Geoff Norcott asks: is university really worth it?

The week's best comedy on TV, radio and streaming

Our pick of the comedy on TV, radio and streaming this week…:

Sunday March 10

THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS ROADS: Mike Wozniak and Ola Labib – who had never met before- head to one of the wildest places on earth, the Namib desert. Read an interview with Wozniak about the adventure here.Dave, 8pm

Monday March 11

IS UNIVERSITY REALLY WORTH IT?: Beautifully scheduled right after University Challenge, this one-off sees comedian and former teacher Geoff Norcott investigating Britain’s higher education sector to find out if doing a degree is still worth it. He was the first in his family to attend university but is no longer sure a degree would be the right thing for his son, with student satisfaction at an all-time low, lecturers striking, online learning and reports of inflated grades Norcott hears from students who feel the university experience they were sold ended up being a nightmare – as well as those who still believe in the system. BBC Two 9pm

Tuesday March 12

MEL GIEDROYC: UNFORGIVABLE: Joined by 'dishonourable assistant' Lou Sanders, Mel is back for a fourth season of embarrassing confessions. In the first episode Lucy Beaumont admits she nicked knickers in school, Fatiha El-Ghorri reveals her secret cooking ingredient is sheep poo, and Rylan Clark spills the beans on how he combined a pigeon meeting a sticky end and getting revenge on a colleague. Read interviews with Mel and Lou. Dave, 10pm

Thursday March 14

GIRLS5EVA: The comedy about a one-hit wonder girl group returns, with the gang hitting the comeback trail way beyond their prime. Tina Fey produces the show, which has been picked up by Netflix after original US broadcaster Peacock declined to commission a third series. The earlier episodes are also on the streaming platform to allow you to catch up.

THE DRY: The acclaimed Irish comedy-drama starring Roisin Gallagher as recovering alcoholic Shiv Sheridan returns for a second series on ITVX. It's seven months on and Shiv’ remains sober, celibate, and solvent. And even though she’s been flirting with sexy barista Alex for months, she’s determined not to let a man derail her sobriety again and refuses his offer of a date.

ROB BECKETT’S SMART TV: This week's guests are Natasia Demetriou, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Roman Kemp, and David Morrissey – with regulars Alison Hammond and Josh Widdicombe. Sky Max, 9pm

Friday March 15

RED NOSE DAY: It's Lenny Henry last year hosting this, and he'll be joined by Joel Dommett, Maya Jama, Davina McCall, Paddy McGuinness, Rosie Ramsey, Romesh Ranganathan and David Tennant. Sketches include the return of W1A, Alan Partridge returns with a special guest on his regional radio show, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders with a Red Nose Day message and The Traitors: The Movie? BBC One, 7pm. It skips to BBC Two at 10pm for the news, then followed at 10.40pm on One with A Whole Lotta Lenny, an hour-long tribute to his contribution to the epic fundraising.

Saturday March 16

POINTLESS CELEBRITIES: Lots of comics on this week's show: Larry Dean, Holly Walsh, Desiree Burch and Jessica Forstekew. BBC One, 8.40pm

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Published: 10 Mar 2024