TV Comedy Preview: 21st to 27th April 2014
This week, the 21st to 27th April 2014, features some new shows making their debut...
Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This
A drama based on the life of Tommy Cooper and the dilemma the married comedian faced when he fell in love with his assistant. This has been heavily trailed, but with good reason as David Threlfall is excellent at the centre of this complex show which doesn't shy away from showing the darker side of Cooper. Monday, 9pm, ITV. Guide
The church is still in financial trouble... and now our hero is in trouble too. After Nigel complains about Adam's conduct to the bishop, Adam begins to seriously doubt his calling as a vicar. It feels like everything is heading towards quite a big climax next week. Monday, 10pm, BBC Two. Guide
A new animated comedy about a football fanatic whose interest in the sport is starting to impinge upon his family life. It's not often we get a new animated British sitcom as they're expensive to make, so all credit to ITV4 for this. We've got lots of clips and a guide to the characters if you click through. Tuesday, 10pm, ITV4. Guide
Ricky Gervais has appeared in just about every newspaper to plug the return of his bittersweet creation - he's clearly very proud of it. We return to the retirement home as Derek's dad moves in, but far from being a sweet old man, he's got whisky in his back pocket and too much lead in his front one. Meanwhile Dougie has had enough and quits. Wednesday, 10pm, Channel 4. Guide
A really promising sitcom pilot starring stand-up comedian Roisin Conaty as a hapless 30 year-old doing her very best to muddle through life. We laughed quite a lot as Marcella makes some terrible decisions. Fingers crossed for a full series, as aside from the laughs there's a sweet potential love story developing in this. Wednesday, 10:30pm, Channel 4. Guide
A new comedy from Sky Living about a man whose fiancée has had an affair with her boss. Chris Addison and Jo Joyner are the stars - see our guide to find out more, it includes a trailer and character guides. Also, don't miss our podcast with Chris Addison in which he talks in-depth about making comedy. Thursday, 9pm, Sky Living. Guide
This week Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan arrive in Rome, where they meet Steve's assistant Emma and the newspaper photographer Yolanda. Together they visit the Keats museum, and have lunch at Ristorante Oliver Glowig. As always, if you can't wait until then a preview clip can be found in our guide. Friday, 10pm, BBC Two. Guide
Rob Brydon switches from The Trip to Mr Mainstream as we enter the third week of his comedy entertainment show. The famous faces joining him this time are Harry Judd, Kate Humble, Jason Manford, Carol Vorderman and Aled Jones. Saturday, 9:30pm, BBC One. Guide
For more new episodes, plus radio comedy and repeats, see our full schedule
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