Weekly Newsletter

Monday 20th May 2019

Is Polly from Fawlty Towers English or American? That's just one of the topics of this week's packed email.

Latest comedy news

Catherine Tate's Nan to star in a film

Catherine Tate's Nan to star in a film

A new feature film, This Nan's Life, will be based around Catherine Tate's Nan character. Mat Horne and Katherine Parkinson are to co-star.

'Jerry Springer - The Opera' returns in August

'Jerry Springer - The Opera' returns in August

Almost 15 years after it was last performed in the UK, the controversial play Jerry Springer - The Opera is to return. Michael Howe will take the lead role in the new Manchester-based production.

Lenny Henry announces 2019 tour

Lenny Henry announces 2019 tour

Sir Lenny Henry will embark on a brand new UK tour this autumn. An Evening with Lenny Henry - Who Am I, Again? will see the comedy star talking about his life story.

Comedies in the running for Broadcast Digital Awards 2019

Comedies in the running for Broadcast Digital Awards 2019

Death On The Tyne, Fleabag, Man Like Mobeen, Sally4Ever, This Country and Timewasters are amongst the nominees in the Broadcast Digital Awards 2019.

New film of Blithe Spirit announced

New film of Blithe Spirit announced

A new, re-imagined film adaptation of the iconic Noël Coward play Blithe Spirit has been announced. Stars include Dame Judi Dench, Dan Stevens and Isla Fisher.

Dame Edna to host BBC special

Dame Edna to host BBC special

BBC One has ordered an entertainment special hosted by Dame Edna Everage.

Miles Jupp quits The News Quiz

Miles Jupp quits The News Quiz

The News Quiz host Miles Jupp won't return after the end of the current series, the BBC has announced.

Advert

Scope

Joke for Scope comes to Manchester! On the 30th May watch incredibly funny comedians at Stoller Hall. Featuring Lost Voice Guy, Tez Ilyaz, Romina Puma, Tanyalee Davis, Aaron Simmonds and more! Best of all, it's for charity! Buy your tickets today

Features

Circuit Training

Circuit Training

Circuit Training, the interview column in which Si Hawkins talks to comedians about their broadcast work, is now 10 years old. Head over to the site to read more than 100 detailed and interesting interviews.

Win Ghosts on DVD

Win Ghosts on DVD

Hit new BBC One sitcom Ghosts is coming out on DVD. We have three copies to give away.

Talking techLOLogy with the DesignSpark Podcast cast

Talking techLOLogy with the DesignSpark Podcast cast

Robot Wars judge Dr Lucy Rogers and comedians Bec Hill and Harriet Braine talk about The DesignSpark Podcast, the show in which they take a comical look at some of hottest topics in tech.

Win a copy of No Kidding on Blu-ray

Win a copy of No Kidding on Blu-ray

We have three remastered, restored copies of this film from the Carry On production team - starring Leslie Phillips and Geraldine McEwan - to give away on Blu-ray.

First Gig, Worst Gig: Lucy Beaumont

First Gig, Worst Gig: Lucy Beaumont

Revitalised after a four-year break, Lucy Beaumont is back with a new Fringe show, a fundraising gala and a grim old festival story.

Hay Festival 2019 preview

Hay Festival 2019 preview

Marcus Brigstocke, Sara Pascoe, Bill Bailey, Dylan Moran, Jimmy Carr and Sindhu Vee are amongst the many comedians due to appear at The Hay Festival in Wales.

Polly: English or American?

Polly in Fawlty Towers: English or American?

Is waitress and all-round help Polly Sherman an English or American character? Chris Hallam found out.

Count Arthur's Quiz

Count Arthur's Quiz

For our first anniversary quiz - number 50 - we invited entertainment legend Count Arthur Strong to set the questions. Mistake? You decide.

Deer Shed Festival 2019 preview

Deer Shed Festival 2019 preview

Deer Shed Festival has a strong comedy line-up for 2019. Look out for acts including Reginald D Hunter, Nina Conti, Milton Jones and Kiri Pritchard-McLean at the family-friendly weekend in North Yorkshire.

Harry Peacock and Ricky Grover promote Barnardo's triathlon challenge

Harry Peacock and Ricky Grover promote Barnardo's triathlon challenge

Comic actors Harry Peacock and Ricky Grover have donned their swimming caps to encourage people to sign up to Barnardo's new fundraising triathlon challenge - iTRI.

Romesh Ranganathan interview

Romesh Ranganathan interview

Romesh Ranganathan talks about his new topical comedy show, which launched last night on BBC Two.

Random 8: Ahir Shah

Random 8: Ahir Shah

He's playing an ideas festival next weekend, so what does Ahir Shah reckon about the comedy/philosophy conundrum? And Reading?

BCG Pro

BCG Pro

If you write, perform or produce comedy, there's information and tools in BCG Pro to help you get ahead. For example, there's details on how Radio 1 are looking for new comedy podcast ideas.

Podcasts

Podcasts

The full series of the latest Worst Writer In The World story is now online. Meanwhile Hayley & Ruth review The Woman In Black; and Joel Dommett is on RHLSTP.

TV listings

Not Going Out

Not Going Out

BBC One, Monday 9pm

Unable to convince Lucy that he didn't smash her precious heirloom, Lee summons the family to a meeting to flush out the culprit.

Ghosts

Ghosts

BBC One, Monday 9:30pm

Mike and Alison are both penniless and exhausted when a luxury hotel chain makes them an offer. Keep an eye out for Series 2 news - it seems likely this new sitcom will be back.

Taskmaster

Taskmaster

Dave, Wednesday 9pm

This week Joe Thomas struggles with the definition of a mammal, Iain Stirling devises an explosive chemistry experiment and Sian Gibson sends a NSFW text to Greg.

Urban Myths: Paul McCartney

Urban Myths: Paul McCartney

Sky Arts, Wednesday 9pm

A one-off comedy about Paul McCartney and how he came up with the melody of Beatles hit Yesterday.

Mum

Mum

BBC Two, Wednesday 10pm

The family are recovering from a party the night before, and as Cathy nurses a hangover she learns that she and Michael were less than discreet in front of the others.

Judge Romesh

Judge Romesh

Dave, Wednesday 10pm & 10:30pm

Series 2 is here, with double-bills each Wednesday. In the first an eccentric extra is costing his friend acting work.

Comedy Central Live

Comedy Central Live

Comedy Central, Wednesday 10:30pm

In this stand-up set, Stephen Bailey talks about moving to London from Manchester, his spin class instructor and coming out to his family.

There's Something About Movies

There's Something About Movies

Sky One, Thursday 9pm

Jason Isaacs, Rob Delaney, Mandeep Dhillon and Katherine Ryan are the guests set to join Alan Carr on his film-based panel show this week.

Mock The Week

Mock The Week

BBC Two, Thursday 10pm

Series 18 of the topical comedy. Dara and Hugh are joined by Tom Allen, Ed Gamble, Kerry Godliman, Rhys James and Sindhu Vee.

Celebrity Juice

Celebrity Juice

ITV2, Thursday 10pm

Mel B, Marvin Humes, Susanna Reid, Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash play Keith Lemon's games in the series finale, alongside team captains Holly Willoughby and Paddy McGuinness.

Have I Got News For You

Have I Got News For You

BBC One, Friday 9pm

Victoria Coren Mitchell will host the penultimate episode of the current series, joined by Jess Phillips MP and comedian Ahir Shah.

The Last Leg

The Last Leg

Channel 4, Friday 10pm

Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker take a look back at the week's news with the help of this week's guest Joanna Lumley.

The Graham Norton Show

The Graham Norton Show

BBC One, Friday 10:35pm

Graham Norton is back, and this week he's set to talk to the stars of the new X-Men movie: Jessica Chastain, Michael Fassbender, Sophie Turner and James McAvoy.

Scotland Unsolved

Scotland Unsolved

BBC Scotland, Saturday 10:50pm

The Scot Squad spin-off continues. This episode sees the detectives getting their claws into Scotland's growing big cat phenomenon.

Britain's Greatest Comedian

Britain's Greatest Comedian

Gold, Sunday 8pm

A countdown of the public's most-loved comedians. The shortlist has already been revealed, but who will the panel pick as the number one?

The Ranganation

The Ranganation

BBC Two, Sunday 9pm

Romesh Ranganathan's new topical comedy show, in which a group of 25 members of the public get the chance to have their say on the state of modern Britain, continues.

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

Shop

Ghosts

Ghosts

Pre-order. DVD

Ghosts is a multi-character sitcom created by and starring the lead cast of writer-performers from the award winning Horrible Histories, Yonderland and the feature film Bill. The crumbling country pile of Button Hall is home to numerous restless spirits who have died there over the centuries - each ghost very much a product of their time, resigned to squabble with each other for eternity over the most inane of daily gripes. But their lives - or rather, afterlives - are thrown into turmoil when a young urban couple - Alison and Mike - surprisingly inherit the peaceful derelict house and make it their home, with the intention of renovating the property and turning it into a country house hotel business.

Back To Life

Back To Life

Pre-order. Blu-ray, DVD

Daisy Haggard plays Miri, who has just been released from almost two decades in prison following a terrible crime. Now in her late thirties, with no job, no friends and no choice but to move back in with her parents. Miri is desperate to move on, put the past behind her and get back to her life; but, in a small town where her crime is the most dramatic thing that has ever happened, will anyone let her? Written by Haggard and Laura Solon, this latest cult comedy from BBC Three comes to Blu-ray and DVD in July. Co-stars include Geraldine James, Adeel Akhtar, Liam Williams and Christine Bottomley.

No Kidding

No Kidding

Out now. Blu-ray, DVD

Leslie Phillips and Geraldine McEwan star as a married couple embarking on a potentially unwise business venture in this light-hearted comedy gem from Carry On producer/director team Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas. Co-starring Julia Lockwood, Noel Purcell and Irene Handl, No Kidding has been newly transferred from the original film stock in high definition for this Blu-ray (and lower quality DVD) release. Bequeathed a rundown country house by a late aunt, the Robinsons are persuaded to turn it into a holiday home for the children of rich parents. They soon come into conflict with the local alderman - but that's nothing compared to the trouble when the kids start to arrive!

Including a small smattering of extras, we have three copies to give away. If you missed the competition above, enter now.

Fisherman's Friends

Fisherman's Friends

Pre-order. Blu-ray, DVD

A fast-living, cynical London music executive (Daniel Mays) heads to a remote Cornish village on a stag weekend where he's pranked by his boss (Noel Clarke) into trying to sign a group of shanty singing fishermen (led by James Purefoy). He becomes the ultimate fish out of water as he struggles to gain the respect or enthusiasm of the unlikely boy band and their families (including Tuppence Middleton) who value friendship and community over fame and fortune. As he's drawn deeper into the traditional way of life he's forced to re-evaluate his own integrity and ultimately question what success actually means. Based on a true story, this latest British comedy film will be available to own in July.

Stephen Fry - Heroes

Stephen Fry - Heroes

Pre-order. Paperback

There are Heroes - and then there are Greek Heroes. Few mere mortals have ever embarked on such bold and heart-stirring adventures, overcome myriad monstrous perils, or outwitted scheming vengeful gods, quite as stylishly and triumphantly as Greek heroes. In this companion to his bestselling Mythos, Stephen Fry brilliantly retells these dramatic, funny, tragic and timeless tales. Join Jason aboard the Argo as he quests for the Golden Fleece. See Atalanta - who was raised by bears - outrun any man before being tricked with golden apples. Witness wily Oedipus solve the riddle of the Sphinx and discover how Bellerophon captures the winged horse Pegasus to help him slay the monster Chimera.

Hardback, eBook, audiobook and CD versions are already available to purchase.

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

Comedy videos

Dump

Dump

A short film about a man who has some issues with a toilet at the end of a successful first date.

Harry and Chris - Sorry

Harry and Chris - Sorry

Musical duo Harry and Chris present Sorry, their rejected Eurovision entry.

Also: Boy Division - Never Gonna Win Again

You've GOT to watch Game Of The Thrones

You've GOT to watch Game Of The Thrones

A sketch about how Game Of Thrones fans never shut up...

Tony Rudd on Britain's Got Talent

Tony Rudd on Britain's Got Talent

Tony Rudd performed impressions on Britain's Got Talent at the weekend. Here's his set. See also: Mark Rooney.

Temple - Trailer

Temple - Trailer

A trailer for Sky's new comedy drama thriller about an illegal clinic under London. Mark Strong stars. It'll be on TV in the autumn.

Please Stay On The Line

Please Stay On The Line

A visually stunning sketch by Melon Comedy. They explain it was written "to make people feel less alone", and is presented in tribute to their friend who lost a battle with depression and anxiety.

Jon Snow dreams of life after Game Of Thrones

Jon Snow dreams of life after Game Of Thrones

Jon Snow is looking forward to a life after Game Of Thrones.

Blinded By The Light - Trailer

Blinded By The Light - Trailer

This new film is a coming-of-age story about a teenager who learns to live life, understand his family and find his own voice through the words and music of Bruce Springsteen.

Luger

Luger

A short film starring Jack Whitehall, Lolly Adefope and Ellie White. Tom is in for a surprise when he meets his elderly grandfather's two carers.

Spotlight

How I Won The War

How I Won The War

Based in part upon a comic novel of the same title, How I Won The War is an absurdist, fourth-wall-breaking anti-war black comedy film from acclaimed director Richard Lester. Both anti-war and anti-war films, Michael Crawford stars as a hapless British lieutenant tasked with installing a cricket pitch behind enemy lines in north Africa during the Second World War. John Lennon co-stars as one of the small band of troops under his command, in his only non-musical acting role. By turns baffling and iconic in its vision of warfare, the film hammers a hard tale of military combat being against the human condition. It's been remastered for the BFI and is available to own as a DVD and Blu-ray dual-format release from today.

Thanks for reading

Martin Clunes sitcom Warren is out on DVD today: Win a copy.

Have a great week, and long weekend, and we'll be back in your inbox again on Tuesday 28th.

British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk

BCG on social media:
Twitter   Facebook   Instagram