documentary series that tells the story of Tommy Cooper's career, using previously unseen footage. Guide
Live At The Apollo Live At The Apollo
Thursday, BBC Two, 10pm

Rob Beckett is our host this week for the stand-up show, as he introduces rising comedy stars Jen Brister and Darren Harriott to the stage. Guide
Celebrity Juice Celebrity Juice
Thursday, ITV2, 10pm

The first Christmas special of the season. The regulars are joined by John Barrowman, Alex James, Denise Van Outen, Stacey Solomon and Ricky Wilson for some festive fun and games. Guide
The Russell Howard Hour The Russell Howard Hour
Thursday, Sky One, 10pm

This will be the thirteenth week in a row for this format, but it shows no signs of flagging - in fact, as you may have read in last week's newsletter, it's going so well a second series is already confirmed. Guide
Have I Got News For You Have I Got News For You
Friday, BBC One, 9pm

Paul Merton and Ian Hislop are joined by guest host David Tennant, as well as panellists Angela Rayner MP and Joe Wilkinson. Guide
QI QI
Friday, BBC Two, 10pm

If you've ever wondered how to turn a muffin into an offensive weapon, this is the show for you. With Bill Bailey, Rhod Gilbert and Katherine Ryan. Guide
The Last Leg The Last Leg
Friday, Channel 4, 10pm

Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe are set to be joined live in the studio this Friday by special guests including Jon Hamm. There's also some music this time, as Rag'n'Bone Man performs Human. Guide
The Graham Norton Show The Graham Norton Show
Friday, BBC One, 10:35pm

The stars of the hotly-anticipated Star Wars: The Last Jedi - Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill - join Graham this week. There's also music from Sam Smith, who performs Pray. Guide
Michael McIntyre's Big Show Michael McIntyre's Big Show
Saturday, BBC One, 9pm

Miranda Hart bravely gives Michael her phone in Celebrity Send To All this week. You can see a preview clip in our guide. There's music Niall Horan and a doctor is fooled into thinking he's in a grand hotel in the most ambitious Unexpected Star yet. Guide
Man Like Mobeen Man Like Mobeen
Sunday, BBC Three (online)

This new BBC Three sitcom written by and starring Guz Khan will be made available in full on BBC iPlayer as a box set on Sunday. Find out more about the show on the website. Guide
Born Silly Born Silly
Sunday, Channel 4, 4:50pm

The pilot episode of a new hidden camera show in which kids are pranked by their parents. This warm-hearted show is suitable to watch as a family. Guide

For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.
New Shop Products
Miles Jupp - Songs Of Freedom Miles Jupp - Songs Of Freedom DVD & download

OUT NOW. Astronauts. Regrets. The sexes. Rage. Medicine. Manners. Identity. Lost stuff. Other stuff. Comedian Miles Jupp hits the road in a freshly-ironed shirt and some robust trousers and tries to make some bloody sense of it all. Details
Beyond Our Ken - Series 4 Beyond Our Ken - Series 4 Volume 1 CD & audiobook

PRE-ORDER. The first half of Beyond Our Ken's Series 4, the madcap forerunner to Round The Horne. These 10 fantastic episodes, published for the first time on audio, were first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1960. Kenneths Horne and Williams star. Volume 2 will be out in July. Details
Bounty Hunters - Series 1 Bounty Hunters - Series 1 DVD

PRE-ORDER. Jack Whitehall, Rosie Perez, Robert Lindsay and Charity Wakefield star in Series 1 of the wonderful Bounty Hunters, a comedy adventure-thriller from Sky One. Ahead of Series 2 next year, catch up on the escapades of art history student and antiques' dealer's son Barnaby, and how his life descends into chaos and danger. Details
Dawn French - Me. You: A Diary Dawn French - Me. You: A Diary Hardback, ebook, CD & audiobook

PRE-ORDER. You may have seen Dawn French talking about this, her new book, on The Graham Norton Show on Friday night. Out now as hardback and ebook, and in audio formats at the end of January, the comedy star includes some reminscences and thoughts upon life, age, and ageing, along with plenty of blank space for the reader to make this book their very own. Details
Wodehouse Playhouse Wodehouse Playhouse DVD

PRE-ORDER. All the late 1970s BBC adaptations of P.G. Wodehouse's short stories, starring real life husband and wife actors, John Alderton and Pauline Collins. These much-loved TV adaptations will be released in this 6-disc box set in February, some 20 episodes in total. Details
Joel Dommett - It's Not Me, It's Them: Confessions of a hopeless modern romantic Joel Dommett - It's Not Me, It's Them Hardback, ebook & audiobook

PRE-ORDER. In his first book, stand-up comedian and 2016 I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! star Joel Dommett tells all about his misadventures in the search of love, in what is dubbed the "confessions of a hopeless modern romantic". The book includes teenage diary entries, disastrous tales of dating, and more. Details

For lots more book and DVD recommendations, see our Christmas Gift Guide
Comedy Videos
Trailer Russell Howard: Recalibrate - Trailer

Russell Howard's latest stand-up special will be published by Netflix next Tuesday, 19th December. See the trailer here. Watch
Pilot Caravan Of Love - Pilot

A mockumentary sitcom about a couple who love to go touring (or caravaning, as we'd call it). Well, at least one half of the couple loves it. Watch
Christmas Delivery Christmas Delivery

A man picks up a delivery for a neighbour in this sketch from internet star TomSka. Warning: This one is probably not safe to watch at work. Watch
Get Your Own Fun House Back Getting Back With Dave Benson Phillips

The full series of this online sitcom starring Get Your Own Back legend Dave Benson Phillips is now available to watch. Episode 5 - linked to here - guest stars another kids' TV legend, Pat Sharp. Watch
Harassment, Actually Harassment, Actually

A sketch about the popular art of street "catcalling", but in this case the gender roles are reversed. Watch
The One Show Big Field - The One Show

Series 3 of the surreal BBC Three format is here. In this episode of The One Show, Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn both appear, along with a special music appearance from Ed Sheeran. Watch
Romesh Ranganathan on James Corden's show Romesh Ranganathan on James Corden's show

James Corden welcomed Romesh Ranganathan to his US chat show last week. Here's a video of Romesh performing stand-up. Watch
An open relationship An open relationship

A documentary crew follows the lives of Zack & Marie as they explore the world of polyamory. Watch
Masterchef: The Professionals Masterchef: The Professionals

Masterchef: The Professionals is a TV show that focuses on the hunt for a young chef who wants to make it to the top of the culinary world. This show, by double act Next Best Thing, is not that. Watch
Guide Spotlight
Guide Spotlight Uncle

Starring Nick Helm and Elliot Speller-Gillott, the much-loved and critically acclaimed BBC Three sitcom Uncle concluded its third - and apparently final - series earlier this year. But do you remember that it started off as a pilot on Channel 4? That very first look at the relationship between Andy and his nephew, Errol, was broadcast 5 years ago. If you've missed out, the entire series is on DVD. Guide
Thanks for Reading
We can't fit everything into our newsletter - this is about 20% of what we publish. Do visit our web pages if you want more. For example, hidden amongst our content is an early look at the first episode of Inside No. 9 Series 4.

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