TV Comedy Preview: 31st March to 6th April 2014
This week, the 31st March to 6th April 2014, we've got a new channel popping up in amongst the regular array of highlights.
If you live in London, you can access some new TV shows from this week. The launch offerings from London Live are the stand-up show Alex Zane: Funny Rotten Scoundrels (Monday, 9pm); internet transfer Brothers With No Game (Monday, 11pm); family friendly sitcom The T-Boy Show (Tuesday, 6pm); and another web transfer: All About The McKenzies (Tuesday, 9:30pm).
It's the final episode of the superior comedy drama. Will Rae be left in a good place mentally? It's not looking good for her - she's alienated everyone and, added to that, a crisis with Chloe leaves her feeling helpless. It's down to Rae to save the day... but is she really strong enough? Monday, 10pm, E4. Guide
Another excellent episode of the ecclesiastical comedy. Adam signs up for a course on how to save his church - led by Roland Wise (guest star Hugh Bonneville). As you can see from the preview clip in our guide, it turns out he's the only one attending. A very funny scene indeed. Monday, 10pm, BBC Two. Guide
The Michael McIntyre Chat Show
There's been talk about this show struggling in the ratings, but as the BBC has pointed out it's actually doing quite well. This week should get a sizeable audience too as it sees TV chef Nigella Lawson open up about her recent troubles. Gary Barlow and Bear Grylls are the other guests. Monday, 10:35pm, BBC One. Guide
Week 3 of the new comedy. Ian Fletcher's salary comes under intense scrutiny in the press this time. However, the highlight of this episode is watching Siobhan Sharpe and the well-intentioned idiots over at the PR company Perfect Curve trying to think up new logo ideas for the BBC. Wednesday, 10pm, BBC Two. Guide
Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns
In this new one-off documentary, Alexander Armstrong explores the literature that inspired Michael Palin and Terry Jones's classic comedy anthology series Ripping Yarns. In a handy scheduling move, a repeat run of the entire series begins immediately afterward. Lovely. Thursday, 9pm, BBC Four. Guide
The topical panel show is back for a 47th series (yes, 24 years on-air now). The first guest host is Jennifer Saunders, who says: "It's thrilling to have worked up the courage." We're also looking forward to the fact that Pointless star Richard Osman is one of the guests - his dry wit is great. Friday, 9pm, BBC One. Guide
The long-awaited second series of Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan's comedy format. The premise this time is that Rob is looking for some adventure. Steve meanwhile has been living a life of abstinence and hard work in Los Angeles. Together they decide a trip to Italy is in order. Friday, 10pm, BBC Two. Guide
Graham Norton returns on Friday to prove why many now consider him the king of the comic chat shows. He's lined up a sofa that should result in plenty of interesting discussions: Russell Crowe, Cameron Diaz, Kylie Minogue and Richard Ayoade. Friday, 10:35pm, BBC One. Guide
A second series of the popular prank show in which senior citizens prank the younger generations. You'd be forgiven for having missed the first series as it was on in an early evening slot. Despite that, it still became a big hit - it was getting over 5 million viewers last year. That's big. No wonder it's back. Sunday, 7:30pm, ITV. Guide
Also this week: 8 Out Of 10 Cats (on a different night than normal); Impractical Jokers; Celebrity Juice; Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle; and more.
For a complete summary of all the British comedy on TV this week, plus repeats and radio, see our full schedule
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