British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

Schedule Sunday 19th July 2009

Radio 4 11:15am
Radio 4

Desert Island Discs

Kirsty Young interviews David Mitchell. He tells Young what a thrill it was when he discovered he could use his wit to make people laugh. He talks in-depth about shyness and admits that, even though he is now one of Britain's biggest comedy stars, he still finds it difficult to talk to women. His record choices include a ballard sung by Kermit the Frog.

Note: Desert Island Discs is not available on the iPlayer, so if you wish to listen to this episode you will need to do so live

Radio 4 12pm (repeat)
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. Image shows from L to R: Graeme Garden, Barry Cryer. Copyright: BBC

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

Series 51, Episode 5

The perennial antidote to panel games comes from the Theatre Royal in Newcastle, with Rob Brydon taking over the chairman's role from the late Humphrey Lyttelton. Regulars Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor are joined by Phill Jupitus. With Colin Sell at the piano.

Radio 7 3pm (repeat)
Whose Line Is It Anyway?. Clive Anderson. Copyright: BBC

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Episode 5

Guest starring Jimmy Mulville and John Bird.

Radio 7 4:30pm (repeat)
Just A Minute. Sue Perkins. Copyright: BBC

Just A Minute

Nicholas Parsons with Clement Freud, Paul Merton, Tony Hawks and Charles Collingwood at the Wimbledon Theatre. From March 2003.

Radio 7 6pm (repeat)
Space Hacks. Copyright: BBC

Space Hacks

Series 2, Episode 4 - Back To The Present

Mother's on holiday, so Charlie and Moog must run the spaceship without her.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 8pm
60 min
Hope Springs. Image shows from L to R: Hannah Temple (Sian Reeves), Ellie Lagden (Alex Kingston), Shoo Coggan (Christine Bottomley), Josie Porritt (Vinette Robinson). Copyright: Shed Productions

Hope Springs

Episode 7

As the new owner of the Hope Springs Hotel, Ann Marie wants a quick sale to fund her dream move to Edinburgh.

BBC Two 8pm
BBC Two

Top Gear

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May seek petrolhead heaven in three 1500 pound rear-wheel drive coupes and somehow find themselves entered in a terrifying French ice race. Meanwhile, Richard tries to speed up summer holiday flights by inventing the sport of airport vehicle racing, Jeremy walks with dinosaurs in the new BMW Z4, and actress Sienna Miller is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

U&Dave channel logo 9pm (repeat)
Would I Lie To You?. Image shows from L to R: David Mitchell, Rob Brydon, Lee Mack. Copyright: Zeppotron

Would I Lie To You?

A selection of four episodes, broadcast between 21.00-23.40.

ITV2 logo. Credit: ITV 9pm (repeat)
Shaun Of The Dead. Image shows from L to R: Ed (Nick Frost), Shaun (Simon Pegg), Liz (Kate Ashfield). Copyright: Working Title Films

Shaun Of The Dead

Zombie-filled romantic comedy. When zombies start to roam London, Shaun must kickstart himself into action to save those closest to him.

Radio 7 10pm (repeat)
The Now Show. Image shows from L to R: Hugh Dennis, Steve Punt. Copyright: BBC

The Now Show

Series 28, Episode 3

Punt & Dennis with the help of Laura Shavin, Jon Holmes, Mitch Benn, and special guest Carrie Quinlan examine the week's momentous events including (partial) nuclear disarmament and the G8 summit hosted by Silvio Berlusconi. Plus spies, sperm and seagulls.

BBC Two 10pm
60 min
Dara O'Briain Talks Funny: Live In London. Dara O Briain. Copyright: Open Mike Productions

Dara O'Briain Talks Funny: Live In London

The culmination of Dara O'Briain's massive 2008 sell-out tour, recorded at the Hammersmith Apollo.

BBC Four 10pm (repeat)
How To Be Old With Nicholas Craig. Nicholas Craig (Nigel Planer). Copyright: BBC

How To Be Old With Nicholas Craig

Nigel Planer plays "classical actor" Nicholas Craig. He presents a masterclass on the sheer blooming hard work that goes into acting old.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 10pm
50 min
Alan Carr: Chatty Man. Alan Carr. Copyright: Open Mike Productions

Alan Carr: Chatty Man

Series 1, Episode 6 - Jonathan Ross, Mickey Rourke, Denise Van Outen, JLS

In this week's episode, Alan is joined by Jonathan Ross; Hollywood legend Mickey Rourke; and Denise Van Outen. With music from X Factor finalists JLS performing their new single Beat Again.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 10:25pm (repeat)
Kinky Boots. Copyright: Miramax Films

Kinky Boots

A shoe factory is on the verge of closing down, until the desperate owner is inspired by a drag queen to switch to making saucy footwear.

ITV1 logo. Credit: ITV 10:25pm (repeat)
Comedy Classics. Copyright: ITV Studios

Comedy Classics

Episode 4 - Brass

The series moves onto comedy satire Brass, which was first aired in 1983 as a send-up of Thatcherite Britain and the gritty values of the North of England. It starred a cast of classical actors headed by Timothy West as the formidable Bradley Hardacre, a capitalist tyrant who lorded it over the residents of the 'grim up north' village of Utterley. With contributions from Timothy West and writers Julian Roach and John Stevenson.

Radio 7 10:30pm (repeat)
Hut 33. Image shows from L to R: Charles (Robert Bathurst), Joshua Fanshawe-Marshall (Alex Macqueen), Archie (Tom Goodman-Hill). Copyright: BBC

Hut 33

Series 1, Episode 3 - Careless Talk

There's a security breach at Bletchley Park and everyone in Hut 33 is under suspicion. Joshua has to try and find out who is leaking information out. Surely it's not the attractive Nancy, who just happens to be spending a lot of time chatting to the codebreakers?

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 10:50pm (repeat)
8 Out Of 10 Cats. Image shows from L to R: Sean Lock, Jimmy Carr, Jason Manford. Copyright: Zeppotron

8 Out Of 10 Cats

Series 8, Episode 7 - Best Of British Special

Jimmy Carr, Sean Lock, Jason Manford, Patrick Kielty, Rhod Gilbert, Shappi Khorsandi and Kevin Bridges talk about all things British.

Radio 7 11pm (repeat)
Miles Jupp

Newsjack

Series 1, Episode 5

Rupert Murdoch bugs the Newsjack studio. Plus, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth is caught shopping for new army gear in Pound World; British Airways pilots say their pay cuts won't affect service; and the show dips into the archives to bring us moon-based comedy film Carry On Floating.

BBC Two 11pm (repeat)
Mock The Week. Image shows from L to R: Andy Parsons, Hugh Dennis, Dara O Briain, Russell Howard, Frankie Boyle. Copyright: Angst Productions

Mock The Week

Series 7, Episode 2

With Rhod Gilbert and Tom Stade.

More4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 11:10pm (repeat)
Father Ted. Image shows from L to R: Father Dougal McGuire (Ardal O'Hanlon), Father Ted Crilly (Dermot Morgan), Mrs Doyle (Pauline McLynn), Father Jack Hackett (Frank Kelly). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Father Ted

Episode 2.1, Hell: The trio take themselves off to their annual holiday at the Kilkelly Caravan Park. Unfortunately, the attractions - the Magic Road and St Kevin's Stump - are marred by a suspicious couple staying nearby and an over-excitable youth group.

Radio 7 11:30pm (repeat)
Gus Murdoch's Sacred Cows. Gus Murdoch (Stephen Carlin). Copyright: BBC

Gus Murdoch's Sacred Cows

Episode 1 - Pubs

Gus Murdoch looks at the sacred cow that is the Great British pub.

Radio 7 11:45pm (repeat)
A Series Of Psychotic Episodes. Copyright: BBC

A Series Of Psychotic Episodes

Series 1, Episode 1

Sketches include Postmodern Pat, the diary of Edward the Hamster (1990-1990) and an unusual menthod of telling your daughter she is adopted.

More4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 11:45pm (repeat)
The IT Crowd. Image shows from L to R: Roy (Chris O'Dowd), Jen (Katherine Parkinson), Moss (Richard Ayoade), Douglas Reynholm (Matt Berry). Copyright: TalkbackThames

The IT Crowd

Series 3, Episode 5 - Friendface

Jen introduces Roy and Moss to a new social networking website, and then finds out why some friendships are best left in the past. Roy does battle with the Joker and Moss asserts his masculinity as Jen's temporary husband.

Radio 7 Midnight (repeat)
Space Hacks. Copyright: BBC

Space Hacks

Series 2, Episode 4 - Back To The Present

Mother's on holiday, so Charlie and Moog must run the spaceship without her.

Share this page

Subscribe to our newsletters