Weekly Newsletter

Monday 9th December 2019

With both an election and Christmas looming, there's lots of topical comedy in this edition. Read on!

Latest comedy news

Arthur Askey TV series recovered

Arthur Askey TV series recovered

All missing episodes of an Arthur Askey ITV sitcom have been recovered by researchers at television organisation Kaleidoscope.

Chortle Comedy Book Festival 2020 line-up revealed

Chortle Comedy Book Festival 2020 line-up revealed

The Chortle Comedy Book Festival 2020 line-up will include Adam Kay, Mark Thomas, Jenny Éclair, Arthur Smith, Robin Ince and Josie Long.

This Country to be re-made in America

This Country to be re-made in America

American network Fox is set to make a US version of This Country. Bridesmaids director Paul Feig will oversee the pilot.

Vlad Ilich wins Up The Creek's One To Watch competition

Vlad Ilich wins Up The Creek's One To Watch competition

Stand-up comedian Vlad Ilich has won the One To Watch competition at the Up The Creek club. Toussaint Douglass was runner-up.

Writers' Guild Awards 2020 shortlist

Writers' Guild Awards 2020 shortlist

Danny Brocklehurst, Lisa McGee, Rufus Jones, Tom Neenan, Brenda Gilhooly, Caroline Moran and James J Moran are amongst the comedy writers nominated for the Writers' Guild Awards 2020.

Advert

Ben Elton's Comedy Night for Scope

Ben Elton's Comedy Night - 25% off tickets!

Join Scope for an incredible comedy night with Ben Elton, the godfather of modern stand-up and writer of TV hits Blackadder, The Thin Blue Line and Upstart Crow. Ben Elton will be your host and headlining act for this exciting night of comedy at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on the 21 December. He will be joined by an amazing line-up of comedians, including Jo Coffey, Kae Kurd, Chris McCausland, Shazia Mirza and Tim Renkow! Get your tickets today and enter the code 25BENELTON to claim 25% discount!

Features

Dial M For Middlesbrough interview

Dial M For Middlesbrough interview

Johnny Vegas, Sian Gibson, Annette Crosbie, Jason Donovan, Phil Davis, Sally Lindsay, Joanna Page, Ambreen Razia, Jason Forbes, Mike Wozniak and John Macmillan talk about starring in this Saturday's Dial M For Middlesbrough.

Chris McCausland interview

Chris McCausland interview

Blind comedian Chris McCausland has had a brilliant 2019 career-wise, as he discusses in this interview.

First Gig, Worst Gig: Howard Read

First Gig, Worst Gig: Howard Read

Howard Read pops up at the Hertford Theatre's Comedy Gala Evening on Wednesday: but what does he think of the host?

No Such Thing As A Fish interview

No Such Thing As A Fish interview

No Such Thing As A Fish stars Anna Ptaszynski and James Harkin talk about the success of their podcast, and their new fact-filled book. Along the way, topics including old cats, cattle insemination and polar vortexes pop up.

British Comedy Quiz #79

British Comedy Quiz #79

Monty Python, My Family, Ronnie Barker and Steptoe And Son are amongst this week's topics.

Random 8: Paul Revill

Random 8: Paul Revill

From a flower for Jolie to an Ocean Colour Scene wee, it's Paul Revill's revelations.

Oh No You're Not - The Pains of Putting on a Pantomime during Election Week

Oh No You're Not - The Pains of Putting on a Pantomime during Election Week

Weirdos' legendary panto is making a triumphant return tonight and tomorrow. Some bigwigs decided we should all go to the polls a few days later. Weirdos' own party leader - Adam Larter - tells us more.

Oh, What's Occurring? Gavin & Stacey's cast talk about the new special

Oh, What's Occurring? Gavin & Stacey's cast talk about the new special

The stars of the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special talk about returning after nearly a decade away.

Christmas TV comedy highlights 2019

Christmas TV comedy highlights 2019

Our guide to what's coming up on TV this Christmas has now been updated to include more specials, and broadcast dates.

BCG Pro

BCG Pro

If you're a writer, performer or producer then head to our BCG Pro website to find lots of content published with you in mind. Access competitions, top insights and advice, tools and more.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Ian McMillan is really entertaining on Richard Herring's latest podcast. There's also a new Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown to enjoy, and more.

TV listings

Dave Gorman: Terms And Conditions Apply

Dave Gorman: Terms And Conditions Apply

Monday 10pm, Dave

Dave Gorman is joined by Ed Gamble, Rose Matafeo and David O'Doherty as his panel show continues.

Elis James: Funny Nation

Elis James: Funny Nation

Monday 10:45pm, BBC One Wales

This new documentary series looking at Welsh comedy kicks off tonight. If you're not in Wales, then the easiest way to see this is through BBC iPlayer.

Live At The Apollo

Live At The Apollo

Tuesday 10pm, BBC Two

Desiree Burch introduces stand-up performances by Paul McCaffrey and Jonny Pelham in the latest episode of the stand-up show.

Your Face Or Mine

Your Face Or Mine

Wednesday 8pm, Comedy Central

A festive special of the comedy game show, featuring celebrity couple Jodie Kidd and Joseph Bates.

Comedy Legends

Comedy Legends

Wednesday 9pm, Sky Arts

Barry Cryer reflects on the life and career of actor Terry-Thomas in the latest episode of this documentary series.

Vic & Bob's Big Night Out

Vic & Bob's Big Night Out

Wednesday 10pm, BBC Four

Vic presents Bob with a striking new wig and also reveals his secret to beat boxing. The Man With The Stick returns, and sketches include The Free Runners and Frank Roddam's latest inventions.

Romesh Presents...

Romesh Presents...

Wednesday 11pm & 11:15pm, Sky One

Two more comedy shorts, introduced by Romesh Ranganathan. Kiri Pritchard-McLean spends a night round Russell Howard's house in the first. In the other, Darren Harriott talks about Michael Jackson.

Jack Whitehall: Christmas With My Father

Jack Whitehall: Christmas With My Father

Thursday, Netflix

A one-off Christmas entertainment extravaganza hosted by Jack Whitehall and his father will be available on Netflix from Thursday.

Celebrity Juice

Celebrity Juice

Thursday 9:55pm, ITV2

Keith Lemon hosts this festive special, with team captains Holly Willoughby and Mel B joined by Paddy McGuinness, Gino D'Acampo, Stacey Solomon and Kelly Osbourne.

Channel 4's Alternative Election Night

Channel 4's Alternative Election Night

Thursday 9:55pm, Channel 4

You could watch the BBC or Sky News to find out who wins in the election... or tune in to Channel 4 for a more comedic take on things. No David Mitchell this time, but presenters Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Katherine Ryan and Rylan are joined by various comedians.

Upright

Upright

Thursday 10pm & 10:30pm, Sky Atlantic

Episodes 5 and 6 of Tim Minchin's comedy. Lucky contemplates giving up when Meg runs away with the ute and the piano.

The Russell Howard Hour

The Russell Howard Hour

Thursday 10pm, Sky One

Coming on air as the polls close and thus many of the impartiality rules are lifted, Russell Howard will be taking a look back at the week's events on the General Election campaign trail.

Have I Got News For You

Have I Got News For You

Friday 9:30pm, BBC One

A big show for this topical comedy stalwart. They're recording it early on Friday morning so they can include reaction to the election result. Alexander Armstrong hosts, with guests including Jon Richardson.

The Last Leg

The Last Leg

Friday 10pm, Channel 4

An extended-length episode in which Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe, Alex Brooker and guests try to "make sense of the chaos the election has left behind".

The State Of It

The State Of It

Friday 10:30pm, BBC Scotland

Scumbag Politician Jim Donaghan is out pounding the streets to get your votes in this politics-based episode of the thematic sketch show.

The Graham Norton Show

The Graham Norton Show

Friday 10:40pm, BBC One

Judi Dench and Jennifer Hudson will be trying to sell new film version of Cats. Also Hugh Grant, Matthew McConaughey, Michael Bublé and Coldplay.

Michael McIntyre's Big Show

Michael McIntyre's Big Show

Saturday 9:10pm, BBC One

Ellie Goulding hands Michael her phone in Send To All, and two brothers from Coventry are in for a shock when they find themselves on stage at The London Palladium.

The Return Of The Yuletide Kid

The Return Of The Yuletide Kid

Saturday 9:10pm, BBC Two Wales

A one-off comedy drama about a former Hollywood child star who returns to his home town in Wales for Christmas.

Dial M For Middlesbrough

Dial M For Middlesbrough

Saturday 9:15pm, Gold

A sequel to Murder On The Blackpool Express and Death On The Tyne. This time the characters are in a caravan park.

The Jonathan Ross Show

The Jonathan Ross Show

Saturday 10:10pm, ITV

Much like Norton, Ross is plugging Cats - he's got Rebel Wilson and Jason Derulo on. Also cricketer Jofra Archer, Taron Egerton, Mel Giedroyc and Keane.

8 Out Of 10 Cats

8 Out Of 10 Cats

Sunday 9pm, E4

Jimmy Carr hosts this Christmas Special of the panel show. Rob Beckett and Sara Pascoe and joined by Emily Atack, Ola the Comedian, Natasia Demetriou and Jamie Laing.

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

Shop

Sick Note - Series Two

Sick Note - Series Two

Pre-order. DVD

Daniel (Rupert Grint) was in a dead end job and was losing the girl of his dreams - until he was misdiagnosed with cancer, a mistake which gave him a new zeal for life renewed. His colleagues were nicer to him and his relationship was rekindled.

Unfortunately for Daniel the mistake was spotted and the ensuing series of lies have now spiralled far our of control. He and his incompetent Dr Iain Glennis (Nick Frost) are fast becoming out of their depth. The pair's lies keep threatening to catch them out, and when online gamer friend Will_5000 shows up as an unwelcome house guest, things get even trickier still.

This is the complete second series of the Sky One comedy, co-starring Lindsay Lohan.

Not The 9 O'Clock News... - Not All The Albums Again

Not The 9 O'Clock News... - Not All The Albums Again

Pre-order. Vinyl, CD

Celebrating 40 years since the ground-breaking satirical sketch show arrived on BBC TV, this box set collects together all three original, best-selling hit comedy albums from the series.

Not The 9 O'Clock News... (1980) appears on CD for the first time, plus a reissue of 1981's Hedgehog Sandwich. There's also the double-sided The Memory Kinda Lingers (1982), lovingly remastered from the original tapes. Each disc is included in a recreation of the original slipcase; if you opt for the vinyl version, Hedgehog Sandwich is presented on a splattered-hedgehog coloured disc, and in both formats you'll get a lovely new booklet of notes and information.

Delve into 80s comedy heaven with Mel Smith, Rowan Atkinson, Griff Rhys Jones and Pamela Stephenson.

Gavin & Stacey - A Special Christmas

Gavin & Stacey - A Special Christmas

Pre-order. DVD

It's been ten years since we spent Christmas with the Shipmans and the Wests. Last time it was Billericay - but the deal has always been to alternate, and this year we're heading to Barry where Uncle Bryn's cooking dinner for over thirteen people. Understandably he's tense.

Pam would secretly prefer to spend Christmas in Essex as she finds Gwen's house a bit lacking, but as long as she gets to be a doting grandparent along with Mick and Gwen, it doesn't really matter where they eat their turkey. Gavin and Stacey's baby is now nine and for them, parenthood can sometimes be a challenge. Smithy, a committed dad to twelve year old Neil the Baby makes the journey to Barry at weekends and every second Wednesday, whilst Nessa adopts her own brand of Nessa-style mothering. On Christmas Eve, Dawn makes a shocking discovery about Pete that jeopardises their marriage (again) and a visit to the pub that night is an eye opener in more ways than one.

This year's highly-anticipated new special is available to pre-order now, for release on 6th January.

Tommy Cooper - The Complete LWT Series

Tommy Cooper - The Complete LWT Series

Out now. DVD

With his uniquely chaotic blend of fluffed magic and lame jokes, Tommy Cooper was a constant and instantly recognisable presence on television for four decades. A firm favourite with the public, his variety shows were always eagerly awaited.

First transmitted fifty years ago, Cooper's series for London Weekend Television followed hot on the heels of his phenomenally successful three-year-run of Life With Cooper and set him firmly on the road to superstardom. All thirteen episodes of the series are included in this new DVD set, with an array of comedy A-list guest stars.

The Iron Maiden

The Iron Maiden

Pre-order. Blu-ray

Aviation designer Jack Hopkins is notably absent from his creation's latest test flight. He is, in fact, many miles away indulging his greatest passion: an old showman's traction engine called The Iron Maiden! Jack has his heart set on entering the prestigious Annual Steam Rally at Woburn Abbey, but hadn't reckoned on some fierce and devious opposition! Michael Craig is the engineering genius whose hobby spells trouble for boss Cecil Parker, with Alan Hale Jr. as the tycoon who eventually comes to share his passion in this stellar comedy from the early 1960s.

Previously released only on DVD, this brand new HD remaster of the charming film - a hit on Talking Pictures TV, and from the producer and director of the Carry Ons - this Blu-ray will be available to own from the end of February.

Blinded By The Light

Blinded By The Light

Out now. DVD

From writer/director/producer Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) comes the inspirational comedy drama Blinded By The Light, set to the music and lyrics of Bruce Springsteen's timeless songs.

It tells the story of Javed (Viveik Kalra), a British teen of Pakistani descent, growing up in the town of Luton, England, in 1987. Amidst the racial and economic turmoil of the times, he writes poetry as a means to escape the intolerance of his hometown and the inflexibility of his traditional father. But when a classmate introduces him to the music of 'The Boss', Javed sees parallels to his working-class life in Springsteen's powerful lyrics. As Javed discovers a cathartic outlet for his own pent-up dreams, he also begins to find the courage to express himself in his own unique voice.

Based on Sarfraz Manzoor's acclaimed memoir Greetings From Bury Park, Blinded By The Light is a joyful story of courage, love, hope, family and the unique ability of music to lift the human spirit.

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

Comedy videos

Cinderella: After Ever After - Trailer

Cinderella: After Ever After - Trailer

A first look at the new Christmas comedy starring David Walliams as Prince Charming after the main fairytale story has finished.

The Handmaid's Panto

The Handmaid's Panto

A brilliant sketch starring Paul Danan, Lucy Pinder and Dave Benson Phillips which imagines if The Mandmaid's Tale became a pantomime.

Send Him Home

Send Him Home

A really dark spoof of all those cute supermarket and department store Christmas adverts.

Maris Piper - Morning After

Maris Piper - Morning After

Musical duo Maris Piper present their Morning After music video. Some of these lyrics may not be safe to listen to at work!

The Slip

The Slip

One man will stop at nothing to get the answer he so desperately wants.

The End Of The F***ing World - Bloopers

The End Of The F***ing World - Bloopers

Some great outtakes from the second series of Channel 4's dark comedy drama.

How To Cook Christmas Dinner in 2019

How To Cook Christmas Dinner in 2019

A musical sketch from the group Just These Please. How to make a Christmas Dinner... Except you forgot about Vegan, Sugar Free, Vegetarian, Celiac, Lactose Intolerant, Low FODMAP, Keto, Fat Free and Gluten Free diets.

Greed - Trailer

Greed - Trailer

Steve Coogan stars as a fashion retail magnate in new satire Greed, written and directed by Michael Winterbottom, which comes to UK cinemas on 21st February 2020.

Content - The Word

Content - The Word

The web series continues. In an attempt to go viral Alex says a word that is misheard by half the internet and he gets cancelled.

I Love... - Christmas Films (by Laura Lexx)

I Love... - Christmas Films (by Laura Lexx)

Laura Lexx is obsessed with Christmas films. Like really obsessed. She explains more here.

Spotlight

Judi Dench

Judi Dench

Acting icon, the wonderful Dame Judi Dench is 85 today. Finding the height of her international fame in 1992 - 2005 BBC sitcom As Time Goes By, the actor's myriad of credits cross genres - but it's her comedy roles for which she remains best-loved. Take a look through some of her iconic credits in our guide - why not pick up a DVD or two to indulge in over Christmas?

Thanks for reading

Looking for Christmas gift ideas? Our latest Shop Newsletter has a rundown of some of the best products released this year.

British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk

BCG on social media:
Twitter   Facebook   Instagram