Cosby charged with sexual assault
First criminal rap for comedian
31/12/2015 … Bill Cosby is facing criminal charges over allegations of sexual assault for the first time.
2015 News
All the latest news about comedy and comedians: stand-up, TV sitcoms and sketch shows, comedy movies, etc…
Thu 31 December 2015
Mon 28 December 2015
'I broke my leg under comedy hypnotist's spell'
Punter sues club over accident
28/12/2015 … A comedy club punter has launched legal action after being put into a trance by a stage hypnotist.
Sun 27 December 2015
Don't forget to Wipe
27/12/2015 … The comedy week ahead…Monday December 28LIVE IN KENDAL: Jason Manford and Dave Spikey are double-headliners on a show raising money for families hit by the floods…
Thanks a million, Sacha
Baron Cohen donates $1m to charity
27/12/2015 … Borat and Ali G creator Sacha Baron Cohen has donated $1million to charity.
Sat 26 December 2015
Michael McIntyre has a Christmas No 1
Bestselling stand-up DVD of festive week
26/12/2015 … Michael McIntyre has topped the Christmas stand-up DVD charts.
Zoe Lyons named comedians' comedian
26/12/2015 … Zoe Lyons has been named UK Circuit Comedian of 2015 by fellow comedians.
Thu 24 December 2015
Some Mothers almost didn't 'Ave 'Em
Sitcom's creator reveals its tough birth
24/12/2015 … It was one of the biggest comedy shows of the 1970s, hitting 25million viewers at its peak and spawning a million bad impressions.
Is YouTuber Gabbie a joke thief?
24/12/2015 … • 'It's always hard to talk about comedy.
© David Shankbone Tracy Morgan crash driver charged
24/12/2015 … KEVIN ROPER, the driver of the Wal-Mart truck that crashed into the limo carrying 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan last year, has been charged with first-degree aggravated…
Wed 23 December 2015
I'm going to gig my way from Land's End to Edinburgh
Comic's 550-mile quest – without spending a penny
23/12/2015 … Stand-up Damian Kingsley is to travel from Land's End to Edinburgh, without spending a penny.
Peter Kay: We wrote more episodes of Max & Paddy
...and this is why they were never made
23/12/2015 … Peter Kay and Paddy McGuinness have written more episodes of Max & Paddy's Road To Nowhere.
Tue 22 December 2015
© Official White House Photo by Pete Souza Presidents In Cars Getting Coffee
Obama to appear in Seinfeld's web series
22/12/2015 … Barack Obama is to appear on Jerry Seinfeld's web series Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee.
Sarah Palin parodies Tina Fey
Politician releases 30 Rock spoof
22/12/2015 … Tina Fey famously skewered Sarah Palin with her impersonations on Saturday Night Live.
Mon 21 December 2015
BBC orders Dane Baptiste sitcom
Exclusive: Sunny D pilot picked up for a series
21/12/2015 … Dane Baptiste has landed his own BBC Three sitcom, after the success of a pilot earlier this year.
Matt Forde pilots topical BBC Two show
Satirical programme seeks new writers
21/12/2015 … Political comedian Matt Forde is piloting a new satirical show for BBC Two.
And the winner is... Miss Take
Up to 1billion see comic Steve Harvey's beauty pageant error
21/12/2015 … Comedian Steve Harvey made the biggest mistake of his career last night – when he named the WRONG beauty queen as winner of Miss Universe.
Bad noose for The Simpsons
Show rapped over Homer's hanging
21/12/2015 … It's a familiar scene in the Simpsons: a frustrated Homer with his hands around Bart's neck, muttering: 'Why you little…'But now TV watchdogs have ruled that…
Joe Lycett to host Radio 4 panel show
Taking over It’s Not What You Know from Miles Jupp
21/12/2015 … Joe Lycett is to become the new host of Radio 4 panel show It's Not What You Know.
Sun 20 December 2015
Adam Buxton's BaadDad Nigel dies at 91
War veteran, journalist – and unlikely music critic
20/12/2015 … Adam Buxton's father Nigel, known to millions comedy fans as BaadDad, has died at the age of 91.
From punchlines to punches
20 comedians to fight on boxing night
20/12/2015 … Twenty comedians, including Carl Donnelly, Phil Nichol and Patrick Monahan, are to step into the ring for a boxing extravaganza.
Sat 19 December 2015
'Everybody loves nog!'
19/12/2015 … The Beef And Dairy Network PodcastA wonderfully deadpan podcast for those involved or interested in the production of beef animals and dairy herds, delivered with…
Fox news: Second series for comic Kate
Radio 4 recommissions poet and stand-up
19/12/2015 … Radio 4 has commissioned a second comedy series from stand-up and poet Kate Fox.
Fri 18 December 2015
Just 11,000 see Hunderby
18/12/2015 … JULIA DAVIS’s period comedy Hunderby was watched by just 11,000 viewers as it went out on Sky Atlantic at 10pm last night.
Helen Keen to explore the science of Game Of Thrones
18/12/2015 … Comedian Helen Keen is writing a book about debunking the 'science' in Game of Thrones.
Doug Stanhope launches 'fitness' app
18/12/2015 … • A whole backstory told in two tweets.
Thu 17 December 2015
UK acts help launch female comedy network
Armando Iannucci among those backing PYPO
17/12/2015 … The producer of Veep is launching a new female-driven comedy network, and is seeking UK talent to contribute.
© Comedy Central Daily Show in joke theft row
Tech journo says writers pilfered his tweet
17/12/2015 … Trevor Noah has been dragged into another plagiarism row after The Daily Show tweeted a joke similar to one cracked by a prominent British tech journalist.
Second Radio 4 series for Hal Cruttenden
17/12/2015 … Radio 4 has commissioned a second series of Hal Cruttenden’s sitcom Hal.
Garth Marenghi back on telly
17/12/2015 … CULT comedies Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, Nathan Barley and Jam are to get another airing, courtesy of the Gold Channel.
To Hull And Back... and back
Second series for Lucy Beaumont sitcom
17/12/2015 … BBC Radio 4 has ordered a second series of Lucy Beaumont’s sitcom To Hull and Back.
© C4/Mark Johnson Kathy Burke joins C4's Crashing
17/12/2015 … Kathy Burke is to make a guest appearance in the new Channel 4 comedy Crashing.
Jason Manford joins Absolute Radio
Sunday breakfast show for 2016
17/12/2015 … Jason Manford is to become a DJ on Absolute Radio.
Wed 16 December 2015
© BBC/Des Willie Josh renewed for a second series
Widdicombe's sitcom gets six more episodes
16/12/2015 … The BBC has commissioned a second series of Josh Widdicombe’s self-titled sitcom.
Revealed: 2015's top comedians
....and neither of them played a gig this year
16/12/2015 … The top two live comedians of 2015 have been named – and neither of them have done a gig all year.
C4 to mock the Royals in new comedy
Spoof soap about their love life
16/12/2015 … Channel 4 is making a comedy soap opera about the Royal Family's love lives.
AbFab movie 'is racist'
Margaret Cho blasts Janette Krankie's yellowface
16/12/2015 … The new Absolutely Fabulous movie has been branded racist – after casting Janette Krankie as a Japanese fashion designer .
Ross Noble announces new tour
Brain Dump tickets go on sale tomorrow
16/12/2015 … Ross Noble has announced a new tour for autumn next year.
Craig Cash pilots new BBC One comedy
Broken Biscuits set in his home town
16/12/2015 … Craig Cash has written and directed a BBC One pilot in his local town.
Tue 15 December 2015
New sketch show for Morgana Robinson
BBC Two orders Impressions of Fame
15/12/2015 … Morgana Robinson has landed a new sketch show on BBC Two, Chortle can reveal.
© BBC Peter Kay's Car Share to return
15/12/2015 … Peter Kay's Car Share is to return for a second series.
Cosby fights back
Comic sues women who made accusations against him
15/12/2015 … Bill Cosby has filed a lawsuit against seven of the 50 women who have accused him of sexual assault.
McCarthy 'heartbroken' over Mike & Molly axe
'I would have made this for 50 more years'
15/12/2015 … Melissa McCarthy has been left ‘shocked and heartbroken’ over the cancellation of her sitcom Mike & Molly.
© Creative Commons Ed Miliband joke is a real cracker
Jibe wins Christmas gag contest
15/12/2015 … A gag about Ed Miliband's election defeat has been named the best Christmas cracker joke of the year.
Susan Calman gets more Sisters
Radio 4 recommissions her comedy series
15/12/2015 … Susan Calman’s Radio 4 sitcom Sisters has been recommissioned for a second series.
Channel 4 comedy gala back for a 7th year
15/12/2015 … Channel 4’s Comedy Gala is to return for a seventh year.
Brian Butterfield sitcom in the works
BBC comissions Serafinowicz scripts
15/12/2015 … Peter Serafinowicz is working on a sitcom based around his character Brian Butterfield.
Mon 14 December 2015
Sky confirms new Julia Davis comedy
Campsite sitcom called Robin's Test
14/12/2015 … Sky Atlantic has confirmed Julia Davis’s new campsite-based sitcom, called Robin’s Test.
© BBC Arena tour for Citizen Khan
14/12/2015 … Citizen Khan is going on tour – with three arena dates announced for next year.
It's President Shappi!
Comedian to become head of the British Humanist Association
14/12/2015 … Shappi Khorsandi is to become president of the British Humanist Association.
Plebs and Detectorists go to America
14/12/2015 … Plebs and Detectorists are being exported to the States, thanks to a new deal with on-demand service Hulu.
Sun 13 December 2015
Alternative Christmas comedy
Pascoe, Key and FAGZ in the festive week ahead
13/12/2015 … The comedy week ahead.
© C4/Ben Meadows More Toast? I'm not sure says Matt Berry
Comic has other projects to pursue
13/12/2015 … Matt Berry says he's not sure if there will be another series of Toast Of London.
Sat 12 December 2015
When Groucho shelved the wisecracks
12/12/2015 … The best comedy on demandThe Ridiculous 6This Adam Sandler comic Western was released on Netflix yesterday, part of a deal with film comic that's been described…
Fri 11 December 2015
© BBC Mrs Brown takes DVD No 1
11/12/2015 … Kevin Bridges has been toppled from the top of the comedy DVD chart by Mrs Brown's Boys.
Nick Helm: I died on Live At The Apollo
Comic recalls 'the worst gig of my life'
11/12/2015 … Nick Helm has described his appearance on Live at the Apollo as 'the worst gig of my life'.
David Mitchell minds his manners for Radio 4
11/12/2015 … David Mitchell is to host a Radio 4 series looking at modern manners.
Josh: I auditioned to be a Hobbit
11/12/2015 … • 'Saying that I'm obsessed with race and racism in America, is like saying that I'm obsessed with swimming while I'm drowning.
Christopher Guest signs up Kerry Godliman
Stand-up's role in new Mascots movie
11/12/2015 … Kerry Goldiman has landed a role in the new Christopher Guest film, set in the world of sports mascots.
© BBC/Love Productions Jason Manford joins Bake Off
11/12/2015 … Jason Manford is to take part in the Great British Bake Off.
Thu 10 December 2015
Is comedy sexist, racist and classist?
Catie Wilkins makes a documentary to find out
10/12/2015 … Stand-up Catie Wilkins is directing her first film, about sexism, racism and class prejudice in comedy.
Grimsby: New trailers released
Sacha Baron Cohen's next movie
10/12/2015 … Two new trailers have been released for Sacha Baron Cohen's new comedy Grimsby.
© ITV/Big Talk Americans take The Job Lot
10/12/2015 … ITV2 comedy The Job Lot is to be remade for the American market.
© Sharon Horgan as Cleopatra in Psychobitches Series 1 British comedies Rose to the top
We scoop international TV and radio awards
10/12/2015 … British comedies have cleaned up at the prestigious Rose d'Or international broadcasting awards.
© BBC BBC confirms Russell Kane's Stupid Man, Smart Phone
Online stars join comedy survival series
10/12/2015 … Russell Kane's comedy survival series is to be called Stupid Man, Smart Phone, the BBC has announced.
Wed 09 December 2015
Britain's hardest-working comedians are...
Patrick Monahan heads website's top 20
09/12/2015 … Patrick Monahan has been named the hardest-working comedian of 2015.
© David Appleby Ab Fab movie: Release date set
Patsy and Edina hit screens in 2016
09/12/2015 … The release date has been set for Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.
Tue 08 December 2015
Will America go for a soccer comedy?
08/12/2015 … It sounds like a tough sell – but American network executives are developing a sitcom based around soccer.
© BBC Steve Coogan: I spent the night in my car
08/12/2015 … Steve Coogan has revealed how he spent the night in his trapped in his car after being caught up in Storm Desmond.
Russell Howard announces new UK dates
08/12/2015 … Russell Howard has announced 12 new UK arena dates to his 2017 international tour, Round The World.
Dear Santa...
Russell Brand and Tim Minchin write to Father Christmas
08/12/2015 … Russell Brand and Tim Minchin have written letters to Father Christmas to promote a new literacy drive.
West End run for Nina Conti
08/12/2015 … NINA CONTI is to have her own West End run.
Mon 07 December 2015
Doing something write...
Writers' Guild nominations out
07/12/2015 … Veep, Catastrophe and W1A have all been shortlisted for best sitcom in the Writers' Guild of Great Britain awards.
It's your last warning!
Comedy Central put on notice over offensive trailers
07/12/2015 … Comedy Central has again been rapped over its offensive and inappropriate trailers.
Download Noel Fielding's Christmas song
07/12/2015 … NOEL FIELDING's festive song Can't Wait For Christmas has been made available for download – for free.
'I took things into my own hands'
Luisa Omielan funds her own professional DVD
07/12/2015 … Luisa Omielan has taken the DIY approach to her comedy career to the next level – by releasing a full-length, professional stand-up video, funded entirely by…
RIP Mr Rumbold
Are You Being Served's Nicholas Smith dies at 81
07/12/2015 … Actor Nicholas Smith, who played Mr Rumbold in Are You Being Served?, has died at the age of 81.
Rubberbandits return to Almost Impossible Game Show
07/12/2015 … Irish comedy duo The Rubberbandits are to commentate on a second series of ITV2's Almost Impossible Game Show.
Amy Poehler vs Jimmy Carter
07/12/2015 … Amy Poehler is facing up against former President Jimmy Carter in this year's Grammy Awards.
© BBC/Balloon Entertainment/Colin Hutton Harry Enfield joins Shakespeare comedy
BBC Two confirms cast for Ben Elton's Upstart Crow
07/12/2015 … Harry Enfield is to play William Shakespeare's dad in a new BBC comedy series to mark 400 years since the playwright's death.
Sun 06 December 2015
Kevin Bridges tops DVD chart
06/12/2015 … Kevin Bridges has overtaken Michael McIntyre as the best-selling stand-up DVD this week.
Seinfeld producer Robert West dies
He also worked with Andy Kaufman and Marty Feldman
06/12/2015 … Howard West,Jerry Seinfeld's long-term producer, has died at the age of 84, Hollywood industry website Deadline is reporting.
Sat 05 December 2015
© BBC/Sophie Mutevelian What's Inside No 9 in the next series?
05/12/2015 … Steve Pemberton has given the first hint of what the next series of Inside No 9 has in store.
Fast Show revival? Maybe on stage
But Charlie Higson doubts it'll be back on TV
05/12/2015 … The Fast Show co-creator Charlie Higson has poured cold water on the hopes of a revival of the sketch show – at least on TV.
Harry Hill to make a new West End musical
Undeterred by I Can't Sing! flop
05/12/2015 … Harry Hill is set to make a new West End musical, less than two years after his X Factor show I Can't Sing! flopped.
'I stole Bill Bailey's tour bus'
Prolific thief's courtroom admisison
05/12/2015 … A prolific burglar has admitted stealing Bill Bailey's tour bus from outside a theatre.
British Library acquires Kenneth Williams archive
05/12/2015 … The British Library has acquired the personal archive of Kenneth Williams, including 43 personal diaries and around 2,000 letters.
Fri 04 December 2015
Harry Hill to front ITV panel show
But he doesn't have a clue what it's going to be...
04/12/2015 … Harry Hill is set to front a new panel show for ITV.
Noel Fielding for Christmas No 1?
With Idris Elba and Kasabian's Sergio Pizzorno
04/12/2015 … Noel Fielding has launched a bid for Christmas No 1 – with the aid of Idris Elba.
Man charged over Bill Bailey tour van theft
04/12/2015 … A man has been charged over the theft of Bill Bailey's tour bus.
It's the Mighty Bush!
04/12/2015 … • 'Comedians aren't men or women, they're melancholy children.
Awards honour Sharon Horgan
04/12/2015 … CATASTROPHE co-creator Sharon Horgan won the writing award at the 25th annual Women in Film and TV Awards last night.
How the BBC turned down Hunderby
...and how Alexander Armstrong was ousted
04/12/2015 … The BBC turned down the chance to make Hunderby, creator Julia Davis has revealed.
Oops! ITV mixes up Lenny Henry and Ainsley Harriott
04/12/2015 … ITV bosses have been left embarrassed after the illustrated a news story about Lenny Henry – with footage of Ainsley Harriott.
Thu 03 December 2015
BBC orders a third series of Uncle
...but it goes online with BBC Three
03/12/2015 … Nick Helm's comedy Uncle is to return for a third series – but online.
Their scripts don't stink
Writers Guild Of America nominees out
03/12/2015 … Veep, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Amy Schumer, The Last Man On Earth and Saturday Night Live have each picked up two nominated in the Writers’ Guild Of America…
© Finestripe/BBC Scotland BBC Scotland celebrates comedy greats
...and airs new sketches from Scot Squad
03/12/2015 … The comedy careers of Billy Connolly, Gregor Fisher and Johnny Beattie will all be celebrated on BBC Scotland this Christmas.
E4 orders more Chewing Gum
Michaela Coel's comedy to return in 2016
03/12/2015 … E4 has ordered a second series of Michaela Coel's comedy Chewing Gum.
Bunistoun duo unveil a new show
03/12/2015 … Burnistoun creators Iain Connell and Robert Florence are to debut a new live show at next year's Glasgow International Comedy Festival.
Wed 02 December 2015
Hurry!
Daniel Kitson announces shows with just one day's notice
02/12/2015 … Daniel Kitson has announced two new gigs in London this week – just one day before they happen.
BBC drops 'terrorist-y' comedy
Radio 4 pulls The Lentil Sorters
02/12/2015 … The BBC has pulled a comedy show from its schedules because of fears over its plot involving a terrorist suspect.
Comic arrested for dozing on the subway
Matt Roper spends a night in the NYPD cells
02/12/2015 … Character comic Matt Roper has spent the night in a New York cell, after he was arrested for falling asleep across a couple of subway seats.
© BBC/Tiger Aspect Is Catherine Tate's joke so offensive?
Tabloid accuses Nan of sparking 'a race storm'
02/12/2015 … The Daily Star is trying to whip up a race row around Catherine Tate's Nan.
Tue 01 December 2015
Peter Kay, DJ
Comic to host arena-sized 'dance-a-thon parties'
01/12/2015 … Peter Kay is to DJ a series of 'dance-a-thon parties' around the UK next year.
TFI Alan Partridge!
Coogan's character to co-host Chris Evans's show
01/12/2015 … Alan Partridge is to co-host TFI Friday.
Together at last: Peter Andre and David Brent
Singer takes cameo in Gervais's movie
01/12/2015 … Peter Andre is to appear in The Office spin-off movie, Life On The Road.
Comedian subject of an arrest warrant
'Just a screw-up over dates,' says Greg Fleet
01/12/2015 … An arrest warrant was issued for Australian comedian Greg Fleet this morning after he failed to show up in court.
Celia Pacquola wins Australian Academy award
01/12/2015 … COMEDIAN Celia Pacquola has won an Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award for her role in Utopia.
Al Murray announces 2016 tour
01/12/2015 … Al Murray has announced a 47-date UK tour next year.