Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 23rd March 2020 |
In these unprecedented times, we start with a round-up of what's changed in the world of comedy. There's plenty of non-virus related stuff below that, so do read on for some much-needed distraction.
Latest comedy news
Comedians move online as coronavirus cancels most live comedy
The Government's advice that people should avoid social contact to stop the spread of coronavirus has caused almost all live comedy in the UK to halt. Many comedians are now looking to online avenues to perform and earn money.
Kate & Koji: Over 5 million viewers watch new ITV sitcom
More than 5 million viewers tuned in to Kate & Koji, ITV's new studio audience sitcom starring Brenda Blethyn and Jimmy Akingbola.
Chortle Awards 2020 winners
Jessica Fostekew has won Best Show and the Breakthrough prize in the Chortle Awards. Other winners include Zoe Lyons, Bob Mortimer, Brodi Snook, The Delightful Sausage, Flo & Joan, Kiri Pritchard-Mclean and Rhod Gilbert.
Top cast lined-up for Stephen Fry film The Liar
David Walliams, Charles Dance, Hugh Bonneville, Rupert Everett, Warwick Davis and Sally Phillips are amongst the cast lined-up for The Liar, a film based on Stephen Fry's book.
Royal Television Society announces award winners
The 2020 Royal Television Society Programme Awards winners have been announced, with London Hughes, Ncuti Gatwa and Saoirse-Monica Jackson all recognised for their talent.
Features
Mister Winner interviews
The cast and writer of Mister Winner talk about making the family-friendly slapstick BBC One sitcom.
The John Dredge Show is back
After a few years away, critically acclaimed hit sketch show podcast The John Dredge Nothing To Do With Anything Show is back for a fifth series this Tuesday. We talk to John Dredge and producer Richard Cray to find out more.
When Hancock met Steptoe
Graham McCann reveals the fascinating true story of a very unlikely meeting between Tony Hancock and Harold & Albert Steptoe.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Sean Morley
Sheffield's second-favourite Sean (Bean, surely), the splendid Sean Morley recalls sewer comedy, angry clapping and front-row concussion.
British Comedy Quiz #93
What colour car did Basil Fawlty drive? Can you remember? If so, the first point in this week's test is in the bag.
Pictures from the new Fast Show special
Pictures of the new Fast Show special being filmed.
Random 8: Pope Lonergan
His live Clinic recording may be postponed, but Pope Lonergan gets up to some memorable stuff in the bedroom too.
BCG Pro
If you're stuck at home, it's perhaps a chance to be creative and make some new comedy. You'll find tools, opportunities, insights and more on our website for creators.
Podcasts
We've published thousands of hours of comedy with the podcasts we host - plenty to keep you entertained over the next few months. Why not check out Do The Right Thing - a panel show based around the right thing to do in any given situation? Some of the scenarios don't seem so mad now!
TV listings
This Country
The final ever episode of the sitcom. It's the annual harvest festival, an event that brings the whole village together.
The Stand Up Sketch Show
Routines by comedians including Bobby Mair, Judi Love, Catherine Bohart and Rhys Nicholson are reconstructed as sketches.
Comedy Against Living Miserably
The first of three stand-up shows that have been organised in conjunction with mental health charity Campaign Against Living Miserably.
The Trip
At lunch, Steve and Rob discuss the pros and cons of the government of ancient Sparta, which was restricted to the over-60s, and the young waitress causes them to reflect upon middle age.
The Windsors
Beatrice and Eugenie are offered millions to be the face of a new Japanese perfume - on the condition they never associate with their mother again.
Kate & Koji
With Kate and Koji's undercover clinic in full swing, the last thing they need is a visit from Dr Radwan, played by guest star Meera Syal.
The Trouble With Maggie Cole
Peter has to contend with a campaign for his resignation and journalists are calling trying to dig up family skeletons... Fortunately, his ever dependable secretary is watching his back.
Mister Winner
Following on from a pilot that was aired a few years ago a full series of this sitcom now begins, starring Spencer Jones as an eternally-optimistic klutz.
Hypothetical
Josh Widdicombe and James Acaster return with ridiculous hypothetical scenarios for Jamali Maddix, Laura Lexx, Rosie Jones and Joe Lycett.
Hitmen
Sky's latest sitcom begins this week, starring Mel & Sue as professional assassins. The show opens will a double-bill. You can find out more and see a trailer on our website.
Feel Good
Episode 2 of the new comedy. Mae and George are so loved-up they haven't spent a moment apart since they met.
Breeders
Michael thrives in his new role as dad and granddad, but Paul and Ally can't adapt to his presence as easily as the children can.
Meet The Richardsons
Chris Kamara invites Jon to take part in a Leeds United fundraiser for deprived children. Jon's against celebrity endorsement, but the Leeds connection makes him agree to do it.
Peter Kay's Comedy Shuffle
A fourth collection of clips documenting the much-loved comedy star's best work from his decades in showbusiness.
Friday Night Dinner
After a long wait, it's time for Series 6 of the hit sitcom - now one of the UK's longest running current comedies. The boys have news: they've both got girlfriends. But it's probably best not to tell mum.
All Round To Mrs. Brown's
This weekend Agnes and the family are joined in studio by Lee Mack, Silent Witness actor Emilia Fox and her mammy, and music star Billy Ocean.
For a complete list of broadcasts, including repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.
Shop
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Looking On The Bright SideBeloved by the British public for her string of hit pre-war films, Gracie Fields's Lancastrian earthiness, impish humour and memorable songs have endeared her to many generations of fans. Looking On The Bright Side sees Gracie starring opposite romantic lead Richard Dolman in this joyous, early '30s musical romance. It is presented here as a brand-new high definition transfer from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio. Gracie and Laurie are an item, both onstage and off - he writes the songs and she sings them. Then Laurie has a taste of fame when he gets his first song published and spurns Gracie in pursuit of a glamorous actress. |
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The Windsors - Complete Series One To ThreeGet ready for a right royal riot with The Windsors, the outrageous and side-splitting satirical sitcom that reimagines the Royal family as a soap opera, drawing on real life events. Featuring an all-star comedy line-up including the inimitable Harry Enfield as Prince Charles, Haydn Gwynne as Camilla, Hugh Skinner as William, Louise Ford as Kate, Morgana Robinson as Pippa, Richard Goulding and Tom Durant-Pritchard as Harry and Kathryn Drysdale as Meghan, this box set includes all three series of the Channel 4 sitcom, plus both the Christmas and Royal Wedding specials. We've also got a competition to win one of three copies of the brand new Series 3. |
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Joe Lycett's Obsessions - Series 2Joe Lycett returns for a second series of Obsessions, the comedy chat show that celebrates our weird hobbies and eccentric passions. Featuring an exciting array of obsessive celebrity guests and members of the public, Joe uncovers what really makes the great British public tick. |
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Adam Buxton - Ramble BookThe long-awaited, rambling, tender, and "very funny" memoir from Adam Buxton. Ramble Book is "about parenthood, boarding school trauma, arguing with your partner, bad parties, confrontations on trains, friendship, wanting to fit in, growing up in the 80s, dead dads, teenage sexual anxiety, failed artistic endeavours, being a David Bowie fan; and how everything you read, watch and listen to as a child forms a part of the adult you become". It's also a book about the joys of going off topic and letting your mind wander. And it's about a short, hairy, frequently confused man called Adam Buxton. |
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This Country - The Complete CollectionThis new collection - released next Monday - includes Series 1-3 of the BAFTA-winning comedy, plus The Aftermath special. Praised as one of the best British comedies in years, this mockumentary hit has catapulted its young writer-performers - Charlie and Daisy May Cooper - to instant star status. Feckless cousins Kerry and Lee 'Kurtan' Mucklowe live in the picturesque, but depressingly dull, village of in the Cotswolds. As they fritter away their days in the most pointless ways possible, they push their friendship to breaking point by constantly winding each other up. But, whether suffering the indignity of Kerry's house being pelted with plums, or celebrating the death of their old woodwork teacher with a bottle of cheap fizzy booze, these two miscreants always manage to stay loyal to each other. Extras include deleted scenes. |
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The Trouble With Maggie ColeThe first series of ITV's popular new comedy drama starring Dawn French as a woman in a small coastal town who accidentally humiliates half the local community in a radio interview. Mark Heap, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Patrick Robinson and Vicki Pepperdine are amongst the supporting regulars in this 6-part comedy about small village life. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Georgina's Isolation Diaries
Lee & Dean actor Anna Morris has resurrected her 'Bridezilla' character Georgina Francis for a series of online videos, in which she reacts to being self-isolated.
1 month after childbirth
A sketch about being in your fourth trimester featuring, as the picture shows, a couple of quirky costumes.
Distress Call
You're stranded, your crew mates are dead and something is hunting you. Let's hope whoever answers your distress call is good at their job.
Ground Rules
A charming, gentle web series about a young couple, looking at the moment the mask slips and you realise who you've moved in with.
M.O.T.H.E.R Knows Best - Farewell
The final installment in the second series of the dystopian comedy series.
Cabin Fever
John Finnemore has resurrected his Cabin Pressure character for this online video. Airline steward Arthur Shappey is holed up in his mum's granny flat...
Maxxx - Trailer
Trailer for a new E4 sitcom that starts on 2nd April. The series follows a once-famous boyband star turned drug-shamed tabloid laughing stock.
How To Date The Grim Reaper
Death is joined by his girlfriend Janet from Accounts Payable in this improvised sketch.
Red Dwarf - The Promised Land
The trailer for the Red Dwarf special, which will be shown on Dave on Thursday 9th April.
Sigmund Freud on Mother's Day
Sigmund Freud sent his mother a card on Sunday...
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's public service announcement
A public service announcement from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.
Coronavirus Conference Calls
Kae Kurd says of his sketch: "This is everyone currently working from home while the madness is going on with the virus."
Shoe Purse
When Celeste moves in with Dan everything seems perfect. Until she uncovers a terrible secret.
An interview with the virus
An interview with Covid-19 (aka the Coronavirus), who is being hosted by Paul. This is a sketch by Short & Curly. Check out their self-isolation Knightmare sketch too.
Spotlight
Up In The World
At times of stress, it can help to get lost in an altogether more innocent and charming world: so this week we're taking a look at the Norman Wisdom classic Up In The World. One of the most popular films from the comic actor, he stars in the 1956 feature as a man newly employed at a large manor house as its resident window cleaner. There are certainly more than enough to keep him busy! However, the gentleman of the house is 14 year-old Sir Reginald, a spoilt tearaway of a child with few boundaries and an hysterical mother. When he's not pulling pranks on the staff, it's more than likely he's tucked up in bed fast asleep. With Norman's own playful nature the two soon develop something of a rapport, but a criminal gang is plotting to kidnap and ransom Reggie...
The film is available as part of a thoroughly entertaining 12-movie collection of Wisdom's acclaimed output for Rank. A highly recommended buy for multi-generational family-friendly entertainment.
Thanks for reading
Take care and stay safe!
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