British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

Schedule Friday 1st January 2010

ITV1 logo. Credit: ITV 10:25am (repeat)
Carry On Screaming!. Image shows from L to R: Oddbod (Tom Clegg), Valeria Watt (Fenella Fielding), Dr Orlando Watt (Kenneth Williams). Copyright: Peter Rogers Productions

Carry On Screaming!

Horror spoof from the Carry On team. Two bumbling Victorian detectives must investigate the disappearance of several young women.

Radio 4 11am
30 min
Spitting In Russian. Roger Law

Spitting In Russian

Spitting Image co-creator Roger Law heads to Moscow to find out what happened to plans to make a Russian version of the satirical show.

Radio 4 11:30am
30 min
Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show!. Count Arthur Strong (Steve Delaney). Copyright: Komedia Entertainment

Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show!

Series 5, Episode 3 - Keep Fit

Not one to turn down a free dinner, when Arthur sees an advert in the paper for free trial membership of a new gym, there's no stopping him. There's just one thing - to qualify he has to get the doctor to give him a clean bill of health.

BBC Two 5pm (repeat)
Mollie Sugden: A Tribute. Mollie Sugden

Mollie Sugden: A Tribute

A tribute to the actress Mollie Sugden who starred in Are You Being Served?.

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC 5:15pm
30 min
Sorry, I've Got No Head. Copyright: So Television

Sorry, I've Got No Head

Series 2, Special

Special edition of the irreverent children's comedy sketch show, containing a mix of new sketches, outtakes and favourite sketches from the series.

Radio 7 5:30pm (repeat)
Cabin Pressure. Image shows from L to R: Arthur (John Finnemore), Douglas (Roger Allam), Carolyn (Stephanie Cole), Martin (Benedict Cumberbatch). Copyright: Pozzitive Productions

Cabin Pressure

Series 1, Episode 1 - Abu Dhabi

The town of Bristol, a cat and a thermostat combine to present Martin with a career-breaking crisis. A flight to the Middle East is complicated by Carolyn's new economy drive; Martin's insistence that Douglas call him 'Sir'; and Arthur's refusal to believe that anyone actually knows how a plane stays in the air.

BBC Two 5:30pm (repeat)
Funny Turns. Copyright: BBC

Funny Turns

John Inman: A tribute to actor John Inman, outlining his career in theatre and television. Included are clips from Are You being Served? and Grace and Favour, and interviews with his many colleagues.

BBC Two 6pm (repeat)
Are You Being Served?. Image shows from L to R: Mrs. Betty Slocombe (Mollie Sugden), Miss Shirley Brahms (Wendy Richard), Mr. Dick Lucas (Trevor Bannister), Mr. Cuthbert Rumbold (Nicholas Smith), Mr. Mash (Larry Martyn), Mr. Ernest Grainger (Arthur Brough), Mr. Wilberforce Humphries (John Inman), Captain Stephen Peacock (Frank Thornton). Copyright: BBC

Are You Being Served?

The pilot episode of the long-running comedy series about the staff of an old-fashioned department store, Grace Brothers.

BBC Radio Scotland 6:05pm
30 min
Watson's Wind-Up. Copyright: The Comedy Unit

Watson's Wind-Up

Series 14, Episode 13 - Watson's Wind-Up Ne'er Day Special

Jonathan Watson and the team toast in the New Year with a special edition of the popular sketch show.

ITV2 logo. Credit: ITV 6:05pm (repeat)
Harry Hill's TV Burp. Harry Hill. Copyright: Avalon Television

Harry Hill's TV Burp

Series 9, Special - Review Of The Year 2009

Big-collared comic Harry Hill applies his forensic eye for comedy detail to all the telly you thought he had missed while he was away. With Harry at the helm, you can be sure there will be laughs aplenty - and with so many top clips, skits and quips, this bumper Burp is bursting at the seams with pure entertainment.

Radio 4 6:15pm
15 min
The News At Bedtime. Image shows from L to R: Jim Tweedledee (Peter Capaldi), John Tweedledum (Jack Dee). Copyright: BBC

The News At Bedtime

Episode 7

It's New Year's Day and riot police are called in as the Teddy Bears try to have their picnic.

BBC Two 6:30pm
60 min
The Story Of Are You Being Served?

The Story Of Are You Being Served?

Cast, crew and writers of the much-loved sitcom set in a department store look back on its 13 year run.

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
The Now Show. Image shows from L to R: Hugh Dennis, Steve Punt. Copyright: BBC

The Now Show

Series 29, Highlights Special - 2009 Highlights

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis review the highlights of the year's Now Show programmes, with contributions from the regular team plus Andy Zaltzman, Carrie Quinlan, Paul Sinha and others.

BBC Two 7:30pm (repeat)
Are You Being Served?. Image shows from L to R: Mrs. Betty Slocombe (Mollie Sugden), Miss Shirley Brahms (Wendy Richard), Mr. Dick Lucas (Trevor Bannister), Mr. Cuthbert Rumbold (Nicholas Smith), Mr. Mash (Larry Martyn), Mr. Ernest Grainger (Arthur Brough), Mr. Wilberforce Humphries (John Inman), Captain Stephen Peacock (Frank Thornton). Copyright: BBC

Are You Being Served?

A re-mastered version of the pilot episode. This is the first time this new colourised version has been broadcast.

ITV2 logo. Credit: ITV 8:35pm (repeat)
Creature Comforts. Copyright: Aardman Animations

Creature Comforts

A double-bill of cute critters.

More4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 9pm (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 1.3, The Passion Of St Tibulus: A controversial movie has been banned by the Pope but, through some loophole, is being shown on Craggy Island.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 9pm
30 min
Gavin & Stacey. Image shows from L to R: Gavin (Mathew Horne), Stacey (Joanna Page), Smithy (James Corden), Mick (Larry Lamb), Pam (Alison Steadman), Bryn (Rob Brydon), Nessa (Ruth Jones). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions

Gavin & Stacey

Series 3, Episode 6

Nessa and Dave's wedding is fast approaching and the preparations are in full swing. Stacey breaks some life-changing news to Gavin while Bryn and Jason finally put their big secret to bed.

Radio 4 9pm
60 min
Big In Samoa. Cal (Tom Goodman-Hill)

Big In Samoa

Dog walker Caleb's life is about to change: an album he cut in his twenties and forgot about now has a huge online following.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 9:05pm
125 min
The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year. Jimmy Carr

The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year

Episode 7 - The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2009

David Mitchell, Charlie Brooker, Claudia Winkleman, Rob Brydon, Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross try to remember 2009 as Jimmy Carr helms the comedy quiz show.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 9:30pm
30 min
QI. Image shows from L to R: Alan Davies, Stephen Fry. Copyright: TalkbackThames

QI

Series G, Episode 6 - Genius

With David Mitchell, Dara O'Briain and Graham Norton.

BBC Three 9:30pm
30 min
Gavin & Stacey. Image shows from L to R: Gavin (Mathew Horne), Stacey (Joanna Page), Smithy (James Corden), Mick (Larry Lamb), Pam (Alison Steadman), Bryn (Rob Brydon), Nessa (Ruth Jones). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions

Gavin & Stacey

Series 3, Out-takes - The Outtakes

Ruth Jones and James Corden look through the best outtakes from all three series and the 2008 Christmas special of the award-winning Gavin and Stacey.

More4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 9:35pm (repeat)
Black Books. Image shows from L to R: Bernard Black (Dylan Moran), Manny Bianco (Bill Bailey), Fran Katzenjammer (Tamsin Greig). Copyright: Assembly Film And Television

Black Books

Series 1, Episode 3 - Grapes Of Wrath

Bernard and Manny have the cleaners in and are forced to house-sit for a friend with expensive taste in wine. Fran has an unusual date.

BBC Radio 3 10pm
90 min
Not The Messiah

Not The Messiah

A musical composition inspired by The Life of Brian. Eric Idle, Michael Palin and fellow Pythons join the BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 10pm
30 min
Live At The Apollo. Image shows from L to R: Kevin Bridges, Alistair McGowan, Reginald D Hunter. Copyright: Open Mike Productions

Live At The Apollo

Series 5, Episode 6 - Alistair McGowan, Reginald D Hunter and Kevin Bridges

Stand-up comedy from the world-famous Hammersmith Apollo. The nation's favourite impressionist, Alistair McGowan, introduces guest appearances from young Scottish comedy prodigy Kevin Bridges and acclaimed comic Reginald D Hunter.

More4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 10:05pm (repeat)
The IT Crowd. Image shows from L to R: Jen (Katherine Parkinson), Moss (Richard Ayoade), Roy (Chris O'Dowd). Copyright: TalkbackThames

The IT Crowd

Series 1, Episode 3 - 50/50

Jen has a new admirer, but his romantic gesture goes horribly wrong when Jen's inability to tell the truth results in a very public humiliation. Meanwhile, Moss and Roy conduct an experiment with a 'lonely hearts' website.

More4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 10:40pm (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 1.4, Competition Time: The All-Priests-Look-Alike competition has come around again and Henry Sellers, host of the almost popular 'Morning Quiz', is coming out to judge it.

More4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 11:10pm (repeat)
Black Books. Image shows from L to R: Bernard Black (Dylan Moran), Manny Bianco (Bill Bailey), Fran Katzenjammer (Tamsin Greig). Copyright: Assembly Film And Television

Black Books

Series 1, Episode 4 - The Blackout

Fran sees her boyfriend on a lunch date. Bernard is snubbed by friends but doesn't know why and Manny plays good cop, bad cop.

BBC Two 11:40pm (repeat)
I'm Alan Partridge. Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan). Copyright: Talkback Productions

I'm Alan Partridge

Episode 1.5, To Kill a Mocking Alan: Alan puts on a Sunday afternoon version of his show at the hotel and invites some Irish TV executives over to watch it.

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

The IT Crowd

Series 1, Episode 4 - The Red Door

What is behind the mysterious red door in the I.T. department? What has happened to Moss's new mug? Why is Roy in danger of becoming known as a 'desk rabbit'? And what is the secret behind top executive Richmond Avenal's fall from grace?

ITV2 logo. Credit: ITV 11:50pm (repeat)
Notting Hill

Notting Hill

Romantic comedy film about the relationship between a famous American movie actress and an unassuming British book shop owner.

BBC Two 12:10am (repeat)
I'm Alan Partridge. Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan). Copyright: Talkback Productions

I'm Alan Partridge

Episode 1.6, Towering Alan: Dramatic developments at the BBC give Alan a whiff of hope.

More4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 12:15am (repeat)
Bill Bailey: Part Troll

Bill Bailey: Part Troll

The funniest bearded, babbling, bug-eyed druid the world has ever seen, captured in his natural habitat at the Hammersmith Apollo.

BBC Two 12:40am (repeat)
Unwrapped With Miranda Hart. Miranda Hart. Copyright: BBC

Unwrapped With Miranda Hart

Miranda Hart hosts a completely made up look back at the defining cultural, political and televisual moments of the year.

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