Weekly Newsletter

Monday 9th September 2019

Blackadder, 'Allo 'Allo! and Carry On are amongst the classic formats in the news this week...

Latest comedy news

Shakespeare & Hathaway gets two more series

Shakespeare & Hathaway gets two more series

BBC One's hit comedy drama series Shakespeare & Hathaway - Private Investigators is to return for two more series.

Stewart Lee to launch his new book from a barge

Stewart Lee to launch his new book from a barge

Stewart Lee is to launch his new book, March Of The Lemmings, by giving a reading on a barge.

New audio version of Up Pompeii! stage show

New audio version of Up Pompeii! stage show

A new audio adaptation of the Up Pompeii! stage show, written for Frankie Howerd, is to be recorded next month with a star cast.

Gold announces Dial M For Middlesbrough star cast

Gold announces Dial M For Middlesbrough star cast

Gold has announced the stars for its third murder mystery comedy featuring Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson, Dial M For Middlesbrough. Jason Donovan and Joanna Page are amongst the cast.

Blue plaque unveiled for 'Allo 'Allo!

Blue plaque unveiled for 'Allo 'Allo!

A blue plaque has been unveiled to recognise BBC comedy 'Allo 'Allo!. The surviving cast reunited at Lynford Hall in Norfolk, where many of the sitcom's exteriors were filmed, to unveil The British Comedy Society's tribute.

Romesh Ranganathan curates Sky shorts series

Romesh Ranganathan curates Sky shorts series

Romesh Presents... is coming to Sky, a 10-part series of comedy shorts featuring stars including Ellie Taylor, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, London Hughes and Darren Harriott.

Ben Elton rules out Blackadder return

Ben Elton rules out Blackadder return

Ben Elton has said that Blackadder will not return. Speaking in a new interview, the co-writer said "There is never going to be another - I can tell you that now."

Tim Renkow comedy Jerk to return

Tim Renkow comedy Jerk to return

Jerk, the BBC Three sitcom starring Tim Renkow, is to return for a second series.

3 new Carry On films planned

3 new Carry On films planned

Producers have announced fresh plans to produce three new Carry On films.

Features

First Gig, Worst Gig: Andrew Bird

First Gig, Worst Gig: Andrew Bird

He's flying into Biggleswade tonight - but why was Andrew Bird marched from the building in Brum?

Win film classic Summer Holiday on Blu-ray

Win film classic Summer Holiday on Blu-ray

British cinema classic Summer Holiday, starring Cliff Richard, has been newly restored and released on Blu-ray for the very first time. We have 3 copies to give away to celebrate.

Best-reviewed Edinburgh Fringe shows 2019

Best-reviewed Edinburgh Fringe shows 2019

A list of the best-reviewed comedy shows at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, based on the data we've collected from over 100 publications.

British Comedy Quiz #66

British Comedy Quiz #66

Blankety Blank, Desmond's, Five Go Mad In Dorset and Chatty Man are amongst the topics of this quiz.

Random 8: Liam Bannigan

Random 8: Liam Bannigan

A grateful graduate of the Leicester Comedy Festival's Circuit Breaker scheme, Liam Bannigan reveals Mariah Carey's words of whispered wisdom.

BCG Pro

BCG Pro

If you're interested in writing, performing or producing comedy, then check out BCG Pro. Our latest newsletter features various opportunities.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Series 5 of My Dad Wrote A Porno starts today. There's also more from Richard Herring, Sitcom Geeks, Do The Right Thing and more.

TV listings

Stath Lets Flats

Stath Lets Flats

Monday 10pm, Channel 4

Michael & Eagle is under threat from a rival agency burning their signs. When their keys are stolen too, Stath is challenged to prove his bravery.

Taskmaster

Taskmaster

Wednesday 9pm, Dave

Ed Gamble gets reckless with a frying pan, Katy Wix asks for a pencil and Jo Brand shares a leisurely sandwich with David Baddiel.

The Reluctant Landlord

The Reluctant Landlord

Wednesday 10pm, Sky One

Romesh and Natasha discover it's possible to spend too much time together, whilst his back pain is unbearable. Meanwhile, Lemon thinks he's found love at a bus stop.

A League Of Their Own

A League Of Their Own

Thursday 9pm, Sky One

Yet more Romesh, as this week he takes a turn at guest hosting the panel show. Jermaine Jenas, Lauren Steadman, Tom Allen and Rob Beckett are the guests.

The Mash Report

The Mash Report

Thursday 10pm, BBC Two

Politics may be a mess, but it does mean there's lots of material for Nish Kumar and the team to work with, as the topical comedy series continues.

Brassic

Brassic

Thursday 10pm, Sky One

Vinnie's plan to make money by carrying out an audacious raid on a rival grower's weed farm is sabotaged when Ronnie, Erin's older and diabolical brother, turns up on the run from prison.

This Way Up

This Way Up

Thursday 10pm, Channel 4

In the final episode of the series, sisterly secrets come to the fore, and Aine's relationship with Richard and Etienne takes another turn for the awkward.

Scarborough

Scarborough

Friday 9:30pm, BBC One

The second episode. Mike and Karen try to get their relationship back on track after Mike's crab stall misdemeanour, while Mike finally finds Bigsy sleeping rough at the castle.

QI

QI

Friday 10pm, BBC Two

Cariad Lloyd, Holly Walsh and Josh Widdicombe join Sandi Toksvig and Alan Davies for a new episode of the panel show, titled 'Quintessential'.

The Rob Rinder Verdict

The Rob Rinder Verdict

Friday 10pm, Channel 4

Katherine Ryan and Big Narstie are the guests set to join the host this Friday to look over what is going on in the world.

The Jonathan Ross Show

The Jonathan Ross Show

Saturday 10:15pm, ITV

A packed guest list for the first episode in Series 15 of Wossy's ITV chat show: Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Stephen Fry, Craig David, Martin Freeman, Charli XCX and Christine and The Queens.

State Of The Union

State Of The Union

Sunday 9:45pm & 9:55pm, BBC Two

Two more 10-minute episodes of the new show starring Chris O'Dowd and Rosamund Pike. First up, an awkward encounter for Tom before Louise arrives affects their conversation about fading passion.

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

Shop

Monty Python's Big Red Book

Monty Python's Big Red Book

Out now. Paperback

Monty Python's Big Red Book is a humour book comprising mostly material derived and reworked from the first two series of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais - More Than Likely: A Memoir

Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais - More Than Likely: A Memoir

Pre-order. eBook, Hardback

Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais are the creators of some of British television's most beloved comedies. Essex-born Clement teamed up with Geordie insurance salesman La Frenais in the early 1960s and scripted a series about two young pals from Newcastle, The Likely Lads, which became one of BBC Two's first hits.

The duo went on to create the classic comedies Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?, Porridge starring Ronnie Barker, and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. Together and separately they have worked as writers and script editors for some of the most famous TV programmes ever made.

Their career has covered writing, directing and producing for movies and the theatre as well as for television. They have written comedy set in factories, prisons and building sites; drama set in shabby London streets and the corridors of power; musicals about bands coming together and bands breaking apart. Along the way they have had some memorable encounters with movie stars like Richard Burton, Ava Gardner and Marlon Brando; and with poets, prima donnas, politicians and rock stars. This is their story.

The Missionary

The Missionary

Out now. Blu-ray

Monty Python alumnus Michael Palin writes and stars in this ribald comedy of sex and sensibility. Timid Reverend Charles Fortescue returns to London in 1906 after ten years of service in Africa to start a mission to save the fallen women of Soho. But his dedication to tending to the needs of those in his care soon meets with the disapproval of the church and his patron. Directed by Richard Loncraine (Richard III, Bellman and True), The Missionary is a charming and beautifully detailed comedy that boasts a superb supporting cast, including Maggie Smith, Trevor Howard and Denholm Elliott.

This brand new restoration of the delightful 80s period comedy - also the film's Blu-ray premiere - is packed full of extras.

Alex Horne - Taskmaster: 220 Extraordinary Tasks For Ordinary People

Alex Horne - Taskmaster: 220 Extraordinary Tasks For Ordinary People

Out now. Paperback, eBook

If you picked up a copy of the Taskmaster book in hardback last year, you'll want to grab a copy of the new paperback version - freshly updated with an additional 20 tasks. 110% of the Taskmaster madness we all know and love.

All Those Women - The Complete Series 1-4

All Those Women - The Complete Series 1-4

Out now. Audiobook

Starring Sheila Hancock (Series 1) and Marcia Warren (Series 2-4) as Hetty, Lesley Manville as Maggie, Sinead Matthews as Jen and Lucy Hutchinson as Emily, this is a comedy series about four women living under the same roof. All Those Women explores familial relationships, ageing, marriages - it's about life and love and things not turning out quite the way that you'd expected them to. Here we join Hetty, Maggie, Jen and Emily as they struggle to resolve their own problems, and support one another. Written by Katherine Jakeaways.

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

Comedy videos

Keith Palmer's National Lottery Big Surprise

Keith Palmer's National Lottery Big Surprise

Keith Palmer, founder of Camden-based project The Comedy School, was the subject of The National Lottery's Big Surprise. You can watch the video here.

Charlie from Stuttgart - Bang Titty

Charlie from Stuttgart - Bang Titty

Charlie from Stuttgart presents his song Bang Titty.

Paul Zerdin on Britain's Got Talent The Champions

Paul Zerdin on Britain's Got Talent The Champions

After taking America by storm, Paul Zerdin was back on home turf this weekend. However, it seems his little pal, Sam, was on a mission to steal the spotlight...

The Room Next Door - Boris Johnson's Brexit Questions

The Room Next Door - Boris Johnson's Brexit Questions

A look at what was going on backstage as Boris Johnson answered questions about Brexit in the House Of Commons.

Point of You - Remember A Charity

Point of You - Remember A Charity

A comic advert for Remember A Charity Week, which encourages people to include a charity in their will.

Stay Safe Online - Hack Attack!

Stay Safe Online - Hack Attack!

Cyber Crime can ruin lives, Rex O'Langolin explores how in this moving and tragic real life story. Sometimes chess is more than just a game.

The world's silliest time zones

The world's silliest time zones

Jay Foreman and Mark Cooper-Jones look at some strange and silly time zone quirks.

Spotlight

The Royle Family

The Royle Family

Celebrating its 21st anniversary this coming Saturday is the much-loved, critically acclaimed sitcom from the late and much-missed Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash, Henry Normal and Carmel Morgan. Starring Aherne, Cash, Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston, the three series and long run of specials followed the by turns mundane, funny, touching and heartbreaking lives of the Royle family, a normal, northern, working class clan who enjoy little more than sitting down for a cuppa in front of the television. That, and a roast dinner.

Thanks for reading

Do follow us on social media for more throughout the week.

British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk

BCG on social media:
Twitter   Facebook   Instagram