TV Comedy Preview: 10th to 16th March 2014
Here's nine new TV episodes to look out for this week, 10th to 16th March 2014...
As many commentators have pointed out, this sitcom from Chris O'Dowd is a real feel-good start to the week. This time young Martin, like all kids in the early 1990s, really wants a Sega Mega Drive... but that looks unlikely to materialise given his family's money situation. He ends up working at a swanky golf club to try and raise the cash. Monday, 9pm, Sky1. Guide
The Michael McIntyre Chat Show
Graham Norton, Alan Carr and Jonathan Ross all helm long-established comic chat show formats. They've probably felt pretty safe over the last few years with their perennial ratings bankers... however this new show could be the first serious challenger for the ratings crowd what with it being hosted by comedy superstar and household name Michael McIntyre. Monday, 10:35pm, BBC One. Guide
This sitcom always seems to be somewhat overlooked so we're just going to mention again here that it's worth checking out... this week, after three series of will-they won't-they moves, the couple at the centre of the show finally start looking for a flat together. But things still don't go smoothly. Given the news about BBC Three, this could be the last series... but we hope not. Tuesday, 10pm, BBC Three. Guide
It's the last episode of Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith's critically acclaimed new anthology series (well for now, another series will follow next year). It ends with an episode that is likely to genuinely disturb some viewers. There is comedy in The Harrowing, but its primary aim is definitely to scare. Evil mischief is in the air for a babysitter and her friend. Wednesday, 10pm, BBC Two. Guide
This new BBC Four sitcom about a tight-knit family from the West Dublin has been created by comedy troupe Diet of Worms alongside Father Ted and IT Crowd writer Graham Linehan. As a result, there's some expectation around it. See the trailer in our guide to get a feel for what it's about. Thursday, 10pm, BBC Four. Guide
This panel show brings big ratings for ITV2 whenever it's on, so no surprise to see it back for an eleventh series this week. Pixie Lott and Westlife's Kian Egan are amongst the guests. The BBC's panel shows are being focused on for not having enough women on them so hopefully it won't be too long until Celebrity Juice is no longer the only show with two female team captains. Thursday, 10pm, ITV2. Guide
It's the last episode of what has been a short series. Some viewers have enjoyed the new episodes, some have called them a muddle. This week a wealthy kidnap victim appears to pull off a mind-boggling act of teleportation to alert the police to her whereabouts. Watch out for June Whitfield playing two roles. Friday, 9pm, BBC One. Guide
Nowadays most people know Andy Parsons from his appearances on Mock The Week. Younger viewers might not realise his comedy career spans back to the likes of the Cambridge Footlights and 1990s double-act Parsons & Naylor. Here is a TV broadcast of one of his recent stand-up DVDs. Saturday, 9pm, Comedy Central. Guide
More PG Wodehouse fun. Colonel Fanshawe (guest star James Fleet) calls to sound out Clarence as his successor as Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, an honour for which Connie is desperate; but Beach has become positively peculiar. Blandings is a great way to finish off the weekend. Sunday, 6:15pm, BBC One. Guide
Also this week: My Mad Fat Diary; Impractical Jokers; Doll & Em; Bluestone 42; Stella; Edge Of Heaven; Duck Quacks Don't Echo; The Perfect Morecambe And Wise; Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle; and more.
For a complete summary of all the British comedy on TV this week, including all the main repeats, plus radio comedy too, see our full schedule
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