Berates The BBC Over Monty Python John Cleese attempted to stir the hornets nest on his anti ‘cancel culture’ agenda, berating the BBC for not showing repeats of Monty Python.
The actor asked his 5M+Twitter followers: “Can anyone (including BBC employees) tell me why the BBC has not shown Monty Python for a couple of decades?”
Well how about the rights deals done for the Monty Python back catalogue. The show and movies all stream on Netflix in the UK. The rights to Monty Python are owned by Python (Monty) Pictures. Cleese, Palin, Idle and Gilliam are all executive directors at the UK company.
John Hoare, a TV director, replied to the Cleese tweet reminding him of the night dedicated to Python on the BBC. “I sat in BBC Two’s press suite on the 7th September 2019, prepped an episode of Monty Python for transmission as part of an evening of Python-related programmes, and then put it on air, if that helps.”
Schitt’s Creek star Eugene Levy has been named in the Canadian New Year honors list for the Order of Canada, in recognition of his achievements at home and in Hollywood.
Scots comedian Paul Black known for his sketches on TikTok, has taken the next step with his brand new sketch ‘First Footing’ airing New Year’s Eve on BBC Scotland.
Sharing some behind the scene images on Instagram, he wrote: “Who’s ready for a Hogmanay whodunnit? First Footing – a comedy special written and directed by me!
(Image: Instagram/Paulblack_)
Together with absurd moments from lockdown, his early days on the comedy circuit, why men aren’t as clever as women think they are, and how people can all seemingly remember every word to those holy school assembly `bangers’, Jason’s show brings the house down. Recorded at Sheffield’s City Hall.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001gp0p/jason-manford-jason-manford-recent-nostalgia
Romantic Getaway slick comedy co-written by Romesh Ranganathan (who also plays Deacon) and his long-time collaborator Benjamin Green also stars Katherine Ryan, as Allison, and Johnny Vegas as their volatile boss.
Peter Capaldi Directing Parenting ComedyPeter Capaldi, the Thick Of It and Doctor Who star, is to direct a comedy-drama pilot They F**k You Up for Sky Studios around a mother who adopts five children, based on Sarah Naish’s memoir But He Looks So Normal: A Bad-Tempered Parenting Guide for Adopters and Foster Parents.
Deadline report that the pilot will shoot early next year and is made by Tod Productions, the STV Studios-backed company founded by Vera producer Elaine Collins to whom Capaldi is married, and Sky Studios. The project was originally developed for the BBC.
Stephen Graham, best known for TV dramas such as Help, Time and Line of Duty, also starred in Sky’s comedy series Code 404, becomes an OBE. for services to drama.
Whilst comedian and presenter Frank Skinner receives an MBE.
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Hello, Wisconsin! It’s 1995 and Leia Forman, daughter of Eric and Donna, is visiting her grandparents for the summer, where she bonds with a new generation of Point Place kids under the watchful eye of Kitty and the stern glare of Red. Sex, drugs and rock ’n roll never dies, it just changes clothes.
Returning stars include Debra Jo Rupp as Kitty Forman and Kurtwood Smith as Red Forman in series regular roles; Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, Wilmer Valderrama, and Tommy Chong will reprise their roles on the series as special guests.
Season 1 premieres on January 19.
Comedy News 23.12.22
It’s 1995 and Leia Forman is desperate for some adventure in her life or at least a best friend who isn’t her dad. When she arrives in Point Place to visit her grandparents, Red and Kitty, Leia finds what she’s looking for right next door when she meets the dynamic and rebellious Gwen. With the help of Gwen’s friends, including her lovable brother Nate, his smart, laser-focused girlfriend Nikki, the sarcastic and insightful Ozzie, and the charming Jay, Leia realizes adventure could happen there just like it did for her parents all those years ago. Excited to reinvent herself, she convinces her parents to let her stay for the summer. With a basement full of teens again, Kitty is happy the Forman house is now a home for a new generation and Red is, well…Red.
That ‘90s Show stars Kurtwood Smith, Debra Jo Rupp, Callie Haverda, Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel, Maxwell Donovan, Reyn Doi, and Sam Morelos. Also returning to Point Place are creators Bonnie and Terry Turner – this time with their daughter Lindsey Turner – showrunner/executive producer Gregg Mettler, and executive producers Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner. Joining the show are executive producers Jessica Goldstein and Chrissy Pietrosh.
John Bird, a stalwart of the TV satire scene of the 1960s, and well known for his many appearances opposite John Fortune, who died in 2013, has died at the age of 86.. The pair appeared alongside Rory Bremner in the Channel 4 TV series Bremner, Bird and Fortune which ran for 8 years from 1999.
Paying tribute on Twitter, Bremner wrote: “Deeply saddened to hear that the great John Bird has left us. One of the most modest of men and most brilliant of satirists. And one of the last surviving pillars of the anti-establishment.
A quite brilliant retelling of the Charles Dickens classic – this contemporary take starring the superb Suranne Jones as Carole Mackay who, in building a retail empire selling Christmas tat, has developed a Scroogelike obsession with wealth, will become one of your go-to festive favourites. Christmas Carole is so well conceived and written by Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto that it passes by all too quickly deserving to be watched again and again. Of course at this time of year you will find one or two old chestnuts in it.
Suranne Jones is brilliant, who knew she could dance? The rest of the cast is excellent too with a stand out performance by Jonty Stephens as Eric Morecambe.
Don’t miss it!
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The Cast has Been Named For The FranchiseThe cast has been named for the pilot episode of the HBO original comedy, The Franchise, which will be directed by Neal Street’s Sam Mendes as well as executive produced by Sam Mendes and Armando Iannucci.
The Franchise, a half hour comedy, follows a hopeful crew trapped inside the dysfunctional, nonsensical, joyous hellscape of franchise superhero movie-making. If and when they finally make the day, the question they must face — is this Hollywood’s new dawn or cinema’s last stand? Is this a dream factory or a chemical plant?
Channel 4 is rolling out the red carpet to celebrate the stars of UK comedy in a glitzy awards show in aid of Stand Up To Cancer,
Tom Allen returns to host The National Comedy Awards for Stand Up To Cancer, produced by Hungry Bear and broadcast live on Channel 4 and All 4 in 2023.
The awards see our best-loved comedy stars come together for a fun and raucous night that honours the brilliant work of the comedy world over the past year, celebrating both emerging and established British comedy talent.
Prizes up for grabs include Best Scripted Comedy, Outstanding Comedy Actor and Actress, Best Comedy Entertainment Show, Best Comedy Podcast and Best Stand-Up Show.
The longlist of nominees has been published and voting is open until Monday 16th January 2023 here: https://www.thenationalcomedyawards.com/
6.25 Christmas Day
Trying to help the three famous faces to bank as much cash as possible are seven celebrity experts; singer and presenter Michael Ball OBE, comedian Rosie Jones, author and etiquette expert William Hanson, singer-songwriter Fleur East, celebrity chef Hugh Fearney Whittingstall, TV presenter AJ Odudu and comedian, musician and actor Bill Bailey. They will take their turn to try and help answer questions on everything from Elves, to Christmas Parties even Carols and Christmas decorations Whose help will be the perfect present and who has got their traditions in a whirl?
Jeff Garlin has joined the cast of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever for its final season. Garlin will play a man who sparks the interest of Devi’s (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) grandmother, Nirmala (Ranjita Chakravarty). It's the first series in which Garlin has been cast since he was released from ABC’s The Goldbergs a year ago.
Female Pilot Club partnered with award-winning broadcaster UKTV to find new comedy scripts by women featuring leading parts for women who are over age 45. From hundreds submitted, four scripts have been chosen to be developed by UKTV and Female Pilot Club, and will be performed in a live reading by top flight comedy talent in front of an industry audience.
Big congratulations to the four finalists!
FPC and UKTV thank everyone who submitted scripts, they received some 340 pilots. If you did not qualify this time, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t good, well-written or that you are not a good writer. It means that it didn’t fit the criteria for this particular showcase, but it could be perfect for someone else. Aspiring writers you should keep sending your scripts out! Comedy is deeply subjective and everyone is looking for something different.
Coming soon to Channel 4, Everyone Else Burns is an irreverent new six-part comedy set in a fictional Christian community and centred around a family headed by patriarch David (Simon Bird, with a very different haircut). David, like his family (played by Kate O’Flynn, Amy James-Kelly and Harry Connor) is devoted to preparing for Armageddon and avoiding eternal damnation, although worldly temptations sometimes get in the way.
Funny, warm and full of heart, the cast of Everyone Else Burns also features Morgana Robinson, Kadiff Kirwan and Lolly Adefope.
Written by Oliver Taylor and Dillon Mapletoft, Everyone Else Burns was produced by Jax Media and Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studios Group.
Everyone Else Burns is launching on Channel 4 and All 4 in January 2023.
Below is our Bite-Size Review published a few days after the series aired. The prediction came good.
Blockbuster. (L to R) Melissa Fumero as Eliza, Randall Park as Timmy in Blockbuster. Cr. Ricardo Hubbs/Netflix © 2022This new Netflix workplace comedy is dire. Not a laugh in it. Even the story is yawn inducing. With more staff than customers it’s easy to see why the franchise didn’t survive in the streaming environment. Cannot believe that this hapless, uninspiring sitcom will get a second season.
Disney Legend Tim Allen will executive-produce and continue in the beloved role of Santa/Scott Calvin and Elizabeth Mitchell will reprise her role as Mrs. Claus/Carol from Walt Disney Pictures’ blockbuster franchise.
In season one of “The Santa Clauses” Scott Calvin returns after being Santa Claus for nearly thirty years, and he’s as jolly as ever. But as Christmas declines in popularity, so does his Santa magic.
HBO Max has renewed comedy THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS for a third season. The ten-episode second season from Warner Bros. Television debuted November 17 and concludes with the final two episodes of the season tomorrow. Since the launch of season two, THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS has been the top Max Original, with last week’s release day setting a new record for the series by delivering an audience more than double that of the series launch in 2021.
Apple TV+ has ordered Mere Mortals, an extension series from Mythic Quest stars Ashly Burch, John Howell Harris and Katie McElhenney, who also write the new show. The 8 episodes of Mere Mortals will feature entirely new characters, exploring the lives of employees, players, and fans who are affected by the Mythic Quest game. Mythic Quest is currently airing its third season, having been renewed for seasons 3 and 4 in 2021.
The critically acclaimed and much-loved sitcom Ghosts will be back for a fifth series . More details her click image.
HBO Max and CBC have renewed the Peabody Award-winning comedy series SORT OF for a third season. The Max Original comedy series is a co-production with CBC and Sphere Media. The second season of the critically acclaimed comedy about a gender fluid millennial in transition in every aspect of their life debuted December 1 on HBO Max, following the Canadian premiere on CBC/CBC Gem in November, and will conclude with the final two episodes of the season on December 22.
Reese Witherspoon is to star in and EP a comedy series, All Stars, set in the competitive world of cheerleading, for Prime Video.
The Amazon streamer outbid several others, handing out a two-season, straight-to-series order. Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter’s Hello Sunshine will produce the series written by Aline Brosh McKenna.
All Stars follows a former cheerleader who travels across the Atlantic to teach cheerleading at a school in England. Inspired by Andrea Kulberg, a former University of Texas cheerleader who now runs a cheerleader school with her sister, Aly, in the UK.
Witherspoon told Deadline, who first reported the news, “The idea of watching an American woman coming to share the very American sport of cheerleading to a group of young women in the UK just made me so excited!”
Comedian London Hughes who last week returned to the US after a visit back to the UK was delighted to have won $89,600 for charity on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune last night.
Janey Godley Says Cancer Has ReturnedComedian Janey Godley has tweeted that recent test show that her incurable ovarian cancer is unfortunately still active following treatment. Nevertheless she is planning to return to the stage with her ‘Not Dead Yet’ tour next spring. All good wishes Janey. Click on image for her full statement
Disney+ has released the official trailer for new UK Original comedy series “Extraordinary,” coming 25 January to Disney+ and Hulu. All eight episodes will drop all at once.
“Extraordinary” is set in a world where everyone develops a power on their 18th birthday… everyone, that is, except for Jen. She’s turning 25 and is still waiting to get hers. She’s not even fussy about what that could be: super speed? Laser eyes? The ability to plug in a USB the right way every single time? She’ll take it. Like a caterpillar surrounded by butterflies, Jen feels unable to move forward, stuck in a dead-end job in a party shop and occasionally hooking up with Luke, a flaky young man with the irritatingly cool ability to fly.
“Extraordinary” is led by a cast of rising UK talent, including Máiréad Tyers (Jen), Sofia Oxenham (Carrie), Bilal Hasna (Kash), and Luke Rollason (Jizzlord). Additional cast members include Siobhan McSweeney (Jen’s mum, Mary), Robbie Gee (Jen’s stepdad, Ian), Safia Oakley-Green (Jen’s half-sister, Andy), and Ned Porteous (Luke).
Indian Comedian, Actor, and Musician Vir Das’ new hour standup special Landing (formerly Wanted) will premiere worldwide on Netflix on December 26th, 2022.
Comedy News 15.12.22
Disney+ announced the second season of the Emmy Award-winning Original series “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” will premiere on Wednesday, February 1.
Building off the standout success of the series’ debut, season two of “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” continues to tell entertaining and laugh out-loud stories, while highlighting culturally specific experiences of the Black community and addressing universal topics. Various storylines this season include self-worth, interracial dating and Juneteenth.
Robert Webb and David Mitchell will not be appearing in the US version of Peep ShowFX, the Disney-backed cable network, is making another attempt to launch a US version of Peep Show by ordering a pilot for an update of the cult favourite UK series.
The US Peep Show will again take inspiration from the UK original. It will follow the relationship between a long-suffering assistant and her boss, an emotionally troubled tech entrepreneur.
Peep Show ran for nine seasons and a total of 54 episodes from 2003-2015. Starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb, the Channel 4 series ranks as the longest-running comedy in the station’s history.
Contestants vie for the chance to win over $100,000, assisted by celebrities who lend their expertise in a variety of hilarious and outrageous categories.
Speaking to Variety about the show going to the states, host Michael McIntyre said: ‘Hosting this show is the most fun I’ve had on television. The format creates wonderful camaraderie among the celebrities, natural hilarity and genuine suspense. I can’t wait for The Wheel to roll across America.’
Leah from Newry played Jenny Joyce the goody-two-shoes-prefect who never strayed from the rules!
If you want to see the painting that was commissioned for the National Portrait Gallery click here>
Bye de Bye Campers
Ruth Madoc, who starred as Gladys Pugh in the BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi! the 1980s sitcom about a holiday camp in the late 50s, has died in hospital following surgery for a fall. Madoc’s career spanned many roles in theatre and musicals, including Fiddler On The Roof and Gypsy.
HBO Max Cancel ‘Minx’ Season 2 Renewal HBO Max has cancelled the show despite an earlier renewal for a second season. We believe season two had almost finished production when HBO Max axed it in its latest cost-cutting move. Lionsgate says it will shop the series, starring Ophelia Lovibond and Jake Johnson, to other outlets.
Comedians Ivo Graham (Oxford) and Ria Lina (UCL) will be appearing on Christmas University Challenge chaired by Jeremy Paxman and returning to BBC Two and iPlayer. The series begins on BBC Two on Monday 19 December at 8.30pm, with SOAS London going head to head with Balliol, Oxford in the first episode.
Lisa McGee awarded the Freedom of Derry CityDerry Girls creator Lisa McGee, creator of Derry Girls will receive the freedom of Derry City and Strabane
Ms McGee will become the first woman to receive the honour. The award was in recognition of the “global positive impact” Ms McGee’s work has had on the city and district.
Derry Girls, which first aired on Channel 4 in 2018, follows four teenage girls – and “a wee English fella” – growing up in Londonderry in Northern Ireland during the 1990s.
Derry Girls has been a massive success for Channel 4, winning Royal Television Society Awards, Irish Film and Television Awards and being nominated for BAFTAs.
A new couple (Jonah Hill, Lauren London) fall in love and find themselves confronting societal expectations and generational differences amidst their families (Eddie Murphy, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Duchovny) clashing cultures, in this comedy from Kenya Barris.
Coming to Netflix January 27th
Richard tweeted: “The most magical, joyful day on Saturday with my beautiful wife. Surrounded by wonderful friends and family, a day full of love and laughter. We’re so, so happy”
Comedy News 5.12.22
Kirstie Alley, the Emmy-winning comic actress known for playing Rebecca Howe on Cheers, the titular role in Veronica’s Closet and the three Look Who’s Talking films, has died. The actress died after a short battle with cancer “only recently discovered.” Her children True and Lillie Parker described their mum as “incredible, fierce and loving.” She was 71.
ITVX Launches World’s First British Sign Language ChannelWhen ITVX officially launches on 8 December, Deaf viewers will have access to what is a worldwide streaming first – a British Sign Language channel, solely featuring signed programming, which will include a range of shows like the Emmerdale and Coronation Street omnibus episodes, Cilla, Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow, Vera, Lewis, and The Saint. The channel will be regularly updated and will evolve to include both recent and archive programming from a variety of genres.
A never seen before Original series, Silly Pets (5+, 9 December), narrated by presenter and comedian Alan Carr (Gary the Dog) is set to hit Sky Kids screens this December.
This spin-off series of Silly Animals will have children and families alike in stitches as Gary the Dog returns with his animal friends, bringing some of the funniest fails in pet history to screens.
Showing clips from real-life pets caught on camera, with cats opening doors, dogs barking at their reflections, and silly voices being put behind pets, each episode is jam packed with brilliant furry footage to keep kids entertained with talkable moments throughout.
Alan Carr, said: “Gary is back in the spotlight narrating a whole new line-up of furry friends who manage to put their paws in it. Viewers can get ready to howl with laughter as the series uncovers situations that aren’t as purr-fect as they seem, filled with hilarious treats along the way. Pets doing silly things for the whole family to enjoy, what’s not to love!”
Wednesday recorded the most viewing time in a single week for an English-language series on Netflix with 411.29 million hours of viewing worldwide.
Matt Lucas has
left Great British
Bake Off to
concentrate
on other
projects.
Warner Bros Discovery and Amazon have struck a new distribution deal for HBO Max, returning the streaming service to Prime Video Channels.
First-look images from Season Two of the hit comedy series Harlem were revealed. The highly anticipated new season will return February 3 exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world.
Netflix have stated that Wednesday now holds the record for most hours viewed in a week for an English-language series on Netflix, with 341.2 MILLION HOURS! The series — starring Jenna Ortega is #1 in 83 countries, tying the record set by Stranger Things 4
Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp are back in the basement as Red and Kitty Forman in That '90s Show, premiering January 19.on Netflix
The comedian will play 41 more dates at the Manchester Arena, the biggest arena in the UK, culminating with his final scheduled tour date in July 2025.
The current 110-night total is just short of the 113 dates he played in 2010-11, which set a world record for the biggest-selling comedy tour ever, during which he performed to more than 1.1 million people.
Kathy Burke Contemplated
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uicide
Jason Segel and Harrison Ford in “Shrinking,”Apple TV+ today unveiled the premiere date and a first look at “Shrinking,” the new 10-episode comedy starring Jason Segel, and written by Emmy Award winning “Ted Lasso” co-creator Bill Lawrence, Emmy Award-winning “Ted Lasso” star, writer and co-executive producer Brett Goldstein and Segel. Also starring Harrison Ford in one of his first major television roles, “Shrinking” will premiere globally with the first two episodes on Friday, January 27, on Apple TV+, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday.
“Shrinking” follows a grieving therapist (played by Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives … including his own.
In addition to Segel and Ford, “Shrinking” stars Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie and Lukita Maxwell.
Live at the Moth Club Review – it can’t decide if it’s a mockumentary, a sitcom or a stand-up sketch show.
Rosie is a Podcaster, TV host and author. She co-hosts the critically acclaimed podcast Sh**ged. Married. Annoyed with husband Chris Ramsey. She is a co-host of The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show which will return for a second series next year on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
Known for her hilariously real, brutally honest depiction of her everyday life, she has amassed an army of followers on social media.
Larry Lamb is the 4th celebrity confirmed for the Christmas special.
NBC has ordered an additional nine episodes of the comedy starring George Lopez and his daughter, Mayan Lopez. The additional episodes brings the total to 22 in its first season.
The comedy tells the story of a working-class old-school Latino who moves in with his modern Gen Z daughter as they rebuild their relationship one argument at a time. It’s old vs. young, father vs. daughter. Also stars Selenis Leyva, Brice Gonzalez, Matt Shively and Al Madrigal.
Focused on new short-form comedy and entertainment content, alongside the best and funniest moments from the richest catalogue of comedy including This Country, Famalam and The Young Offenders, Funny Parts exposes the best comedy from BBC Studios. Funny Parts is live on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter now.
New shows launched with the channel include Hack Attack, Little Rants and Sound Off which feature a host of familiar faces appearing, including new comedy talent
Ten instalments of each title will eventually be available with new commissions planned for future release.
— Athena Witter, Vice President of Programming, BBC Studios Digital Consumer Engagement
It’s a full house at Julia’s (Anna Maxwell Martin) with an influx of grandparents demanding endless cups of tea, as they play with a VR headset Paul bought “for the kids”. Julia has invited Kevin along too after learning that his alternative was dining on turkey crisps from the hotel vending machine in the company of the other divorced dads. Kevin excitedly offers to whip up a full-on Persian feast. Liz (Diane Morgan) also turns up when her ex cancels following a massive Christmas Eve bender, letting her down on his first ever offer to host.
Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith return with a special festive film from their award-winning anthology series Inside No. 9. Joined by guest stars Shobna Gulati and Simon Callow, they serve up a disturbingly spooky Christmas story set in a mysterious church.
Ashley will star as DI Ruth Calder, a native Shetlander who returns to the isles after 20 years working for the Met in London. Ruth takes on the lead detective role left vacant by DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) working closely with DS Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh (Alison O’Donnell) and will make her debut when the series returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer next year.
A Silverprint Pictures (part of ITV Studios) production, the new series will film in locations on the Shetland Isles and across Scotland from the Spring.
Comedy News 23.11.22
Created and hosted by comedian Michael McIntyre each hourlong episode the first of which will see Cat Cora, Christina Ricci, Amber Ruffin, Steve Kornacki, Mark McGrath, and Todrick Hall spinning, advising, and supporting contestants battling it out for a chance to win over $100k.
The series will launch on December 19 at 10pm and will move to 8pm for its second week with new episodes airing nightly.
Other celebrity guests on the lineup include Clay Aiken, Carole Baskin, Brie Bella, Tom Bergeron, Bobby Berk, Jaime Camil, Margaret Cho, Deepak Chopra, Victor Cruz, Taye Diggs, Sheila E., Kate Flannery, Vivica A. Fox, Tony Hawk, Loni Love, Judge Greg Mathis, Chrissy Metz, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, Terrell Owens, Mark Sanchez, Raven-Symone, Buddy Valastro, and Kym Whitley, among others.
Richard Lewis confirmed today that he will be back on Curb Your Enthusiasm for its 12th season on HBO. Lewis Tweeted: “I’m back shooting Curb! . I’m a lucky cat to be with my oldest pal who just so happens to be a genius. Don’t tell him I called him that or he’ll mock me to my grave.”
The former ‘Tonight Show’ host performed at a Hermosa Beach comedy club two weeks after suffering third-degree burns in a garage fire.
AMELIA DIMOLDENBERG,
CAROL VORDERMAN,
GREG JAMES,
SIR MO FARAH
REBECCA LUCY TAYLOR
Kieran Hodgson (How Europe Stole My Mum, Two Doors Down) leads a cast of comics in a satirical send-up of the life and times of Prince Andrew, set to a musical score from Kieran Hodgson and Freddie Tapner.
Written by and starring Hodgson as the prince himself, the storyline of the musical centres on the key events, relationships and controversies of Andrew’s life, including a reimagining of the former-HRH’s bombshell interview with Emily Maitlis, played by Emma Sidi (Starstruck, Pls Like.)
Joining the principal line-up are Munya Chawawa (Taskmaster, Race Around Britain), who is to play Prince Charles (as was), and Jenny Bede (Catastrophe, Murder In Successville) who will play Sarah Ferguson.
Joe Wilkinson will play a newspaper vendor; Harry Enfield is to take on the role of Prime Minister Tony Blair and Baga Chipz is to play Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
The Graham Norton Show‘s New Year’s Eve special will air on BBC One on December 31 at 10.30pm.
Multi BAFTA award winning Mo Gilligan hosts TV’s biggest music game show, That’s My Jam.
That’s My Jam,17-12-2022,1,Alesha Dixon;Michelle Visage;Mo Gilligan;Jenna Ushkowitz;Kevin McHale,Monkey Kingdom,Trae PattonEach week two new teams of celebrities take on a host of super-sized musical challenges as Mo pushes their singing abilities, performance skills and musical knowledge to the limit as they compete to be declared That’s My Jam champions.
But which team will be victorious as they blast their best vocals and bust their best moves playing games such as The Wheel of Impossible Karaoke, Launch The Mic, The Vinyl Countdown, Disco Charades and Take on Mo before facing the mighty DoomBox in the epic end game, Slay It, Don’t Spray It!?
Comedy News 24.11.22
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— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) November 21, 2022
UKTV has commissioned Get Off My Phone!, six short-form comedy episodes (6×15′) for Dave’s YouTube channel.
Get Off My Phone! is produced by Mermade and is a new format that sees six comedians hand over their phones to their family members. Giving them free reign to deep dive into their digital other halves, their family members will be able to access messages, social media platforms and dating apps to name a few, taking their relationships to a whole new level.
The brave comedians taking part in the series include Ania Magliano, Travis Jay, Thanyia Moore, Hayley Morris, Finlay Christie and father-daughter duo Grace and Alastair Campbell. The first episode of Get Off My Phone! is available now. Further episodes will drop on YouTube on Fridays at 5pm.
Three trailblazing women – Ruby Wax, Melanie Brown and Emily Atack – come together to re-trace the footsteps of intrepid Victorian explorer, Isabella Bird, whose exploits have largely been lost to history.
Using her original 1873 book A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains as inspiration for their own historic American adventure, Ruby, Mel and Emily want to pay homage to this forgotten pioneer. They explore the people, places and curious customs of an ever-changing America, while reflecting on the changes in Western society over the last 150 years and their own experience of womanhood.
Trailblazers: A Rocky Mountain Road Trip airs on BBC Two and iPlayer on Mon 28 November at 9pm.
The National Lottery is bringing together some of the UK’s most celebrated stars for a party like no other on Tuesday 6 December, with invited guests marking the big events of the 2022, as well as celebrating extraordinary people and the difference they have made thanks to National Lottery funding.
Comedians Alex Brooker, Guz Khan and James Acaster are all superfans of the classic 1990 comedy Home Alone, starring Macauley Culkin as Kevin McAllister. the forgotten kid who is accidentally left behind by his family when they leave on a family Christmas holiday.
As they will attest, the highlight of the perennial Yuletide classic is when Kevin must defend his home from the inept “Wet Bandits”, two clueless burglars who take on much more than they bargain for thanks to some inventive traps set by our pint-sized hero. But, more than thirty years on, and with a more world-weary eye, they have one thing on their minds: would those booby traps actually work? And so, overseen by Alex and with the help of a professional engineer, Guz and James will be putting Kevin’s homemade home defences to the test by re-enacting the famous stunts. Is a swinging paint can enough to stop a full-sized man from ascending the stairs? Is there any way to overcome slippery ice-covered steps? And could taking a falling iron to the face actually be fatal? The science won’t lie.
Fifty years after the events of the classic fairy-tale, a grown-up Red Riding Hood has established a fearsome reputation within the village of Wolferton as a deadly Wolf Buster, hunting down wolves with her Wolf Blaster and ridding them from the forest forever. Red’s eager and intelligent granddaughter Red Riding Boots wants desperately to become a Wolf Buster herself, having listened to her grandmother tell the famous story many times.
When two wealthy German tourists Helga and Otto arrive demanding to see a real-life wolf, Plank and his son Chip do their best to con as much money out of them as possible, even if that involves Chip going into the deep dark forest all alone. Boots takes matters into her own hands and hunts down a wolf where she learns from a wise old owl called Twit that the forest is suffering and out of balance, making Mother Nature very angry that the natural order of the forest is being disrupted. Boots decides that she must save wolves from extinction after all.
Rob & Romesh vs Christmas on IceThroughout the year, fans of the show have been putting in their asks for things they’d love to see Rob and Romesh take on for this years Christmas Special. And with all the votes counted and verified, the overriding and most popular choice has been…ICE SKATING with an appearance in…DISNEY. ON. ICE.
Their journey will begin with the full touring team at their undisclosed rehearsal base, where the boys’ on-ice abilities will be put to the test in front of Mickey, Goofy, Moana and the rest of the gang. The episode will climax with Rob and Romesh taking to the ice with our favourite Disney friends in a sold out show on their Dream Big tour.
God bless you merry gentlemen may nothing you dismay, the boys and girls from Buzzcocks are back to save the day! Greg Davies, Noel Fielding, Daisy May Cooper and Jamali Maddix present a special Christmas edition of the mayhem -filled musical panel show, featuring a trio of very special guests – nose wrinkler and Steps singer Claire Richards, dapper comedian Tom Allen, and the unstoppable force of nature that is Pete Doherty.
The boys are back to celebrate another festive episode of A League of Their Own! This year, while taking a look back at some of the best moments from past series, they’ll come together to take part in a special celebrity golf tournament that Romesh has organised as a Christmas present for Jamie: The Redknapp Cup. After getting a golf lesson from Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, Jamie and Micah will captain rival teams featuring Joel Dommett, Maisie Adam, Alex Brooker, Tony Bellew, Eve Muirhead, John Barnes, David Seaman and H from Steps. After Christmas dinner, the tournament will build to a climax as they take on one final festive themed hole at night.
A yuletide story of our times, with apologies to Charles Dickens. BAFTA Award-winning Suranne Jones stars in this seasonal new Sky Original.
Carole Mackay (Jones) is an unashamedly outspoken and wealthy entrepreneur. Her online business selling all things festive has earned her a fortune, as well as the nickname ‘Christmas Carole’. But her success hasn’t made her a better human being. In fact, it’s made her worse. The truth is that Carole is a monumentally mean person. Positively Scrooge-like. And, just like Ebeneezer, she doesn’t love Christmas at all. But this Christmas Eve, Carole’s past, present and future are about to collide. Will some rather familiar Christmas spirits help her discover the true spirit of Christmas?
The pair join forces for brand-new high-octane Sky Original comedy drama, Romantic Getaway, coming to Sky Max and NOW on 1 January 2023.
This six-part modern Bonnie and Clyde story sees couple Alison (Katherine Ryan) and Deacon (Romesh Ranganathan) desperate to have a child. After countless IVF attempts, they are faced with the possibility it might not happen. They are unable to afford more rounds, and with mounting debts the pressure on the relationship begins to show. What is their solution? Steal. Now they must avoid getting caught…
Romantic Getaway is a comedy series beginning directly after Deacon and Alison have defrauded their dodgy boss, Alfie (Johnny Vegas) of £500k. The couple are sat in their car, buzzing with adrenaline. But after the buzz wears off, they must not only contend with the gruelling process of IVF, but also have to figure out how to use the money without getting found out, a challenge that draws them deep into the criminal underworld of Reading.
The BBC and Amazon Freevee have commissioned Boat Story, a 6×60’ thriller written by Harry and Jack Williams and produced by award-winning All3Media production company, Two Brothers Pictures (The Tourist, The Missing, Fleabag) in association with All3Media international. Boat Story will premiere in the UK on BBC One and iPlayer, and in the US on Amazon Freevee.
When two hard-up strangers, Janet (Daisy Haggard – Back to Life, Breeders) and Samuel (Paterson Joseph – Vigil, Noughts & Crosses), stumble across a haul of cocaine on a shipwrecked boat, they can’t believe their luck. After agreeing to sell it and split the cash, they quickly find themselves entangled with police, masked hitmen, and a sharp-suited gangster known only as ‘The Tailor’ (Tcheky Karyo – Baptiste, The Missing).
At its heart, Boat Story is an action thriller about two ordinary people whom the world has turned its back on, and whether they’re willing – or desperate enough – to do something crazy to get what they want in life. Pushed to the very edge, can they trust each other and get away with their lives and the money?
The comedy followed Kate (Brenda Blethyn), the owner of a run-down seaside café, who forms an unlikely friendship with an asylum seeking African doctor.
The show, a throwback in style to the sitcoms of the 70s/80s, was written by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, with recurring roles for Brenda Blethyn, Koji (Jimmy Akingbola), Medium Dan (Blake Harrison) and Councillor Lavinia Bone (Barbara Flynn).
The second series was screened in March 2022, with Okorie Chukwu taking over the role of Koji, alongside regular customers Iris (Rosalind Ayres) and Mr Mullholland (Victor McGuire)
An ITV spokesperson told The Mirror who first reported the shows demise: “We’ve loved having Kate & Koji on the channel.”We would like to thank all of the cast and crew for their hard work.”
Comedy News 18.11.22
Jayde Goes OutComedian Jayde Adams went out of Strictly last night after the dance off. In response to a Twitter comment from one viewer Jayde tweeted:
“Don’t worry about me babes. Ya girls booked & blessed; ITV2 show Ruby Speaking, #AlmasNotNormal s2, UK tour, Take That film. #Strictly was a cherry on an already fab cake. Thank you Karen & @bbcstrictly. It’s truly the greatest entertainment show in the UK.”
In The Bristol Post Jayde was voted the coolest Bristolian in the 2022 Bristol Live Cool List. Take a look who was second https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-cool-list-2022-40-7723210
Not the first time Netflix pulls the plug on a series before it premieres. The streamer has stopped production of the animated dark comedy series Bad Crimes and cancelled further production before it even starts streaming, according to Variety.
The show was to be voiced by Nicole Byer (Nailed It!) and Lauren Lapkus (Orange is the New Black).
According to the logline, Bad Crimes revolved around “two FBI agents who travel across the country to solve grisly crimes while juggling their friendship, career ambitions, and as many men as possible.”
Friday Night Live!If you missed it https://www.channel4.com/programmes/friday-night-live
A version of BBC Three horror comedy Wreck will be available in the hugely popular video game Fortnite, Metavision has announced today.
The bespoke experience created by Metavision and 3D Lab and inspired by the new BBC Three show has launched in Fortnite Creative.
Dr Who: David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprising their rolesAs Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor regenerated on Sunday, it was none other than David Tennant who appeared as the Fourteenth Doctor.
With David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprising their roles for the 60th anniversary, it has been confirmed that they will appear in three special episodes, set to air in November 2023. The next Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, will then take control of the TARDIS, with his first episode airing over the festive period in 2023.
The three special episodes will transmit in November 2023 as Doctor Who celebrates its 60th anniversary.
If you’ve been watching the current series of Taskmaster you may have an inkling that Munya Chawawa was born in Zimbabwe. Now the comedian will present How to Survive a Dictator produced by Rumpus Media for Channel 4, a documentary about Zimbabwe’s notorious dictator, Robert Mugabe.
Using interviews, archive, and comedy sketches to help viewers understand the story, Munya tries to unpick the man behind the monster – exploring an extraordinary life that saw Mugabe win independence for his people and then ruling them with increasing brutality through four decades.
Leslie Jordan,actor, writer and singer best known for his roles in “Will & Grace,” “American Horror Story” and currently playing Phil , the head baker in the Fox production Call Me Kat, has died in a car accident. He was 67.
Part of the statement from Fox reads, “We are shocked and devastated by today’s tragic passing of Leslie Jordan. Leslie was far more than an Emmy Award-winning comedic talent with whom we’ve laughed alongside for all these years. He was the kindest person you could ever imagine who simply lit up a room and brought pure joy and huge smiles to millions of people around the world.”
L-R Alasdair Beckett-King, Angela Barnes, Hugh Dennis, Dara O’Briain, Rhys James, Ahir Shah and Zoe Lyons
Spitting Image has been axed by ITV. The broadcaster revived the comedy puppet show in 2020 after a 24-year absence, exclusively for BritBox, the subscription streaming service.
Matt Forde told inews, “I thought it was madness not to have the whole series on mainstream ITV. They spent all that money bringing back this mega-brand only to hide it away on BritBox. It should have been on ITV, Channel 4, the BBC or Sky, where everyone could see it.”
Celebrity Road TripBBC Two factual entertainment show Celebrity Antiques Road Trip returns on Sunday for its eleventh series, and the line-up of stars heading out on the road includes comedians
Jo Brand, Kerry Godliman, House of Games host Richard Osman and his actor partner Ingrid Oliver plus Les Dennis.
Season two of the critically acclaimed Max Original comedy series THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS debuts THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17 with two episodes. The ten-episode season continues with two new episodes weekly leading up to the season finale on December 15.
Created by Emmy®-nominated writer/producer Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS follows four college roommates at New England’s prestigious Essex College. The new season picks up with the students returning after their Fall break, tackling the challenges thrown their way at the end of season one, and facing their next semester filled with new faces, parties and predicaments.
The series stars Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp, and Alyah Chanelle Scott. Additional series regulars for season two include Mekki Leeper, Christopher Meyer, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Lolo Spencer, Renika Williams and Mitchell Slaggert.
Pete Davidson’s new comedy Bupkis has added six guest stars for its premiere season: Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond), Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live), Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Chase Sui Wonders (Bodies, Bodies, Bodies) and Simon Rex (Red Rocket).
They join previously announced stars including: Davidson, playing a fictionalized version of himself; Edie Falco, playing Davidson’s mum; and Joe Pesci, playing his grandfather.
Kelsey Grammer who is returning as Frasier Crane in a new series based on his Frasier character addressed how the late John Mahoney’s (Martin) absence will be dealt with on the show.
“His loss is and was devastating and must be given the proper attention in honour of the extraordinary man he was and the contribution he made to the show and to the acting profession,” Grammer told Fox News Digital. “We will most certainly be honoring him according to his merit. A man of merit he remains to this day.”
Grammer added, “John was a kind man, and the world cannot afford to lose a kind man at any time.”
Jane Leeves (Daphne), David Hyde Pierce (Niles), Kelsey Grammer (Frasier), Moose (Eddie), John Mahoney (Martin) and Peri Gilpin (Roz)
Channel 4 and the LEGO Group, the iconic Danish toy manufacturer, are joining forces to launch Kids Rebuild the Future, a brand-new short form digital series for the broadcaster’s social media channels.
The four-part series, produced by Kalel Productions, features comedians Judi Love, Aisling Bea, Rhys James, and Katherine Ryan partnering up with kids to build LEGO creations that show the limitless world of their imaginations and ideas for a brighter future. The kids’ imaginative ideas result in some interesting builds including a ‘super gadget school uniform’ and a ‘time-pausing watch’ – making the show both entertaining and inspiring.
Kids Rebuild the Future debuts this week on Channel 4’s YouTube channels, whilst shorter 60 second edits of each episode will be released on Channel 4’s Instagram and Snapchat accounts. Kids Rebuild the Future will also be available on All 4 episodically, and a bespoke linear TV ad will air during a premier break on the 18th of November on Channel 4.
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Host Damian Barr is ramping up the cultural wattage in the new series with some of the biggest-name authors in Scotland, UK and internationally – and adding in well-loved personalities to talk literature and life with a big dose of insight and laughs. The new revised format will see the three guests join Damian on set to talk to him and share stories with each other.
Bafta-winning actor Elaine C Smith, renowned as Christine in the comedy hit Two Doors Down, joins literary grande dame Kate Mosse and cop-turned-author Karen Campbell in a radical mix, to launch the new format later this month on the BBC Scotland channel. Further episodes will see Josie Long and Charlie Higson among the guests.
The new eight-part series will start on the BBC Scotland channel on Sunday 30 October at 10pm.
Prime Video debuted the official teaser trailer and new images for the upcoming darkly comedic drama series Mammals, starring Tony, Emmy, and BAFTA winner James Corden and Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins.
Mammals follows the story of Jamie (James Corden), a chef whose world implodes when he discovers shocking secrets about his pregnant wife, Amandine (Melia Kreiling). Jamie finds himself hunting for answers with the help of his brother-in-law Jeff (Colin Morgan). Through this hunt, the cracks in Jeff’s marriage to Jamie’s sister Lue (Sally Hawkins) also widen.
All six episodes of Mammals will premiere on Friday, November 11, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world.
BBC 100 programming will provisionally broadcast between the 22 and 29 October, starting with a BBC 100 Strictly Come Dancing BBC 100 special on Saturday 22 October.
See your TV guide for details
Greta Thunberg to guest on this week’s Russell Howard HourShe’ll be chatting to the Playground Politics kids about how we solve the climate crisis, and she’ll be joining Russell in the studio for an interview to discuss the release of ‘The Climate Book’.
Comedy News: Animal Control, the straight-to-series single-camera workplace comedy is set to debut midseason on the Fox network.
The comedy, starring and executive produced by Joel McHale, follows a group of local Animal Control workers whose lives are complicated by the fact that animals are simple, but humans are not. McHale will play Frank, an opinionated, eccentric Animal Control officer who may not have gone to college but is still the most well-read person in the room.
A former cop, Frank tried to expose corruption in his department, but his efforts got him fired, which may explain why he’s so cynical and curmudgeonly. He has an almost superhuman ability to understand animals. Humans…not so much.
The workplace comedy has recruited Crazy Ex-Girlfriend grad Vella Lovell and Ravi Patel to co-star opposite Joel McHale.
Miriam Margolyes was on BBC Radio 4 this morning (Saturday) paying tribute to her longtime friend and sometime co-star Robbie Coltrane, who died on Friday.
The famously outspoken Margolyes played Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films alongside Coltrane who starred as Rubeus Hagrid, having previously starred with him on TV. She described the Scottish actor as “a very fine actor, and a delightful man – huge in stature, in personality, in heart. He was exceptional.” She called him “unique and irreplaceable.”
Margolyes, is also a critic of the Tory government, went on to say that she had encountered Jeremey Hunt, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, entering the building and said, “When I saw him there, I just said, ‘You have a hell of a job. The best of luck.’”
But then, live on air she added, “What I wanted to say was, ‘F*** you!’ – before immediately agreeing with the presenters, “You can’t say that.” No Miriam you can’t but then again only you can.
Tributes have been pouring in for Robbie Coltrane, the veteran comic and actor known for, Tutti Frutti, as Fitz in the crime series Cracker and Hagrid in the Harry Potter movie franchise, has died. He was 72.Coltrane was born Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950, in Glasgow, the son of a doctor and a teacher. After graduating from Glasgow Art School, he continued his studies in art at Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh
before taking up stand-up comedy in Edinburgh clubs. And he changed his last name in honor of the jazz legend John Coltrane.
His breakout role was playing Dr. Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald, an anti-social criminal psychologist with a gift for solving crimes, in Jimmy McGovern’s Cracker series, which ran over 25 episodes between 1993 and 2006. His portrayal of Samuel Johnson compiling a dictionHe went on to star in two Bond films as Valentin Zukovsky in GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough as well as the giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series.
He also appeared in an episode of Frasier as Daphne’s incoherent brother, Michael.
TikTok’s Francis Bourgeois is hitting the tracks for a unique 5-part Channel 4 digital series, Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois, produced by Untold Studios.
Francis will be joined on his adventures across the UK by celebrity pals including comedian and writer Aisling Bea (This Way Up)
Each episode will be published on Channel 4’s YouTube channel, with shorter versions published on Channel 4’s Facebook, Instagram and TikTok from 19th October 2022.
Carla Banks-Waddles takes over at the helm of season two, replacing duo T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson, as Peacock’s drama based on ‘Fresh Prince’ continues to experience creative challenges.
A British coming-of-age romantic comedy television series on Netflix.
A realistic and joyful depiction of two teenage boys falling in love for the first time, Heartstopper is a runaway TV hit that represents sexuality and gender in all their technicolour glory.
(Image: Jack Alexander/Attitude)Comedian Jack Rooke is the writer of the semi-autobiographical Channel 4 queer comedy, Big Boys, which, following a rapturous reception, has just been commissioned for a second series.
The Marvellous Mrs Maisel – The Beginning Of The EndAs the cast of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel begin the last table read for the 4th and last ever series Rachel Brosnahan (Midge) released this cast image saying:
“From first table read to last…many many feelings. Gratitude most of all. A few more weeks of lasts to come. We can’t wait to share this one with you all.”
Sir Lenny Henry was presented with the NTAs’ coveted gold Special Recognition Award, honouring his trailblazing career in UK television.
Comedy drama Gangsta Granny Strikes Again! – the sequel to the 2013 BBC One special Gangsta Granny – is coming soon to BBC One, CBBC and BBC iPlayer
The first-look image revealed today and shot on location in North London, shows David Walliams who stars as Dad, Mike; Sheridan Smith as Mum, Linda and Archie Yates as their son Ben.
An adaptation of the hugely popular 2021 children’s book written by David Walliams, Gangsta Granny Strikes Again! follows Ben as he is stunned to learn of another spate of thefts – with all the clues pointing to The Black Cat, better known to Ben as Granny!
Comedy News 13.10.23
Multi-award-winning documentary-style sitcom, Modern Family will be available on Channel 4’s free-to-air channel for the very first time, premiering on E4 on Monday 24th October. It will launch with series 1 double bills Monday – Friday from 8pm, with catch up episodes available to stream on All 4.
Modern Family sees three families from California trying to deal with family life, kids, quirky spouses and jobs in their own unique ways, often falling into hilarious situations.
Angela Lansbury departs Naboomba in her bedAngela Lansbury, who wowed generations as an exponent of substitutiary locomotion, a murderous baker of pies, a singing teapot, and a novelist turned sleuth among a host of memorable roles, died peacefully in her sleep. She was 96.
Kaley Cuoco and partner Tommy Pelphrey are expecting their first child. The Big Bang and Flight Attendant star announced the forthcoming event on her Instagram account.
And it’s a girl.
Sir David Jason has revealed he had “seriously bad” Covid this summer, which resulted in the actor collapsing when getting out of bed one night.
The Only Fools and Horses and Open All Hours legend, 82, told BBC Breakfast he was fine during the pandemic until succumbing to the virus in July.
“I got it seriously bad,” he said.”Because all the muscles weren’t working, I collapsed and I fell against the radiator… I was so weak, I couldn’t get up.”
Full Story https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63218943
Comedy News 12.10.23
GOOD OMENS FOR 2023In 2019, Aziraphale and Crowley helped save the world from the Apocalypse. Next year, they’ll return, to solve a mystery that takes in all of Heaven and Hell. It’s time for an overdue celebration of all things Good Omens, and some of the creators and cast will return to NYCC this October for a very special fan Q&A. Plan your questions and get ready to share in the behind-scenes stories of our favorite angel and demon, and perhaps some of your most burning questions about what you can expect in season two will be answered with more than just a “Wait and See”.
The 10-episode third season of Mythic Quest will premiere on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on Friday, November 11, followed by one new episode weekly through January 6, 2023.
The series stars Rob McElhenney, Charlotte Nicdao, David Hornsby, who also executive produces, Danny Pudi, Ashly Burch, Imani Hakim, Jessie Ennis and Naomi Ekperigin, who was upped to a series regular for the third season, and guest stars including Joe Manganiello, Lindsey Kraft and Casey Sander.
Timmy Yoon (Randall Park) is an analog dreamer in a 5G world. He’s spent his entire adult life dedicated to his first love, movies – a passion that’s kept him at his first and only job, managing his hometown Blockbuster Video.
Then Timmy is alarmed to learn that his store is officially the last Blockbuster in America. He now has no choice but to take action to stay open and keep his friends employed. Timmy and his staff quickly come to realize that being home to the last Blockbuster might actually be exactly what their community needs to rekindle the human connections they lost to the digital age. It also unexpectedly reunites him with his long-time crush Eliza (Melissa Fumero), who’s recently come back to work for him. Will this battle to preserve the past be the push Timmy needs to step into the present? His employees can only hope so.
Revealing the news exclusively to Trisha Goddard on Talk TV, Darren said: “I’ve got giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance! My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall on the first episode!”
Darren is the eighth celebrity to be announced, joining the previously announced actress and DJ Patsy Palmer, football legend John Fashanu, Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, olympic gymnast Nile Wilson, Coronation Street’s Mollie Gallagher, Drag Queen and TV personality The Vivienne and TV personality Joey Essex.
John Cleese, is set to become a regular presenter on GB News, the right-leaning news channel that launched in 2021.
Speaking about the show on the BBC’s flagship radio news program Today, he described himself as an “old-fashioned liberal” and argued that “GB is not a right-wing channel. It’s a free speech channel.” He added that the reason he was joining GB News — was that the BBC hadn’t approached him and, if it did, he would turn the public broadcaster down, “because I wouldn’t get five minutes into the first show without being cancelled or censored.”
Comedy News Archive Comedy News Archive Comedy News Archive Comedy News Archive Comedy News Archive Comedy News Archive Comedy News Archive Comedy News
The legendary comedy show ran from 1985 to 1988 and launched a plethora of world-class comedy talent. And now, for one night only, Ben Elton is back as ringmaster to reunite the game-changing architects of anarchy who broke through in the 80s and blend their ground-breaking comedy exploits with today’s trailblazers currently storming the circuit.
Host Ben Elton is joined by friends from the original series such as Harry Enfield, Julian Clary and Jo Brand, plus new friends from today’s circuit including Rosie Jones, Mawaan Rizwan, Jordan Gray, Ronni Ancona and Sam Campbell, who will be giving us a mixture of topical sketches and incredible stand up.
Kicking off Channel 4’s Truth and Dare season to mark the Channel’s 40th anniversary, Friday Night Live is a dangerously live 90-minutes of comedy variety that promises to be noisy, outrageous and very funny. It is back on Channel 4 on Friday 21st October and promises to be the biggest and boldest party in town.
Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki dated for two years. The pair, who starred as Penny and Leonard on the hit sitcom from 2007 to 2019, secretly dated from 2008 to 2010. Although they didn’t didn’t hook up until the end of the first series, Cuoco had a “very big crush” on Galecki early on, which she revealed in the book The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series,
“All the scenes up until we actually got together in real life, it was obvious there was always something there,” she recalled. “There was chemistry and we were crushing on each other. That was the whole first season until we actually got together for real.”
The scene that they both agreed was the moment they fell in love was in The Nerdvana Annihilation in which Leonard has a dream that he saves Penny, Tarzan style, in the broken elevator shaft. In the scene, Penny is holding tightly on to Leonard and share a kiss before it flashes back to a sleeping Leonard. Cuoco said “I think we fell a little in love in that elevator shaft.”
Galecki agreed that they “felt something” Cuoco added, “I was like, ‘Uh‑oh.’ I was crushing so hard on him. So much so that I was like, ‘Get me out of here,’ because he had to hold me up and we had to do this really close thing. Even my cheeks were really red.”
The couple dated secretly for two years — keeping it from the rest of the cast. In the end, Galecki said his “strict policies of privacy” was one of the main factors that the romance ended.
This comedy drama, the sequel to the 2013 BBC One movie Gangsta Granny, features a stellar cast which includes David himself as Dad, Mike, Sheridan Smith (Four Lives, Cleaning Up) as Mum, Linda, Kevin Bishop (Inside No. 9, Porridge) as Italian dancer Flavio, Maggie Steed (Fisherman’s Friends, Paddington 2) as Queen, Griff Rhys Jones (Future TX, Griff’s Canadian Adventure) as Mr Parker and young Archie Yates (Jojo Rabbit, Home Sweet Home Alone) as grandson Ben.
David Walliams says: “It is a thrill to revisit these characters in a brand new story. I hope families are going to love this comedy adventure story. A huge thank you to the BBC for making it happen.”
Dreadful news that, due to rising energy costs following two years of declining attendance during the pandemic, Edinburgh’s Filmhouse and the Edinburgh International Film Festival, as well as the Belmont in Aberdeen, cease trading immediately. With mortgages set to soar, landlords increasing rents, energy costs doubling and the inflation raging, is this just the tip of the iceberg for venues across the UK?
Red Guy, Duck And Yellow Guy in Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared. Photograph: Channel 4What is a Job? Who are a family? And what is that horrible noise? Join three friends Red Guy, Yellow Guy and Duck as they learn about everything there is to know with the help of some friendly talking objects! But wait, maybe something’s not quite right here. Every teacher they meet on their journey seems a bit out of their depth. What lessons are they actually learning?
Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared (11.05 C4) is a deeply unsettling comedy puppet show, think the Muppet Show relocated to Twin Peaks. It started life as a YouTube phenomenon. Eleven years and a quarter of a billion views later, main characters Red Guy, Yellow Guy and Duck are now inside your television trying to get out.
Female Pilot Club partnered with UKTV to find new comedy scripts by women featuring leading parts for women who are over age 45. Four scripts will be chosen to be developed by UKTV and Female Pilot Club, followed by a live reading by top flight comedy talent in front of an exclusive industry audience.
Over 340 pilots scripts were received of which over 70 made it through to the second stage of selection.
Announcements of third round selects and the final four will be made in the coming weeks.
TOBY CANHAM/GETTY IMAGESJudy Tenuta, the eclectic comedienne known as “The Love Goddess” and “Aphrodite of the Accordion” to her legions of fans, has died. She was 72.
Channel 4 has acquired Mo Gilligan’s live stand-up comedy showcase Mo Gilligan + Friends: The Black British Takeover.
The 60’ film is co-produced by Gilligan’s own BAFTA winning company Momo G and Lucky 17, sister company to the multi award-winning management collective UTC.
Ola LabibFilmed at the O2 Arena in December last year, the hour-long film features sets from some of the best of the British comedy circuit including Eddie Kadi, Ola Labib, Slim, Thanyia Moore, Babatúndé Aléshé and Mo Gilligan plus music from The Compozers. The film also includes intimate backstage access and raw up-close conversation with the cast as they discuss the significance of the history making event.
Eddie KadiMo commented, “I’m so proud of the Black British comedy circuit that I started on. The scene and it’s exceptional talent have nurtured and supported me since the very start of my career. I am thrilled to share our culture and bring together some of the best comedy talent on offer in this country right now”.
HBO Max has given a series order for the new comedy HOW TO BE A BOOKIE, from Emmy nominees Chuck Lorre (“The Kominsky Method,” “The Big Bang Theory”), Nick Bakay (“Mom,” “Young Sheldon”), and Warner Bros. Television. Actor/comedian Sebastian Maniscalco (“The Irishman,” “Green Book”) is set to star in the single-camera series, which has received an order for eight episodes.
Logline: A veteran bookie struggles to survive the impending legalization of sports gambling, increasingly unstable clients, family, co-workers, and a lifestyle that bounces him around every corner of Los Angeles, high and low.
BBC Arts has announced that Between The Covers is returning to BBC Two for a fifth series in November 2022 with Sara Cox hosting.
Among those taking part will be: Kerry Godliman, Kae Kurd, Al Murray, Jenny Eclair and Tom Allen
This six-part series is designed to bring the nation together by sharing the enjoyment of reading. In each programme, a different book group of four famous guests brings along a book they are passionate to share and discuss a specially selected newly published book. Hot on the heels of the Booker Prize, each show will also feature a title from the Booker backlists for the nation to enjoy.
Very Nearly an Armful For Jack DeeJack Dee will front a brand-new two hour retrospective documentary Tony Hancock – Very Nearly an Armful, which looks at the life and career of comedy legend Tony Hancock for Gold. The programme will air in 2023.
As a fan myself, to view items so personal to him was such an experience. I hope Gold viewers get as much out of this as I did.”With exclusive access to the archives of one of Britain’s greatest and most influential comedians, comedy actor and Tony Hancock fan Jack Dee opens up the archive for the first time to discover its unique, priceless contents. A treasure trove of never-before-seen personal items such as photos, ideas, scripts, scrapbooks, production files and extraordinary letters that illustrate his life in vivid detail. This documentary also has exclusive TV access to clips from Hancock’s 1963 ATV series, unbroadcast for over 50 years.
Frasier Crane is making a long anticipated and welcome return to our screens. Paramount+ has greenlit a new series from writers Chris Harris (How I Met Your Mother, Acapulco) and Joe Cristalli (Life in Pieces, Hulu’s Maggie) and of course starring Kelsey Grammer in the titular role.
It is unlikely that the surviving members of the original cast – (L-R) Peri Gilpin (Roz), John Mahoney*(Martin), Kelsy Grammer, David Hyde Pierce (Niles) and Jane Leeves (Daphne) will return as regulars although they could be tapped for guest appearances.
*John Mahoney who played Frasier’s father Martin, died in 2018.
So, we wait to see what the future holds for Frasier in his new life, in a new city.
Pinkie Jerebohm (Morgana Robinson), her waspish husband (Julian Rhind-Tutt) and their two dreadful children are determined to buy crumbling mansion Bluff Court from Pop Larkin but then regret paying such a high price. When Pop won’t give them a refund the Jerebohms vow revenge…First by taking up shooting, increasingly loudly and then, with the help of Alec Norman, by entrapping Pop.
The Larkins returns to ITV Sunday 16th 8pm
Ralph Little is currently filming a new series of Death In Paradise in Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, which is a far cry from Runcorn in Cheshire where Susan Nickson’s Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps was set.
There’s a whole new audience out there that may not have seen the complete series so tonight BBC Three gives you the chance to see the first four episodes back to back. And if you did see it first time round you can enjoy it all over again. The four episodes start at 9pm
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