TV Comedy Preview: 13th to 19th January 2014
Last week we trialled this new weekly feature in which we pick out some TV highlights from the week ahead. People seemed to like what we did, so we're back again for another week.
Here are some things to set the video for between 13th to 19th January 2014...
This new sitcom may feel vaguely familiar. That's because it started life as a pilot on Channel 4 in 2012. We really enjoyed that, so we're now excitingly awaiting this BBC-based series. Nick Helm plays an out of work musician who is forced to look after his young nephew on the day he was planning to kill himself (The first episode is a re-make of the pilot, but later in the series it heads off in new directions).
Monday, 10pm, BBC Three. Guide, Clips & Interview
Given that Vic & Bob pump out a very watchable form of madcap energy, it's perhaps a surprise to realise that this is their first studio-based sitcom. There's not much plot to speak of so we won't bother trying to describe the show - the house setting is essentially just a vehicle for lots of funny silliness. Check it out:
Tuesday, 10pm, BBC Two. Guide, Clips & Interview
Remember the comic BBC chat show hosted by Sanjeev Bhaskar? It ran for over 50 episodes in the early 2000s. Well, now the family are back to chat to more celebrities in their own unique style - but, like so many returning shows at the moment, they've jumped channel, so this time you'll need to tune into Sky.
Wednesday, 9pm, Sky1. Guide & Clip
It took a long while to arrive, but the wait was worth it - we're absolutely loving the second series of this surreal sitcom. If you missed the opening episodes (or can't get Sky) do check out our guide for videos of a couple of the musical highlights. This week's guest star is Katy Brand.
Wednesday, 10pm, Sky Atlantic. Guide & Picture
Long time viewers of Derren Litten's holiday-based sitcom may remember Martin Weedon (played by Nicholas Burns), the drippy character who used to come on holiday with his uptight wife. Well, after a couple of series off, now he's back... he's dropping by the Solana resort with some mates whilst on a stag do.
Thursday, 9pm, ITV1. Guide & Clip
"There's too many panel shows on TV" is a very common comment we hear, but here's yet another new one add to that list. To be fair, The Dog Ate My Homework is aimed at a young CBBC audience who don't get to see this format so much. The programme is giving various up-and-coming comedians guest spots too which is commendable.
Friday, 5pm, CBBC. Guide
Talking of panel shows... this episode of QI shouldn't be particularly notable, but it is. No, we're not highlighting it because it's the end of the series... it's because of the guest line-up. In a world where most panel show episodes are male dominated, here's an instalment in which all the guests are female. Although this was filmed a while ago, the BBC is working on sorting out the gender imbalance on panel shows so hopefully later in 2014 this sort of occurrence will be more commonplace.
Friday, 10pm, BBC Two. Guide
Other new things you can see on TV this week include Nina Conti hosting Live At The Apollo; Birds Of A Feather; 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown; and Live At The Electric. For a complete summary of all the British comedy on TV this week, including all the main repeats, plus comedy found on Radio 4 too, see our full schedule
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