Weekly Newsletter |
Tuesday 8th October 2019 |
Oops - we're a little late this week, after an unexpectedly elongated weekend. Let's press straight on with the news.
Latest comedy news
Ghosts gets 3rd series as BBC renews iPlayer focus
The BBC has commissioned a third series of sitcom Ghosts, as it looks increasingly to iPlayer rather than television as the home of its content.
Semi-Detached starring Lee Mack to return for full series
Semi-Detached, the real-time sitcom with a cast including Lee Mack, is to return for a full series following the success of a pilot episode.
Sky orders Redknapp's Weekend Warm-Up pilot
Sky One has ordered a pilot of Redknapp's Weekend Warm-Up, a comedy entertainment format featuring Jamie Redknapp, Harry Redknapp and Tom Davis.
David Walliams to host National TV Awards
David Walliams is taking over from Dermot O'Leary as the host of the National Television Awards.
Comedy Central orders online shows from Rosie Jones & Desiree Burch
Comedy Central has ordered a batch of new online short form series: Rosie Tries To Help, Comedy Central Chart Show and Desiree Burch's Fat Chat.
New comedy coming to Scotland's Central FM
Central FM, a radio station operating in Scotland's Forth Valley, is to launch a new comedy series called The Central FM Comedy Hour.
Iain Stirling to record Amazon special
Avalon has announced that Iain Stirling will record his next stand-up tour for publication on Amazon Prime Video.
Ricky Tomlinson and Ralf Little to star in Gold travel series
Royle Family stars Ricky Tomlinson and Ralf Little are to star in new Gold travel series, Ricky And Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip.
BBC confirms third series for Motherland
BBC Two has ordered a further series of comedy Motherland. Series 2 started on BBC Two yesterday.
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Features
Ed Byrne interview
His new show's getting good reviews, but he's got a system for the bad ones. Meanwhile he's using the kids as a device, and his Tweets are full of mountaintop scenes. Has Ed Byrne worked out the unlikely secret to long-term stand-up success?
Random 8: Margot Przymierska
Her wedding show does its first English/Polish double-header soon - but which tank-man was Margot Przymierska's early inspiration?
Amelia Gething interview
Amelia Gething captured people's attention via the videos she uploaded to the internet. Now's she's made a series for the BBC...
First Gig, Worst Gig: Stewart Francis
He's heading off Into the Punset - the last show ever is in December - but can Stewart Francis remember where it all began?
British Comedy Quiz: Monty Python special
Our latest quiz celebrates 50 years of Monty Python. How much do you know about the group's work?
Random 8: Richard Herring
Pompeii! Barbados! Lots of fancy US hotels! Richard Herring is going to none of those places on his RHLSTP tour - but they all crop up here.
BCG Pro
We've got some brilliant insights on BCG Pro (our website for writers and performers) at the moment - have a read!
Podcasts
There's lots of new and archive shows to enjoy in our podcast area, including panel show Do The Right Thing (which is on fine form), and Russell Howard joining Richard Herring for a chat.
TV listings
Defending The Guilty
A series of odd incidents on the Tube lands Caroline and Will with a tough to read client, and Ashley is calling for strike action on the Government's new proposals for legal aid.
Zomboat!
A new sitcom about a group who try to escape a zombie apocalypse via a canal boat. Head to our website to see the trailer.
Your Face Or Mine
Couple Kevin and Gabrielle are no strangers to making judgements at first glance as they met on dating app Tinder. They compare themselves to famous faces on the show to try to win money.
Doc Martin
Ruth is concerned about becoming increasingly forgetful, Louisa plans a special evening to celebrate Martin's birthday, and Al decides to throw Morwenna a surprise engagement party on the same night.
Taskmaster
Jo Brand shows cowboys how to cowboy, and Rose Matafeo asks a stranger if they have a library card. Katherine Ryan sits in for an ill Katy Wix in the studio.
Russell Howard & Mum
The fourth series of the show in which Russell Howard and his mum travel the world. In this opening episode they're getting spiritual in India.
The Reluctant Landlord
In the last episode in the series, Rom's convinced that his maker is calling last orders on his life. Intending on one last hurrah, he asks Natasha to organise him a 40th birthday party.
Don't Hate The Playaz
Maya Jama, Michael Dapaah and London Hughes go up against Lady Leshurr, Judi Love and Jay 1 in the lively music-based panel show.
Comedians Giving Lectures
This week Sara Pascoe is joined by Ivo Graham, Luke McQueen and Rachel Parris. Who will give the best talk on their chosen topic?
Pants On Fire
A new comedy entertainment series in which a group of regular contestants must try to convince the audience and celebrity guests they're telling the truth about tasks they've supposedly completed.
There's Something About Movies
Series 2 of the movie show. Joining Alan, Michael Sheen, new team captain Jennifer Saunders and new regular Tom Allen in this opening episode is Warwick Davis, Tom Davis and Alice Levine.
Celebrity Juice
Series 22 of the panel show. James Blunt, Mark Wright, Katherine Ryan and Richard Arnold are up for the fun. Mel B is the new team captain.
The Mash Report
Nish and co return for another week's topical comedy. It's likely to cover the same subjects as ever.
Frayed
Sammy goes snooping for evidence to blackmail Chris. Lenny pals up with a fellow misfit and a date lands Jean in hot water.
Have I Got News For You
Series 58 of the topical panel show, arriving just in time to see through the current Brexit deadline. Martin Clunes is the host for episode one, with panellists Layla Moran MP and Sara Pascoe.
Scarborough
In the final episode, tensions run high when Tony and Hayley talk through their plans for the renovation of the salon.
QI
Alan Carr makes his debut on the brainy panel show. Phill Jupitus is back too, plus podcaster and radio host Alice Levine.
The Graham Norton Show
In a rare UK talk show appearance, singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen is set to grace Graham's sofa this Friday, alongside Robert De Niro, Paul Rudd and James Blunt.
The Jonathan Ross Show
The host is joined by renowned chef Gordon Ramsay, Team GB sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and stand-up comedian Rob Beckett. Plus, multi-platinum-selling Irish group The Script perform live in the studio.
Rob Beckett's Savage Socials
Rob Beckett looks back over another week in social media and online news in the latest episode of his show.
For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.
Shop
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Defending The GuiltyBBC legal-eagle comedy series starring Will Sharpe and Katherine Parkinson. Idealistic pupil barrister Will Packham is shown the ropes by his cynical, worldly-wise pupilmaster Caroline. Currently airing on BBC Two (see this week's episode, above), this DVD will be released at the end of the month. |
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Alex Edelman - Millennial And Peer GroupAlex Edelman, the 25-year-old Bostonian native and winner of the prestigious Best Newcomer Award at the 2014 Edinburgh Festival Fringe brings his unique wit to a discussion of the issues that affect the millennial generation. Millennial: Alex Edelman gives his take on the much misunderstood and ridiculed millennial generation and how he bites back. Peer Group: Alex takes a look at what it means to be an adult in a millennial world, with help from his peers. |
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Billy Connolly - Tall Tales And Wee StoriesIn December 2018, after 50-years of belly-laughs, energy, outrage and enjoyment, Billy Connolly announced his retirement from stand-up comedy. It had been an extraordinary career. When he first started out in the late Sixties, Billy played the banjo in the folk clubs of Glasgow. Between songs he would improvise a bit, and quickly the songs became shorter and the chatting breaks longer as he learned his craft as a comic storyteller. Tall Tales And Wee Stories brings together the very best of Billy's storytelling for the first time and includes his most famous routines including, The Last Supper, Jojoba Shampoo, Incontinence Pants and Shouting at Wildebeest. With an introduction and original illustrations by Billy throughout, it is an inspirational, energetic and riotously funny read, and a fitting celebration of our greatest ever comedian. |
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Worzel Gummidge - Christmas Special: A Cup O' Tea An' A Slice O' CakeDouble-length musical Christmas special of the iconic childrens' comedy, first shown in December 1980. The first release of this much-loved ITV sitcom since the rediscovery of all of its original film negatives, the special has been fully restored and remastered - you won't have seen it looking this good even on its original broadcast. It's Christmas Eve: a most important day for scarecrows as they must stand in position to guide Santa Claus back to the North Pole. Worzel Gummidge, however, deserts his post to enjoy the delights of the season, jeopardising his chances of attending the Scarecrow Ball. Guest stars include Billy Connolly and Barbara Windsor, alongside Jon Pertwee, Una Stubbs and Geoffrey Bayldon. |
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The Midnight GangThe Midnight Gang is an adaptation of the book by David Walliams. When Tom gets hit on the head by a cricket ball, he finds himself on the miserable children's ward of St Hugo's Hospital, where he is greeted by a terrifying-looking porter and wicked matron. But things aren't as bad as they seem and Tom is soon to embark on the most thrilling journey of a lifetime. The Midnight Gang tells the extraordinarily heartwarming and funny story of five children on their quest for adventure. It is a story of friendship, magic and most importantly... making dreams come true. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Taskmaster outtakes
If you're enjoying Taskmaster, you'll also love the bonus extra bits published online. You can find these outtakes on our site.
Amazing Men - Djan
The final episode in this short character-based web series focuses on Djan (the 'j' is silent). He is the strong and silent type.
Dave Gorman: Terms And Conditions Apply - Trailer
Dave Gorman introduces his new series in this big-budget trailer. It starts on Dave on Monday 21st.
The Personal History Of David Copperfield - Trailer
The trailer for Armando Iannucci's new film. He is bringing one of Dickens' most cherished characters to the big screen, with a touch of comedy added.
A League Of Their Own - YMCA
For those that missed it, here's David Walliams making a spectacular entrance on ALOTO, performing a YMCA song.
Spotlight
Timewasters
Later this week it'll be 2 years since the first series of ITV's time-travel sitcom aired. Written by Daniel Lawrence Taylor, who co-stars alongside Samson Kayo, Adelayo Adedayo and Kadiff Kirwan, the comedy follows a group of four black friends from a south London housing estate who stumble back to the 1920s as they seek refuge from a knife-wielding wronged boyfriend in a dodgy, urine-soaked lift. Series 2, broadcast earlier this year, saw the jazz-playing quartet venturing - this time somewhat more deliberately - to the late 1950s, amidst Teddy Boys, the birth of rock 'n' roll, and the newly arrived Windrush generation. Offering something for all, the riotous and popular ITV2 comedy is bizarrely not available to own yet, but we're very much crossing our fingers that a third series is on the way.
Thanks for reading
We'll be back in your inbox next Monday as normal. Have a great rest of your week!
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