British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Sunday 25th December 2022

Features

Only Fools And Horses. Image shows left to right: Del (David Jason), Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), Uncle Albert (Buster Merryfield). Credit: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: And so this is Christmas... TV's strange reluctance to indulge in seasonal fun

Comedy was once the staple of British television - and particularly so at Christmas. Now it feels a third consideration at best. But how did the present set of events come to pass?

Press clippings

Jerry Sadowitz

The cleansing of comedy must be resisted

In 2023, comedians have got to fight for their right to be offensive, rude and wrong, writes Simon Evans.

Simon Evans, Spiked, 25th December 2022
Doc Martin. Image shows from L to R: Louisa Glasson (Caroline Catz), Dr Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes). Copyright: ITV

How grumpy Doc Martin became a TV phenomenon

Ed Power looks back at what made Dr Martin Ellingham one of modern television's most beloved creations.

Ed Power, The Independent, 25th December 2022
Peter Kay

Peter Kay helps fan pull off a surprise on-stage proposal

Peter Kay, 49, assisted a fan in pulling off a surprise on-stage proposal during his recent Birmingham gig (with the comedian dressed as Santa for the special moment).

Daily Mail, 25th December 2022
Peter Rethinasamy

Peter Rethinasamy signs to Off The Kerb Productions

Born and raised in Belfast to a Malaysian father and Irish mother, Peter is a comedian with hard hitting, punchy jokes and hilarious tales of growing up in Northern Ireland.

Off The Kerb, 25th December 2022
Graham Linehan. Copyright: Shaun Webb

Graham Linehan on how trans ideology has driven the smart set insane

"The left has lost the ability to think."

Brendan O'Neill, Spiked, 25th December 2022
Ghosts. Image shows from L to R: Robin (Laurence Rickard), Humphrey (Laurence Rickard), Mary (Katy Wix), Thomas (Mathew Baynton), Alison (Charlotte Ritchie), Kitty (Lolly Adefope), Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), Captain (Ben Willbond), Pat (Jim Howick), Lady Button (Martha Howe-Douglas), Julian (Simon Farnaby). Copyright: Monumental Pictures

Ghosts 2022 Christmas special

Not every supernatural Christmas story has to be a spine-chiller.

Chortle, 25th December 2022
Ghosts. Image shows from L to R: Robin (Laurence Rickard), Humphrey (Laurence Rickard), Mary (Katy Wix), Thomas (Mathew Baynton), Alison (Charlotte Ritchie), Kitty (Lolly Adefope), Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), Captain (Ben Willbond), Pat (Jim Howick), Lady Button (Martha Howe-Douglas), Julian (Simon Farnaby). Copyright: Monumental Pictures

Ghosts Christmas Special review

An ending so beautiful it will bring a tear to your eye.

Rebecca Nicholson, The Guardian, 25th December 2022
Doc Martin. Image shows from L to R: Louisa Glasson (Caroline Catz), Dr Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes). Copyright: ITV

Doc Martin Christmas special, ITV1, review

Martin Clunes's doctor deserved a better goodbye.

Ed Power, i Newspaper, 25th December 2022
Doc Martin. Image shows from L to R: Louisa Glasson (Caroline Catz), Dr Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes). Copyright: ITV

Doc Martin Christmas special review

Martin Clunes, having seemingly hung up his stethoscope two months ago, is back one last time for a festive edition.

Sean O'Grady, The Independent, 25th December 2022
Doc Martin. Image shows from L to R: Louisa Glasson (Caroline Catz), Dr Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes). Copyright: ITV

Doc Martin Christmas Special, review

After 18 years on air, it's the end for Martin Clunes's grumpy Cornish doctor; we'll miss the show's silly but heart-warming antics.

Anita Singh, The Telegraph, 25th December 2022
Ghosts. Image shows from L to R: Robin (Laurence Rickard), Humphrey (Laurence Rickard), Mary (Katy Wix), Thomas (Mathew Baynton), Alison (Charlotte Ritchie), Kitty (Lolly Adefope), Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), Captain (Ben Willbond), Pat (Jim Howick), Lady Button (Martha Howe-Douglas), Julian (Simon Farnaby). Copyright: Monumental Pictures

Ghosts Christmas special 2022 is the show's biggest tear-jerker yet

Give this show a BAFTA, for crying out loud.

David Craig, Radio Times, 25th December 2022
Ghosts. Image shows from L to R: Robin (Laurence Rickard), Humphrey (Laurence Rickard), Mary (Katy Wix), Thomas (Mathew Baynton), Alison (Charlotte Ritchie), Kitty (Lolly Adefope), Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), Captain (Ben Willbond), Pat (Jim Howick), Lady Button (Martha Howe-Douglas), Julian (Simon Farnaby). Copyright: Monumental Pictures

Ghosts Christmas Special review

A panto, some presents and a look at Pat's past - will the Ghosts Christmas special make you cry? Oh yes it will! But it's also a rich feast of festive fun with a pinch of pathos.

Laura Vickers-Green, Den Of Geek, 25th December 2022

Videos

No More Jockeys. Image shows from L to R: Mark Watson, Alex Horne, Tim Key Online

No More Jockeys - Game One

35 mins, 56 secs

In this one-off Christmas special, Tim Key looks away, Mark Watson brings in a sack, Alex Horne turns things around, and we meet people on the street to see if they have heard of Baconface.

Podcasts

RHLSTP with Richard Herring. Image shows left to right: Jim Howick, Richard Herring, Mathew Baynton

RHLSTP with Richard Herring: RHLSTP 421 - Mathew Baynton and Jim Howick

72 minutes

#421 Gascoigne V Herring - Richard's daughter has firm evidence for the existence of ghosts, which is apt because Richard's guests are ghosts too!!! It's Mat and Jim from off...

TV & radio

YouTube 9am
35 min
No More Jockeys. Image shows from L to R: Mark Watson, Alex Horne, Tim Key

No More Jockeys

Christmas Special 2022 - Game One

In this one-off Christmas special, Tim Key looks away, Mark Watson brings in a sack, Alex Horne turns things around, and we meet people on the street to see if they have heard of Baconface.

ITV1 logo. Credit: ITV 4:10pm
35 min
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway Presents.... Copyright: ITV Studios

Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway Presents...

Polter Guys, Episode 1 - Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway Presents: Polter Guys

A feature length version of the mini series that first appeared in Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. Polter Guys sees Ant & Dec become ghost busters and their new adventure features many celebrity cameos including Rob Delaney, Jo Brand, Fred Siriex and Roman Kemp.

Radio 4 7:15pm
30 min
Stephen Mangan

The Confessional

Series 3, Episode 3 - Sheila Hancock

In this episode, Stephen's guest is reluctant national treasure Dame Sheila Hancock - actor, singer, director, novelist and writer. Together they discuss inappropriate behaviour, snobbery and flagrant rule-breaking.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 7:25pm
30 min
Ghosts. Lady Button (Martha Howe-Douglas)

Ghosts

Series 4, Christmas Special - It's Behind You

The Ghosts, touched by Alison's thoughtful generosity, are inspired to give her a special Christmas present in return - but with Alison due back in a matter of hours, can they pull off their ambitious plan in time? Mike's loaded Tupperware comes in handy when their journey hits a bump in the road, forcing them to reassess their Christmas day plans. And Kitty gets her moment in the spotlight thanks to a much-needed pep talk from a surprising source.

ITV1 logo. Credit: ITV 9:05pm
90 min
Doc Martin

Doc Martin

Concluding Specials, Christmas Special - Last Christmas In Portwenn

Picturesque Port Isaac provides the beautiful wintry backdrop for this festive special, with all the regular members of the cast reprising their roles. Portwenn is full of festive fun, until Doc Martin has the grotto closed down because he fears Santa has something contagious.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 10:25pm
30 min
Mrs. Brown's Boys. Image shows left to right: Cathy Brown (Jennifer Gibney), Agnes Brown (Brendan O'Carroll), Boris (Phil Cornwell)

Mrs. Brown's Boys

Christmas 2022, Christmas Special - Shining Mammy

Cathy's creepy boyfriend is initiated into the family and Agnes gets a festive fright when looking after his spooky twins. Meanwhile Bono rethinks his eco-kick after a lesson from Agnes.

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