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Friday 13th November 2020 |
We've got a brilliant competition to share with you this week: a prize bundle of three massive box sets, comprising more than 40 feature films AND more than 40 more episodes of TV sitcom. Don't delay, enter now!
Meanwhile, over at Network, there's a 35% sale on a selection of their Blu-ray titles. Only five comedies are included in the discounted range, but they do include the brilliant Likely Lads film and two previously lost episodes of the original BBC series.
Coming soon
Kate & Koji - Series One
Brenda Blethyn and Jimmy Akingbola star in the new ITV sitcom, set in a small cafe in a neglected seaside town.
When a new regular in her café turns out to be a penniless asylum-seeking doctor, brusque proprietor Kate agrees to keep his coffee mug topped up in return for running an unofficial surgery to keep the premises busy with normal customers.
Ahead of a second series in 2021, if you've not yet seen the comedy or are up for reminding yourself of the laughs it contained, do pre-order this DVD.
Upright
Tim Minchin leads this irreverent series as the ironically named Laclan "Lucky" Flynn, a down-on-his-luck middle-aged man road-tripping across Australia to deliver an old upright piano to his dying mother. In a dramatic twist of fate, his path collides with teenage runaway Meg (Milly Alcock), who has some secrets of her own.
This unlikely pair throw in their lot with each other and slowly reveal, through a series of quirky happenings along the way, what each of them might be running away from, and what it is they're seeking on the road.
Geoff Norcott - Where Did I Go Right?: How The Left Lost Me
Comedian Geoff Norcott should have been stereotypical Labour through and through. He grew up on a council estate, both of his parents were disabled, and his dad was a union man. So, how was it that he grew up to vote Tory?
Through his colourful childhood in South London, we meet Geoff's vibrant family. His mother, a council estate matriarch crossed with Tony Soprano, ever willing to offer frank sexual advice or make life hell for the housing office; his maverick one-armed dad with blunt homespun philosophies on everything from punctuality to women and a dream to drive all the way around the M25.
The big myth about the British working class is that they're born Left-wing and generally stay that way. The working class intention to vote Tory has frequently flirted with the 50% mark. Labour haven't won the popular vote in England since 2001. And as the Left is increasingly diverted by identity politics, the one identity they often forget is the working-class. Written with warmth, wit and humour, Where Did I Go Right? is Geoff's attempt to understand why he ended up voting 'for the bad guys', and the perfect place to start if you want to understand why in Britain, blue-collar conservatism might be here to stay.
Paul Merton - The Series 1 & 2
Fresh 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.
New to DVD, this set includes brand new 2020-recorded commentaries and the short film Suicidal Dog. Intrigued? Find out all about the cult sketch show in our excellent Comedy Rewind feature.
Count Arthur Strong - Is There Anybody Out There?
As well as being the all round entertainer we all know and love from the telly, Count Arthur Strong is also a lifelong fan of astronomy, since having been given a microscope, or whatever it is they use, for Christmas when he was a small precocious baby. In fact it's said the first word he spoke was 'Uranus'.
In this, his brand new show, he seamlessly combines the very best showbiz entertainment you'll currently find, in the world, possibly? as he wrestles with some of the big questions that other all round entertainers shy away from. Such as: Are we alone in the universe? Is there life on Mars bars? 2lbs of potatoes. Packet of ginger nuts. Don't lose this shopping list.
Frankie Boyle's Tour Of Scotland
Frankie Boyle is back! Frankie explores his home country of Scotland as he goes on his first stand-up tour since 2012. Meeting folk along the way, he examines the country's language, creativity, landscape and unique communities.
This 4-part series sees Frankie travel to and perform at 4 intimate gigs in far-flung corners of the country.
Brothers In Law - The Complete Series 1-3
All three 1970s BBC radio series of the classic legal comedy starring Richard Briers, newly restored and featuring an amazing array of guest stars. Inspired by Henry Cecil's 1955 comic novel of the same name, Brothers In Law first appeared on BBC One in 1962, providing Richard Briers with his first starring role on television as idealistic young barrister Roger Thursby. Adapted by Richard Waring from TV scripts by Frank Muir and Denis Norden, it took to the airwaves in 1970, running for three years until 1972.
As the series opens, the rookie lawyer is in his first year at chambers, and struggling to learn the ropes. He just wants to win a case - any case - but in these 39 episodes, he finds himself unwittingly aiding a habitual fraudster, confronting a fearsome judge, and annoying his girlfriend by defending a wife-beater.
For Better Or For Worse - The Complete Series 1-3
All three series of the BBC radio comedy about the turbulent relationship of an odd couple, starring Gorden Kaye and Su Pollard.
Dithering undertaker's assistant Bernard Pringle has finally got engaged to his sweetheart, Iris Bickerdyke - but Iris still has to persuade her fiance to buy her a ring...
Lee Ridley - I'm Only In It For The Parking
What's the worst thing about being disabled? Is it the shameless staring? Is it that people assume you're a bit thick because you can't speak? Or is it the fact that your friends always take you to theme parks just so they can jump the queues?
In fact, it's the stupid questions people ask that really rile Lee Ridley, aka Lost Voice Guy. And over the years he's been inundated with them by people who have failed to engage their brains before opening their mouths. Which is where I'm Only In It For The Parking comes in - think of it as a disabled FAQ, with funny (sometimes painfully funny) stories from Lee's less-ordinary life. If you think you know what it's like to be disabled, prepare to have your perceptions skewered by the much-loved Britain's Got Talent winner, the stand-up who struggles to stand-up, the Geordie without the accent. And before you ask... no, he really can't speak at all. But he definitely has something to say.
Tina C. - Country Music Legend
The collected radio shows of country music superstar and global activist Tina C., the creation of award-winning entertainer Christopher Green.
From the moment her second album, No Dick's As Hard As My Life, was released, the world took notice of country music singer Tina C.. Grammy Award-winning singer, international peace icon, US presidential hopeful and poster girl for American democracy, Tina C. is the living embodiment (and what a body) of soft power. Now, in these seven sensational radio shows, she's here to recruit you to her world view. You can run, but you can't hide from Tina C....
Dentist On The Job
Original Carry On stars Bob Monkhouse, Kenneth Connor, Shirley Eaton and Eric Barker star in this sequel to 1960's Dentist In The Chair. Also featuring Charles Hawtrey and Richard Wattis, Dentist On The Job is presented here as a brand new high definition transfer from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio.
The launch of Proudfoot Industries' new toothpaste is a resounding failure, much to ire of its managing director. When a minion suggests they engage a dentist to endorse the product, it's pointed out that dentists would be struck off for such an endorsement - so what they really need are some clueless dentists with no common sense...
Michael Palin - The Python Years: Diaries 1969-1979 (Volume 1)
Michael Palin has kept a diary since newly married in the late 1960s, when he was beginning to make a name for himself as a TV scriptwriter (for The Two Ronnies, David Frost etc). Monty Python was just around the corner. This first volume of his diaries reveals how Python emerged and triumphed, how he, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, the two Terrys - Jones and Gilliam - and Eric Idle, came together and changed the face of British comedy.
This is the first audiobook release of this debut volume; Volume 2, Halfway To Hollywood, is also about to be released for the first time.
Jen Brister - The Other Mother
Stand-up comedian Jen Brister takes a "very funny, very honest" look at life as a parent: from IVF awfulness to crying over the pages of sleep training manuals.
As 'the other mother' in a same sex partnership she has the perfect vantage point for us to laugh and cry alongside her.
Albert And Me - The Complete Series 1 & 2
Richard Beckinsale and Robert Lindsay star in this BBC radio sitcom about a single dad left holding the baby after his girlfriend runs off with the electrician. These 17 episodes follow character Bryan Archer's mishaps and adventures juggling work and childcare. He tries out as a cosmetic salesman, takes a driving job, finds employment as a temporary filing clerk, and more.
Schemers
A new British comedy film. Recently in cinemas for a short run, it's due for release on DVD in January.
Davie is a dreamer, constantly hustling for his next buck, then losing it on the horses. After a football injury, Davie falls for trainee nurse Shona and tries to impress her by running a disco. Along with friends John and Scot, the trio start promoting bands - culminating in a hugely ambitious Iron Maiden gig at the Caird Hall, Dundee. With ambition so grand they go deep in debt with Fergie, a gangster of legendary violence, Davie needs to use every trick in the book to pull off the biggest scheme of his life.
Pixie
The latest film from St Trinian's and Fisherman's Friends director Barnaby Thompson.
Pixie wants to avenge her mother's death by masterminding a heist, but her plans go awry and she finds herself on the run with two young men who are way out of their depth being chased across the countryside by... deadly gangster priests. She has to pit her wits against everyone, taking on the patriarchy to claim the right to shape her own life.
Daniel Sloss - Everyone You Hate Is Going To Die
According to Daniel Sloss, his show about bad relationships has caused 120 divorces and some 50,000 break-ups. Now he's written a book. In it, he "goes after every conceivable kind of relationship between two people" - with one's country, with America, with lovers, ex-lovers, ex-lovers who you hate, ex-lovers who hate you, parents, best friends (male and female), not-best friends, children, and siblings.
Adam Kay - Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas
From the author of hit bestseller This Is Going To Hurt. Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas is the "hilarious, poignant and entertaining story" of the life of a junior doctor at the most challenging time of the year, with 25 tales of intriguing, shocking and incredible Christmas incidents faced by NHS workers. It aims to help the British public finally appreciate the sacrifices made and the challenges faced by the thousands of NHS staff up and down the country.
Fully illustrated, it's now available to order in paperback.
For more, see our full list of new releases and products coming soon.
Out now
The Ladykillers
To celebrate the 65th anniversary of Ealing Studios' flawless The Ladykillers, here's a new version... the first ever 4K (ultra HD) release of an Ealing comedy.
Comprehensively remastered and restored from the original 1955 3-strip Technicolor negative, it's a beautiful new version showcasing director Alexander Mackendrick's vision in its full glory, with bright colours, sharp detail, deep blacks and bright whites. Simply: a better experience of the acclaimed British comedy cannot be had.
If you've not seen the film before, now is the perfect time to experience the black comic classic.
Lisa McGee - Erin's Diary: An Official Derry Girls Book
Set in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland in the 1990s, Derry Girls is a candid, one-of-a-kind comedy about what it's like to be a teenage girl living amongst conflict. But while The Troubles may hang over her hometown, Erin has troubles of her own: like the fact that the boy she's in love with (actually in LOVE with) doesn't know she exists; or that her Ma and Aunt Sarah make her include her weirdo cousin Orla in everything she does; or that head teacher Sister Michael refuses to acknowledge Erin as a literary genius. Not to mention the fact that her second best friend has ALMOST had sex, whereas Erin's never even kissed anyone yet. These are Erin's Troubles.
In the manner of the very best TV comedy books, Erin's Diary is an 'in world' publication that extends the laugh-out-loud humour of Derry Girls onto the page. With Erin's inner take on everything that has happened so far, this book both dives deeper into the events we have seen unfold on the screen and unveils brand new stories and never-before-revealed details about characters. Complete with newspaper clippings, doodles, poetry, school reports, handwritten notes from her friends, and much much more, Erin's Diary is as warm, funny and brilliantly observed as the TV; a must-have for fans this Christmas.
Sandi Toksvig - Toksvig's Almanac 2021: An Eclectic Meander Through The Historical Year
"Toksvig's Almanac is intended merely as a starting point for your own discoveries. Find a fabulous (or infamous) woman mentioned and, please, go looking for more of her story. The names mentioned are merely temptations. Amuse-bouches for the mind, if you like. How I would have loved to have written out in detail each tale there is to be told, but then this book would have been too heavy to lift."
Let Sandi Toksvig guide you on an eclectic meander through the calendar, illuminating neglected corners of history to tell tales of the fascinating figures you didn't learn about at school. From revolutionary women to serial killers, pirate nuns to pioneering civil rights activists, doctors to dancing girls, artists to astronauts, these pages commemorate women from all around the world who were pushed to the margins of historical record.
Tom Allen - No Shame
"When I was 16 I dressed in Victorian clothing in a bid to distract people from the fact that I was gay. It was a flawed plan."
No Shame is a "very funny, candid and emotional ride" of a memoir by one of our most popular comedians. The working-class son of a coach driver, and the youngest member of the Noel Coward Society, Tom Allen grew up in 90s suburbia as the eternal outsider. In these stories Tom recalls observations on childhood, his adolescence, the family he still lives with, and his attempts to come out and negotiate the gay dating scene. They are written with his trademark caustic wit and warmth, and will entertain, surprise and move you in equal measure.
Friday Night Dinner - The Complete Collection: Series 1 - 6
This box set includes all 37 episodes from Series 1 to 6 of the award-winning, smash hit comedy about a normally abnormal - or perhaps, abnormally normal - Jewish family living in London, with baffling dad Martin; bickering adult sons Adam and Jonny; and highly-stressed mum Jackie. Plus deranged next-door neighbour Jim and his dog.
Tuck into six glorious series of award-winning madness with the Goodmans as they get together for a Friday night dinner of food, family and major-league bickering.
Mrs. Brown's Boys - Merry Mishaps!
Mrs Brown and the family are up to their usual festive hi-jinks and are ready to jingle your baubles in two brand new seasonal specials, broadcast at Christmas 2019-20.
Episode 1 - A Wonderful Mammy: Agnes's world is turned upside down when an angel arrives in Finglas and grants her a wish to see what life would be like if she'd never been born. Kevin Kennedy guest stars.
Episode 2 - Orange Is The New Mammy: Everyone in the Brown household is concerned at the news that the poisoner Peggy Piper has been released from prison, Winnie especially. Sue Vincent guest stars.
An updated box set collecting all 17 specials to date is also available to order.
The Bruce Forsyth Show
The King of Light Entertainment, Bruce Forsyth's career on television spanned a remarkable seven decades - from the London Palladium shows of the 1950s to more than ten years of Strictly Come Dancing. An all-round entertainer and light comedian, Brucie was perhaps never better than on the run of shows he did in the mid 1960s with Morecambe & Wise's scriptwriters Sid Green and Dick Hills.
Mixing music, dancing and comedy in the time-honoured tradition, ABC's The Bruce Forsyth Show focused on laughter, glamour and big name guests, including Frankie Howerd, Cilla Black, Dudley Moore (and his trio), Tommy Cooper, Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Diana Dors, Kathy Kirby, Julie Rogers, Harry Secombe and more! This release contains all nine programmes that survive from this classic series, including the 1965 Christmas special, plus the incomplete Frankie Howerd edition from 1966.
Don't Ever Leave Me
Made 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 (Hanley). Harry can't resist returning to his old ways and decides to kidnap the daughter of a well-known actor Michael Farlaine (Hugh Sinclair). Back at Jack's flat Harry gets more than he bargained for as Sheila welcomes the adventure of being kidnapped and the attention she receives in the press! As Sheila's father realises that the publicity generated by his daughter's disappearance is boosting ticket sales at his ailing theatre show he is not keen to see his daughter returned too quickly. Jack however is finding the going tough and when his long suffering girlfriend (Barbara Murray) begins to suspect he has another woman, he knows he must return Shelia and avoid prison!
The ensemble cast also includes Anthony Newley, Dora Bryan, Dandy Nichols and Maurice Denham.
Ghosts - Series 2
The return of the hugely successful supernatural sitcom written and created by the stars of Horrible Histories, Yonderland and feature film Bill.
As the doors of crumbling country mansion Button House creak open once more, the haphazard house share between its living inhabitants and its restless dead is settling into a strange kind of daily routine. But cash-strapped Alison and Mike's plan to transform their unexpected inheritance into a bustling luxury hotel is still a distant dream. Could the exploitation of their troupe of ghostly housemates bring in the funds they need - or are they setting themselves up for even more chaos?
Brian Beacom - The Real Stanley Baxter
Stanley Baxter delighted more than 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.
This is the biography that got the comedy world talking, as Baxter came out as gay at the age of 94 last fortnight.
Nathan Cassidy - RESURRECTION: Post-Covid Diaries By Boris Johnson
RESURRECTION is a diary from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson starting in July 2020, 3 months after the nurses (whose name he forgets) saved his life. With a daily entry over these months of rehabilitation for himself and the country, the diary is an explosive, page-turning, imagined exposé of what is really happening at the height of power as Boris, the UK and the world recover from Covid-19. And events quickly send Boris down a murky and dangerous pathway in search of eternal life.
For more, see our full list of new releases and products coming soon.
Thanks for reading
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