A quick look at some of next week’s comedy highlights on UK TV and radio.
Saturday, Nov 8
Harry Hill’s TV Burp
- ITV - 6:50pm
Every so often a show comes along which makes people say things like “Saturday nights wouldn’t be the same without it.” This is one of those shows.
The World’s Greatest Comedy Characters - E4 - 9:00pm
These shows are getting a bit old hat now. If it’s comedy your after, BBC2’s tribute to Geoffrey Perkins might be a better bet.
Comedy Connections - BBC2 - 9:45pm
BBC2 airs a special edition to celebrate the career of producer Geoffrey Perkins, who died in August. A selection of shows produced by Perkins follows.
Coming of Age - BBC3 - 10:10pm
All six episodes of the first series back to back. If you want to spend Saturday night drowing in a sea of knob gags, this is the place to be.
Sunday, Nov 9
Bremner, Bird and Fortune: Silly Money - C4 - 7:00pm
Bremner, Bird and Fortune have been doing this for so long now, it’s easy to forget about about them. I missed last week’s show. Hopefully, I’ll remember this time.
Monday, Nov 10
Ed Reardon’s Week - Radio 4 - 11:30am
The last in the series of the superior sitcom. If you haven’t tried it yet, then give it a go. It’s brilliant stuff.
The Knack… and How to Get it - TCM - 11:20pm
I tend not to list a lot of the comedy movies that pop up throughout the week and concentrate instead on the TV output. But it’s always nice when a film that hasn’t been shown for a while suddenly appears in the schedules, as Will Hay’s brilliant Oh, Mr Porter! did a couple of weeks ago. And now here’s this, a little remembered Michael Crawford vehicle set in mid-sixties swinging London and also featuring Rita Tushingham and Ray Brooks, and directed by Richard Lester. Definitely worth a look, methinks.
Tuesday, Nov 11
The Party Line - Radio 4 - 6:30pm
Last in series of Steve Punt’s and Hugh Dennis’s topical sitcom. James Fleet stars as a Labour MP who wishes to spend as little time as possible in his constituency. The topical material is nicely handled.
Grownups - BBC3 - 10:30pm
BBC3 starts a repeat showing of the second series of Susan Nickson’s comedy, in preperation no doubt for the forthcoming arrival of series three.
Fabulous - Radio 4 - 11:00pm
I’ve really warmed to this and, unlike Ed Reardon’s Week, I could see it translating well to TV. The gran character remains my favourite.
Wednesday, Nov 12
Clare in the Community - Radio 4 - 6:30pm
A repeat of series 4, first aired in January. Sally Phillips stars in the sitcom based on the comic strip of the same name.
15-Minute Musical - Radio 4 - 11:00pm
Re-making the musicals with topical storylines. This week, Ramsey Todd - the demon chef of Fleet Street. Geddit? Well, some of the gags will make you groan, but there’s no denying the musical skill of those involved nor the overall sense of fun that prevails throughout.
The Inbetweeners - C4 - 11:05pm
C4 continues their re-run of the show set in a London school. Originally broadcast on E4 back in May.
Self Storage - Radio 4 - 11:15pm
Reece Shearsmith stars as Dave, who has found himself living in a storage unit. Quietly odd. It may be a grower. I’ll get back to you.
Thursday, Nov 13
Never Mind The Buzzcocks - BBC2 - 9:00pm
There are some for whom Buzzcocks remains good TV. There are others who believe that it has gone on for far too long and needs to be put out of its misery. I’m afraid I’m firmly in the latter camp.
Lead Balloon - BBC2 - 10:00pm
A welcome return for the Jack Dee sitcom that proves that shows set in domestic settings can have a bit of bite after all. I look forward to more awkward moments in Michael’s cafe.
8 out of 10 Cats - C4 - 10:00pm
Cats gets a bit overlooked, but personally I think it’s one of the better panel shows. Out of all of the progs that have referenced the recent Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross incident, Cats has done so with the most style.
Russell Brand’s Ponderland - C4 - 10:35pm
It was difficult to view the first of the second series from an objective viewpoint - it became both the most complained about and most praised C4 show of the week, as the “ban this filth” and the “if you don’t like it change the channel” brigades dragged their argument into a second week. In actual fact, it wasn’t bad and featured some nice clips and comments from the dandy himself. Last week’s episode on the subject of family was less sucessful, I think, and Brand’s performance seemed rather forced. There is no doubt that Brand definitely has something, but I don’t think we’re seeing the best of him here.
Cowards - Radio 4 - 11:00pm
In 2005, I had the pleasure of seeing Cowards at the Edinburgh Festival. It was a last minute decision, a little show to fill the time, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of the weekend. This year, in the very same room, I had the pleasure of seeing Cowards member Stefan Golaszewski talk about a girl he once met. It was another fine performance. For anyone who feels that sketch comedy has become too brash and too obsessed with being grotesque and gross, the understated, surreal charm of Cowards may just be the tonic you need.
Fonejacker - C4 - 11:10pm
As the UK is probably a bit bored with phone pranks now, it’ll be interesting to see what the ratings are like for this.
Friday, Nov 14
Fags, Mags and Bags - Radio 4 - 11:30am
New series of the sitcom set in a corner shop, written by and starring Donald McLeary and Still Game’s Sanjeev Kohli.
The News Quiz - Radio 4 - 6:30pm
With Have I Got News For You off the air tonight, you can still get a satirical fix care of the good folk at Radio 4.
QI - BBC2 - 10:00pm
Stephen Fry presents a special edition for the BBC’s Children in Need night. I enjoyed Russell Howard’s recent comment about meeting Stephen Fry. He said it was like spending time with Google.
