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Kiri Pritchard-McLean to host Newsjack Kiri Pritchard-McLean has been announced as the new host of Newsjack, Radio 4 Extra's topical comedy show that has an open door submission policy. Read |
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Count Arthur Strong announces 2019 tour Count Arthur Strong will tour the UK in 2019 with astronomy themed show Is There Anybody Out There? Read |
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Midlands Comedy Awards 2018 winners Scott Bennett, Barry Dodds, Douglas Carter, The Glee Club and NCF Comedy were the winners at the Midlands Comedy Awards 2018. Read |
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Emily Atack announces stand-up tour Emily Atack is set to become a stand-up comedian. She will tour new show Talk Thirty To Me in April and May 2019. Read |
Stuck for what to read on Boxing Day? Enjoy this comedy ebook and be transported to the rural wilds of Dorset. The fun starts here! Multiple-time failed burglar and general laughing stock of the criminal underworld Sidney Johnson suddenly finds himself the unlikely heir to a large fortune courtesy of his late Mother. Can Sidney get his hands on the money despite his rivals - including the Merton gang from darkest Sidmouth, the Villagers of Swingle (or Swindle!) Matravers, and even the local vicar, plus a mysterious lady from New Scotland Yard armed with a shotgun - plotting against him? Lottery Mania is a tale of mystery intrigue and skulduggery as Sidney stumbles from one disaster to another trying to lay his hands on a fortune - before the time his Mother allotted to him in her letter to do so finally runs out.
Lottery Mania is available on: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple, Scribd, 24 Symbols and Playster
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The Queen And I interviews Samantha Bond, David Walliams and Frances Barber talk about the Royal Family in these interviews ahead of their Sky comedy drama, The Queen And I. Read |
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Click & Collect interviews The writers of festive comedy Click & Collect, plus stars Stephen Merchant and Asim Chaudhry, talk about the show and the challenges of buying good Christmas presents. Read |
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Sam Simmons interview The acclaimed Aussie brings karaoke quasi-carols to the Soho Theatre. Read |
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First Gig, Worst Gig: Robin Ince The cosmically shambolic Robin Ince is back with 9 Lessons, and a book, and some painful memories about crying in back alleys. Read |
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British Comedy Quiz #30 You'll need to know about Reggie Perrin, Dad's Army, Have I Got News For You and more to be able to get 10 out of 10 this time. Answer Don't forget: our wonderful Supporters get 5 bonus questions every week. |
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Top 15 Christmas Cracker jokes 2018 "What does Donald Trump do after he pulls a cracker? Pays her off." Here are 15 topical Christmas cracker jokes for 2018. Read |
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Random 8: Paul Sinha The Scrooge-like Chaser has been playing at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland - now what's that about a Chase onesie and Bradley Walsh's dream? Read |
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Podcasts LBC's James O'Brien is on RHLSTP, and The Worst Writer in the World and Sitcom Geeks continue. For some festive audio, check out the 2017 Christmas specials from Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown and Do The Right Thing. Listen |
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Dave's Advent Calendar Monday 17th - Monday 24th, Dave, 9pm Another comedy short, each day. Comedians coming up include Jamie Demetriou, Zoe Lyons and Jon Richardson. The last episode is a big sing-along. If you've missed any, you can catch up via the Videos tab on our pages for the show. Guide |
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Romesh's Look Back To The Future Monday 17th, Sky One, 9pm Romesh Ranganathan hosts this innovative one-off show tonight. Danny Dyer, Katherine Ryan and Richard Osman were filmed in January and asked to predict the future; now - almost a year later - they meet hologram versions of themselves to see how much they got right. Guide |
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People Just Do Nothing Monday 17th, BBC Two, 10pm It's the end of Kurupt FM, as the sitcom ends after five series (although there is talk of a film). As Grindah prepares to bid farewell to Brentford, Beats has planned a final send off. Guide |
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QI Tuesday 18th, BBC Two, 10pm Sandi Toksvig, Alan Davies, Cariad Lloyd, Josh Widdicombe and (appropriately enough) Noel Fielding take part in a festive P-themed pub quiz. Find out how to pull a pint that never runs out. Guide |
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The Undiscovered... Tuesday 18th - Thursday 20th, Sky Arts, 10pm A short series of documentaries in which Victor Lewis-Smith presents previously unseen footage of Peter Sellers (Tuesday), Kenneth Williams (Wednesday) and Tony Hancock (Thursday). Guide |
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Micky Flanagan's Christmas Wednesday 19th, Sky One, 9pm Micky Flanagan finds out more about Britain's Christmas craze in this one-off show for Sky. The first TV broadcast of his stand-up special An' Another Fing... follows at 10pm. Guide |
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Insert Name Here Wednesday 19th, BBC Two, 10pm In this festive opener to Series 4 of the name-based panel show, Chris Packham, Suzannah Lipscomb, Carol Vorderman and James Acaster join regulars Sue Perkins, Richard Osman and Josh Widdicombe. Guide |
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A League Of Their Own Thursday 20th, Sky One, 9pm The only Christmas special to feature no hint of snow, as the sport-based panel show team filmed their special when James Corden was in the UK in the summer. Christmas means cricket for the ALOTO boys. Guide |
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The Russell Howard Hour Thursday 20th, Sky One, 10pm From royal weddings to Brexit, 2018 has been hectic. Russell Howard and "a very special guest" will look back on the biggest news and maddest headlines of 2018 on Thursday. Guide |
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Not Going Out Friday 21st, BBC One, 9pm A Christmas special, broadcast live. We join Lee and Lucy in their festively decorated living room, nervously discussing the school Christmas variety show they've been strong-armed into organising. Guide |
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The Last Leg Friday 21st and New Year's Eve, Channel 4, 9pm A packed festive edition of the show this Friday, which will include Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, plus Roy Wood and his Rock 'n' Roll Band singing I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday. The boys will also be back on New Year's Eve with a star-studded show. Guide |
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Mock The Week Friday 21st, BBC Two, 10pm Dara O Briain presents this special. There'll be the traditional Yuletide Scenes We'd Like to See, a Newsreel from Hugh Dennis, as well as a chance to see Dara playing with a magical unicorn. Guide |
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The Big Narstie Show Friday 21st, Channel 4, 10pm The multi award-winning Big Narstie Show is back for a Christmas special like no other. Anything could happen as the eponymous host and Mo Gilligan are joined by Mel B, Pamela Anderson, Kurupt FM and Michael Dapaah. Guide |
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Live At The Apollo Saturday 22nd, BBC Two, 9:30pm Sarah Millican presents her husband, award-winning gagsmith and Mock The Week favourite Gary Delaney; Laura Lexx; and Ahir Shah in a bumper-length episode for Christmas. Guide |
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Goodness Gracious Me - 20 Years Innit! Saturday 22nd, BBC Two, 10:15pm A documentary celebrating the best moments from the sketch show Goodness Gracious Me, as the series celebrates its 20th anniversary on television. Guide |
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Hold The Sunset Sunday 23rd, BBC One, 6:20pm It's the last Christmas Edith will have with her family before she and Phil set off for their dream retirement in the Mediterranean. Edith's son Roger enlists her scurrilous one-time flame, Bob 'the burglar', to give Christmas its proper flavour. Guide |
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Still Open All Hours Sunday 23rd, BBC One, 6:50pm Granville has a large consignment of mistletoe mince pies to shift, but how can he persuade his regulars to buy them? Guide |
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Trollied Sunday 23rd, Sky One, 9pm The last ever episode of the long-running sitcom focuses on the marriage of Gavin and Cheryl. Arriving at a beautiful country house hotel, the couple couldn't be happier. However, come the morning of the wedding Gavin is nowhere to be seen. Guide |
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8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown Sunday 23rd, Channel 4, 9pm Sean Lock and Kathy Burke team up against Jon Richardson and David Mitchell for a Christmassy episode. James Acaster is in Dictionary Corner, while Joe Wilkinson is back 'helping' Rachel. Guide |
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King Gary Sunday 23rd, BBC One, 9:30pm A new sitcom pilot from the creative team behind Murder In Successville - which has nothing to do with Christmas. Tom Davis stars as a man with aspirations to achieve social acceptance in suburbia. Guide |
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The Young Offenders Sunday 23rd, BBC One, 11:15pm It's Christmas week, and we rejoin the characters as they are fighting off an eviction plan from the council. Guide |
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The Queen And I Christmas Eve, Sky One, 6pm A comedy about The Queen having to move to a semi-detached house in the Midlands, based on the book by Sue Townsend. Samantha Bond and David Walliams play the lead roles. Guide |
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Bad Move Christmas Eve, ITV, 8:30pm Nicky and Steve make a pact not to celebrate Christmas this year. They're determined to treat it just like any other day. Guide |
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The Keith & Paddy Picture Show Christmas Eve, ITV, 9pm For this festive one-off, Keith and Paddy recreate the 80s classic Gremlins. Guest stars include Zach Galligan, Kara Tointon, John Thomson, Su Pollard, Les Dennis and Arthur Bostrom. Guide |
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Click & Collect Christmas Eve, BBC One, 9pm A one-off Christmas comedy in which two mismatched neighbours are thrown together on a 300-mile road trip to collect a present. Stephen Merchant and Asim Chaudhry star. Guide |
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Would I Lie To You? Christmas Eve, BBC One, 10pm David Mitchell is joined by Lily Allen and Noddy Holder while Lee Mack is joined by James Acaster and Sian Gibson for an episode in which the statements are all Christmas-linked. Guide |
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Michael McIntyre's Christmas Big Show Christmas Day, BBC One, 6:45pm A festive edition. Chris Kamara plays Send To All; 22 year-old Paige from Nottingham becomes the Unexpected Star; and there are other Christmas treats and unmissable surprises to look forward to as well. Guide |
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Upstart Crow Christmas Day, BBC Two, 8:35pm Kenneth Branagh guest stars in the Shakespearian comedy's special this year. Things get Dickensian when a mysterious stranger inspires Will to get Greene to mend his evil ways with the help of three Christmas spirits. Guide |
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Tommy Cooper: In His Own Words Christmas Day, Channel 5, 9:15pm Channel 5 celebrates acclaimed comedian and magician Tommy Cooper in this new documentary. Guide |
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Mrs. Brown's Boys Christmas Day, 10:15pm; New Year's Day, 10pm; BBC One It's the festive season once again in the Brown household, and Father Damian has organised a Christmas decoration contest to support the local football team. A second episode follows on New Year's Day. Guide |
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Alan Carr's Christmas Cracker Christmas Day, Channel 4, 10:15pm Alan Carr hosts an A-list Christmas extravaganza from his very own Alpine lodge. Stars include Channing Tatum, Lily Allen, Olly Murs, Russell Howard, and Vicky McClure. Guide |
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The Midnight Gang Boxing Day, BBC One, 7:30pm The latest BBC adaptation of a children's book by David Walliams. This one focuses on a group of children staying in hospital. Guide |
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The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year Boxing Day, Channel 4, 9pm Jimmy Carr is joined by Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding, Mo Gilligan, David Mitchell, Claudia Winkleman and Michelle Wolf to see who can remember most about the last 12 months. Guide |
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Ken Dodd: How Tickled We Were Boxing Day, BBC Two, 9pm A new documentary celebrating the life of Sir Ken Dodd, who died in March. Expect lots of great footage, plus interviews with those who knew the comic the best. Guide |
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Morecambe & Wise In America Thursday 27th, Gold, 8pm Jonathan Ross presents this new three-part documentary series telling the story of how Eric and Ernie attempted to break America. Guide |
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Billy Connolly: Made In Scotland Friday 28th, BBC Two, 9pm First of a new two-part series in which comedian Billy Connolly revisits his Scottish roots. Guide |
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Gary Goes To Hollywood New Year's Eve, BBC One Scotland, 10pm Viewers in Scotland can see Gary McLintoch (from Gary: Tank Commander) head to Los Angeles to explore the ups and downs of life in Tinseltown and meet the Scots who've relocated there to seek fame and fortune. Guide As is BBC Scotland tradition, Jonathan Watson stars in another Only An Excuse? at 11pm. |
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The Graham Norton Show New Year's Eve, BBC One, 10:40pm Olivia Colman, Nicholas Hoult, Keira Knightley, Guy Pearce and Rita Ora are the guests helping Graham Norton count down towards the final hour of 2018. Guide |
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The Inbetweeners: Fwends Reunited New Year's Day, Channel 4, 9pm A programme celebrating hit E4 sitcom The Inbetweeners. As recent pictures on the internet have shown, the four lads have reunited to film bits and pieces looking back at their favourite moments. Guide |
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Fast And Loose DVD OUT NOW. Charming 1950s farce adapted by Ben Travers from his own smash-hit Whitehall play. A young married couple, Peter and Barbara are separated whilst heading by train for a holiday in the country when he bumps into a former girlfriend at the station. The pair give chase by car, but are soon forced to spend the night together in an inn with a bad-tempered landlady... Details |
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Upstart Crow - The Complete Series 1-3 And The Christmas Specials DVD PRE-ORDER. Based on the facts we know about William Shakespeare, Ben Elton's critically acclaimed sitcom is about the life of the world's favourite bard as it just might have been. This box set includes the complete Series 1 to 3 and the 2017 and 2018 Christmas specials of the hit BBC Two sitcom. A set of the two Christmas episodes will also be released. Details |
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You, Me & Him DVD PRE-ORDER. Lucy Punch, Faye Marsay & David Tennant star in this sparkling, moving comedy about a female couple who find their lives turned upside down when an argument leads one to a drunken one-night stand with their male neighbour - and pregnancy! As the events of the night bring the misfit trio together, attitudes, presumptions and expectations are tested to the max. Details |
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Bill Bailey - Limboland DVD |
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People Just Do Nothing - Series 1 - 5 DVD PRE-ORDER. As the final, fifth series of BBC Three's cult hit mockumentary concludes its television run tonight, the complete collection - spanning five discs - is set for release in a single DVD box set toward the end of January. If you're already got the rest, a separate Series 5 release is also available. Details |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
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O Human Being
A very dark (and somewhat gory) short film, narrated by Richard E Grant. This animation comes from the Anomaly team, who each December lovingly create a Christmas-linked short (we've linked to the others below the credits). Peter is having a terrible Christmas... Watch |
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Tall Dark Friend
A sitcom pilot written by stand-up comedian and "transgender egomaniac" Jordan Gray. It's a gag-packed episode in which she and fellow stand-up Steve struggle to find their footing on the slippery London comedy ladder. Watch |
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The Data Doctor
A one-off comedy format in which The Data Doctor (Mark Silcox) dives deep into social media to help Bash the Entertainer find the perfect gift for his friend. Watch |
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Sam Kills Christmas
An animated rhyming tale. Settle down children, it's time for a story! But parents be warned: it gets kind of gory... Watch |
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12 Days Of Jessmas A web series in which impressionist Jess Robinson sings festive songs in the style of someone else, as suggested by her comedy friends. For example, Josh Widdicombe asks her to sing Good King Wenceslas in the style of Lily Allen. Watch |
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Der Pfuffet Shoe Krispbread Spectrum Before The Muppet Show Christmas Special, there was Der Pfuffet Shoe Krispbread Spectrum. This short film from Mash Report star Greig Johnson is like nothing you'll have seen before. It must have taken weeks of work to make. Watch |
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Jonathan Pie's American Pie If you head to iPlayer now you can find this hour-long mockumentary focused around spoof news reporter Jonathan Pie. He heads to America to find out more about Donald Trump. Watch |
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Rob & Beth A short film about a big time scandal. It's an awkward topic, but the writing and acting on this make it an enjoyable watch. Watch |
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Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon - Official teaser trailer The first trailer for the new Shaun The Sheep film, coming in 2019. The story sees our fluffy hero getting involved in some alien-powered fun and adventure. Watch |
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Snowflake Conversion John is offering to convert millennial snowflakes into free speech warriors using some very special techniques. Watch |
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The Morecambe & Wise Show: The Lost Tapes Billed as 'The Lost Tapes', BBC Two have a particular treat for us from 7:50pm on Boxing Day: two episodes from the very first BBC series of The Morecambe & Wise Show, from 1968. Wiped by the corporation, black and white film copies were recently recovered in - wait for it - a semi-derelict, tin-shed cinema in Sierra Leone, from which the original colour has been able to be restored. The fifth and seventh episodes from that series (written by and featuring Sid Green and Dick Hills) will be shown back-to-back in one bumper, glorious comedy delight. Guide For more from the impeccable duo, a new highlights collection of their celebrated BBC work has just been released on DVD. |
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
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