Hospital People and the rest of the week's TV and radio comedy

The best of the week's comedy on TV and radio.

Monday April 17

MICKY FLANAGAN: THINKING ALOUD In a freewheeling new comedy documentary series the comedian seeks the answers to various things that have been vexing him for the past year, including the signs of midlife crisis and the British obsession with class. In the first episode, Flanagan dives into questions of gender, as he explores dating, sex and the battle for equality in the home and workplace. Sky 1, 9pm

Tuesday April 18

BILLY CONNOLLY & ME: A CELEBRATION: This one-hour special marking Billy Connolly's five decades in comedy features classic clips, new performance footage, fan stories and a new interview with the man himself. Famous fans taking part include Dame Judi Dench, David Tennant, Andy Murray, Eric Idle, Armando Iannucci, Elton John, Peter Kay and Adam Hills. ITV, 9pm

PASSIONS: DAMIEN HIRST BY Harry Hill: The comedian pays homage to the Turner Prize-winning artist in this new mockumentary that incorporates musical numbers, surreal observations and an absurd parody of modern popular culture. Sky Arts, 9pm

ROB NEWMAN'S NEUROPOLIS: In this new four-part series the comedian mixes stand-up and sketches to 'challenge notions of neuroscience' – offering a brand new theory, no less, as an alternative to modern popular science. Radio 4, 6.30pm

Wednesday April 19

TONIGHT AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM: Bradley Walsh returns with a new series, with comedy magician Pete Firman on the bill of this first instalment. ITV, 8pm

Thursday April 20

A GOOD BIT OF HOWERD: Radio 4 Extra marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Frankie Howerd (albeit 24 hours late) with an archive interview not heard for 50 years. Describing himself as 'the sex kitten of the BBC', the comic is lightly grilled by DJ Pete Murray and gives full credit for his success to his writers up to then, including Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, and explains why he never ad-libs. The interview was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1963. Radio 4 Extra, 6.30pm

Friday April 21

HOSPITAL PEOPLE: Tom Binns' sitcom, based around his inept hospital radio DJ Ivan Brackenbury, starts a full run following a successful pilot last year. The comedian also plays callous NHS manger, Susan Mitchell, porter and spirit medium Ian D Montfort and over-enthusiastic chaplain Father Kenny Mercer. BBC One, 9.30pm.

Published: 16 Apr 2017