Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 4th October 2021 |
October's back like the slap in the face you need to be reminded Christmas is just over the horizon. Take a breath of fresh air with your weekly comedy update...
Latest comedy news
"Loveable slacker" sitcom Ted's Top Ten coming to CITV
CITV has ordered Ted's Top 10, a comedy about an unsuccessful YouTuber, "loveable slacker and walking disaster area".
Aimee Lou Wood stars in Channel 4 rom-com
Sex Education's Aimee Lou Wood is to star in one-off Channel 4 comedy drama Mincemeat, as well as Sara Pascoe's debut drama Car Crash.
80s comedy Chelmsford 123 revived as new audio series
Chelmsford 123, a late-80s Channel 4 sitcom set in Roman Britain, is being revived for a new 4-part audio series. The comedy was the first from leading TV production company Hat Trick.
Robert Florence to host GamesMaster
The new series of computer games challenge format GamesMaster will be helmed by Burnistoun star Robert Florence.
Holly Walsh to co-host The Museum Of Curiosity Series 16
Holly Walsh has been announced as the curator assisting John Lloyd for the 16th series of The Museum Of Curiosity, which returns to Radio 4 later this month.
Fern Brady writing autism memoir
Fern Brady is writing a memoir, focusing on her autism and the sexism that surrounds the condition. Strong Female Character will be published in 2023.
Advert
Union JACK Radio's brand new Comedy Club starts this Thursday! Recorded live at gigs in Manchester, Bristol, Hull and Leicester - boasting comedians like Paul McCaffrey, Aaron Simmonds and Nina Gilligan! Listen on DAB radio, on the app or online: UnionJACK.co.uk/ComedyClub
Features
Brassic interviews
The cast of Brassic talk about returning for a third series of the hit comedy drama.
Comedy Chronicles: The Tales of Hoffnung: The Unscripted Genius of Gerard Hoffnung
Graham McCann examines the legacy of forgotten comic genius Gerard Hoffnung.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Njambi McGrath
She's doing the Radio 4/Soho Theatre double, but which two cassettes made all the difference, early doors?
Romesh Ranganathan interview
Romesh Ranganathan talks about returning for the fourth series of his BBC Two format.
British Comedy Quiz #173
This time... a title sequence, episode counting, A Stab In The Dark, an advert, a catchphrase, and more. Good luck!
Random 8: Jack Gleadow
He's bringing audio-visual gags to Bishop's Stortford, but does Jack Gleadow really dream of being released from a bag by Keith Chegwin?
BCG Pro
Feels weird to be thinking about Christmas already, but TV channel Gold is looking for you to submit topical cracker jokes for its annual competition. If you're a writer or performer, you'll find lots more on our BCG Pro platform of interest to you too.
TV listings
The Goes Wrong Show
Chris returns to the leadership of the society and puts on a production of a little-known play by Shakespeare (but not the famous one). Robert does not take his relegation to a non-speaking part lying down, and attempts to infiltrate every scene with his relevant trumpeter.
The Complaints Department
Jason Manford is joined by comedians Jimmy Carr, Russell Kane, Sarah Keyworth and Geoff Norcott as they play a series of games based on the funniest and quirkiest complaints from the British public.
Alma's Not Normal
There's some good news for Lin as the hospital informs her that her section could finally be lifted. However, it's dependent on her either moving into a hostel or in with a family member.
British As Folk
On their road trip, Darren Harriott, Fern Brady and Ivo Graham head to the most 'misjudged' city in the UK, Glasgow, before spending a night in the Highlands on a mission to find out if the Scots really do hate the English.
Never Mind The Buzzcocks
Noel Fielding is joined by comedian Richard Ayoade and DJ Majestic whilst Daisy May Cooper and regular Jamali Maddix welcome singer, presenter and former Saturday Mollie King.
Hitmen
In another double bill, Fran and Jamie are first tasked with taking out movie producer / drug lord Jackson Reynard, but get the job done far too quickly; and then look forward to an assignment in Japan.
Rob Beckett's Undeniable
The host welcomes actress Fay Ripley and comedians Ivo Graham, Darren Harriott and Bobby Mair, who bring their finest and funniest trivia to get on Rob's cherished Wall of Facts.
Brassic
The comedy drama returns for a long-awaited third series. Vinnie finally gets released from prison and with the newly promoted Detective Carl Slater watching his every move, he is doing his best to lie low.
Outsiders
It's day two in the woods for the Outsiders. Will Jess Knappett manage to keep Jamali under control once he gets his hands on a pair of scissors, and will vegan Lou Sanders agree to milk a goat?
Joe Lycett's Got Your Back
Jo Brand joins Joe as he goes on a mission to make Britain's beaches more eco-friendly by banning cheap polystyrene bodyboards. Plus, comedian Joanne McNally investigates diet fads and the team explores online shopping fraud loopholes. As usual, tech specialist Mark Silcox offers support to the host's quests.
A League Of Their Own
Featuring Rugby union star Joe Marler, presenter Kelly Somers, comedian Joel Dommett, professional gadabouts David Walliams and Jonathan Ross, and - to make sure he's doing his job properly - Romesh's mum Shanthi Ranganathan. This week the teams take part in a pillow fight, have a go on a pop cycle, and play a game of Danger Dodgeball.
Taskmaster
The perfect Taskmaster contestant should be as versatile as an egg, able to turn their hand to anything from construction to choreography. This is the contestant that Greg Davies dreams of, yet instead, in this episode, he gets Victoria Coren Mitchell drawing an exploding cat, Alan Davies hurting himself with a rubber band and Desiree Burch doing something inexplicable when faced with sand. Alex Horne provides statistical analysis.
QI
As the hit panel show continues, Sandi and Alan are joined by Jason Manford, Alice Levine and Rose Matafeo.
The Russell Howard Hour
It's already the fifth episode of the series, as Russell takes another look at the past week of topical and silly events.
The Scotts
Vincent and Vonny prepare to reaffirm their marriage vows in characteristic over-the-top style. Vonny's dress looks gorgeous. Vincent's emerging from an ornamental swan.
The Emily Atack Show
Breakout comedy performer Emily Atack returns this week with a second series of her observational sketch-and-stand-up series. Expect plenty of romantic entanglements amongst the subjects.
Late Night Mash
Nish Kumar returns to address another week of global news stories. We don't yet know which of Rachel, Ellie or Geoff may appear.
Have I Got News For You
The long-running panel quiz returns for its sixty-second series. This week Stephen Mangan hosts panellists including Ross Noble.
The Cleaner
Wicky visits a social media influencer with millions of followers and an unhealthy obsession with the 1980s.
The Last Leg
Yet another topical comedy format, as Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker return for another episode.
The Graham Norton Show
Amongst the guests joining Graham in the studio on Friday will be Jodie Comer, Andie MacDowell, Billy Porter and pop group Texas, who perform their new single Unbelievable.
Spitting Image
Another episode of the puppet-based topical comedy show.
Blankety Blank
More than 5 million people tuned in to the series launch on Saturday night, making it the second most-watched programme on any channel for the whole day. Were you one of them? This week's celebrity players will be Tamzin Outhwaite, Craig Revel Horwood, Rob Beckett, Josh Widdicombe, Lady Leshurr and Ade Adepitan.
Paul O'Grady's Saturday Night Line-Up
Meanwhile, the last regular Blankety Blank host is joined in his current series by guests Boy George, Jo Brand, Denise Lewis and Joe Swash.
The Larkins
Simon Nye's hotly-anticipated new adaptation of H.E. Bates's novels about the eccentric, rural Larkin family, starring Bradley Walsh and Joanna Scanlan as Pop and Ma, made famous in the early 1990s by David Jason and Pam Ferris.
The Ranganation
Romesh Ranganathan and his panel return for a second week in their fourth series. His studio guests will be Jon Richardson and Nadiya Hussain.
Sorry, I Didn't Know
The panel show about black British history welcomes panellists Eddie Kadi, Stephen K Amos, Kojo Anim and Bethany Black to the studio this week.
The new series starting on the radio this week are Tarot: Soundbleed (Wednesday, 11:15pm), The Attendant (Thursday, 2:15pm), Union Jack Radio Comedy Club (Thursday, 10pm), Drop The Dead Panda (Thursday, 11pm) and The Confessional (Sunday, 7:15pm). For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
Shop
|
Drop Me Here, DarlingIt's not easy, being chauffeur to your ex-wife. Especially when she's wealthy and you're broke... Leslie Duggan (Leslie Phillips) was once a high-flying property tycoon - but then came a 1980s property crash that wiped out his business and left him broke. Down on his luck and desperate to earn a living, he takes a job chauffeuring his wealthy ex-wife, Caroline (Jill Bennett), who owns a successful mail order company and is very much on the up. The Duggans may be divorced, but they're still close friends. And although they no longer live together, they're still involved in each other's affairs - and keep a beady eye on each other's love lives! But when they're out and about, while it's Leslie behind the wheel of the Roller, it's Caroline who's in the driving seat - and what Madam says, goes... Drop Me Here, Darling was first broadcast on BBC Radio 2 between December 1982 and February 1983. The cast also features Kenneth Connor and Joan Sanderson. |
|
Code 404 - Series 2Sky One's hit comedy returns. DI John Major and DI Roy Carver were the top crime fighting duo in the Unit but when an undercover sting went horribly wrong, Major was gunned down on the job and killed. As an 'asset' considered too valuable to lose, his body was fast-tracked into an experimental artificial intelligence project to bring him back from the dead. The only problem is, Major 2.0 may look like and sound like the original, but something was lost in translation - quite a lot actually. Oh, and if that wasn't enough, thinking her husband is dead, Major's wife has fallen in love with Carver. Somehow, Major's error-strewn hunches and Carver's scrambling to make good allows them to just about scrape by - but for how long? If you've not seen Series 1 of the wonderfully cast, chucklesome comedy series yet then a box set is also available. |
|
Katherine Ryan - The AudacityThe star of The Duchess and the host of Telling Everybody Everything, this is the book everyone's talking about, from superstar comedian Katherine Ryan. "While I've been very blessed to have worked in comedy for over a decade, The Audacity gives me the opportunity to connect with people more fully and honestly than a panel show allows. I've learned to be a sharp-shooter on stage, but there are so many stories that I'm eager to tell in more sincere, longer form. I hope it gives people a laugh, an insight, and hopefully some encouragement on how to live their most fulfilled, authentic lives." Detailing her journey from a naïve ex-Hooters waitress fresh off the boat from Canada to comedy megastar, chapters cover How to Potty Train Your Baby at 10 Months, How to Cut Off Your Racist Aunties, How to Marry Your High School Boyfriend and How to Co-Parent when you're a Single Mum. The Audacity combines Katherine's "unerring ear for the perfect line with the warmth, compassion and hard-won wisdom" that makes up a life on and off stage. |
|
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing - The Complete Fourth SeriesAfter its conclusion on BBC Two last night, get ready to sit back and delight in the fourth series of Bob and Paul's perhaps surprisingly successful slow-paced comedy series as they chat, cook, admire the stunning British countryside, and fish. This release - available on both DVD and Blu-ray (for a stunning picture quality) - includes all six episodes from the series proper as well as the 2020 Christmas special, which featured musician and singer Chris Rea. |
|
Victoria Wood Unseen On TVIn the five years since Victoria Wood's death, one great sadness has been the realisation that we'll never again be surprised by new material from her. But now, as part of the research for the Sunday Times bestselling and critically acclaimed biography Let's Do It, her official biographer, Jasper Rees uncovered a treasure chest of unseen work. From her first piece of comic prose written for her school magazine through to material written for the great TV specials of her maturity and beyond, the store of her writing is full of secret gems that span nearly half a century. This is a unique and intimate insight into the working of a singular comedy talent. From the first to the last, these are words that no one else could have written, which will make you laugh in the way that only she could. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Chuck Steel: Night Of The Trampires - Trailer
It's not 1985 anymore...it's 1986, and Chuck Steel is 'the best God damn cop on the force'. Check out the trailer for this animated comedy film, which will be in cinemas October 29th.
Injury Fraud 4 U
Have you been involved in an accident that was 100% your fault...? Then it's time you called: INJURY FRAUD 4 U!
Dear English Language,
Jazz Emu says: "We've all had enough of you, English language."
The Mantis
A self defence professional talks you through a few scenarios... The Mantis is a man who keeps the community safe with his expert martial arts knowledge and courteous language.
Sex Education - Series 3 set tour
Go behind the scenes of Sex Education with this access-all-areas set tour from the cast.
Comedians V Food
This four-part YouTube series from Channel 4 is now online. It sees two comedians battle it out in shocking mukbang style food challenges. Thanyia Moore and KG are up first.
Spotlight
Will Any Gentleman...?
Dating way back to 1953, this colour film was adapted from a hit stage farce - and is one of the best such adaptations we've ever seen. Telly legend George Cole stars, with the cast also including future Doctor Who leads Jon Pertwee and William Hartnell, plus Sid James, Brian Oulton, and a range of other wonderful, recognisable faces. Still a sparkling, laugh-out-loud comedy, it also sees the screen debut of the fabulous Joan Sims, in the tale of a mild-mannered bank clerk who finds himself pressured into taking part in a hypnotist act that brings out his inner devil-may-care lothario. His wife and brother are left with the task of dealing with his new, wavering demeanour, and seeking a fix before irreversible damage is done! Recently remastered in HD, it's available now on both DVD and Blu-ray.
Thanks for reading
Rob Smyth has won the latest BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition, which was on the topic of "taxis":
A Shetland pony did a painting of my taxi. It's a horse drawn carriage.
That's all from us today - we hope you enjoy a lovely week ahead.
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
Join our mailing list