Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 13th January 2020 |
We open with the shortlists everyone's been waiting to see: who you've chosen as the best comedies of 2019. See below to find out more and vote for the ultimate winners.
Comedy Awards
Shortlists revealed! Our awards longlist started with 430 TV and radio programmes broadcast during 2019, but - following the first round of voting (thanks if you got involved!) - is now down to just 60 titles. Check out the shortlists here, and pick which you think should win in each category. Vote now
Latest comedy news
Steve Coogan to star in Channel 4 #MeToo comedy drama
Steve Coogan is to star as a film producer with Sarah Solemani his director in a new Channel 4 comedy drama based around the #MeToo movement. The pair wrote the scripts together.
North West Comedy Awards 2020 results
Dan Nightingale, Harriet Dyer, Hannah Platt, Tez Ilyas, Gary Delaney and Hot Water Comedy Club were amongst the winners of the 2020 North West Comedy Awards, held in Manchester.
Features
Mark Steel and Elliot Steel interview
Mark Steel and Elliot Steel talk about working together on Radio 4 sitcom pilot Unite.
David Tennant and Michael Sheen interview
David Tennant and Michael Sheen talk about starring in Good Omens, the TV adaptation of the fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.
Leonard Rossiter: A difficult man
In this edition of Comedy Chronicles, Graham McCann looks at the remarkable career of actor Leonard Rossiter, and one fateful meeting that lost him a part in an iconic BBC sitcom.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Alex Edelman
One of America's finest still-affordable comics, Alex Edelman is about to begin a debut UK tour. He should probably stop playing with musicians, though.
Steve Speirs interview
Steve Speirs talks about The Tuckers, his BBC sitcom set in the Welsh Valleys, which follows a family of chancers. It started on Friday, but you can catch-up now on iPlayer if you missed it.
Over 500 shows at Glasgow Comedy Festival 2020
The 2020 Glasgow International Comedy Festival, which is due to take place between 12th and 29th March, will feature more than 500 shows across 60 venues.
British Comedy Quiz #83
Can you name the man pictured alongside this item? If so, that's one point for you. But can you get full marks in this week's quiz?
Random 8: The Pick of 2019
Take a trip back through the last 12 months with Dane Baptiste, Vikki Stone, Richard Herring, Lou Sanders and many more (well, four more).
BCG Pro
If you're a comedy creator, check out our BCG Pro Opportunities Hub for some great job opportunities. We also have more insight and features, including an account of how they made the critically acclaimed new dark comedy film A Serial Killer's Guide To Life.
Podcasts
Milton Jones is really interesting in the latest Sitcom Geeks podcast; meanwhile Nick Frost talks about his childhood in a poignant episode of RHLSTP. There's also a new Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown to enjoy.
TV listings
Cold Feet
Series 9 of the comedy drama. Adam finds himself in hot water at work, while his relationship with Karen continues to affect the group.
Group
A new sitcom pilot about an addiction support group. Find out more about the show by clicking through to our website.
8 Out Of 10 Cats
Jimmy Carr is joined this time by Rob Beckett, Katherine Ryan, Joe Swash, Angela Scanlon, Jamali Maddix and Maisie Adam.
Good Omens
If you've got Amazon Prime, you might have already seen this big-budget comedy drama based on the book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It's also already out on Blu-ray and DVD. Otherwise, it starts its long-awaited BBC Two run this week. There's more information our website.
A League Of Their Own
As their Road Trip continues, Freddie and Jamie visit La Tomatina festival in Spain, before heading back to Barcelona to meet new teammates Lee Mack and Sam Quek for a diving challenge.
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
Joe Wilkinson and Kiri Pritchard-McLean join Sean Lock and Jon Richardson for the words-and-numbers game, while the Brett Domino Trio join Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner.
The Russell Howard Hour
Russell Howard's show is back after a Christmas break, and the comedian is once again ready to tackle what's going on in the world.
CelebAbility
Iain Stirling is joined by new team captain Stacey Solomon, who leads a group of three friends looking to win a slew of fabulous prizes by defeating four celebrities: Katherine Ryan, Roman Kemp, Judi Love & Ade Adepitan.
Sex Education
One of the hottest online titles of 2019, Sex Education returns to Netflix on Friday with all 8 episodes of its second series. Gillian Anderson, Asa Butterfield and co are back for another round of teenage lust, angst and romantic dilemmas.
The Goes Wrong Show
This week the hapless gang present a 1960s-style horror set in a crumbling old house. But the play has been running short in rehearsals, and the only solution they can find involves adjectives.
Would I Lie To You?
Rob Brydon, David Mitchell and Lee Mack are joined by Steph McGovern, Richard Osman, Jennifer Saunders and Joe Sugg as the fib-based panel show returns to complete its 13th series over the next month.
QI
Aisling Bea, Sally Phillips and Sindhu Vee take part in this new episode, entitled Quagmire.
King Gary
The new sitcom continues. Gary's under 9s little league team, The Badgers, are in the cup final, but the week before the match his star player is poached.
The Tuckers
BBC Wales viewers can see this comedy instead of King Gary. Billy strikes a deal to buy some dodgy wine. Meanwhile Glyn gets in trouble with a local gangster.
The Last Leg
A new series of the topical comedy show begins. The next few weeks are likely to be taken up with the final countdown towards Brexit: they have a special episode planned for 31st January.
Sick Of It
Two more episodes. In the first, a health scare triggers an existential crisis in Karl. The second revolves around a recurring dream.
The Graham Norton Show
Jennifer Saunders is on the show to promote mystery thriller series The Stranger. Also Jamie Foxx, Michael B Jordan, Patrick Stewart and Michael Kiwanuka.
Pointless
A celebrity edition of the quiz show, featuring comedians. It's Sofie Hagen & Jenny Eclair; Cariad Lloyd & Darren Harriott; Nish Kumar & Ed Gamble; Simon Evans & Geoff Norcott.
First & Last
If you've watched either of the two previous episodes of this comedy game show you'll know what to expect by now - a mix of silly games designed to eliminate the top and bottom player. Jason Manford hosts.
For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.
Shop
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OrphansRenowned Scottish actor Peter Mullan (Mum, Trainspotting) made his feature film directing debut with this fierce jet-black comedy of familial grief shot in and around the streets of Glasgow where he grew up. As four siblings reunite for the funeral of their mother, Orphans blends realist drama, wildly absurdist humour, and moving social observation. Gleefully unsentimental and taking wicked delight in subverting audience expectations, Orphans is a dark, dangerous, funny and extraordinarily touching modern classic of Scottish cinema. Making its Blu-ray premiere with this new restoration at the end of the month, the release is packed with documentaries, interviews, commentaries and other extra features. |
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Tommy Cooper - The Complete LWT SeriesWith 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, this 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 across the decade that followed, and lasted until his untimely death in 1984, aged just 63. This double-disc set includes all 13 episodes of magical comedy brilliance, aired between Christmas 1969 and Easter 1971. |
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George Egg - Anarchist CookInternationally acclaimed comedian George Egg is also a rather fanatical self-taught cook with a somewhat anarchic approach to making meals. As obsessed with culinary matters as he is with comedic ones, and finding himself dissatisfied with the quality and cost of takeaways and room-service meals while touring the stand-up comedy clubs of the world, George embarks on a project to take matters into his own surprisingly capable hands. A surreal and absurd mix of stand-up comedy and striking innovation. If you like food, you'll like this. |
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The Iron MaidenFast becoming a favourite with fans of 60s British cinema and comedy since its DVD debut in 2016, this abundantly joyful film from the producer and director of the Carry On series is about to be re-released on Blu-ray, available in stunning, glistening HD for the first time anywhere. 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 American tycoon who eventually comes to share his passion in this stellar comedy. |
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Not The 9 O'Clock News... - Not All The Albums AgainCelebrating 40 years since the ground-breaking comedy series arrived on BBC TV, this box set presents all three original spin-off albums from the topical sketch show: Not The 9 O'Clock News..., Hedgehog Sandwich, and the double-sided The Memory Kinda Lingers, all lovingly remastered from the original tapes. The first two albums made the UK Top 10 chart on their original release, whilst the double-disc final volume includes a full live stage show recording. And they remain wonderfully funny, almost 40 years since they were recorded. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Token Warfare
A short film about "when another token steps onto your turf".
Comedy Central Chart Show - Pop Megastar
Comedy Central's latest spoof music video stars Derry Girls actor Jamie-Lee O'Donnell as a pop megastar who has got something for literally everyone.
The Dating Standards
A man gets pulled up on his dating standards in this sketch.
Spotlight
In Loving Memory
Today we thought it'd be apt to remind ourselves of perhaps the best-known sitcom work of actor Christopher Beeny, who, it was announced last week, has just died at the age of 78. He starred in this comedy set around an undertaker's business alongside the much-loved Dame Thora Hird. Piloted way back in 1969 and then running for five very popular series between 1979 and 1986, the sitcom is set in 1920s Yorkshire, against the backdrop of the inter-war period's many hardships. Error-prone, naive assistant Billy Henshaw is thrown in at the deep end when his undertaker uncle dies in a tragic but fitting accident, leaving him and his auntie, Ivy Unsworth, to run the family business alone. Orphaned as a toddler, he digs in under his aunt's ever-watchful and protective eye, all the whilst attempting to forge his own identity and - perhaps - even find a girlfriend. The complete series is available to own on DVD.
Thanks for reading
It takes just one minute to vote in our awards, so please do take a moment to help us ensure the very best shows of 2019 are honoured.
Don't forget to follow us on social media (links below) and check out the website daily too. We post more on there than we can fit in the newsletter, like a first look at ITV's new sitcom, Kate & Koji.
British Comedy Guide
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