Weekly Newsletter

Monday 13th May 2019

We've lots to share with you this week!

Latest comedy news

Channel 4 orders sixth Friday Night Dinner

Channel 4 orders sixth Friday Night Dinner

Friday Night Dinner will return to Channel 4 in 2020 for a new, sixth series.

BAFTA TV Awards 2019 winners revealed

BAFTA TV Awards 2019 winners revealed

Lee Mack, Jessica Hynes, Steve Pemberton, Sally4Ever and A League Of Their Own were the comedy-related winners at the BAFTA TV awards. This story has videos of their speeches and backstage interviews.

Have I Got News For You episode pulled

Have I Got News For You episode pulled

Friday's episode of Have I Got News For You was pulled from broadcast at the last minute due to election impartiality rules.

Scottish Comedy Awards 2019 nominations

Scottish Comedy Awards 2019 nominations

The nominations for the Scottish Comedy Awards 2019 have been announced. Breaking The News leads the lists. Chris Forbes, Christopher MacArthur-Boyd, Jay Lafferty, Larry Dean, Liam Withnail, Limmy, Susie McCabe and Tom Stade are in the running for best solo show.

Heresy to return to Radio 4

Heresy to return to Radio 4

Comedy panel show Heresy is to return to Radio 4, after a break of three years. Victoria Coren Mitchell will return to present Series 11.

The Guilty Feminist books Royal Albert Hall gig

The Guilty Feminist books Royal Albert Hall gig

The Guilty Feminist: Live tour, hosted by Deborah Frances-White, has notably added a date at The Royal Albert Hall.

Freddie Starr found dead at 76

Freddie Starr found dead at 76

Comedy star and musician Freddie Starr has been found dead at his Spanish home. He was 76.

Ebury to publish new John Bishop book

Ebury to publish new John Bishop book

John Bishop will publish his second book, How To Grow Old, with Ebury Publishing in October.

Dave orders Sara Pascoe's Comedians Giving Lectures

Dave orders Sara Pascoe's Comedians Giving Lectures

Sara Pascoe will host a new series for Dave in which comedians are challenged to give interesting, funny lectures on a given topic.

ITV2 to broadcast new series Shopping With Keith Lemon

ITV2 to broadcast new series Shopping With Keith Lemon

Shopping With Keith Lemon will see Leigh Francis taking the chat show format away from the studio. He'll interview celebrities whilst on a shopping trip.

Milton Jones announces 2020 tour

Milton Jones announces 2020 tour

Milton Jones is to tour the UK in 2020 with new show Milton: Impossible. Tickets are on sale now.

Bridget Christie to 'curate' The Museum Of Curiosity Series 14

Bridget Christie to 'curate' The Museum Of Curiosity Series 14

The BBC has announced that Bridget Christie will 'curate' the next series of Radio 4's The Museum Of Curiosity.

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Features

Sliced interviews

Sliced interviews

The cast of Dave's new pizza delivery sitcom Sliced introduce their funny show. It airs later this week.

Kevin Smith interview

Kevin Smith interview

Yikes! This month it's ten years since we published the first interview in our Circuit Training column, and to celebrate we go deep with the UK-bound, also-celebrating Kevin Smith. It's 25 years since he inspired a generation of budding directors with Clerks, then inadvertently became a stand-up, a job that nearly proved terminal last year. He's in splendid form about that, his Springsteen-like live shows, podcast wives, Marvel vs Mallrats, and - unexpectedly - Ian Cognito.

First Gig, Worst Gig: Daniel Muggleton

First Gig, Worst Gig: Daniel Muggleton

Aussie comic Daniel Muggleton has a new special on Amazon Prime, an underappreciated Street Fighter gag, and a lot of coach miles since moving here.

Daniel Sloss causes 93 divorces

Daniel Sloss causes 93 divorces

Daniel Sloss's Netflix show Jigsaw has reportedly now caused 93 divorces, 86 cancelled engagements and over 33,000 break ups.

Alternative Comedy Now conference - Day 1 report

Alternative Comedy Now conference report

Egalitarian views, a change in the expectations placed on today's comedy audiences, and Alexei Sayle sharing a cupboard with Jeremy Corbyn - lots was discussed at the Alternative Comedy Now conference at the University of Kent. We have a report on both days here.

British Comedy Quiz #49

British Comedy Quiz #49

What is the gorilla called in the famous Not The Nine O'Clock News sketch?

Podcasts

Podcasts

Suzi Ruffell is the latest guest on RHLSTP, meanwhile Bec Hill chats on ComComPod. There's also Worst Writer, and more, on our site.

TV listings

Not Going Out

Not Going Out

BBC One, Monday 9pm

This is a notable episode of Lee Mack's sitcom. It's a single scene, set in real time. Watch as Lee decides to watch Lucy's favourite TV programme with her.

Ghosts

Ghosts

BBC One, Monday 9:30pm

Learning that their posh neighbours have an ancient claim over their land, Mike and Alison throw a swanky dinner party to help resolve a thorny issue.

Don't Forget The Driver

Don't Forget The Driver

BBC Two, Tuesday 10pm

In this final episode, due to unexpected circumstances Peter is forced to do a school trip.

Urban Myths: Madonna And Basquait

Urban Myths: Madonna And Basquait

Sky Arts, Wednesday 9pm

A one-off comedy drama about Madonna and her relationship with Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Taskmaster

Taskmaster

Dave, Wednesday 9pm

This week Lou Sanders displays some unusual facial hair, Iain Stirling's beatboxing causes him some problems and Paul Sinha shows off his full acting range.

Mum

Mum

BBC Two, Wednesday 10pm

The third and final series of the award-winning sitcom begins. Cathy and her family arrive in the countryside to celebrate Derek's birthday.

The Comedy Bus

The Comedy Bus

Comedy Central, Wednesday 10pm

The series concludes as Darren Harriott takes his bus mates to the city he grew up in - Birmingham, in an attempt to get out of his comfort zone.

Sliced

Sliced

Dave, Wednesday - Friday, 10pm

A promising new sitcom from Samson Kayo about pizza delivery drivers. There're just three episodes and they're being shown nightly, Wednesday to Friday. Don't miss it.

Comedy Central Live

Comedy Central Live

Comedy Central, Wednesday 10:30pm

Comedy Central is broadcasting comedy specials from nine comedians over the next couple of months. First up: Iain Stirling.

My Dad Wrote A Porno

My Dad Wrote A Porno

Sky Atlantic, Thursday 9pm

A recording of the live stage show of the hit podcast My Dad Wrote A Porno. The title does a fairly good job of explaining the premise.

There's Something About Movies

There's Something About Movies

Sky One, Thursday 9pm

Alan Carr's fun new panel show continues. No news on who this week's guests will be yet, but the bookers are getting Hollywood stars on.

Lee And Dean

Lee And Dean

Channel 4, Thursday 10pm

In the final episode in the series, the boys are in Spain and have never been happier. How will they conclude things? If you can't wait, it's on All4 now.

Celebrity Juice

Celebrity Juice

ITV2, Thursday 10pm

Holly Willoughby is back. She and Paddy McGuinness are joined by Stefflon Don, Jamie Winstone, Anita Rani and Jimmy Carr.

Have I Got News For You

Have I Got News For You

BBC One, Friday 9pm

Rhod Gilbert guest presents this week. Fellow comedian Tom Allen and broadcaster Emma Barnett are the guests.

The Last Leg

The Last Leg

Channel 4, Friday 10pm

Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker are back for another series. We're sure politics will give them lots to talk about over the next couple of months.

The Graham Norton Show

The Graham Norton Show

BBC One, Friday 10:35pm

For the first time ever, Graham Norton won't be hosting his own show. He's preparing for Eurovision, so Jack Whitehall takes over for one week only. Gwendoline Christie, Peter Crouch, Luke Evans, David Walliams and Sam Fender are the guests.

Scotland Unsolved

Scotland Unsolved

BBC Scotland, Saturday 10:50pm

A comedy spin-off following Scot Squad's DC Megan Squire and DC Andrea McGill.

8 Out Of 10 Cats

8 Out Of 10 Cats

E4, Sunday 9pm

Rob Beckett and Aisling Bea are joined by guests Kerry Godliman, Georgia Toffolo, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Fin Taylor to look back at the week.

The Ranganation

The Ranganation

BBC Two, Sunday 10pm

A new topical comedy series hosted by Romesh Ranganathan. The twist with this format is that he's joined by a panel featuring members of the public.

For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.

Shop

Do Not Adjust Your Set

Do Not Adjust Your Set

Pre-order. DVD

Originally broadcast as children's show, Do Not Adjust Your Set was a madcap 1967-9 early-evening sketch show that quickly acquired a cult following with adults, who rushed home from work to see it. Written by and starring Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Eric Idle, with great performances and additional material by David Jason and Denise Coffey, it also provided an early showcase for the animations of Terry Gilliam, and the brilliantly bizarre musical antics of the legendary Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.

For the first time anywhere, all 14 fully existing (of 29) episodes are brought together in one place for a deluxe package that includes five episodes new to DVD, at least two of which were previously thought lost, alongside new interviews with series creator and producer Humphrey Barclay, writer and performer Michael Palin, uninvited guest star Tim Brooke-Taylor, animations from Terry Gilliam's personal film collection, and a new documentary about The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, featuring new interviews with 1960s originators and key personnel Neil Innes, Rodney Slater, Roger Ruskin-Spear and 'Legs' Larry Smith. A crucial series to the development of both Monty Python's Flying Circus and The Goodies.

Andrew Ross - Everything I Ever Wanted: The Life And Career Of Peggy Mount

Andrew Ross - Everything I Ever Wanted: The Life And Career Of Peggy Mount

Out now. Hardback

Born in Southend on Sea in 1915, Peggy Mount rose from humble beginnings to become one of Britain's best-known and best-loved actresses. After achieving overnight stardom in the smash-hit play Sailor, Beware!, Peggy's talent and unmistakable voice would secure her a place in entertainment history as the ultimate "battle-axe" on stage and in a succession of television series including The Larkins, George And The Dragon and You're Only Young Twice. Peggy Mount's career spanned more than fifty years and she remained a working actor into her eighties. In her first ever biography, Andrew Ross charts the story of an intensely private lady who consistently shunned the spotlight and rarely gave interviews. From her difficult childhood, troubled family life and fifty-year feud with her only sister to her dramatic rise to fame, Peggy's life and career are revealed to discover the homely yet complex lady behind the often fearsome on-screen image.

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing - The Complete First Series

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing - The Complete First Series

Pre-order. Blu-ray, DVD

After life-changing heart surgeries, comedians and lifelong friends Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse embark on a relaxing yet epic journey around Britain, eating great food and attempting to catch some of the nation's iconic fish. Catch up with the first, acclaimed, hit series of this comedy treat ahead of its return to screens for a second run later this year.

Jo Brand - Born Lippy: How To Do Female

Jo Brand - Born Lippy: How To Do Female

Pre-order. Paperback

Released in October in hardback, ebook and audiobook formats, Jo Brand's latest book comes out in paperback next month. There has been a tradition of books over hundreds of years where a father shares his wisdom with his son - started by Lord Chesterfield in the 18th Century; while women have been silent (a.k.a. bullied into thinking their advice wasn't worth writing down). Ranging from your family and how to survive it, to what no one tells you about the female body; from how not to fall in love, to heckling as a life-skill, Born Lippy gathers together the things Jo's learnt about the world, the things she wishes she'd known and the things she hopes for the future into a hilarious and highly useful guide to life that everyone female (and male) needs to read immediately. Packed with memorable anecdotes from her life and career, coloured by her experiences as a psychiatric nurse and working mother of two, this book will not only entertain but also really help people.

Fleabag - Series Two

Fleabag - Series Two

Out now. Blu-ray, DVD

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's second series of acclaimed comedy Fleabag is available to own now on DVD and high-quality Blu-ray. This series picks up not too far from the end of the first. Fleabag's family is as dysfunctional as ever: her uptight sister Claire, played by Sian Clifford, hasn't forgiven her, and Claire's obnoxious alcoholic husband is still on the scene, while the pair are presenting a united front as they come to term with their father's relationship with their godmother, played by Olivia Colman. Bill Paterson, Brett Gelman, Jenny Rainsford and Hugh Skinner return, while Sherlock's Andrew Scott joins the cast.

For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.

Comedy videos

[It's Niche That] - Self Driving Sandwiches

[It's Niche That] - Self Driving Sandwiches

From the creators of 'Real Virtual Reality' comes 'Self Driving Sandwiches' - a food delivery service specifically for sandwiches. Have the guys finally cracked the tech world?

Andy Parsons - Let's Talk More

Andy Parsons - Let's Talk More

To promote the Campaign To End Loneliness, Andy Parsons spent a day in a shopping centre encouraging people to get off their smartphones and have a chat.

Say My Name - Trailer

Say My Name - Trailer

Mary and Statton's one-night stand at a hotel gets interrupted by a robbery, and the complete strangers are forced to help each other navigate the seedy underbelly of a sleepy Welsh island in order to get back their stolen property.

Boyz In The Wood - Trailer

Boyz In The Wood - Trailer

A trio of teenage miscreants are given one last chance to turn their lives around by completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award trek across the highlands.

Spotlight

The Freddie Starr Comedy Express

The Freddie Starr Comedy Express

Freddie Starr, who died last week, was a literal legend in his own lifetime - famed for the notorious hamster-munching Sun headline. A huge comedy star throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s, a bizarrely small amount of his TV work has ever been released, despite being awarded multiple high-rating, self-titled series. One of the few that has been released was his one-off Thames Television special from New Year's Eve 1985. Although sadly deleted, second hand copies can be found - and it's well worth it, packed with Freddie's remarkable musical talent, anarchic comedy stylings, guests, and some laugh-out-loud sketches. Guests include Burt Kwouk and Frank Bruno.

Thanks for reading

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