Chronicles of a 40-something Jewish singleton
29/02/2020 … The week's comedy on demand.
2020 Archives
Sat 29 February 2020
Fri 28 February 2020
Leicester Comedy Fest unveils its award nominees
Comedians and businesses up for accolades
28/02/2020 … The Leicester Comedy Festival has announced the nominees for its annual awards.
Book tour for Ruth Jones
28/02/2020 … Ruth Jones is to embark on a UK tour to tie in with the publication of her new novel Us Three.
Gone in 60 minutes! Ramseys sell out podcast tour
Duo now on course for the record books
28/02/2020 … Chris and Rosie Ramsey are to break the record for the world’s biggest live podcast audience after selling out their gig Newcastle’s Utilita…
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is 42!
And Radio 4 Extra is celebrating
28/02/2020 … Radio 4 Extra is to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the first episode of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy next week.
© EdgarCurious Got reincarnated as a squid...
28/02/2020 … Tweets of the week People used to call me an attention seeker, but LOOK AT ME NOW! — George Rigden (@grigdencomedian) February 27, 2020 M.
Bec Hill quarantined in coronavirus scare
Comic isolated after Hong Kong visit
28/02/2020 … Comedian Bec Hill has had to cancel a week’s worth of gigs after being quarantined for suspected coronavirus.
Big book deal for comedian Caimh McDonnell
Comic supernatural thriller out next year
28/02/2020 … Former comedian Caimh McDonnell has sold the book and screen rights to his latest novel – a comic supernatural thriller about a newspaper that reports…
Andree Melly dies at 87
Star of Just A Minute and Hancock's Half Hour
28/02/2020 … Andree Melly, the last surviving cast member of the Hancock’s Half Hour radio cast and a one-time regular on Just A Minute, has died at the age of 87.
Shock comedy
Stand-up wins £1,000 for wiring himself up to electricity...
28/02/2020 … Who needs material when you can just wire yourself up to electricity for a laugh? Stand-up Sean Turner has just won £1,000 in a comedy competition…
Richard Ayoade pilots new game show
Players write the questions in Who's Asking?
28/02/2020 … Richard Ayoade is piloting a new comedy game show in which the players write the questions.
Channel 4 orders a new comedy from Brian and Domhnall Gleeson
New series about a 'misanthropic, narcissistic, fantasist'
28/02/2020 … Channel 4 has ordered a new comedy series from actor brothers Brian and Domhnall Gleeson.
Thu 27 February 2020
More comics join Teenage Cancer Trust benefit
27/02/2020 … The line-up of comics taking part in the annual Teenage Cancer Trust comedy night at London's Royal Albert Hall has been announced.
2Northdown's new act finalists named
27/02/2020 … The finalists have been announced for 2Northdown's New Act of 2020 award.
© UKTV Meet The Richardsons
27/02/2020 … If you were looking for a British answer to Larry David, you could do worse than set-in-his-ways curmudgeon Jon Richardson.
Grandstand theme – now with lyrics
27/02/2020 … Did you know the theme tune to BBC One's Grandstand had lyrics? Well, it didn't – until now.
Marek Larwood is blackmailing you
Subscribe or your butthole gets it
27/02/2020 … Marek Larwood has got into the webcam blackmail game.
Wed 26 February 2020
Marc Maron: End Times Fun
26/02/2020 … Netflix has released a trailer for Marc Maron's new special End Times Fun.
The art of Simon Munnery
New exhibition of the comedian's work
26/02/2020 … Simon Munnery's stand-up has been called ‘the closest comedy gets to modern art’ – and now it has jumped that divide.
Channel 4 buys The Great
Period comedy with Elle Fanning
26/02/2020 … Channel 4 has bought the rights to a new period comedy about Catherine The Great.
I'm the relief FROM the sport
Tom Allen's unlikely hosting gig
26/02/2020 … Tom Allen is one of the main hosts of BBC One's Sports Relief this year – and no one is more surprised than he is.
Radio 4 show for Joz Norris
Stand-up special about small talk
26/02/2020 … Joz Norris is to record a half-hour stand-up special for Radio 4.
Rosie & Chris Ramsey bid for live podcast record
Duo to play 11,000-seater arena
26/02/2020 … Rosie and Chris Ramsey are set to break the record for the biggest live podcast with their show Shagged.
Namedropping
BBC axes Sue Perkins panel show
26/02/2020 … The BBC has dropped Sue Perkins’ panel show Insert Name Here.
© BBC/So Television/Christopher Baines Third novel for Graham Norton
'My most personal story to date'
26/02/2020 … Graham Norton his writing his third novel, about the consequences of a devastating fatal car crash in rural Ireland.
Mo Gilligan relaunches his YouTube channel
Just in time for his new tour...
26/02/2020 … He may have come to prominence when his ‘coupla cans’ catchphrase went viral – but comedian Mo Gilligan has largely spurned the world’s…
Matt Lucas to play Wayne Sleep
26/02/2020 … It might not be the most immediately obvious casting, but Matt Lucas has been cast as diminutive ballet star Wayne Sleep in a new US comedy-drama.
Meet This Country's new vicar – Stifler
Seann William Scott cast in US remake
26/02/2020 … The American remake of This Country has found its vicar: Stifler from the American Pie movies.
Tue 25 February 2020
Where's there a Wetherspoons called The Sir Norman Wisdom?
25/02/2020 … Test your comedy knowledge with our weekly multiple-choice trivia quiz, compiled – as always – by broadcaster and comedy historian Hayden Parker.
The Larmer charmers
Festival announces its comedy line-up
25/02/2020 … The Larmer Tree Festival has announced its comedy line-up for 2020 Mark Steel and Suzi Ruffell will headline the event, which runs on the Wiltshire/Dorset border…
David Baddiel: Trolls Not The Dolls
Tour review by Steve Bennett at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking
25/02/2020 … Comedians reading out their internet abuse on stage is as old social media itself.
More Edinburgh Fringe 2020 shows announced
Including Jason Byrne and Paul Merton
25/02/2020 … More Edinburgh Fringe shows have gone on sale today, including the return of Jason Byrne and Paul Merton.
'That dude's just a piece of shit'
Pete Davidson lays into Louis CK
25/02/2020 … Saturday Night Live's Pete Davidson has expressed concern and sympathy for Louis CK over his career freefall in the wake of his sexual misconduct admissions.
Pancake Day
25/02/2020 … Here’s a timely song about Pancake Day from the Horne Section.
Pilgrimage for Dom Joly and Pauline McLynn
Comedy stars walk to Istanbul for BBC Two series
25/02/2020 … Dom Joly and Father Ted star Pauline McLynn are to join BBC Twos next Pilgrimage.
Mon 24 February 2020
Jethro announces his retirement
Comic to 'hang up his mic' after 50 years in the business
24/02/2020 … Veteran Cornish comedian Jethro has announced his retirement at the age of 72.
Jason Manford announces 99-date tour
Like Me to hit the road in 2021
24/02/2020 … Jason Manford has announced a mammoth new tour, comprising 99 UK and Ireland dates in 2021.
© C4 This Way Up gets a second series
Aisling Bea's comedy to return, Sharon Horgan reveals
24/02/2020 … Aisling Bea is to make a second series of her acclaimed comedy This Way Up – and has joined the cast of the Home Alone reboot, Chortle can reveal.
The Scotts gets a full series
BBC Scotland wants more of Robert Florence and Iain Connell's comedy
24/02/2020 … BBC Scotland has ordered a full series of its sitcom The Scotts, from Burnistoun creators Robert Florence and Iain Connell.
BBC Scotland orders another Billy Connolly documentary
Career retrospective and 'social history'
24/02/2020 … Billy Connolly has made another series about his career and how it links to his native Scotland.
Serious role for Anna Crilly
Comic cast in 'poignant' London play
24/02/2020 … Anna Crilly has been cast in a London play about adoption and family secrets.
Peter Kay announces new dates
...of his Dance For Life charity party nights
24/02/2020 … Peter Kay is to return to the stage three years after cancelling his tour over his ‘unforeseen family circumstances’.
Sun 23 February 2020
Mr Henry Moss; Quadruple Thre4t
Gig review by Steve Bennett at the Vault Festival, London
23/02/2020 … Someday, Henry Moss might turn out to be a West End musical star – but based on this ultra-theatrical but gossamer-thin one-man show, it’s harder to…
© C4 Royal Family in chaos...
The Windsors return, and the rest of the week's TV and radio picks
23/02/2020 … The best of the week's comedy on TV and radio.
Comic confronts the murder of his father
The best of the week's live comedy
23/02/2020 … The best of the week's live comedy.
This Country deleted scene
Kurtan gets a shopping trolley
23/02/2020 … The BBC has released a deleted scene from the new series of This Country.
What not to do on a first date
23/02/2020 … Funny Or Die are sharing some tips on what to do (and not do) on a first date.
Eric Rushton wins Leicester title
Festival crowns new act champion
23/02/2020 … Eric Rushton has been crowned this year’s Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year.
Sat 22 February 2020
Lou Sanders launches a cuddle-based podcast
...and the best of the week's other comedy on demand
22/02/2020 … The week's best comedy on demand.
Friends ARE reunited
One-off special more than 15 years after sitcom ended
22/02/2020 … The cast of Friends are to reunite, more than 15 years since the hit sitcom ended.
Fri 21 February 2020
My great idea for a children's book...
21/02/2020 … Tweets of the week I used to be a librarian spy, but I can’t talk about it, as it was all very hush hush.
© UKTV Jon thinks it's like Seinfeld. I think The Only Way Is Essex
Lucy Beaumont and Jon Richardson on their new autobiographical sitcom
21/02/2020 … How did Meet the Richardsons come about? Lucy Beaumont: We did Married To A Celebrity on Channel 4, which we really enjoyed as we were basically arguing…
Bumps
21/02/2020 … Comedies these days are as much about the narrative and the drama than the laughs – if not sometimes more so.
Intelligence
Preview of Sky's new Nick Mohammed and David Schwimmer comedy
21/02/2020 … The wait for TV to use Nick Mohammed to his full comic potential is finally over, thanks to Sky One’s new sitcom, Intelligence.
Open mic oddball Sweet Steve dies of heart failure
21/02/2020 … Sweet Steve, one of the quirkier characters on London’s open mic comedy scene, has died of heart failure The stand-up kept his background an enigma…
Greed
Movie review by Jay Richardson
21/02/2020 … Steve Coogan's collaborations with writer-director Michael Winterbottom tend to focus on brash, self-made men who forge a glamorous myth of themselves.
© C4 Harry Hill joins Wells festival
21/02/2020 … Harry Hill, Robin Ince and Angelos Epithemiou have been added to the line-up of this year’s Wells Comedy Festival.
Still Game trio plan unofficial spin-off show
Stars to tour tour with Still Gaun
21/02/2020 … Some of the stars of Still Game are to launch their own spin-off stage show on the back of the sitcom’s success.
Friday Night Dinner's 'nice grandma' dies
21/02/2020 … Frances Cuka, who played ‘nice grandma’, Nelly Buller in Friday Night Dinner, has died aged 83.
Jenny Eclair writes her guide to the menopause
Older And Wider out this summer
21/02/2020 … Jenny Eclair is writing a ‘refreshingly honest menopause survival guide’ to be released this summer.
Thu 20 February 2020
Penny Dreadfuls do Richard III
20/02/2020 … Comedy group The Penny Dreadfuls are to make another historic comedy-drama for Radio 4, this time about Richard III.
Comics raise thousands for Leicester Comedy Festival
To help support community work
20/02/2020 … Comedians including Jo Brand, Arthur Smith, Hal Cruttenden, and Milton Jones have helped raise more than £20,000 to support the Leicester Comedy Festival.
Toby Young tries stand-up
Right-wing journalist says he 'just about got away with it' on his comedy debut
20/02/2020 … He’s got a track record of getting involved in things without much experience – and now Toby Young has turned his hand to stand-up.
Rhys Thomas writes an Artful Dodger comedy
20/02/2020 … Rhys Thomas has written a Dickens-inspired children’s comedy for the BBC.
Meet The Richardsons - trailer outtakes
Jon Richardson and Lucy Beaumont
20/02/2020 … Jon Richardson and Lucy Beaumont apparently had some trouble recording the teaser trailers for their new sitcom Meet The Richardsons.
Armando Iannucci to make a Sumo comedy movie
20/02/2020 … Armando Iannucci is to make a new comedy film comedy set in the world of amateur sumo wrestling.
© BBC Man Like Mobeen up for arts award
20/02/2020 … Man Like Mobeen and comedian Cariad Lloyd have been nominated for awards to honour those who make a social impact in the arts.
Miffed Rhys Jones
How the comic was overshadowed by his double-act partner
20/02/2020 … In his double act, Griff Rhys Jones was never quite as recognisable as Mel Smith – as he occasionally felt to his frustration.
Wed 19 February 2020
Stolen memories
Irreplaceable memorabilia taken from Navy Lark tribute show
19/02/2020 … ‘Irreplaceable’ memorabilia from classic radio comedy The Navy Lark was stolen from a theatre staging a tribute show last night.
Angela Barnes confronts The Ugly Truth
New book addresses notions of beauty and her own feelings of unattractiveness
19/02/2020 … Angela Barnes is writing her first book, exploring her feelings of unattractiveness.
Available for children's parties...
Lenny Bruce's time as a babysitter
19/02/2020 … He was the oft-arrested bad boy of comedy, a drug addict who frequented dubious dives, had a tumultuous relationship with a stripper and was regularly accused of…
Comedian could have brought coronavirus to the US – because he didn't want to miss a gig
19/02/2020 … A stand-up comedian risked bringing the Covid-19 coronavirus into the US because he didn’t want to cancel a gig.
Jimmy Tarbuck: I have cancer
19/02/2020 … Jimmy Tarbuck has revealed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Tue 18 February 2020
How many swear words are there in Jerry Springer: The Opera?
18/02/2020 … Test your comedy knowledge with our weekly multiple-choice trivia quiz, compiled – as always – by broadcaster and comedy historian Hayden Parker.
Andi Osho joins Line Of Duty
...but there are no clues about her role
18/02/2020 … Andi Osho has joined the cast of Line Of Duty.
Feel Good: First trailer for Mae Martin's new comedy
Coming to Channel 4 next month
18/02/2020 … Channel 4 has released the first trailer for Feel Good, the new semi-autobiographical comedy from Mae Martin.
M*A*S*H star Kellye Nakahara dies at 72
She played nurse Kellye Yamato in 167 episodes
18/02/2020 … Kellye Nakahara, who played Lieutenant Nurse Kellye Yamato on M*A*S*H, has died at the age of 72.
© Johan Persson Upstart Crow in the West End
Theatre review by Steve Bennett at the Gielgud Theatre
18/02/2020 … With the Only Fools musical and now Upstart Crow, are sitcoms slowly taking over London’s West End? But while Ben Elton’s Shakespearean comedy…
© C4 Miriam Margolyes to play Queen Victoria in The Windsors
Simon Day and Julia Deakin also join cast
18/02/2020 … Miriam Margolyes, Simon Day and Julia Deakin are to appear in the new series of The Windsors.
Making mirth in Perth
British comics win Australian comedy awards
18/02/2020 … British comedian Chris Turner has won two comedy awards at Perth's Fringe World.
Mon 17 February 2020
John Bishop to host Teenage Cancer Trust benefit
Royal Albert Hall gig returns for another year
17/02/2020 … John Bishop is to host this year’s Teenage Cancer Trust comedy night at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Trailer for Phoebe Waller-Bridge's new comedy Run
17/02/2020 … Here is the trailer for Phoebe Waller-Bridge's new comedy Run – although the Fleabag star doesn't feature in it.
First look at Russell Brand in Four Kids And It
17/02/2020 … Sky has released a trailer for its new film version of the classic novel Four Children And It starring Russell Brand and Sir Michael Caine Renamed as Four Kids…
Inside No 9: Love's Great Adventure
17/02/2020 … Every episode of Inside No.
© BBC This Country series 3
17/02/2020 … ‘Since you were last here, we’ve had some very sad news,’ says Rev Francis Seaton at the very start of This Country’s third series.
Olga Koch: If/Then
Gig review by Steve Bennett at the Soho Theatre, London
17/02/2020 … Arbitrary gender roles are at the heart of Olga Koch’s sophomore show.
Oddball
Theatre review by Steve Bennett at the Vault Festival, London
17/02/2020 … With Oddball, Francesca Forristal takes on the topic of eating disorders with the intention of ‘exploring thought processes which don’t always make sense…
Privates: A Sperm Odyssey
Gig review by Steve Bennett at the Vault Festival, London
17/02/2020 … Imagine sperm as a battalion of infantrymen preparing to embark on a do-or-die mission inside dangerous enemy territory, variously worried or gung-ho about what…
Sun 16 February 2020
Ali Woods wins the NATY
New act of the year at the Hackney Empire
16/02/2020 … Stand-up Ali Woods has been named 'top of the bill' at this year's NATY new act of the year award.
When Brucie saved the day
Classic London Palladium performance... plus a busy week of new comedy on TV and radio
16/02/2020 … The best of the week's comedy on TV and radio.
© Idil Sukan Boxing comedy pulls no punchlines
16/02/2020 … The best of the week's live comedy.
Two Weeks To Live trailer
With Maisie Williams and Sian Clifford
16/02/2020 … Sky One has released the first trailer for its new comedy Two Weeks To Live.
Sat 15 February 2020
Jason Manford unmasked as the Hedgehog
15/02/2020 … Jason Manford has tonight been unmasked as the man behind the hedgehog outfit on The Masked Singer.
Can Fern Brady break the internet?
The week's best streaming comedy
15/02/2020 … The week's best comedy on demand.
Passive-Aggressive Hip-Hop
15/02/2020 … Dominic Frisby offers his alternative to aggressive hip-hop in his new track, Passive-Aggressive Hip-Hop, 'Instead of grime, we're calling it whine,'…
Fri 14 February 2020
I Think I'm In Love With The Girl Who Works On Checkout Six In Decathlon
14/02/2020 … Cult musical comedian Brett Domino has released a new single for Valentine's Day.
The Parapod Movie
14/02/2020 … It’s impossible to write about The Parapod Movie without acknowledging the remarkable way it was financed.
© Karla Gowlett Katy Brand and Rufus Hound join Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
14/02/2020 … Rufus Hound and Katy Brand are to join the West End cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
© Mischief Screen Limited 2019 They must be doing something right...
Second series for The Goes Wrong Show
14/02/2020 … The BBC has ordered as second series of The Goes Wrong Show.
Roses are red...
14/02/2020 … Tweets of the week Roses are red Violets are blue That thing that you’re into Is what meatloaf won’t do — Skillsmcgill (@skillsmcgill)…
ITV drops What Would Your Kid Do?
No third series for Jason Manford show
14/02/2020 … ITV has pulled the plug on Jason Manford’s family game show What Would Your Kid Do? The show has run for two series and challenged parents on how well…
How To Date A Vampire
14/02/2020 … Actress and comedian Susan Harrison gives some tips on dating a vampire in this new Valentines Day video.
© BBC/Baby Cow This Time With Alan Partridge gets a second series
...and Steve Coogan's alter-ego will also front a new podcast
14/02/2020 … Alan Partridge is returning for a second series of his BBC One show This Time… as well as a new podcast.
Hearts
A cautionary Valentine's Day tale from Matt Green
14/02/2020 … Just in time for Valentine's Da comes this new video about how a romantic gesture could go terribly wrong.
Celebs learn stand-up for new TV show
...and Russell Kane will teach them
14/02/2020 … Russell Kane is to teach celebrities how to become stand-up comedians in a new Channel 4 show.
Alan won't be doing the cha-cha-Carr
Comic turns down Strictly 'every year'
14/02/2020 … Alan Carr has revealed that he’s asked to take part in Strictly Come Dancing ‘every year’.
Zoe Lyons to present new BBC game show
Lightning strikes BBC Two's teatime slot
14/02/2020 … Zoe Lyons is to host a new teatime quiz show on BBC Two.
Thu 13 February 2020
When is After Life series 2 coming to Netflix?
13/02/2020 … Netflix has announced the date Ricky Gervais’s comedy After Life will return.
Avenue 5 is given more space
Second series for Armando Iannucci's sci-fi comedy
13/02/2020 … Armando Iannucci’s space comedy Avenue 5 has been renewed for a second season.
Reece Shearsmith and Mark Gatiss reunited
...in a new play written by Steven Moffat
13/02/2020 … Reece Shearsmith is to be reunited with his League of Gentlemen co-star Mark Gatiss in a new play.
© Edwardx/Catherine Harbour/CC BY-SA 4.0 Slowthai apologies for his lecherous advances on Katherine Ryan
Comic laughs off NME awards controversy
13/02/2020 … Rapper Slowthai has apologised for his ‘shameful’ actions towards Katherine Ryan at the NME awards last night.
'That heckle was just the funniest, quickest, loveliest thing'
Alex Kealy on his most memorable gigs
13/02/2020 … As Alex Kealy prepares to hit the road with his new stand-up show, Rationale, he shares some of his most memorable gigs.
Joe Pasquale's rock show
Comic in talks for a TV series about geology
13/02/2020 … Joe Pasquale has rocks in his head, with a geology series in the works for Channel 4.
How To Grift The Super-Rich
13/02/2020 … Jonny & The Baptists have come up with some ideas on scamming the super-rich – and of course they've set it to music.
© Steve Ullathorne Filming starts on Sophie Willan's sitcom pilot Alma’s Not Normal
13/02/2020 … Filming has started on the new BBC Two comedy pilot, Alma’s Not Normal, created by comedian Sophie Willan.
Simon Amstell joins Latitude
Festivals announces more comedy acts
13/02/2020 … Simon Amstell has been announced as one of the stand-up headlines for this year’s Latitude festival.
© BBC Guess what? Fleabag's up for MORE awards
Broadcasting Press Guild nominees out
13/02/2020 … Fleabag looks set to add to its huge awards tally after being shortlisted in three categories of the annual Broadcasting Press Guild Awards.
Wed 12 February 2020
Katherine Ryan to play Joan Rivers
Sky unveils its next batch of Urban Myths
12/02/2020 … Katherine Ryan is to play her comedy heroine Joan Rivers in the new series of Sky’s Urban Myths, She has been cast opposite Jessica Barden from The End…
Greg Davies to star in psychotherapist comedy
12/02/2020 … Greg Davies is to star as a demotivated small-time psychotherapist in a new comedy.
Sky gets more Intelligence
Second series for David Schwimmer and Nick Mohammed comedy
12/02/2020 … Sky has ordered a second series of David Schwimmer and Nick Mohammed’s new comedy Intelligence, more than a week before the show starts.
Sky picks up Samson Kayo paramedic comedy
Bloods to co-star Jane Horrocks
12/02/2020 … Sky has commissioned a new comedy starring Samson Kayo as a paramedic.
© C4 Derry Girls join the intellectual elite
Comedy nominated for a heavyweight literary prize
12/02/2020 … Derry Girls has been shortlisted for a heavyweight literary prize that normally goes to serious historical books or probing investigative journalist.
It's Marcus Brie-gstock
Comedian becomes a big cheese in the gourmet world
12/02/2020 … Marcus Brigstocke is a cheesemaster.
Brighton Komedia new comedian of 2020 final
Gig review by Steve Bennett at the Komedia, Brighton
12/02/2020 … The pool of new comedy talent often seems to be getting better with each new act final, every one stronger than the last.
Chair of Edinburgh Fringe steps down
Sir Timothy O’Shea had served the maximum term
12/02/2020 … Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea is to step down as chair of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society’s board in August.
Emily Atack pilots a TV stand-up show
...despite never having done it before last year!
12/02/2020 … Emily Atack is piloting a new stand-up and sketch comedy show for TV.
© Pamela Stevenson/Twitter Clean eating?
Billy Connolly puts his groceries through the car wash
12/02/2020 … Billy Connolly had something of a senior moment – when he drove his pick-up truck through the car wash, forgetting that he still had his groceries in the back.
Putting the International into the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Overseas line-up bills announced
12/02/2020 … The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has confirmed the line-ups of its regular line-up shows.
Athena Kugblenu lands BBC's Felix Dexter Bursary
Six-month placement to boost her comedy writing career
12/02/2020 … Stand-up Athena Kugblenu has been awarded this year’s Felix Dexter Bursary by the BBC.
THIS is John Oliver's new promotional poster
‘If there’s hope for him, there’s hope for all of us.
12/02/2020 … If you’re going to have your face plastered on billboards across the US, you might want to look your best.
Tue 11 February 2020
© Channel 4 Second series for Year Of The Rabbit
Matt Berry will be back on Channel 4
11/02/2020 … Channel 4 has confirmed the second series of Matt Berry’s Victorian police comedy Year of the Rabbit.
Shappi Khorsandi set to play the queen's mother
...drag queen Glamrou, that is
11/02/2020 … Shappi Khorsandi is being lined up to play the mother of drag queen Glamrou in a semi-autobiographical TV comedy, Chortle can reveal.
Which singer did Stephen Merchant drop?
11/02/2020 … Test your comedy knowledge with our weekly multiple-choice trivia quiz, compiled – as always – by broadcaster and comedy historian Hayden Parker.
46 Star Trek puns
11/02/2020 … Want 46 Star Trek puns in under 100 seconds? Well, like a Singer repair technician, comedian John Robinson has made it sew.
Comics up for LGBT awards
Hannah Gadsby, Joe Lycett, Susan Calman and Suzi Ruffell all nominated
11/02/2020 … Hannah Gadsby, Joe Lycett, Susan Calman and Suzi Ruffell have been nominated in the British LGBT Awards Gadbsy has been named one of the top ten LGBT…
Jon Richardson announces new tour
The Knitwit hits the road this September
11/02/2020 … Jon Richardson has announced a major autumn tour.
Bristol gets a new comedy festival
11/02/2020 … Bristol is to get a new comedy festival.
Are these Britain's best puns?
Some of the gags from the UK Pun Championship as Adele Cliff takes the crown
11/02/2020 … Adele Cliff has been crowned the 2020 UK Pun Champion – becoming the first woman to win the award in its six-year history.
© BBC Michael had some deathbed ideas... they were absolutely mental
11/02/2020 … Daisy May Cooper chokes up with tears as she recalls Michael Sleggs, her co-star in This Country, who died last summer at the age of 33.
Mon 10 February 2020
Netflix orders more lessons in Sex Education
Season 3 of high school comedy confirmed
10/02/2020 … Netflix has renewed high school comedy Sex Education for a third season.
Kojo Anim Presents the Taxi Tour
Gig review by Steve Bennett at the Queens Theatre, Hornchurch
10/02/2020 … It’s an odd honour to be Simon Cowell’s favourite comedian, given his background’s in music moguling.
The Parapod Movie hits the road
UK tour for Ian Boldsworth and Barry Dodds film
10/02/2020 … Comedians Ian Boldsworth and Barry Dodds are to tour the country with their Parapod Movie, the first podcast ever to be turned into a film.
© BBC/Zeppotron Romesh Ranganathan lands role in Cinderella movie
Playing a mouse footman alongside James Corden
10/02/2020 … Romesh Ranganathan is to star in a new movie version of Cinderella.
© Shiny Button/Ollie Upton King Gary gets to reign again
10/02/2020 … BBC One has commissioned a second series of King Gary.
© Fred MacAulay/Twitter Fred MacAulay reveals horror crash
'I walked away with bruised ribs'
10/02/2020 … Fred MacAulay has shared images of a horrific crash he was involved in last week.
Dave Chappelle adds two more London dates
10/02/2020 … Dave Chappelle has added two more dates in London this weekend.
© Stuart Hogben Comics sign up for second Comic Relief spectacular
10/02/2020 … Comic Relief is to stage its second comedy spectacular at Wembley Arena.
© BBC Ladhood gets a second series
BBC orders more episodes of Liam Williams comedy
10/02/2020 … BBC Three has ordered a second series of Liam Williams’s coming-of-age comedy Ladhood.
Sun 09 February 2020
Anna and Helen: Stuck In A Rat
Gig review by Steve Bennett at the Vault Festival, London
09/02/2020 … It’s possible that more comedians have parodied life gurus than there are real ones, but Anna and Helen use the tried-and-tested formula to strong effect.
Trump's impeachment acquittal
As covered by Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update
09/02/2020 … There was only one story to lead Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update last night – Donald Trump's impeachment acquittal.
The warrior rests...
The best of the week's live comedy
09/02/2020 … The best of the week's live comedy.
Newsjack's back
The best of the week's comedy on TV and radio
09/02/2020 … The best of the week's comedy on TV and radio.
Sat 08 February 2020
© BBC The secrets of Inside No 9
08/02/2020 … The week's best comedy on demand.
Fri 07 February 2020
When is Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Run coming to Sky
Broadcaster announces air date
07/02/2020 … Phoebe Waller-Bridge's new comedy Run is coming to Sky Comedy on April 15, the broadcaster has announced.
Why called it a voicemail...?
07/02/2020 … Tweets of the week Just before my grandad passed away he told me that William Shakespeare invented the word 'Multitudinous' which meant a lot to me.
I never thought Britain's Got Talent was credible... until I entered it
Finalist Kojo Anim on his big break, being a foster child and how Dave Chappelle helped him
07/02/2020 … Tell us a bit about your background… I was raised in Hackney, East London.
Netflix deal for Michael McIntyre
Special to be taped in London next month
07/02/2020 … Michael McIntyre is to record his first stand-up special for Netflix.
Radio 2 announces new raft of comedy pilots
07/02/2020 … Radio 2 has announced the return of Funny Fortnight, two weekends of comedy show pilots.
'I had no idea who Matt LeBlanc was... I had to Google him'
Tamsin Greig on her Episodes co-star
07/02/2020 … Thanks to Friends, Matt LeBlanc became one of the most recognisable actors in the world.
Thu 06 February 2020
Johnny Vegas planning to return to stand-up
Work in progress gigs announced
06/02/2020 … Johnny Vegas is preparing for a major return to the live stage.
Jack Whitehall's Travels With My Father to return
06/02/2020 … Jack Whitehall's Netflix show Travels With My Father is to return for a fourth series – this time set in Australia.
'Mary Berry meets Ena Sharples'
Karen Dunbar on her take on Lady Bracknell
06/02/2020 … Here’s the first look at Scottish comedy star Karen Dunbar as Oscar Wilde’s comedy icon, Lady Bracknell.
Hollywood break for Liz Carr
Comic and Silent Witness star cast in sci-fi blockbuster
06/02/2020 … Liz Carr is to appear in her first Hollywood film.
Tommy Tiernan, Al Murray and Iain Stirling extend tours
06/02/2020 … Tommy Tiernan, Al Murray and Iain Stirling have extended their tours.
Our Student Comedy Award prize just got even better
Stays in Sydney and Adelaide added to the package
06/02/2020 … More Australian comedy clubs are backing the Chortle Student Comedy Award to ensure this year’s winner gets a trip of a lifetime.
'Literally the best show in the world last year'
06/02/2020 … Fleabag has been named best comedy at the TV industry’s Broadcast Awards after one judge called it ‘literally the best show in the world last year’ Another…
BBC commissions Diane Morgan's Mandy
06/02/2020 … BBC Two has ordered a full series of Mandy, a new comedy from Philomena Cunk star Diane Morgan.
Wed 05 February 2020
The $30million king of podcasts
Joe Rogan tops Forbes rich list
05/02/2020 … Let no one say there's no money in podcasts.
MisTezcan Identity?
Comic fools journalist into thinking Omid's his uncle
05/02/2020 … Never take a comedian at face value.
What was Freddie Starr's real surname?
Try our weekly comedy trivia quiz
05/02/2020 … Test your comedy knowledge with our weekly multiple-choice trivia quiz, compiled – as always – by broadcaster and comedy historian Hayden Parker.
When is Ahir Shah recording his HBO Max special?
Stand-up show to be taped at London's Southbank Centre
05/02/2020 … Ahir Shah is to record his HBO Max comedy special in London next month, it has been announced.
The Righteous Gemstones
05/02/2020 … When Sky unveiled its new comedy channel to journalists last month, it was not established hits like Curb Your Enthusiasm or Last Week Tonight that they used to…
© Button Hall Productions Image Type: Portraits Programme Maker: Monumental Americans to pilot their own version of Ghosts
CBS network advances the project
05/02/2020 … The American remake of Ghosts has taken a step closer to fruition.
The last Trip for Coogan and Brydon
Duo's culinary travels end with Greece
05/02/2020 … Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon will make no more series of The Trip.
Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule comes to an end
05/02/2020 … Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule will not be coming back for a fourth series.
Who Zuu's due to woo
Comics to be seduced by grime star culinary talents
05/02/2020 … The Dave channel has revealed the comedians signed up to appear in its upcoming series Big Zuu’s Big Eats.
Two new series for Comedians Giving Lectures
Sara Pascoe show returns to Dave
05/02/2020 … Comedians Giving Lectures has been renewed for two more series.
© UKTV A Hypothetical third series becomes reality
Josh Widdicombe and James Acaster to return
05/02/2020 … Josh Widdicombe and James Acaster’s comedy show Hypothetical has been renewed for a third series.
Sin it to win it
Mel Giedroyc to front confessional new panel show
05/02/2020 … Mel Giedroyc is to host a new panel show in which celebrities will confess their sins.
Tue 04 February 2020
Gosh! Matt Lucas to star in new Molesworth film
He's the curse of St Custard's prep school, as any fule no
04/02/2020 … Matt Lucas is to voice unruly pupil Nigel Molesworth in a new animated film based on the classic 1950s boarding school books.
Burr's on the Bill
First acts announced for Montreal's Just For Laughs
04/02/2020 … Montreal’s Just For Laughs comedy festival has announced its first shows of 2020.
Seinfeld comes to All 4
First three seasons land this week
04/02/2020 … Seinfeld is coming to Channel 4’s free catch-up service, All 4.
When is The Trip To Greece on Sky?
Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon return
04/02/2020 … The Trip is returning to Sky One on March 3 at 10pm, the broadcaster has announced.
Ali G was originally called The Yoof Wanker
....and other secrets from the 11 O'Clock Show
04/02/2020 … Ali G was originally going to be called 'The Yoof Wanker’ when he was first introduced on the 11 O'Clock Show.
New BBC podcast for James Acaster
Based on his obsession with the music of 2016
04/02/2020 … James Acaster is to launch a new BBC podcast based on his belief that 2016 was the best year ever for music.
LBGTQ+ comedy competition opens for entry
Win £250 plus a coaching session
04/02/2020 … Entries have opened for the Comedy Bloomers LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year competition.
As soon as they heard about this comedy, GCHQ spooks got in touch...
Nick Mohammed and David Schwimmer on Sky's new show Intelligence
04/02/2020 … Later this month Nick Mohammed is to appear opposite David Schwimmer in a new Sky One comedy, Intelligence, set in the GCHQ eavesdropping centre.
Mon 03 February 2020
Comedian refuses to appear on 'anti-British' BBC
Alistair Williams takes a stance against 'bias and propaganda'
03/02/2020 … A comedian has refused to appear on the BBC because of what he sees as the broadcaster’s ‘anti-British’ agenda.
© BBC Inside No 9: The Referee’s A...
03/02/2020 … If conjuring up a fresh set of characters, circumstances and even cinematic style for every new half-hour episode of Inside No 9 takes its toll on Reece Shearsmith…
Soho Theatre closes due to bomb scare
All shows cancelled after World War 2 device discovered
03/02/2020 … The Soho Theatre has been forced to cancel all its shows tonight – after an unexploded World War Two bomb was discovered in central London.
Rapper Test Ease on toxic masculinity
03/02/2020 … American rapper Lil' Test Ease addresses criticism that he's a misogynistic in this new Channel 4 video.
Anna Mann and others NextUp recording
Gig review by Steve Bennett at Rich Mix, London
03/02/2020 … Stand-up specials come in all shapes and sizes.
Meet Norwegian pop sensation Fjörd
03/02/2020 … Meet Lars and Ulrich, the Norwegian singers behind pop sensation Fjörd.
Union Jack confirms its Leicester Comedy Festival coverage
03/02/2020 … Radio station Union Jack has confirmed its coverage of the Leicester Comedy Festival, which kicks off this Wednesday.
© Button Hall Productions Image Type: Portraits Programme Maker: Monumental Filming starts on series two of Ghosts
...but the BBC is suddenly coy about its Horrible History links
03/02/2020 … The BBC has announced that filming has begun on the second series of its hit comedy Ghosts – but has tactfully chosen not to mention that the series was created…
Comedian caught up in Streatham terror attack
Dave Chawner came to victim's aid
03/02/2020 … Comedian Dave Chawner has spoken of how he came to the aid of one of the victims of the terrorist attack in Streatham yesterday afternoon.
Romesh Ranganathan signs a new Sky deal
Broadcaster to have first refusal on his ideas
03/02/2020 … Sky has signed a first-look script deal with Romesh Ranganathan.
Christopher Bliss: Get A Brain
03/02/2020 … Christopher Bliss reads an extract from his latest novel Get A Brain in this new clip from Channel 4.
Comics win BBC Audio Drama awards
Success for Alexei Sayle, Phil Wang and Rebecca Front
03/02/2020 … Alexei Sayle, Phil Wang and Rebecca Front all scooped awards at the BBC Audio Drama Awards last night.
Sun 02 February 2020
The moment Adam Hills' beard came off
02/02/2020 … Here's the exact moment the UK left the EU – and Adam Hills's beard was shaved off.
© BBC/Colin Hutton 
After 14 years, Saturday Night Live returns to UK screens
The best of the week's comedy on TV and radio
02/02/2020 … The best of the week's comedy on TV and radio.
John Oliver's team win a Writers' Guild award
Other gongs for JoJo Rabbit, The Simpsons, Barry and more
02/02/2020 … John Oliver's writing crew has won a top US accolade.
Is this the way to find a comedy supergroup?
Sketch troupes switch members in festival experiment
02/02/2020 … The best comedy sketch groups are a perfect alchemy of talents – but what would happen if skilled performers were thrown together in random new combinations? That’s…
Sat 01 February 2020
© Tiger Aspect 
Eddie Izzard: I'm running 28 marathons in 28 days
01/02/2020 … Eddie Izzard has vowed to run 28 marathons in 28 countries in 28 days as a reaction to Brexit.
Dominic Frisby's bid for a Brexit No1 fails
EU anthem, Ode To Joy, sells more
01/02/2020 … Comedian Dominic Frisby as fallen well short of his dream of having a Brexit Day No 1.