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

The week's best comedy on TV and radio.

Sunday September 2

THE IMITATION GAME: ITV launches a new panel show based around impersonations.Alexander Armstrong hosts, Rory Bremner and Debra Stephenson are the team captains, and Luke Kempner and Jess Robinson guest in episode one. They're asked to take part in games that involve  re-enacting iconic movie scenes, re-voicing news footage and blasting out some surprising cover versions. ITV, 10.05pm. Here's the trailer:

Monday September 3

BELIEVE IT: The ever-game Richard Wilson returns for a fourth series of his not entirely accurate memoirs, as penned by Jon Canter.  Ian McKellen, Anthony Sher, Peter Capaldi and David Tennant are among the A-listers who also feature. Radio 4, 11.30am

Tuesday September 4

COMEDY CONFLICT: Northern Ireland is renowned for its sense of humour, but after 40 years of violence, how do you keep laughing? That's what comedian Diona Doherty explores in this new World Service documentary, in which she speaks to fellow comedians to hear how the jokes have changed with the political landscape, even if some of the issues haven't. And along with her former comedy partner Jordan Dunbar they set out to find the man with the darkest sense of humour in Belfast. BBC World Service, 10pm

Wednesday September 5

TASKMASTER: Rejoice as the funny and fiendish challenge show returns for a seventh series.  Read interviews with all the new contestants via these links: Rhod Gilbert, James Acastert, Jessica Knappettt, Phil Wang, Kerry Godliman. Dave, 9pm

COMEDY CENTRAL AT THE COMEDY STORE Desiree Burch hosts Ken Cheng, Lost Voice Guy and Rhys James in tonight's show.  Comedy Central, 10.30pm. Here's Cheng:

Thursday September 6

THE MIND OF HERBERT CLUNKERDUNK: Spencer Jones's comedy short, which originally aired in May, gets another outing on BBC Two, as part of a comedy night that also includes  Rob Beckett,Jen Brister and Darren Harriott on Live At The Apollo immediately afterwards, and the  Josh Widdicombe stand-up show What Do I Do Now… after Newsnight. BBC Two, 9.45pm

Friday September 7

IT'S A FAIR COP: Police officer and comedian Alfie Moore returns with a new series of the show in which the audience make the policing decisions in a real-life case. Radio 4, 11.30am

Saturday September 8

AND WE ARE LIVE… Radio 4 Extra goes live for this three-hour show featuring highlights of live broadcasting - both fictional and actual - from the BBC archive. Host Jake Yapp will offer his take on such shows, talk to stalwarts of the genre and introduce improvised and topical sketches featuring studio guests Ruth Bratt, Alex Lowe and Cariad Lloyd - and a show-stopping musical extravaganza. Radio 4 Extra, 9am

Published: 2 Sep 2018