Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 2nd November 2020 |
Going back into lockdown obviously sucks. We'd urge you to think about supporting your nearest comedy venue, as having to cancel another bunch of shows is likely to have really hurt them. Many are organising virtual events, some are pre-selling tickets well into 2021, and others are accepting donations - every little bit will help to sustain the live circuit into the future.
Latest comedy news
Stanley Baxter comes out in shock new biography
Much-loved comedian Stanley Baxter has come out as gay in a shock, gossip-packed, tell-all biography published this weekend.
Nina Conti is writing a memoir with her puppet Monkey
Nina Conti is writing a memoir... with her puppet Monkey. The ventriloquist has disclosed on Adam Buxton's podcast that she's writing the autobiography "in two voices".
Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson returning with more murder mysteries
Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson have reunited for more comedy murder mysteries on Gold, this time in a three-part series called Murder They Hope.
Rob Kemp's Elvis Dead live show to be released on VHS
Rob Kemp's multi-award winning show The Elvis Dead is to be released... on video cassette.
Lenny Henry to publish books for children
Sir Lenny Henry is to publish a series of books for children. The publishing deal includes a picture book called You Can Do Anything, Tyrone.
This Country USA remake gets 14 episode series order
US network Fox is remaking hit BBC sitcom This Country. A fourteen-episode series is now set to go into production.
Kiri Pritchard-McLean lands a hat-trick of BBC radio comedies
Kiri Pritchard-McLean is working on three radio shows. Sitcom pilot The Learners, for BBC Radio Wales; a Radio 4 show with sketch group Tarot; and stand-up special, Appropriate Adult.
Blankety Blank to return at Christmas with Bradley Walsh
Bradley Walsh is to host a revival of comic game show Blankety Blank, with a festive episode set to be filmed soon.
Comedy writer Sara Gibbs pens autism memoir
Sara Gibbs is to publish Drama Queen, a "compelling and funny" book about her experiences of growing up with autism.
Spencer Jones's sitcom Mister Winner axed
Spencer Jones's sitcom Mister Winner has been cancelled, the comic has revealed.
State Of The Union to return for Series 2
State Of The Union is set to return for a second series, but featuring a different couple, creator Nick Hornby has revealed.
Sky launches new Morph series
The Epic Adventures Of Morph, a new series based on the classic clay character, launches on Sky's platforms on 9th November.
Sarah Millican's Radio 4 show to return
Sarah Millican's Radio 4 show Elephant In The Room is returning for a second series.
Bobby Ball dies aged 76
Comedy icon Bobby Ball has died at the age of 76.
Emma Thompson to star in Katy Brand's film
Emma Thompson will star in Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, a film written by Katy Brand about a woman who hires a sex worker.
Comedian Sean Collins makes film criticising coronavirus lockdown
Comedian Sean Collins has made a film criticising the government's response to coronavirus and highlighting its impact upon the arts.
Sky to air Micky Flanagan documentary
Sky One is to broadcast Micky Flanagan: Peeping Behind The Curtain this December, a documentary that looks at the popular comedian's success and reveals backstage tour footage.
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Features
Emily Atack interview
Emily Atack introduces her new ITV2 series and discusses how she battled nerves to record stand-up, sketches and impressions.
Comedy Chronicles: Desperately seeking Sid
Sid Field is perhaps the single greatest and most influential comic the western world has ever produced - but there's a very good chance you've never heard of him until now.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Heidi Regan
She's blowing minds with movie finds, but what horrors did Heidi Regan overhear in the loos at Barnard Castle?
Glenn Wool interview
The one-time world-wanderer has been holed up in Cromwellian digs during 2020 weird-times. At least he isn't offending any swan-sensitive spectators there - although his new special might well ruffle some feathers.
30th Anniversary of Keeping Up Appearances
It's 30 years since the globally popular Keeping Up Appearances first appeared on television. We look back on the programme in this feature.
British Comedy Quiz #125
Harry Hill's cat, the Gourmet Night in Fawlty Towers and Joe Lycett's parking fine are amongst this week's questions.
Random 8: Shazia Mirza
Back on tour after 'nuff Nutella and Netflix, Shazia Mirza talks jets, Zoom regrets and Cambodian insects.
TV listings
Guessable
The regulars welcome Tom Allen, Debbie McGee, Ivo Graham and Judi Love into their loft to play an array of guessing games.
Hey Tracey!
Joel Dommett hosts as Frankie Bridge, Matt Richardson, Vick Hope, Amy Hart, Tom Green and Myles Stephenson try to win some normal people £2,500 and an inflatable kayak.
Channel Hopping With Jon Richardson
Jon is joined by Alan Carr and regular guest Judi Love to navigate the ridiculous and wonderful international TV.
Don't Hate The Playaz
Maya Jama, Big Zuu and Dane Baptiste go up against Lady Leshurr, Raye and Darren Harriott in rap battles, dance-offs and freestyling challenges.
Out Of Her Mind
Sara organises a baby shower for Scoopy to prove she does not make everything about her, and is visited by a ghostly reminder of her own pregnancy.
There's Something About Movies
Stepping up to sort their Red Sparrows from their Jack Sparrows this week are: bearded Cornetto eater Nick Frost, sometime jumpsuited stand-up Phil Wang, and the ever-GameFaced Roisin Conaty.
Comedy Game Night
Featuring Tamzin Outhwaite and Kiell Smith-Bynoe, West End star Denise Van Outen, singer Alexandra Burke, dancer Giovanni Pernice and Celebs Go Dating's Tom Read Wilson.
The Emily Atack Show
Emily Atack presents her own thematic stand-up and sketch show hybrid. The first episode looks at the theme of dating.
Taskmaster
Daisy flirts with a security guard, Richard is surprised by some chickens and Johnny convinces Alex to wear sparkly shoes while operating heavy machinery. As ever, Greg Davies decides who is the best of the worst.
Mock The Week
It's currently unclear in what form Mock The Week will be on TV next week, but there's time for one more half-studio half-Zoom audience recording before lockdown. Maisie Adam, Ed Byrne, Ed Gamble, Sukh Ojla and Mark Simmons are booked.
Celebrity Juice
Joining the regular trio this week are Jimmy Carr, pop star and presenter Marvin Humes, The Vamps' Bradley Simpson and Connor Ball, and presenter Maya Jama.
The Russell Howard Hour
Russell Howard is here to guide you through the fallout of the 2020 US Presidential Election. Whatever the result, it seems likely to be a real mess to pick through.
Maxxx
Episode 2. Maxxx and Tamzin get an exclusive invite to a party Don is throwing. With the place bursting full of industry celebs it's time for Team Maxxx to turn on the charm and land a record deal.
Have I Got News For You
If all goes to plan Richard Ayoade will host, with Roisin Conaty and Armando Iannucci as the guests. It was due to record on Thursday, so unclear now whether it'll be Zoom or not.
The Last Leg
It looks like Adam, Josh and Alex may all be back on Zoom on Friday as they examine the result of the American election. It's supposed to be a 90-minute special with Jimmy Carr, Richard Osman and Ayesha Hazarika, but that could now change.
The Graham Norton Show
Kylie Minogue chats and performs; plus Nicola Adams, currently dancing in this year's Strictly; and actors Josh O'Connor and Emma Corrin playing Charles and Diana in the new season of The Crown.
Spitting Image
The topical sketch show continues. The first of Saturday's episodes just gone, which was broadcast on ITV in a one-off, was the channel's most-watched show of the day. It does suggest if they took this off BritBox and put it on ITV, it'd be a much bigger hit.
The Jonathan Ross Show
The planned line-up is Strictly Come Dancing stars Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood, and comedians Rob Beckett and Sindhu Vee. Plus Alicia Keys, who performs from the USA via video link.
Shopping With Keith Lemon
This time, Keith takes presenter Maya Jama for a round of crazy golf and has a playdate with Take That's Howard Donald at Diggerland.
New on Radio 4 this week: Cry Babies (Monday-Friday, 10:45am), sketch show Please Use Other Door (Tuesday, 6:30pm), a new series of The Wilsons Save The World (Wednesday, 6:30pm) and Meltdown (Friday, 2:15pm). For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
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Brian Beacom - The Real Stanley BaxterThe book that everyone in comedy is talking about, and which you may have seen mentioned above. Stanley Baxter delighted over 20 million viewers at a time with his television specials. His pantos became legendary. His divas and dames were so good they were beyond description. Baxter was a most brilliant cowboy Coward, a smouldering Dietrich. He found immense laughs as Formby and Liberace. And his sex-starved Tarzan swung in a way Hollywood could never have imagined. But who is the real Stanley Baxter? The comedy actor's talents are matched only by his past reluctance to colour in the detail of his own character. Now, the man behind the mischievous grin, the twinkling eyes and the once-Brylcreemed coiffure is revealed. In a tale of triumphs and tragedies, of giant laughs and great falls from grace, we discover that while the enigmatic entertainer could play host to hundreds of different voices, the role he found most difficult to play was that of Stanley Baxter. |
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Legal, Decent, Honest And Truthful - The Complete Series 1-3Frustrated copy man Ken Handley cannot help but conceive of the world in advert form. Over three series of this Radio 4 comedy (first heard in the 1980s) witness Ken coping with a drunken boss, straight-laced colleagues and an overactive mind, as we follow his exploits and moral dilemmas in this advertising satire. Martin Jarvis stars as Ken, alongside a cast that includes Miriam Margolyes, Imelda Staunton, Christopher Godwin and Joss Ackland. |
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Don't Ever Leave MeMade in 1949, this Rank classic comedy stars Jimmy Hanley as a car salesman who accidentally becomes a kidnapper. When veteran small-time crook Harry Denton (Edward Rigby) is released from prison he moves in with his grandson Jack (played by Hanley). Harry can't resist returning to his old ways and decides to kidnap the daughter of a well-known actor... |
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Paul Merton - The Series 1 & 2Fresh from his appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Paul Merton starred in his own comedy series on Channel 4. First shown in 1991, the show featured an intriguing mix of surreal sketches and stand-up routines. This new DVD set, the first ever release of the cult hit sketch show, also features brand new commentaries on each episode from Paul himself. If you haven't already, do check out our Comedy Rewind article about the show. |
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Janey Godley - Frank Get The Door! ma feet are KILLIN meScottish comedian Janey Godley, a regular booking on Have I Got News For You, has been a revelation to many throughout this oddest of years, providing delight to many thousands across her social media presence. Now, in the run up to the festive season, she has published her first book: a very sweary send-up of SNP leader and Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, written in exquisite Scots dialect. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
When Idiots Ruled The World - Trump 2020
The first installment of this history programme from the year 3000. Professor Jack Darcy (Ross Cullum) looks back at the 2020 US Election.
Slogans by DJ Hans Face Space
German techno legend DJ Hans Face Space comes out of retirement to drop this absolute banger.
Sock Six
A very dark short film by David Firth, which was released on Halloween. It's a story about a man "and his special Jentical and bovine adventures".
Rosie Tries To Help - Stressed People With Phil Wang
Series 2 of Comedy Central's online format in which Rosie Jones aims to help people. This week she's aiming to cure stress, starting with one man - Phil Wang. Meanwhile her Mission: Accessible travelogue show continues too, with James Acaster.
Dominic Frisby: I'm Going To Marry Gary
Dominic wants to marry Gary, as he explains in this song featuring various other comedians.
The Treason TV Show - Episode Three
This topical comedy sketch show is broadcast on local TV in Brighton, but you can also see it online. The latest episode is packed with gags, all performed by the versatile Mark Brailsford.
Spotlight
After Hours
Do you remember this coming-of-age sitcom from 2015 about a music-loving 18-year-old? Fresh from his first experience of heartbreak, Willow obsesses over locally-based internet radio station After Hours, broadcast from a narrowboat - and when he manages to become friends with its 'staff', a new world begins to open up for him. Directed by Craig Cash and co-starring the likes of Ardal O'Hanlon, Jaime Winstone and John Thomson, the single series sank without a trace.
Thanks for reading
Martin Bickle has won the latest BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition on the topic of "Halloween":
I have a bone to pick about the standard of this year's Halloween party. A skeleton staff organised it.
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