British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Tuesday 9th March 2021

News

Comic Relief. Lenny Henry. Copyright: BBC TV

Red Nose Day 2021 highlights revealed

Sir Lenny Henry, Dawn French, Jack Whitehall, Mel Giedroyc, Tim Vine and Phoebe Waller-Bridge are amongst those who have created sketches for Comic Relief 2021, on BBC One on Friday 19th March from 7pm.

Harry Hill's Lonely Island. Harry Hill. Copyright: CPL Productions TV

Harry Hill's Queen episode removed from BBC Two schedule

The BBC has postponed the broadcast of an episode of Harry Hill's Lonely Island. Queen, which sees the comedian dressed as a monarch, was due to be broadcast tonight but has now been removed from schedules.

The Vicar Of Dibley. Jim Trott (Trevor Peacock). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions People

Trevor Peacock who played Jim in The Vicar Of Dibley dies aged 89

Trevor Peacock, the actor and writer best known for playing Jim Trott in The Vicar Of Dibley, has died aged 89.

Would I Lie To You?. Image shows from L to R: David Mitchell, Rob Brydon, Lee Mack. Copyright: Zeppotron TV

Would I Lie To You? to be remade in America

American network The CW is to make its own version of hit panel show Would I Lie To You?.

Features

Evelyn Mok Live

Random 8: Evelyn Mok

Making plans for the CAN Festival Comedy Night, Evelyn Mok reveals an inspirational memoir and some deeply uninspirational signs.

BCG Pro

Tanya Qureshi Pro

Tanya Qureshi to join BBC Comedy as Commissioning Editor

Tanya Qureshi is to join BBC Comedy as a commissioning editor.

Press clippings

Taskmaster. Image shows from L to R: Greg Davies, Alex Horne. Copyright: Avalon Television

More Taskmaster for New Zealand

Alex Horne's BAFTA winning format Taskmaster has been picked up for a second original series in New Zealand for TVNZ following ratings success.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 9th March 2021
Viv Groskop

How the pandemic changed 'funny' forever

Jackie Weaver, the Mike Pence fly, Luke Millington-Drake's impressions... Journalist and comedian Viv Groskop looks back at the year that weird went viral.

Viv Groskop, Elle Magazine, 9th March 2021
Lee Ridley

Lee Ridley picks his Perfect Playlist

Lee Ridley, also known as Lost Voice Guy, became a major star after winning Britain's Got Talent in 2018. Now, as his book I'm Only In It For The Parking, comes out in paperback on Friday, the comedian recalls some the sitcoms that shaped his comedy...

Lee Ridley, Chortle, 9th March 2021
Harry Hill

Review: Harry Hill's Lonely Island

There's something about Harry Hill that suggests he'd probably be making these silly black and white short films whether he'd been commissioned by the BBC or not.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 9th March 2021
The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin. Image shows from L to R: Reginald Perrin (Leonard Rossiter), Doc Morrissey (John Horsley). Copyright: BBC

How Reginald Perrin made middle-class monotony funny

David Nobbs's landmark 1970s sitcom was dark, melancholic and often profound. And its long absence from our screens has only made it better.

Tom Fordy, The Telegraph, 9th March 2021
Stand Up & Deliver. Curtis Pritchard. Copyright: Lime Pictures

Curtis Pritchard: C4 only showed worst bits from set

Love Island star Curtis Pritchard has claimed that Channel 4 didn't include the funniest parts of his Stand Up & Deliver set.

Louise McCreesh, Digital Spy, 9th March 2021
The Vicar Of Dibley. Jim Trott (Trevor Peacock). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

Trevor Peacock obituary

Actor and songwriter best known for playing Jim Trott in the BBC's comedy series The Vicar Of Dibley.

Michael Coveney, The Guardian, 9th March 2021
The Mrs Merton Show. Mrs Merton (Caroline Aherne). Copyright: Granada Productions

Caroline Aherne At The BBC, BBC One, review

A celebration of one of Britain's best comics - I wanted more.

Ed Power, i Newspaper, 9th March 2021
James Acaster - Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999. James Acaster

Review: James Acaster - Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999

He needs his audience, he hates himself for needing them, and he is filled with self-loathing about the whole giant mess.

Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 9th March 2021

Charity launches in memory of Bobby Ball

A charity in memory of the late comic Bobby Ball has been set up to raise money for charities close to his heart. To launch the 'Bobby Ball Foundation', a weekend of events celebrating the life of the Oldham comic are being planned at Blackpool's Winter Gardens this November.

ITV, 9th March 2021

Videos

Tom Little Online

Royal Expert on Harry and Meghan

51 secs

A commentator talks about Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah.

TV & radio

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC 7:20am
15 min
Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed!. Copyright: Beano Studios

Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed!

Series 2, Episode 46 - Never-Ending Weekend

Dennis and the gang convince Mrs Creecher that Monday is actually Sunday, in the hope of extending their weekend.

CBeebies logo. Credit: BBC 5pm
15 min
GiggleQuiz. Justin Fletcher. Copyright: BBC

GiggleQuiz

Series 2, Episode 8 - Keith Fitt's Pesky Fly

Keith is bothered by a pesky fly putting him off the answers in today's GiggleQuiz.

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
Reluctant Persuaders. Image shows from L to R: Amanda (Josie Lawrence), Joe (Mathew Baynton), Hardacre (Nigel Havers), Teddy (Rasmus Hardiker). Copyright: ABsoLuTeLy Productions

Reluctant Persuaders

Series 4, Episode 2 - Because Change Happenz

Hardacre returns to his ad agency with a new outlook and a new soulmate.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 9pm
30 min
The Mrs Merton Show. Mrs Merton (Caroline Aherne). Copyright: Granada Productions

Caroline Aherne At The BBC

A celebration of comedy writer and actress Caroline Aherne, featuring highlights of her work for the BBC including The Mrs Merton Show and The Royle Family. Presented by Fast Show colleague John Thomson.

U&Dave channel logo 10pm
60 min
Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable. Phil Wang

Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable

Series 1, Episode 6

Mel Giedroyc and Lou Sanders are joined by Jennifer Saunders, Harry Redknapp and Phil Wang.

BBC Two 10pm
40 min
Funny Festival Live. Image shows from L to R: Dane Baptiste, Jessica Fostekew, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Chris McCausland. Copyright: Phil McIntyre Entertainment

Funny Festival Live

Episode 3

Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by Jessica Fostekew, Chris McCausland and Dane Baptiste.

BBC Two 10:40pm
4 min
Harry Hill's Lonely Island. Harry Hill. Copyright: CPL Productions

Harry Hill's Lonely Island

Episode 2 - Emperor

The spirit of Napoleon is conjured up as Harry Hill gives an insight into how the French military leader might fare on a desert island when stuck with a donkey rather than a horse.

Radio 4 11pm
30 min
Fortunately... With Fi And Jane. Image shows from L to R: Fi Glover, Jane Garvey

Fortunately... With Fi And Jane

Series 1, Episode 9 - Brooding Windows And Roadtrippin' With Edith Bowman

Jane Garvey and Fi Glover are joined by DJ and fellow broadcaster Edith Bowman. Edith talks about music, film and TV in her podcast Soundtracking, and her work on The Crown: The Official Podcast.

Share this page

Subscribe to our newsletters