Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 11th December 2017 |
Snow is in the air, so perhaps unsurprising that this newsletter contains some festive treats. |
Latest Comedy News |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Late Night Gimp Fight interview
The increasingly inventive sketch quintet get festive at Soho Theatre - but can they also banish the January blues? Read |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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TV Listings |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
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Comedy Videos |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Harassment, Actually
A sketch about the popular art of street "catcalling", but in this case the gender roles are reversed. Watch |
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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 |
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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 |
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An open relationship
A documentary crew follows the lives of Zack & Marie as they explore the world of polyamory. Watch |
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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 |
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Guide Spotlight |
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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 |
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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.
British Comedy Guide
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