Friday Night TV Preview
We've not been this excited about a TV schedule for a long time. Tonight, for the first time in ages, it will be possible to sit down and watch over three hours of continuous comedy. Even better, most of it is top class new comedy! At last, it seems Friday nights are back to how they should be!
Here's a run-down of what's on tonight...
8:30pm - My Family (BBC1)
A death in the dentist's chair is not very good for business, but, as Ben discovers tonight, it isn't very good for your private life either.
9:00pm - Have I Got News For You (BBC1)
Another eight episodes of ambitious journalists, disloyal newsreaders, and ill-advised junior politicians start tonight as the seminal news quiz returns to our screens for an amazing 33rd series. Jeremy Clarkson is in the host chair tonight. Watch out for the online video podcast and the extended repeat on Saturday
9:00pm - Ugly Betty (C4)
Channel 4 kicks off its night of comedy with this American import. Tonight Betty has to ensure Mode Magazine's show is a success at New York fashion week.
9:30pm - Ruddy Hell! It's Harry and Paul (BBC1)
Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse finally reunite after an 8 year gap to bring us this new, much-anticipated series. Being masters of the catch-phrase and character comedy this series is pretty likely to hit the right spot. Their new character lineup includes Posh Scaffolders, The Greek Mr Bean, The Computer Billionaires and Peskovitch the ever diving footballer.
10:00pm - QI (BBC2)
It goes a bit quiet as the news comes on however there's a reliable repeat of QI over on BBC2. Stephen Fry asks the near-impossible questions in this episode taken from the fourth (D) series. Or if you'd prefer some dark comedy then you'll be able to find psychological illusionist Derren Brown over on C4 persuading members of the public to participate in a macabre new game
10:30pm - Peep Show (C4)
This awesome comedy finally returns to our screens tonight. If you haven't seen Peep Show yet it is definitely worth a look. In the new series Mark (David Mitchell) faces the horror of having to marry Sophie after he 'accidentally' proposed to her at the end of the last series. Meanwhile Jeremy (Robert Webb) is up to his normal tricks - his sins in this series include doing something pretty horrific to a dog! Note: If you've not seen the show before or forgotten what happened you can see a free 10 minute catch-up at www.myspace.com/c4peepshow
10:35pm - Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (BBC1)
If you don't want to watch Peep Show (you should) then Jonathan Ross is on the other side with some more cheeky chat. This week Wossy has screen goddess Ursula Andress, jazz star Jamie Cullum, actor Mark Strong and hip-hop street magician Dynamo on his sofa. There's also music from Kings of Leon.
11:05pm - Phoenix Nights (C4)
Another chance to see Peter Kay's night club comedy. Tonight is the first episode from series two - will Brian's club rise from the ashes?
Digital Repeats
If the main channels don't appeal to you there's more comedy to be found over on the digital channels. Two Pints is on BBC3 (surprise, surprise there!) as is Ideal and Family Guy. E4 has Scrubs and Friends (again, no prizes for guessing that) and More4 has The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Five US has Joey and, well we could go on forever... check the TV Times if you want to know what's on Sky, ABC1, UK Gold, Paramount etc. One thing to note though: Malcolm in the Middle is being repeated on BBC2 at 3:50am - set the video!
So plenty to watch. Our tip for a laugh filled evening: BBC1 from 20:30 to 22:00 (My Family, HIGNFY, Harry and Paul); then BBC2 for 1/2 an hour (QI); move over to C4 for the 22:30 - 23:35 slot (Peep Show, Phoenix Nights); then, if you've got it, over to Paramount1 for a night of Stand Up comedy.