Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 27th September 2021 |
Time appears to be flying past at the moment, as it's already the final newsletter of the month - and there's a stonkingly packed week of new TV to look forward to, albeit few new sitcoms, as is sadly too often the case.
Latest comedy news
Tim Minchin's Upright returning for Series 2
Tim Minchin's comedy drama Upright is returning to Sky Atlantic for a second series.
Will Mars wins Malcolm Hardee Award 2021
Will Mars has won the 2021 Malcolm Hardee Award for Cunning Stunt, for organising his own publicity-generating joke competition at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Sophie McCartney signs two book deal
Comedy writer and social media star Sophie McCartney has signed a two-book deal with publisher HarperCollins. Her first, Tired And Tested: The Wild Ride Into Parenthood, will be published in February 2022.
Steve Coogan to play Jimmy Savile
Steve Coogan is to take on his most serious role yet: playing Jimmy Savile in a new BBC drama series The Reckoning.
Sex Education Series 4 confirmed
Netflix has confirmed it has ordered a fourth series of Sex Education.
Funny Women Awards 2021 results
The winners at the Funny Women Awards 2021 were Lara Ricote, Kathryn Bond, Ada Player, Hayley Morris and Sophie Duker.
Film stars revealed for Netflix show Attack Of The Hollywood Clichés
Richard E. Grant, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Four Weddings And A Funeral star Andie MacDowell and A Nightmare On Elm Street actor Robert Englund are among the film stars dissecting movie tropes in Attack Of The Hollywood Clichés, which launches on Netflix on Tuesday.
Nicola Walker and Sean Bean to star in Marriage
Marriage, the forthcoming BBC One comedy drama by Mum creator Stefan Golaszewski, will star Nicola Walker and Sean Bean.
Frankie Boyle's New World Order returning for Series 5
Frankie Boyle's New World Order is returning for a fifth series, but this time recording in the comedian's native Glasgow.
Derry Girls stars reunite for "Oirish" spoof as Channel 4 sitcom ends
Channel 4 has confirmed that Derry Girls is to end after the forthcoming third series. But its stars Nicola Coughlan and Louisa Harland are reuniting for a new comedy podcast spoofing stage and screen 'Oirishness'.
Rufus Sewell and Olivia Williams reunite for dark comedy film
Rufus Sewell and Olivia Williams star in black comedy film The Trouble With Jessica.
Newcastle named BBC's first City Of Comedy
The BBC has announced that Newcastle-upon-Tyne will be the corporation's first City Of Comedy. It will hold a series of events in the city, and record the BBC New Comedy Awards final there.
Last Of The Summer Wine star Robert Fyfe dies aged 90
Robert Fyfe, who played Howard in 23 series of Last Of The Summer Wine, has died aged 90.
Sharon Horgan writes and stars in Apple TV+ series Emerald
Sharon Horgan has shot her next television project - Emerald, a comedy drama for Apple TV+.
Joe Kent-Walters wins Chortle Student Comedy Award 2021
Joe Kent-Walters won the Chortle Student Comedy Award 2021 last Monday night. There's a video of him in action in our story.
Features
David Mitchell interview
David Mitchell introduces Outsiders, the comedy show he hosts for channel Dave.
Mel & Sue interview
With Hitmen returning to our screens, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins talk about Series 2 of their sitcom.
Comedy Rewind: Check It Out: Tripper's Day and Slinger's Day
Check in to Comedy Rewind and check out two often overlooked 1980s sitcoms starring comedy icons: Leonard Rossiter in Tripper's Day and Bruce Forsyth in its successor, Slinger's Day.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Sam Nicoresti
He's got a spacesuit, an arse-trumpet and a bone to pick with FGWG: it's Sam Nicoresti's gig odyssey.
British Comedy Quiz #172
Which point of the compass would you associate with fast milkman Ernie? That, and more questions, here...
Random 8: Frisky & Mannish
Kate Bush, Justin Timberlake and a sought-after wholefood salad - Frisky & Mannish reveal all.
BCG Pro
If you're interested in writing, performing and/or producing comedy, you'll find all sort of tools and content in BCG Pro - our platform for comedy creatives.
Podcasts
Bob Mortimer is the guest on Richard Herring's podcast this week. There's more to listen to in our Podcasts area too, including Rufus & Howard continuing to un-pick the film Gremlins via their Worst Writer show.
TV listings
The Goes Wrong Show
The West End stars are back with a new series of anarchic plays. Internal conflict has left Robert taking charge of the first episode, period drama Summer Once Again, but as the performance descends into chaos, he resolves to give the viewers the best possible experience by starting the whole show over again.
The Complaints Department
The new panel show continues as Jason Manford is joined by Sara Pascoe, Maisie Adam, Jack Carroll and Dane Baptiste to play a series of games based on the funniest and quirkiest complaints from the British public.
Alma's Not Normal
Alma is finally making some money by embracing her role as Ruby when she meets Phil. He's a client who is handsome and sophisticated, but is he too good to be true?
British As Folk
Darren, Ivo and Fern are shown the sights by the friendliest bus drivers in Hull. While Darren takes their advice and disembarks at a legendary local chip shop to find out the truth about the famous Hull Pattie, Ivo fulfils a lifelong dream of meeting footballing legend and Hull ambassador, Dean Windass, while Fern gets to grips with the local grime scene.
Attack Of The Hollywood Clichés!
From Charlie Brooker's production company comes this new comedy special hosted by Rob Lowe, examining a wide range of film clichés.
Never Mind The Buzzcocks
Daisy May Cooper welcomes singers Ellie Goulding and Tom Grennan to her team, whilst Noel Fielding is joined by regular guest Jamali Maddix and music sensation Yungblud.
Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled
In the last episode of the series Richard Ayoade, Harriet Kemsley, Joanne McNally and Jonny Pelham humour us with stories about bikini beach babes, psycho-exes, getting arrested and problems at a massage parlour.
The Holden Girls: Mandy & Myrtle
A final double-bill. Amanda throws Myrtle a star studded birthday party. All goes well until a drunken confession rocks Amanda's world. Then Myrtle must choose whether to stay in London or embark upon a new life.
Hitmen
Promoted under the title 'Hitmen: Reloaded', Mel and Sue return for a second series of their contract killer sitcom, airing in double-bills for the next three weeks. In the opening episode Jamie and Fran are ready to put on their 80s gear for a school reunion, then stake out an arms dealer Rear Window style.
Rob Beckett's Undeniable
Comedy Central launches yet another new comedy entertainment format this week, as Rob Beckett fronts this panel show based around facts and trivia.
Code 404
The cop comedy concludes. On the verge of full-blown systems failure, Major makes a desperate, last ditch effort to clear his dad's name. Carver believes he's got Clifford trapped, but the old cop isn't going down that easily.
Outsiders
In its big Taskmaster replacement format, Dave sends Toussaint Douglass, Kerry Godliman, Ed Gamble, Lou Sanders, Jessica Knappett and Jamali Maddix on a series of outdoor challenges under the watchful gaze of David Mitchell. Think Scouting on acid.
Joe Lycett's Got Your Back
Joe is joined by Sara Pascoe as he explores some of the dubious practices of the gambling industry. He opens a betting shop aimed at kids with the help of street artist Foka Wolf, gets thrown out of a casino with an honest advert for his own VIP club and looks at the effects of online gambling on assistant Mark Silcox's brain.
A League Of Their Own
Romesh is joined by Birmingham City striker Troy Deeney, presenter AJ Odudu and comedians Roisin Conaty, Geoff Norcott, Alex Brooker and Tom Allen for more sporting shenanigans. A generous Romesh gives out some gifts, the panel play the V.A.R. game, and then it's time for some dizzy penalties and a Slippy Slam Dunk challenge.
Taskmaster
The five comedic contestants continue competing against each other but for the first time this series, they'll need to show off some teamwork as they are faced with a mountain to climb. Alex Horne keeps a diligent record of events as Morgana Robinson investigates some suspect doggy bags and Guz Khan slaps a bouncy rabbit.
QI
Sandi Toksvig looks at sideshows, stunts and scavenger hunts, with series regular Alan Davies, and guest panellists Gyles Brandreth, Rosie Jones and Nish Kumar.
The Russell Howard Hour
Russell Howard gets set to nail our messed-up world once again with another series of sharp comedic insights from the week's biggest stories.
The Scotts
Henry has an accident at work and is ordered to rest up at home. He's keen to relax and spend time with the family but his mum Moira is convinced he'll drive everyone cuckoo.
Late Night Mash
Nish Kumar and the Mash team continue with the second half of the series. We imagine petrol might be in their targets this week.
The Cleaner
Wicky arrives at a stately home to clean up a burglary gone wrong. But things aren't what they seem and his morals are tested.
The Last Leg
More topical comedy from Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker.
The Graham Norton Show
Together with Graham this week will be Dave Grohl, Kadeena Cox, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Greg Davies, with music from Jack Savoretti and Nile Rodgers.
Spitting Image
Another episode of the puppet-based topical comedy show.
Blankety Blank
Following a highly successful Christmas special, Bradley Walsh returns as the new host of iconic comedy quiz Blankety Blank, 19 years since its last full series. He's joined in the first episode by Adjoa Andoh, Martine McCutcheon, Johnny Vegas, Jimmy Carr, Chizzy Akudolu and Joe Swash.
Paul O'Grady's Saturday Night Line-Up
Paul puts questions, scenarios and dilemmas to Bill Bailey, Mel B, Ross Kemp and Nicola Adams, who must arrange themselves from best to worst correctly to match the order the British public have put them in.
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
In the last of the present series, Paul and Bob are on the River Severn in Worcestershire to fish for zander. They enlist the help of local guide Tim Maslen to find the best spots before being joined by self-confessed fishing addict Charlie Cooper, star of This Country.
The Ranganation
Romesh, his mum and his outspoken and passionate focus group return for a brand new series. Guests this week are set to include Jack Dee.
Sorry, I Didn't Know
The black-culture panel show returns for a second series, with host Jimmy Akingbola joined by Russell Kane, Dane Baptiste, Reginald D Hunter and Fatiha El-Ghorri.
The new series starting on Radio 4 this week are What On Earth? With Count Binface (Thursday, 11pm), Charlotte And Lillian (Friday, 11:30am) and Comedy From The Wilderness (Sunday, 7:15pm). For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
Shop
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Robert Ross - Forgotten Heroes Of ComedyIn this long overdue salute, comedy historian Robert Ross pays tribute to some of the finest, funniest and most fascinating names in comedy - from both sides of the Atlantic. With the passionate input of such favourite comics as Tim Brooke-Taylor, Hattie Hayridge, Roy Hudd, Michael Palin, Ross Noble, Chris Addison and Bernard Cribbins, Ross charts the legends of humour who, for a variety of reasons, didn't quite reach the heady heights of stardom or, once they had, couldn't cope with the pressures. Whether it be personal demons, changing trends in comedy or a rival act undermining their fame, the ups and downs of the Forgotten Heroes Of Comedy will make for fascinating reading. |
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Ghosts - Series 1, 2 & 3The hugely successful sitcom created by the writers and performers from the award-winning Horrible Histories, Yonderland and the feature film Bill. The boxset includes all episodes from Series 1-3, plus the 2020 Christmas Special and bonus features. Don't miss the outtakes. |
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Father Dear FatherPatrick Cargill reprises his hit sitcom performance as a harassed writer trying to cope with two irrepressible teenage daughters in the big screen version of Father, Dear Father. Featuring Natasha Pyne and Anne Holloway as his mischievous offspring and guest-starring Richard O'Sullivan, Beryl Reid and Donald Sinden, the film is featured here as a brand new high definition remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio. |
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Alex Horne - Bring Me The Head Of The Taskmaster: 101 Next Level TasksThis treasure hunt book is out now. Some of our readers will remember Masquerade, the 1979 book by Kit Williams. This is a similar idea, but rather than searching for jewellery, the clues point towards a special version of the Taskmaster trophy, which has been hidden somewhere in the country. If you don't fancy searching, the book also contains lots of tasks to play with your family and friends - either in the same room, or on Zoom. |
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Julian Clary - The Lick Of Love: How Dogs Changed My LifeFrom one of Britain's best-loved comedians comes this "wonderfully funny, sharp and touching memoir" and "a celebration of the bond between man and dog" - an autobidography, if you will. The Lick Of Love takes us on a tour of Julian's colourful life - and wherever life has taken him, Julian has had a dog by his side. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
We Are The Ugly
Dominic Frisby's latest song focuses on the most discriminated against people in society... the less fortunate looking.
Crumbly Pipes: The Classic British Sitcom That Never Was
The latest sketch from Alasdair Beckett-King. What was your favourite moment from Crumbly Pipes?
The Larkins - Trailer
The trailer for the new adaptation of H.E. Bates's Darling Buds Of May novels about the eccentric, rural Larkin family. Starring Bradley Walsh and Joanna Scanlan, the series launches on ITV this October.
Blankety Blank - Trailer
There'll be no time for drawing blanks when this legendary game show returns to our screens at the weekend with host Bradley Walsh.
Flaps - How Not To Flirt
The last sketch from Comedy Central's online series. What happens if you flirt so hard it's actually dangerous?
News @ Teen
This is News @ Teen. News that you've never heard before and will never be likely to hear again. Take a trip down memory lane with the top childhood stories of the day.
Spotlight
Fresh Meat
Do you remember watching this comedy drama about six students living together in Manchester? We're still finding it hard to believe, but it was a decade ago now that posh boy JP (Jack Whitehall), insecure Kingsley (Joe Thomas), excitable Josie (Kimberley Nixon), hard-living Vod (Zawe Ashton), desperate to please Oregon (Charlotte Ritchie) and scruffy Howard (Greg McHugh) burst on to our screens. If you missed the show, or want to re-watch it, you can find all the episodes on All 4, or get them on DVD.
Thanks for reading
Philip Simon has won the latest BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition. We asked people to joke about computers.
My computer's so woke it's started using non-binary code.
That's all for this week. If you've any thoughts on the wealth of new programmes airing, why not check out our forums and chat with other comedy fans?
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
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