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

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

Now

ROBIN WILLIAMS IN BOSTON 2008: The late comic's official channel is releasing full shows of Williams as he travels the US working on his material – and, of course, doing plenty of improvising to find his way to the funniest stuff.

Sunday May 17

DEATH VALLEY Cosy crime meets comedy in this show about retired TV detective actor John Chapel (Timothy Spall), called in to aid DI Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth) when a man is found dead while serving community service. Also starring Steffan Rhodri, Hammed Animashaun, Jane Horrocks and Alexandra Roach. BBC One, 8:15pm. Here's a clip:

ZERO STARS: Roisin Conaty and Sara Pascoe spend a weekend in Benidorm, joining a hen party, eating a roast in the sun and visiting a torture museum. TLC, 9pm.

Monday May 18

THE UNBELIEVABLE TRUTH: David Mitchell hosts the long-running Radio 4 panel game in which contestants must smuggle truths into speeches filled with deliberate inaccuracies. This episode covers subjects including advertising, The Beatles, theatre and underwear, with guests Henning Wehn, Miles Jupp, Holly Walsh and Zoe Lyons. BBC Radio 4, 6:30pm.

KEEP IT TOGETHER: This acclaimed dark Swedish comedy revolves around two small-town sisters trying to cope when their 70-year-old father starts showing signs of Alzheimer's. It's available to subscribers of Viaplay from today.

Tuesday May 19

ONE PERSON FOUND THIS HELPFUL: Frank Skinner returns with the panel show built around eccentric online reviews. In this episode, Skinner and guests Dee Allum, Pierre Novellie, Zoe Lyons and Hasan Al-Habib discuss the tactics of Genghis Khan, the ethics of mousetraps and the morals of forgetting to wear trousers – plus Swedish sheep wagons. BBC Radio 4, 6:30pm.

Wednesday May 20

IAN SMITH IS STRESSED: Stand-up Ian Smith returns on his quest for calm, investigating bizarre relaxation methods. In this opening episode, he tackles one of life's most stressful experiences: moving house, with the help of guest Stuart Laws. BBC Radio 4, 6:30pm.

A VERY PECULIAR PRACTICE: An often overlooked 1986 comedy classic, this show – based around an campus health centre – starts a repeat run to mark its 40th anniversary. Written by Andrew Davies it revolves around idealistic young doctor, Stephen Daker (Peter Davison), joining a university medical centre staffed by an eccentric group of doctors. These include the ultra-feminist Rose Marie (Barbara Flynn); brash, unempathetic Bob Buzzard (David Troughton) and the genial, decrepit and always drunk Jock McCannon (Graham Crowden). BBC Four, 10.15pm

Thursday May 21

NANNY: A new comedy musical drama directed by Sara Pascoe, about two professional nannies who become first-time mothers in their late thirties and discover they are completely unprepared. Stars Alana Ramsey, Lizzie Stables and Matthew Floyd. BBC Radio 4, 2:15pm.

NEXTUP COMEDY SPECIALS: A new batch of shows from Lucy Porter, Milton Jones, Jason Byrne, Josh Jones and Kiri Pritchard-McLean join the not inconsiderbale catalogue already available on ITVX

Friday May 22

HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU: Judi Love makes her debut appearance as a team captain, facing Phil Wang on te opposing team. Alexander Armstrong hosts for the 44th time. BBC One, 9pm

HARRY HILL: NEW BITS & GREATEST HITS: A recording of Harry Hill's 2025 tour, performed at the Soho Theatre Walthamstow, in which he covers topics such as the demise of the Scart lead, the culture wars and the differences between crab sticks and rhubarb, alongside dips into his back catalogue. Sky One, 9pm.

Saturday May 23

HAJJ AND SEEK: Comedian Ali Shahalom - aka Ali Official – takes a comic and spiritual look at the Islamic pilgrimage, blending storytelling, stand-up and documentary. BBC Radio 4, 11pm.

Published: 17 May 2026