Weekly Newsletter

Monday 14th June 2021

Gavin & Stacey stars Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon are reuniting for a new comedy project. That news, and much more, can be found below.

Latest comedy news

Alex MacKeith wins at Musical Comedy Awards

Alex MacKeith wins at Musical Comedy Awards

Alex MacKeith was named as the winner of the Musical Comedy Awards 2020 at the weekend, with Tom Taylor second and Bennet Kavanagh third. Amy Webber picked up the audience favourite award. Best Friends Cabaret were awarded the Best Newcomer trophy.

Michael Legge to publish his first book

Michael Legge to publish his first book

Michael Legge has written his first book. Strawberries To Pigs - due to be published this summer - features selected extracts from the stand-up's popular blog, which ran from 2008 to 2019, as well as newer material.

Comedian Ed Patrick to publish anaesthetist book

Comedian Ed Patrick to publish anaesthetist book

Comedian Ed Patrick, who also works as an anaesthetist, is to publish a memoir called Catch Your Breath.

Panel show 'Sorry, I Didn't Know' to return to ITV

Panel show 'Sorry, I Didn't Know' to return to ITV

Sorry, I Didn't Know, the ITV panel show hosted by Jimmy Akingbola, is to return in October for a second series.

Edinburgh Fringe economics scrutinised in new film

Edinburgh Fringe economics scrutinised in new film

Jimmy Carr and Al Murray are among the comedians featured in a new documentary film about the economics of the Edinburgh Fringe. Father Of The Fringe, presented by Dominic Frisby, explores the links between the arts festival and the principles of free market economic theory laid down by 18th Century philosopher Adam Smith.

Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon reuniting for new BBC comedy

Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon reuniting for new BBC comedy

Gavin & Stacey stars Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon are reuniting to star in a BBC One comedy called Ray & Gaynor.

Bill Bailey to star in Radio 4 comedy special Hennikay

Bill Bailey to star in Radio 4 comedy special Hennikay

Bill Bailey is to star in Hennikay, a Radio 4 comedy special about middle aged man who suddenly meets up with his imaginary childhood friend.

The Windsors sitcom to transfer to the stage

The Windsors sitcom to transfer to the stage

Channel 4 sitcom The Windsors is to transfer to the stage. The London-based live show, which will run from August to October, will star Harry Enfield and a number of the other leads from the TV series.

Rob And Romesh Vs returns for Olympics, as Rob Beckett pilots gameshow

Rob And Romesh Vs returns for Olympics, as Rob Beckett pilots game show

Rob And Romesh Vs is returning to Sky One with an Olympic special, while Rob Beckett is piloting a game show for ITV.

Features

Win a box set of four fabulous fifties comedy films

Win a box set of four fabulous fifties comedy films

We have box sets to give away featuring a selection of comedy films from the 1950s, with stars including Frankie Howerd, Donald Sinden, Stanley Holloway and Diana Dors.

James Acaster interview

James Acaster interview

Ahead of appearing on Big Zuu's Big Eats tonight, James Acaster talks about his love of food, and the benefits of having a pot-washing job when you're growing up.

Comedy Chronicles: That's Me In The Corner - Four Comedy Stooges

Comedy Chronicles: That's Me In The Corner - Four Comedy Stooges

You don't really see them these days: those odd, idiosyncratic, seldom-speaking comic characters whose entire raison d'être is to be the recurring butt of a well-known comedian's jokes. Go back forty years or more, however, and they were a common sight. Graham McCann looks at the careers of Jackie Wright, Johnny Vyvyan, Arthur Tolcher and Johnny Hutch.

First Gig, Worst Gig: Rosie Wilby

First Gig, Worst Gig: Rosie Wilby

With her Breakup Monologues now on bookshelves, headphones and live stages, Rosie Wilby talks us through some great and gruesome gig memories.

British Comedy Quiz #157

British Comedy Quiz #157

We think this is a particularly fun bunch of questions this week. See if you agree?

Random 8: Mark Simmons

Random 8: Mark Simmons

Coventry, Cumberbatch and a cracking car radio gag: Mark Simmons faces our random questions.

Podcasts

Podcasts

The Young Ones star Nigel Planer is on Richard Herring's podcast. Herring has also started a new 'European Super League' of the show where he plays himself at snooker. Meanwhile Rufus & Howard get drunk in their Worst Writer podcast.

TV listings

Dodo

Dodo

Monday, Sky Kids

This animated comedy series about an 11 year-old school boy (voiced by Derry Girls star Dylan Llewellyn) is now available via the Sky Kids platform.

Russell Howard Stands Up To The World

Russell Howard Stands Up To The World

Monday 9pm, Sky One

It's the last stop on Russell Howard's comedy world tour, where he heads to Australia to experience life down under. While there, he goes on a trip into the bush and dives into ocean life on the coast.

Inside No. 9

Inside No. 9

Monday 10pm, BBC Two

The final episode in the series. Dawn and Mick are hosting their annual Last Night of the Proms party as the perfect antidote to post-Brexit Britain, but Dawn's sister Penny has seen a mysterious stranger lurking around...

Big Zuu's Big Eats

Big Zuu's Big Eats

Monday 10pm, Dave

Committed foodie James Acaster asks Zuu to cook for him while he records his hit podcast, Off Menu. When James grew up, puddings were a rare treat so Zuu prepares a dessert that has them both fearing they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

Guessable?

Guessable?

Tuesday 9pm, Comedy Central

Sara Pascoe, alongside team captains Alan Davies and Darren Harriott, welcome Maisie Adam, Bobby Mair, Richard Madeley and Zoe Lyons to the show.

Intelligence

Intelligence

Tuesday 10pm, Sky One

In the first of this week's double-bill, it's Harassment and Discrimination training day with course leader Hilary Bowen (Morgana Robinson). In the second episode, Joseph has a date with Charlotte (Diane Morgan).

There's Something About Movies

There's Something About Movies

Thursday 9pm, Sky One

Alan Carr hosts the comedy panel show, with team captains Michael Sheen and Jennifer Saunders welcoming guests Zawe Ashton, Fern Brady and Tom Davis alongside regular Tom Allen.

Yesterday, Today & The Day Before

Yesterday, Today & The Day Before

Thursday 9pm, Comedy Central

The all-female topical news round-up continues. It's been improving week-on-week as the producers and creatives behind the show finesse their strongest points.

Together

Together

Thursday 9pm, BBC Two

A one-off 90 minute comic drama in which Sharon Horgan and James McAvoy play a couple having marriage problems during coronavirus lockdown. Click through to see the trailer.

CelebAbility

CelebAbility

Thursday 10pm, ITV2

Scarlett Moffatt leads a group of three friends looking to win prizes by defeating AJ Odudu, Sam Thompson, Pete Wicks and Stephen Bailey in a series of silly games.

We Are Lady Parts

We Are Lady Parts

Thursday 10pm, Channel 4

The band are buzzing about being interviewed by influencer Zarina. But they soon find themselves pushed to breaking point. Lady Parts are famous, but at what cost?

Breeders

Breeders

Thursday 10pm, Sky One

As a sudden death impacts the older generation of the Worsley family, Ava struggles to keep a profound secret from Paul, and Ally finds it equally difficult to hide her true feelings from Luke.

Sliced

Sliced

Thursday 10pm, Dave

It's Naomi's 25th birthday and the team are out on the town. Tika and Naheema want Naomi to have a night so good she won't be able to tell her grandkids about it, so the shots keep on coming.

Breaking The News

Breaking The News

Thursday 10:30pm, BBC Scotland

Des Clarke and guests Jim Smith, Maisie Adam, Val McDermid and Mark Nelson take a look at the funny side of the Euros in this special from the BBC Scotland panel show.

Mock The Week

Mock The Week

Thursday 11:30pm, BBC Two

Dara O Briain and Hugh Dennis pan through the last week and extract nuggets of comedy gold, with guests Maisie Adam, Angela Barnes, Ed Byrne, Glenn Moore and Evelyn Mok.

The Last Leg

The Last Leg

Friday 11:05pm, Channel 4

The boys return for their popular mix of news, talking points, disability takes and comic chat. Due to sport coverage elsewhere, it's on an hour later than usual.

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue is back on Radio 4 today at 6:30pm. For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.

Shop

Comedy Films Of The 1950's

Comedy Films Of The 1950's

Out now. DVD

The 1950s, the first decade after World War 2 and after years of rationing and austerity, film makers decided it was time for the British public to laugh again! The decade saw some of the best British comedy films ever made and some of the best actors emerge: the likes of Stanley Holloway, Frankie Howerd, Diana Dors and John Gregson graced our screens during the '50s and would become household names.

British comedy was gentler than it is today, but no less funny, and this new box set includes four sparkling gems: Value For Money (1955), Jumping For Joy (1956), Rooney (1958) and The Captain's Table (1959)

With other stars ranging from Donald Sinden to Leslie Phillips and Richard Wattis to Joan Hickson, as you may have already seen above, we have three copies to give away.

A Brief History Of Timewasting

A Brief History Of Timewasting

Out now. Audio Download

All 12 episodes of the sitcom written by and starring Linda Smith, featuring her eccentric London escapades.

Linda lives in her East London home, where her daily routine involves dozing through Thought For The Day, filing and cross-referencing the pizza leaflets that come through her door, and updating her limited edition 'Songbirds of Great Britain' porcelain collection. That is, when she's not managing the chaos caused by her flamboyant, sugar-loving live-in builder Chris; dealing with the demands of her morbid, crumbly-boned Welsh neighbour Betty; or taking regular jaunts chauffeured by Worra, the philosophical Nigerian cabby.

The Pursuit Of Love

The Pursuit Of Love

Pre-order. Blu-ray, DVD

The BBC's latest lavish period drama adaptation, based on Nancy Mitford's celebrated comic novel.

1920s, Oxfordshire. On the brink of adulthood, Linda Radlett (Lily James) and her beloved cousin Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham) are stuck in the countryside, impatiently waiting for life to begin so they can escape the confines of Alconleigh. Linda, who has lived her life under the terrifying regime of her father, narrator Fanny's "Uncle Matthew" (Dominic West), dreams of excitement and adventure. But Fanny, abandoned by her mother The Bolter (Emily Mortimer) and raised by their Aunt Emily (Annabel Mullion), is more concerned with comfort and stability.

When their glamorous neighbour Lord Merlin (Andrew Scott) brings Tony Kroesig (Freddie Fox) to their coming out ball, Linda falls hopelessly in love with him. However, sensing Fanny's disapproval of the match, it's not long before Linda pushes Fanny away and leaves her beloved cousin feeling left behind.

North East Of Eden

North East Of Eden

Pre-order. Audio Download

The BBC radio sitcom about a metropolitan GP who quits the city for a life in Paradise.

When Marcia Hulme inherits her uncle's medical practice, she decamps from London to a remote island off the coast of Northumbria. There's not a lot to do in Paradise, other than fish or drink, and Marcia's soon missing her favourite restaurants, cinemas and theatres - and her boyfriend, Clem. But as she plans her escape back to the Big Smoke, she gets drawn into island life and discovers that swapping West End wine bars for the Wind O'Change pub is really not so bad...

Full of "warmth, wit and wonderful characters", Peter Kerry's gentle, whimsical comedy stars Rebecca Front as Marcia, with Joan Sims as Auntie Annie.

Dad's Army - The Movie

Dad's Army - The Movie

Out now. Blu-ray

Newly remastered in high definition and available on Blu-ray for the very first time comes David Croft and Jimmy Perry's hit original Dad's Army feature film. Marking its 50th anniversary this year, this special edition release includes a variety of extras, including original wartime newsreels about the real Home Guard; a new 32-page booklet about the making of the film; a reversible sleeve; and the movie's theatrical trailer.

All of that, plus Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn, Ian Lavender and the rest of the beloved sitcom's cast - a real treat worthy of revisiting this summer.

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

Comedy videos

The Comedians - 50 years of The Comedians

50 years of The Comedians

The Comedians - "the show that launched a thousand quips" - has just turned 50 years old. This new half-hour documentary, created by John Orchard (who was the pianist of house band Shep's Banjo Boys), pays tribute to Granada television's long-running stand-up showcase. It features interviews with some of the comedians involved, and the offspring of some of the comics no longer with us.

The Room Next Door - Boris Johnson at G7

The Room Next Door - Boris Johnson at G7

The man from The Room Next Door has a Taskmaster challenge to complete.

The Unnatural History Show With Ross Noble - Episode One

The Unnatural History Show With Ross Noble

A new web series by Ross Noble... which is quite bizarre indeed. You'll need to watch it to see what we mean. He co-presents with Professor Shania Coddle as they follow the magical hatching of the elusive Ferrototo Worm.

The Green & Pleasant Guide - Campsites

The Green & Pleasant Guide - Campsites

The only way to truly experience the beauty, majesty and unforgiving wrath of Mother Nature? Camping. The animated show visits an eco-campsite with tent-free tents, meet Scouts doing their camping online, and reveals why you should NEVER run near guy ropes.

Trying to go on holiday in 2021

Trying to go on holiday in 2021

An optimistic travel agent tries to sell a UK customer a holiday for the summer of 2021.

But you don't look old enough to be jabbed!

But you don't look old enough to be jabbed!

Nothing gives away your true age like getting your first Covid jab...

Kurupt FM - Summertime ft. Craig David

Kurupt FM - Summertime ft. Craig David

The stars of People Just Do Nothing have linked up with Craig David to release a new music track.

I Love Wetherspoons

I Love Wetherspoons

Dominic Frisby sings about Wetherspoons pubs.

Spotlight

Title

Father, Dear Father

With Father's Day coming up this Sunday we thought it apt to look back at the most popular of paternal parenting comedies, Father, Dear Father, starring comedy favourite Patrick Cargill as the titular dad. Running from 1968 for seven series and a feature film, the Thames comedy was written by sitcom supremos Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke (George & Mildred, Round The Horne, Bless This House), and directed and produced by William G Stewart, delighting millions every single week. Cargill plays successful novelist Patrick Glover, divorced and living with his two teenage daughters - Anna and Karen - plus large St Bernard, H.G., and nanny-cum-housekeeper (the wonderful Noël Dyson). Typically joyous, boisterous, family-friendly sitcom set-ups abound. The entire collection is available on DVD.

Thanks for reading

Hollie Wilson has won the latest BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition on the topic of "walking":

Yorkshire hikers - they're always banging on about summit.

If you're interested in writing, performing or producing, you'll be interested in our BCG Pro newsletter.

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