British Comedy Guide

Schedule Wednesday 5th August 2009

Radio 4 9am
Radio 4

Between Ourselves

Olivia O'Leary presents a new series of the programme which brings together people with similar experiences. The first programme looks at people who have become stand-up comics. Shazia Mirza is one of Britain's first Muslim stand-ups, however, her parents wanted her to have a more "respectable" job, so she finished her bio-chemistry degree and became a teacher. She only told her parents that she was doing stand-up the night before she appeared on Have I Got News For You.

The family of Paul Sinha (pictured) were keen for him to study the sciences and so he became a GP. For years his stand-up comedy was a hobby until success at the Edinburgh Festival propelled him into the spotlight.

Olivia asks how these comedians got into stand-up and whether being Muslim, Asian or gay is a help or a hindrance.

Radio 4 11:30am
30 min
Baggage. Caroline (Hilary Lyon). Copyright: ABsoLuTeLy Productions

Baggage

Series 4, Episode 5 - For A' That And A' That

It's Burns' night and passion and politics are to the fore. Tensions abound at the prospect of baby April spending the weekend with her birth father and Caroline frets over why her own father isn't spending the night at home.

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC 4:30pm
30 min
Roy. Image shows from L to R: Becky (Martha Byrne), Maura (Cathy Belton), Bill (Simon Delaney). Copyright: JAM Media

Roy

Series 1, Episode 1 - New Boy

The opening episode follows the O'Brien family as they settle into their new community of Ballyfermot.

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
The Odd Half Hour. Copyright: BBC

The Odd Half Hour

Series 2, Episode 1

Returning for a second series, The Odd Half Hour is the show that looks at that pains of modern life - big and small - with sketches and songs from leading comic talents. Sketches include how the recession is affecting supermarkets, the conspiracy behind celebrity gossip magazines and how Radio 4 is going to rebrand itself.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 9pm
BBC One. Copyright: BBC

Who Do You Think You Are?

History documentary that's of note because this week it is David Mitchell tracing his family tree. David knows that the Mitchells were wealthy sheep farmers in Sutherland, but mysteriously gave up the lease to the farm in 1933. He wants to know why they abandoned a tradition going back so many years. He also tries to find out whether his family were involved in the notorious Highland Clearances, and discovers how one member of the family became a local hero.

U&Dave channel logo 9pm (repeat)
Argumental. Image shows from L to R: Rufus Hound, John Sergeant, Marcus Brigstocke. Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

Argumental

Series 1, Episode 1

With guests Mark Watson and Dara O'Briain.

BBC Two 10pm
30 min
Taking The Flak. Image shows from L to R: Rory Wallace (Damian O'Hare), Jane Thomason (Doon Mackichan), David Bradburn (Martin Jarvis), Joyful Sifuri (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith), Margaret Hollis (Joanna Brookes), Harry Chambers (Bruce Mackinnon), Grace Matiko (Lydiah Gitachu). Copyright: BBC

Taking The Flak

Episode 5 - Unfriendly Fire

A trip to a school out in the bush takes a turn for the lethal when the team finds itself caught in the crossfire between government and rebel forces.

BBC Three 10:45pm (repeat)
Little Britain. Image shows from L to R: David Walliams, Matt Lucas, The Prime Minister (Anthony Head)

Little Britain

Dr Lawrence watches Anne take part in a theatre production and Emily and Florence go to the ballet.

Radio 4 11pm (repeat)
Act Your Age. Simon Mayo. Copyright: BBC

Act Your Age

Series 1, Episode 5

With Russell Kane in the Up-And-Comers, Phil Nichol in the Current Crop and Johnnie Casson in the Old Guard.

E4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 11:05pm (repeat)
You Have Been Watching. Charlie Brooker. Copyright: Zeppotron

You Have Been Watching

Series 1, Episode 5

Martin Freeman, Reginald D Hunter and Liza Tarbuck join Charlie Brooker to discuss Casulty, Young Dumb and Living Off Mum, Bear Grylls: Born Survivor and the mental Iron Chef America.

BBC Three 11:15pm (repeat)
We Are Klang. Image shows from L to R: Councillor Marek (Marek Larwood), Council-Leader Greg (Greg Davies), Councillor Steve (Steve Hall). Copyright: BBC

We Are Klang

Episode 1 - Fire

Disaster strikes as the town goes up in flames. In the absence of the recently disbanded fire department, and with the council budget totalling a pitiful £1, the boys need to fundraise heavily to save their jobs.

Radio 4 11:30pm (repeat)
Kicking The Habit. Copyright: Jarvis and Ayres Productions

Kicking The Habit

Series 1, Episode 2 - Long Distance Friar

Father Athanasias is tweaking his bath chair for greater speed. Brother Luke is in training for the marathon, but when the Anglicans suggest a rival entrant the race is really on.

U&Dave channel logo 11:40pm (repeat)
Argumental. Image shows from L to R: Rufus Hound, John Sergeant, Marcus Brigstocke. Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

Argumental

Series 1, Episode 1

With guests Mark Watson and Dara O'Briain.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation Midnight (repeat)
Teachers. Image shows from L to R: Lindsay Pearce (Vicky Hall), Matt Harvey (James Lance), Penny Neville (Tamzin Malleson), Kurt McKenna (Navin Chowdhry), Brian Steadman (Adrian Bower). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

Teachers

Series 3, Episode 1

The new series begins with Kurt explaining his theory of 'Ugly Men'. Kurt then suffers from a personal crisis as Liz begins to gossip about what happened after the Christmas party, and Lindsay opens Kurt and Brian's eyes about the gender divide.

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