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

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

Now

JOHN HASTINGS: THE TIMES THEY ARE A John Hastings: The first of three specials the Canadian comedian is releasing on YouTube this year dropped last night, a version of his 2023 Edinburgh show filmed in Toronto in October that year. The comic told Chortle: ‘ I split the footage over several venues to make the special feel alive and replicate the feeling of running around a city with a comedian doing sets.’ The show covers divorce, being a white loser, getting pegged, the Ukraine War, the LAPD and more…

Monday June 17

THE CONVERSATION: Laughter strengthens social bonds, fosters emotional connection and is great for our health, as presenter Datshiane Navanayagam discovers in this documentary. She speaks to Professor Sophie Scott, a British cognitive neuroscientist whose research has helped millions of people better understand and appreciate the use of laughter in social interactions, and Dr Disa Sauter, a social psychologist at the University of Amsterdam. BBC World Service, 1.30pm

Tuesday June 18

OUTSTANDING: A COMEDY REVOLUTION: This Netflix show is billed as the first feature-length documentary to explore the history of queer stand-up comedy, considering the importance of LGBTQ+ comedians at the forefront of social change. And maybe help the streamer atone for the fact some of its biggest stand-up stars have been taking potshots at the T part of that acronym over the past few years. The film combines interviews, stand-up performances, archive clips and verité footage featuring top LGBTQ+ comedians. Theose taking part include Lily Tomlin, Sandra Bernhard, Wanda Sykes, Eddie Izzard, Hannah Gadsby, Tig Notaro, Rosie O'Donnell and Margaret Cho.

MUNYA CHAWAWA: The comic offers his satirical look at the the general election campaign with this three-part sketch series, inked by the idea of eavesdropping in on the party leaders' mobile phones. Ideas include Rishi Sunak practising his Peasant English on Duo Lingo, Keir Starmer posting thirst traps on Insta and Ed Davey beating his exercise balls on TikTok. Radio 4, 6.30pm

Wednesday June 19

RHYSEARCH: A second series for comedian Rhys James in which he investigates topics that the rest of us are too busy to be bothered with. This episode is about our short attention spans, with the average being just 47 seconds, with James asking … yadda, yadda, yadda… Radio 4, 6.30pm

JACK WHITEHALL - THE GALA: Recorded at Montreal’s Just For Laughs comedy festival (RIP) last summer, this special, which drops on ITVX today, has the comic introduce the international talents of Arthur Simeon, Foil Arms & Hog, Judy Gold, Langston Kerman, Melanie Bracewell, Shane Torres and Zabrina Douglas.

RICK AND MORTY: The multitude-hopping scientist is back with his grandson Morty to avenge his wife and daughter and take on his greatest nemesis yet: himself. Series seven lands on Netflix today.

Thursday June 20

FAMOUSLY… ON TRIAL: Comedian Larry Dean co-hosts this new BBC Sounds podcast with Stacey Dooley, in which they put celebrities in the dock’ to discuss their most-famous controversies. Topics to be considered on the weekly show will range from Kendall Jenner’s ill-advised Pepsi advert to Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s ‘conscious uncoupling’.

BILL BAILEY’S MASTER CRAFTERS - JUNIORS: The comedian presents a spin-off from his craft series, speaking to the next generation of young musicians and exploring the skills required to maintain musical instruments Sky Arts, 8pm

Published: 16 Jun 2024