Weekly Newsletter

Monday 4th November 2019

Our weekly update. Scroll down for TV listings, sketches to watch, and more.

Latest comedy news

Lucy Porter and Brenda Gilhooly to pilot Add And Delete

Lucy Porter and Brenda Gilhooly to pilot Add And Delete

Lucy Porter and Brenda Gilhooly are developing a new TV comedy format idea called Add And Delete.

Alexei Sayle to tour in 2020

Alexei Sayle to tour in 2020

Alexei Sayle has announced his first stand-up tour in 7 years. He'll perform Alexei Sayle Live UK 2020 Tour from January to April 2020.

Winston Gregory wins Chorts! 2019 video competition

Winston Gregory wins Chorts! 2019 video competition

Winston Gregory has won the 2019 Chorts! competition for his animated sketch titled Madam Horace.

Dave to launch CALM stand-up showcase

Dave to launch CALM stand-up showcase

Dave is to broadcast Comedy Against Living Miserably, a three-part stand-up showcase in aid of mental health charity CALM.

New online sitcom with BCG Pro writers announced

New online sitcom with BCG Pro writers announced

Producers Turtle Canyon have announced six-part online sitcom Content, with 18 further associated spin-off episodes. Some of its writers were identified through a BCG Pro search for talent.

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Asking For A Friend

The complete series of Union JACK Radio's brand new comedy panel show Asking For A Friend is now available to hear on demand. Join comedian host Mark Dolan and a panel of guests - including Christopher Biggins, Shappi Khorsandi, Basil Brush, Suzi Ruffell, Marcus Brigstocke - to hear answers to questions you never dared ask. Listen

Features

Win Anna And The Apocalypse on Blu-ray

Win Anna And The Apocalypse on Blu-ray

Win a copy of Christmas-set zombie musical comedy Anna And The Apocalypse on Blu-ray.

Win Plebs Series 5 on DVD

Win Plebs Series 5 on DVD

We have three copies of ITV2's fifth series of Plebs on DVD to give away.

First Gig, Worst Gig: Emmanuel Sonubi

First Gig, Worst Gig: Emmanuel Sonubi

He's had a heavy few weeks, but Emmanuel Sonubi has a Winter Wonderland on the horizon.

British Comedy Quiz #74

British Comedy Quiz #74

Here we go... another 10 questions to tackle. How well do you know your British comedy history?

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National Autistic Society

Greg Davies and Seann Walsh have joined the already very strong line-up for The National Autistic Society's Matt and Co Comedy Show, Monday 18 November at London's Union Chapel. Other stars include Sara Pascoe, Angela Barnes, Ivo Graham and Zoe Lyons. Info & Tickets

Features

Catherine Bohart interview

Catherine Bohart interview

Catherine Bohart's new show Lemon responds to a woman who called her 'disgusting' for mentioning her bisexuality. In a revealing, intimate chat, we discuss queer comedy, political satire, 'tell-all' humour, and what it's like to date a fellow comic.

Random 8: Edward Aczel

Random 8: Edward Aczel

He may be off to become a monk, but at least Ed Aczel won't endure any more Toast-like voiceover debacles.

Wit and Wisdom: The comedy from Union JACK's Asking For A Friend guests

Wit and Wisdom: The comedy from Union JACK's Asking For A Friend guests

To tie in with Union JACK's panel show Asking For A Friend we've had a dig through the BCG archives and gathered some choice quotes from some of the show's panellists.

BCG Pro

BCG Pro

Our website BCG Pro is where comedy writers, performers and producers can get advice, insight and promote their work. If you're a creator, do check out the website if you haven't already.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Bobby Mair is the latest guest on RHLSTP, as Richard Herring continues to tour the podcast. There're also new episodes from a number of the other shows we host too. Head to our Podcast area to hear them all.

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Blake Freeman

Fresh from his award-winning run at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and sell-out runs at both Brisbane and Sydney Festival, Blake Freeman brings his debut hour to the UK. See him at London's Soho Theatre from 11th to 16th November. Info & Tickets

TV listings

Plebs

Plebs

Monday 10pm, ITV2

The boys face uncertainty when Landlord evicts them without notice from their flat. Marcus hopes his parents, who are visiting for the weekend, will help him onto the property ladder.

Motherland

Motherland

Monday 10pm, BBC Two

The gang is delighted when Kevin books a cottage for them to spend half term in the countryside with all their kids. It turns out to be a bit of a nightmare trip.

The End Of The F***ing World

The End Of The F***ing World

Monday - Thursday 10pm, Channel 4

The first series of this dark comedy drama almost passed by without a trace, until everyone found it on Netflix a few weeks later. Now, two years after the events on the beach, it returns for a new series. There's double-bills each night until Thursday (eight episodes in the series), or they'll all be on All 4 from tonight.

Dave Gorman: Terms And Conditions Apply

Dave Gorman: Terms And Conditions Apply

Monday 10pm, Dave

Sally Phillips, Desiree Burch and Jessica Knappett join Dave Gorman to try to unscramble the seemingly scrambled.

Tourist Trap

Tourist Trap

Monday 10:35pm, BBC One Wales

The mockumentary continues. This week the tourism team partner with a DNA testing company in an aim to promote their country in a new way.

Live At The Apollo

Live At The Apollo

Tuesday 10pm, BBC Two

Series 15 of the stand-up format begins with Tom Allen introducing Rosie Jones and Kae Kurd.

Zomboat!

Zomboat!

Tuesday 10pm, ITV2

Jo decides to move onto another boat to get away from her sister, while Kat and Sunny are forced to decide how they feel about each other while being held hostage.

Your Face Or Mine

Your Face Or Mine

Wednesday 8pm, Comedy Central

Social media influencers and YouTubers Tristan and Mettisse met on the TV show Survival Of The Fittest, but can the couple survive this show's brutal comparisons?

Doc Martin

Doc Martin

Wednesday 9pm, ITV

Caroline Quentin guest stars in this episode as local vet Angela Sim, who has to consult Dr Martin Ellingham about a lump in her breast.

Taskmaster

Taskmaster

Wednesday 9pm, Dave

Five comedians had one dream: to become the Series 9 Taskmaster Champion. Now it's time for the final... and that precious dream is still alive for all of them - bar one. Peas, teas and absent keys will help pick the winner.

Russell Howard & Mum

Russell Howard & Mum

Wednesday 10pm, Comedy Central

Russell and Ninette are in Kerala in India this time, and they're embracing the southern state's traditions, both old and new.

In The Long Run

In The Long Run

Wednesday 10pm, Sky One

Episode 4. Walter is struggling to resolve the strike until he stumbles upon a secret weapon - Rajesh!

Don't Hate The Playaz

Don't Hate The Playaz

Wednesday 10pm, ITV2

Maya Jama, Michael Dapaah and London Hughes go up against Lady Leshurr, Natasha Demetriou and NSG in the final episode of the series.

Comedians Giving Lectures

Comedians Giving Lectures

Wednesday 10pm, Dave

Sara Pascoe is joined by Dane Baptiste, Jen Brister and Joel Dommett as the lecture-based comedy show comes to a conclusion.

Pants On Fire

Pants On Fire

Thursday 9pm, E4

Jimmy Carr is back to judge another episode of the show in which Emma Willis oversees as three daredevil teams try to convince that they've carried out dangerous stunts. Georgia Toffalo is the other judge.

There's Something About Movies

There's Something About Movies

Thursday 9pm, Sky One

Matt Dillon, Guz Khan and Hannah John-Kamen join team captains Michael Sheen and Jennifer Saunders this week. Alan Carr is asking the questions.

Celebrity Juice

Celebrity Juice

Thursday 10pm, ITV2

Six guests will be joining Keith Lemon this week: Craig Revel Horwood, Phil Daniels, Ayda Field Williams, Dani Dyer, Angela Scanlon and Joe Swash.

The Russell Howard Hour

The Russell Howard Hour

Thursday 10pm, Sky One

Series 3 of the show in which Russell Howard offers his unique and acclaimed perspective on news and current affairs. There's lots to talk about!

Still Open All Hours

Still Open All Hours

Friday 8pm, BBC One

Mr Newbold goes to the library in the hope of meeting up with Mrs Rossi, while Eric and Cyril finally get their wives to go camping.

Trust Morecambe & Wise

Trust Morecambe & Wise

Friday 8pm, Gold

A new series in which Lenny Henry, appearing in a studio with guests, takes a look at Morecambe & Wise's routines and how they teach us how to deal with life's problems.

Have I Got News For You

Have I Got News For You

Friday 9pm, BBC One

Adil Ray will be joined by Ivo Graham and journalist Helen Lewis, plus Ian and Paul, as we head towards an election.

Would I Lie To You?

Would I Lie To You?

Friday 9:30pm, BBC One

Greg Davies always tells great stories, so we're looking forward to his return to the show in this week's episode. Also on the panels: Guz Khan, Claudia Winkleman and Lucy Worsley.

Mock The Week

Mock The Week

Friday 10pm, BBC Two

Rising stand-up star Nigel Ng will be making his debut on the topical comedy show this Friday. Also: Ed Byrne, Rhys James, Olga Koch and Suzi Ruffell.

The Last Leg

The Last Leg

Friday 10pm, Channel 4

Aisling Bea is set to join the topical comedy show this week to discuss what is going on in the world.

The Graham Norton Show

The Graham Norton Show

Friday 10:35pm, BBC One

Richard Ayoade is set to appear, to talk about his book Ayoade on Top. Meanwhile Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter are on the show to talk about The Crown, plus there's Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman. Niall Horan performs.

Harry Hill's ClubNite

Harry Hill's ClubNite

Friday 11:05pm, Channel 4

This show is proving to be great at giving comedians their first TV break. Look out for The Delightful Sausage this week. Also appearing: Suzi Ruffell, Mawaan Rizwan, Phil Dunning and Mat Ewins.

The Jonathan Ross Show

The Jonathan Ross Show

Saturday 10pm, ITV

Tom Allen is all over the TV at the moment, and this will be his latest appearance. X Factor judges Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh also join the host, plus Tiesto and Mabel.

Above is just some of the things on TV this week. For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy too, see our full schedule.

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Up Pompeii - A 50th Anniversary Audio Revival

Up Pompeii - A 50th Anniversary Audio Revival

Pre-order. CD

Marking 50 years since Frankie Howerd's TV sitcom first aired, this is a new adaptation of the successful spin-off stage play by Miles Tredinnick.

Welcome to ancient Pompeii, where the steps of the Forum are peopled by nubile slave girls and a range of outrageous characters including domestic slave Lurcio's owner, Ludicrus Sextus the Senator, his wife Ammonia, his son Nausius and his daughter, Erotica. An extra-marital liaison, an escaped slave, a trip to the country and a junior upstart all collide to make Lurcio's day far from simple.

The brilliant cast in this new audio play includes David Benson, Cleo Rocos, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Madeline Smith, Camille Coduri and Frazer Hines.

Billy Connolly: Made In Scotland

Billy Connolly: Made In Scotland

Pre-order. Blu-ray, DVD

An intimate, deeply personal and funny portrait of the great comedian, and the time and city in which he grew up.

In the world of comedy there is no one quite like Billy Connolly. Weaved around private interviews, this special two-part series finds Billy returning to Scotland to reveal the influences, motivations, people and places that turned him from being Billy Connolly the welder to Billy Connolly the Big Yin.

Roy Chubby Brown - 50 Shades Of Brown

Roy Chubby Brown - 50 Shades Of Brown

Pre-order. DVD

One of only two stand-up DVDs apparently being released this year, the effortlessly blue Big Fat Bast*rd returns with another new show - now on an independent DVD label.

Doc Martin - Complete Series Nine

Doc Martin - Complete Series Nine

Pre-order. DVD

As we return to Portwenn, all is not well with Doc Martin. With his career still under scrutiny due to his blood phobia, Dr Rebecca Hedden from the General Medical Council arrives to assess his bedside manner and determine if he is still fit to practice.

Louisa, having resigned as head teacher at Portwenn School, is throwing herself into her new career as a child and adolescent counsellor, as well as spending more time with their son James Henry. When Louisa notices James is finding it hard to socialise at nursery, she starts wondering whether a little brother or sister would help.

Meanwhile Al and Bert are making a success of running the Crab and Lobster; Mrs Tishell has a new lease of life following Clive's death; and an accidental proposal could have wedding bells ringing in the village.

Monty Python's Flying Circus - Complete Series 1

Monty Python's Flying Circus - Complete Series 1

Out now. DVD, Blu-ray

Marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic sketch show, Monty Python's Flying Circus has now been comprehensively restored from the ground up, with full re-colouring and re-scanning of film extracts to present the series even better than nature intended: a bright, high-definition new remaster with significantly improved picture quality on what has ever been available before, even on its original broadcast from 1969!

Previously edited sketches have also been returned to their original length, and from the archive come genuine rarities including previously unseen studio outtakes. Series 1 and a complete box set are out today, with separate Series 2 - 4 releases following in 2020.

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

Comedy videos

Waiting

Waiting - Dungeon

Here's a great new web series created by Plebs star Ryan Sampson, for Comedy Central. Enjoy six episodes in which he and Harriet Webb play different characters all waiting for something.

Alasdair Beckett-King explains how movies work

Alasdair Beckett-King explains how movies work

Alasdair Beckett-King explains how exposition works in films.

Halloween

Halloween videos

The 31st October might have been and gone, but if you missed out on the spooky laughs, we've collected up the best horror-tinged sketches and short films here.

Rosie Tries To Help - The Youth with Sophie Duker

Rosie Tries To Help - The Youth with Sophie Duker

Today's youth spend too much time on their phones and not enough time in the real world. So in the latest episode of her web series, Rosie Jones has recruited Sophie Duker to help her teach some life skills to Generation Z.

Steve Coogan's Britannia Awards speech

Steve Coogan's Britannia Awards speech

Steve Coogan recently accepted the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy, at BAFTA's LA outpost. Here's his joke-filled acceptance speech.

Spotlight

In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory

Another comedy celebrating its 50th anniversary this year - this very day, in fact - is In Loving Memory, perhaps the most successful but now forgotten of the jubilee lot. Piloted in 1969 but not beginning its first series for a full decade, the sitcom starred Christopher Beeny and Thora Hird as nephew and aunt team Billy and Ivy, running a respectable undertaker's business in Yorkshire. The year is 1929 and as motorised hearses begin replacing the traditional horse-drawn coffin carriage, undertaker Jeremiah Unsworth is killed in a tragic accident: leaving the family business to be run by his widow and their naive, hapless nephew and trainee, Billy. Eventually running for 5 series till 1986, the complete collection is available on DVD now.

Thanks for reading

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