British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

Schedule Friday 31st December 2010

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 9am (repeat)
Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Martha Howe-Douglas, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

Horrible Histories

Series 2, Highlights Special - Savage Songs

A compilation of the songs from the series, featuring Spartan High School Musical, the Viking Rock Band, punky Queen Boudica, Incan emperor Pachacuti, the posh rapping of Charles II, Blackbeard the Pirate, George IV going solo, the Victorian Inventions song, and the World War Two Girls.

Radio 4 10:45am
15 min
Ladies Of Letters. Image shows from L to R: Irene (Prunella Scales), Vera (Patricia Routledge). Copyright: BBC

Ladies Of Letters

Series 11 - Ladies Of Letters Go Crackers, Episode 5

Irene discovers her daughter-in-law's awful secret plan. Meanwhile Vera and her family face leaving their home without sufficient finances to ensure their future.

Radio 4 11:30am
30 min
John Sessions

Electric Ink

Series 2, Episode 5

Freddy punctures Maddox's literary pretensions and uncovers a scandal.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 12:25pm
30 min
Just William. William Brown (Daniel Roche). Copyright: BBC

Just William

Episode 4 - William Holds The Stage

Tomboy Dorinda has moved into the village, and William seems to approve of this rat-catching, frog-stuffing girl. The impending Shakespeare competition seems the perfect opportunity to impress her.

Channel 5 logo 1pm (repeat)
Terry & June. Image shows from L to R: Terry Medford (Terry Scott), June Medford (June Whitfield). Copyright: BBC

Terry & June

Terry and June's plans for a quiet Christmas are shattered when Terry's boss Sir Dennis invites himself to Christmas dinner.

Channel 5 logo 1:40pm (repeat)
Butterflies. Image shows from L to R: Ben Parkinson (Geoffrey Palmer), Ria Parkinson (Wendy Craig)

Butterflies

Series 2, Christmas Special

Ria is filled with doom at the thought of another Christmas. For Ria, Christmas is a time of truth. Surrounded by people she loves, she is forced to do things she hates. She does her best to cope with the chaos of the seasonal celebrations.

Channel 5 logo 2:25pm (repeat)
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Frank Spencer (Michael Crawford). Credit: BBC

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em

Specials - Learning To Drive

Franks learns to drive.

BBC Two 4:45pm (repeat)
The Indian Doctor. Dr. Prem Sharma (Sanjeev Bhaskar). Copyright: Rondo / Avatar

The Indian Doctor

Series 1, Episode 4 - The Van

The new doctor, Prem Sharma, comes up with a cunning plan to diagnose the miners' health problems.

Sky One logo. Copyright: Sky 4:45pm (repeat)
Little Crackers. Bill (Bill Bailey)

Little Crackers

Little Crackers 2010, Episode 8 - Bill Bailey's Little Cracker

Christmas is about giving not gadgetry in an autobiographical short written, directed by and starring Bill Bailey.

Radio 7 5pm (repeat)
It Sticks Out Half A Mile. Image shows from L to R: Frank Pike (Ian Lavender), Arthur Wilson (John Le Mesurier), Miss Perkins (Vivienne Martin), Bert Hodges (Bill Pertwee). Copyright: BBC

It Sticks Out Half A Mile

Episode 7 - The First Meeting

Pike and Hodges continue their campaign to save the pier, while Uncle Arthur upsets Mavis Pike.

Sky Arts 2 5:30pm (repeat)
Chekhov: Comedy Shorts. Nyukhin (Steve Coogan). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions

Chekhov: Comedy Shorts

Documentary - Doing Chekhov

An exclusive look behind the scenes at the making of Sky Arts' Chekhov Comedy Shorts, which saw the likes of Steve Coogan, Julia Davis and Johnny Vegas bring the playwright's work to life.

ITV1 logo. Credit: ITV 6pm (repeat)
It's Paul Burling. Paul Burling. Copyright: ITV Studios

It's Paul Burling

One-off show in which Britain's Got Talent finalist Paul Burling gives his impressions of various comical showbiz characters.

Radio 4 6:15pm
15 min
15 Minute Musical. Copyright: BBC

15 Minute Musical

Series 6, Episode 6 - QuadraQueenia

Her Majesty The Queen has had an enormous year - here it is squeezed into 15 minutes with music.

ITV3 logo. Credit: ITV 6:20pm (repeat)
Mr. Bean. Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson)

Mr. Bean

Episode 9 - Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean

Mr. Bean catches a bargain in the New Year's Day sales, devises an unusual method of transporting his shopping home and wreaks havoc by doing a spot of decorating.

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
The News Quiz. Andy Zaltzman

The News Quiz

Series 73, Episode 1

The News Quiz team take a look back at 2010. Sue Perkins, Jeremy Hardy, Andy Hamilton, and Francis Wheen make up the panel dissecting a year's events. Presented by Sandi Toksvig.

Radio 7 7pm (repeat)
Hamish And Dougal: You'll Have Had Your Tea. Image shows from L to R: Dougal (Graeme Garden), Hamish (Barry Cryer). Copyright: BBC

Hamish And Dougal: You'll Have Had Your Tea

Series 2, New Year Special - Hamish And Dougal's Hogmanay Frolic

Hamish and Dougal, two elderly Scotsmen made internationally quite well known from their appearances on I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, find themselves celebrating Hogmanay (normally they prefer not to as it clashes with New Year) after a bus-load of celebrities gets stuck in a snowdrift on its way to the BBC's Hogmanay Cavalcade in Edinburgh.

Radio 4 7:45pm (repeat)
Ladies Of Letters. Image shows from L to R: Irene (Prunella Scales), Vera (Patricia Routledge). Copyright: BBC

Ladies Of Letters

Series 11 - Ladies Of Letters Go Crackers, Episode 5

Irene discovers her daughter-in-law's awful secret plan. Meanwhile Vera and her family face leaving their home without sufficient finances to ensure their future.

Sky One logo. Copyright: Sky 8pm (repeat)
Little Crackers

Little Crackers

All 12 short films shown back-to-back. Note: these are not in the original broadcast order - see our guide for the schedule.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 8:40pm (repeat)
Jonathan Creek. Image shows from L to R: Jonathan Creek (Alan Davies), Joey Ross (Sheridan Smith). Copyright: BBC

Jonathan Creek

Special - The Judas Tree

Jonathan and Joey are called upon to investigate a series of mysterious and spooky events at a house called Green Lanterns.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 9:10pm (repeat)
Channel 4's Comedy Gala

Channel 4's Comedy Gala

The nation's best known comedians perform in spectacular charity galas: the biggest live stand-up shows in UK history.

BBC Two 10pm (repeat)
Grumpy Old New Year. Copyright: Liberty Bell

Grumpy Old New Year

Middle-aged celebrities have a good whinge about the New Year festivities - the compulsory partying, the staying up late and more.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 10:40pm
65 min
The Graham Norton Show. Graham Norton. Credit: So Television, Christopher Baines

The Graham Norton Show

Series 8, New Year Special - The Graham Norton New Year's Eve Show

The award-winning host gets into the Hogmanay spirit with a New Year's Eve edition of his talk show. The guests are singer Eliza Doolittle, Downton Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern, comedian Alan Davies and X Factor judge Louis Walsh.

Radio 7 11pm (repeat)
Miranda Hart's Joke Shop. Miranda (Miranda Hart). Copyright: BBC

Miranda Hart's Joke Shop

Episode 1 - What A Flirt

Miranda flirts with Gary, but is mistaken for a man by passers-by when she un-knowingly buys clothes from a shop for transvestites. Other mix-ups scare Gary away, as they make Miranda look like she is desperate for a baby.

E4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 11pm (repeat)
Peep Show. Image shows from L to R: Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell), Jeremy Usbourne (Robert Webb). Copyright: Objective Productions

Peep Show

Series 7, Episode 6 - New Year's Eve

It's New Year's Eve, and Mark is depressed about Dobby, but Jeremy is determined that the 'El Dude Brothers' are going to enjoy the night of their lives.

BBC One Scotland. Copyright: BBC 11:15pm
30 min
Only An Excuse?. Jonathan Watson

Only An Excuse?

New Year Special - 2010

Scotland's premier comedy team takes a look at the nation's obsession with football.

Radio 4 11:30pm
30 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

Special - Review of the Year

Join co-news anchors John Tweedledum (Jack Dee) and Jim Tweedledee (Peter Capaldi) for a very special review of the last year in Nursery Land.

E4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 11:35pm (repeat)
Tim Minchin: Live

Tim Minchin: Live

A two hour TV broadcast of Australian musical comedian Tim Minchin's stage show at London's Bloomsbury Theatre in 2008.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 11:40pm (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

Series 2, Episode 5 - A Song For Europe

Ted and Dougal plan to enter Eurosong 1996, borrowing the music from a 1970s entry's long-forgotten B-side.

ITV3 logo. Credit: ITV 12:05am (repeat)
Ronnie Corbett

An Audience With...

Episode 22 - Ronnie Corbett

Multi-talented Ronnie Corbett entertains a star-studded audience - including Ronnie Barker, Frank Skinner, Damien Hirst, Samantha Janus and Lord Parkinson - with his singing, dancing and piano playing, not to mention a touch of comedy.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 12:10am (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

Series 2, Episode 1 - Hell

The time has come for the trio's annual summer holiday, and Father Ted has a fellow priest's caravan in mind as a perfect location.

ITV2 logo. Credit: ITV 12:15am (repeat)
Benidorm. Image shows from L to R: Jacqueline Stewart (Janine Duvitski), Donald Stewart (Kenny Ireland). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

Benidorm

Series 1, Episode 5

A pub quiz at the hotel reveals The Oracle's competitive side. Kate discusses her marriage problems with Madge. Donald tries to salvage Troy and Gavin's relationship.

ITV2 logo. Credit: ITV 12:45am (repeat)
Benidorm. Image shows from L to R: Jacqueline Stewart (Janine Duvitski), Donald Stewart (Kenny Ireland). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

Benidorm

Series 1, Episode 6

The Oracle confesses to his mum that he feels the time has come to stop going on holiday with her, and Martin tells Kate that he was actually pleased she slept with Mateo. Meanwhile, the Garveys celebrate winning the quiz at the beach.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 12:45am (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

Series 3, Episode 1 - Are You Right There Father Ted?

When Father Crilly upsets the local Chinese community, he's determined to right the misunderstanding in any way he can. Sadly, Dougal, Jack, and luck are always present to conspire against him...

ITV3 logo. Credit: ITV 1:15am (repeat)
An Audience With.... Kenneth Williams. Copyright: London Weekend Television / ITV Studios

An Audience With...

Episode 3 - Kenneth Williams

A virtuoso performance from the comic actor, here recalling some of the funniest moments of his long and varied show-business career in front of a celebrity audience.

ITV2 logo. Credit: ITV 1:15am (repeat)
Celebrity Juice. Image shows from L to R: Holly Willoughby, Rufus Hound, Leigh Francis, Fearne Cotton

Celebrity Juice

Series 4, Highlights Special - Bang Tidy Year

Keith Lemon, Holly Willoughby, Fearne Cotton and Rufus Hound look back over the best bits from Celebrity Juice in 2010.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 1:15am (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

Series 2, Episode 4 - Old Grey Whistle Theft

The arrival of rebellious young priest Father Damien Lennon coincides with the theft of a whistle belonging to Mr Benson, the picnic area supervisor. Suspicion, however, falls upon Ted.

E4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 1:50am (repeat)
Peep Show. Image shows from L to R: Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell), Jeremy Usbourne (Robert Webb). Copyright: Objective Productions

Peep Show

Series 7, Episode 6 - New Year's Eve

It's New Year's Eve, and Mark is depressed about Dobby, but Jeremy is determined that the 'El Dude Brothers' are going to enjoy the night of their lives.

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