British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

Schedule Wednesday 20th December 2023

Radio 4 2:15pm
45 min
Shaparak Khorsandi. Copyright: Heathcliff O'Malley

Tess Of The Tollbooth

Is it possible to fall for a guy you only meet for 20 seconds in every 24 hours? Toll booth worker Tess is about to find out.

Gold channel logo. Copyright: UKTV 6pm (repeat)
Only Fools And Horses. Image shows from L to R: Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), Del (David Jason), Grandad (Lennard Pearce). Copyright: BBC

Only Fools And Horses

Series 2, Christmas Special - Diamonds Are For Heather

Del is in love again after catching the eye of Heather during a rendition of 'Old Shep' at the Nag's Head. It's not long before he wants to get engaged, as usual, but this time there is a complication... her husband.

Sky Max. Copyright: Sky 6pm (repeat)
Never Mind The Buzzcocks. Image shows from L to R: Noel Fielding, Greg Davies, Daisy May Cooper, Jamali Maddix

Never Mind The Buzzcocks

A selection of Christmas specials from the music-based panel game.

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
Whatever Happened To Baby Jane Austen?. Image shows from L to R: Florence Ransom (Dawn French), Selina Mountjoy (Jennifer Saunders). Copyright: CPL Productions

Whatever Happened To Baby Jane Austen?

Series 2, Episode 2 - Libel She Wrote

Florence is sued for libel when a character in one of her books is based on a real person. Selina's diaries are serialised in the Daily Mail. Oh, and Lucy's going to the Moon.

Gold channel logo. Copyright: UKTV 6:40pm (repeat)
Only Fools And Horses. Image shows from L to R: Del (David Jason), Auctioneer (Seymour Matthews), Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst)

Only Fools And Horses

1996 Christmas Trilogy, Christmas Special - Modern Men

Del buys a self-help book aimed at the modern New Man in an effort to improve his relationship with Raquel. Meanwhile, the Trotters' finances have hit an all-time low.

BBC Two 6:45pm (repeat)
Porridge. Image shows from L to R: Mr. Mackay (Fulton Mackay), Fletcher (Ronnie Barker), Godber (Richard Beckinsale). Copyright: BBC

Porridge

Christmas Special - The Desperate Hours

Hauled in front of the governor after being caught with illicit Christmas booze, Fletcher and Godber become embroiled in Urwin's escape bid as he holds Mr Barrowclough and the governor's secretary hostage.

Gold channel logo. Copyright: UKTV 8pm (repeat)
The Vicar Of Dibley. Image shows from L to R: Geraldine Grainger (Dawn French), Jim Trott (Trevor Peacock). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

The Vicar Of Dibley

1996 Specials, Christmas Special - The Christmas Lunch Incident

It's the Vicar's second Christmas in Dibley, and she has to make her sermon a good one "or you've lost them to Satan till next December". An arguably greater worry, however, is the three Christmas dinners Geraldine's agreed to eat. But she can pull it off - right?

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 8pm
60 min
Painting Birds With Jim And Nancy Moir. Image shows left to right: Nancy Sorrell, Bob Mortimer, Vic Reeves

Painting Birds With Jim And Nancy Moir

Christmas Special

The couple seek out their favourite seasonal birds, with a special focus on the bohemian waxwing, whose festive headgear, berry-eating diet and community spirit sum up so much of what Christmas is about.

BBC Three 8pm (repeat)
Gavin & Stacey. Image shows from L to R: Bryn (Rob Brydon), Gwen (Melanie Walters), Nessa (Ruth Jones), Stacey (Joanna Page), Gavin (Mathew Horne), Mick (Larry Lamb), Pam (Alison Steadman), Smithy (James Corden). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions

Gavin & Stacey

Series 2, Episode 1

Newlyweds Gavin and Stacey return from honeymoon to a big welcome from both families. But Smithy seems none too happy with his best mate, and Nessa makes a confession that throws the whole evening into disarray.

BBC Four 8pm (repeat)
dinnerladies. Image shows from L to R: Jean (Anne Reid), Stan (Duncan Preston), Brenda (Victoria Wood), Twinkle (Maxine Peake), Dolly (Thelma Barlow), Tony (Andrew Dunn), Anita (Shobna Gulati). Copyright: Good Fun / Pozzitive Productions

dinnerladies

Series 2, Christmas Special

It's Christmas Eve, also Bren's birthday, and after an awkward interruption the previous night, she's worried that everything with Tony is ruined - but is resignation her only option?

U&Dave channel logo 8:20pm (repeat)
Would I Lie To You?. Image shows from L to R: Bill Bailey, David Mitchell, Ruth Jones, Rob Brydon, Kelly Holmes, Lee Mack, Jo Brand. Copyright: Zeppotron

Would I Lie To You?

Series 9, Christmas Special - Would I Lie To You? At Christmas

Festive edition of the comedy panel show in which teams must sort the truth from the fiction. Rob Brydon presents, David Mitchell is joined by Bill Bailey and Ruth Jones, and Lee Mack is joined by Jo Brand and Dame Kelly Holmes.

BBC Three 8:30pm (repeat)
Gavin & Stacey. Image shows from L to R: Bryn (Rob Brydon), Gwen (Melanie Walters), Nessa (Ruth Jones), Stacey (Joanna Page), Gavin (Mathew Horne), Mick (Larry Lamb), Pam (Alison Steadman), Smithy (James Corden). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions

Gavin & Stacey

Series 2, Episode 2

Devastated by the news that he's to become a father, Smithy goes AWOL.

BBC Four 8:35pm (repeat)
The Dawson Watch. Les Dawson. Copyright: BBC

The Dawson Watch

Series 3, Christmas Special

In a special Christmas show, Les turns his gaze to all varieties of the festive, Yuletide spirit.

Gold channel logo. Copyright: UKTV 9pm (repeat)
Mrs. Brown's Boys. Agnes Brown (Brendan O'Carroll). Copyright: BBC

Mrs. Brown's Boys

Christmas Special - Mammy's Ass

It's Christmas and all across Ireland Mothers are looking forward to their loved ones returning home. With son Trevor coming back from the missions abroad for the first time in four years, Agnes Brown is determined to make this Christmas a truly special celebration, with her whole family present at last.

Sky Comedy. Copyright: Sky 9pm (repeat)
Micky Flanagan: An Another Fing. Micky Flanagan

Micky Flanagan: An Another Fing

A TV broadcast of Micky Flanagan's 2017-released stand-up show.

U&Dave channel logo 9pm
60 min version (repeat)
QI. Image shows from L to R: Alan Davies, Jo Brand, Stephen Fry, Brendan O'Carroll, Phill Jupitus. Copyright: TalkbackThames

QI

Series K, Christmas Special - Kris Kringle

With Jo Brand, Phill Jupitus and Brendan O'Carroll.

BBC Four 9pm
60 min
Mike Yarwood. Copyright: Thames

Mike Yarwood At The BBC

Rory Bremner reflects on the life and career of fellow impressionist Mike Yarwood, one of the BBC's most successful stars of the 1970s and 1980s. Assessing Yarwood's style, impact and legacy, Rory shares some of his memories of the comedian's career, using archive clips and interviews he gave.

Gold channel logo. Copyright: UKTV 9:40pm (repeat)
The Royle Family. Image shows from L to R: Denise Royle / Best (Caroline Aherne), Dave Best (Craig Cash), Jim Royle (Ricky Tomlinson), Antony Royle (Ralf Little)

The Royle Family

Christmas Special - The New Sofa

Inspired by Nigella, Denise tries to cook Christmas dinner for the family. To Jim's dismay, Dave's Mum and Dad are invited.

U&Dave channel logo 10pm (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 episodes from the seventh series of the lie-based panel game.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 10pm
65 min
The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan. Image shows left to right: Leona Lewis, Fred Sirieix, Mo Gilligan, Allan Mustafa, Joel Dommett

The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan

Series 4, Christmas Special

In this Yuletide edition Mo's joined by an all-star line-up of celebrity guests, including chart-topping singer Leona Lewis, TV Cupid Fred Sirieix, comedian and presenter Joel Dommett and star of People Just Do Nothing and The Curse, Allan Mustafa. The stars will take on a Christmas carol edition of Nursery Grimes, and Mo's studio audience get into a nationwide karaoke battle against Babatunde Aléshé's squad of partygoers in Manchester in a very merry Pass the Mic singalong.

Gold channel logo. Copyright: UKTV 11pm (repeat)
Gavin & Stacey. Image shows from L to R: Bryn (Rob Brydon), Gwen (Melanie Walters), Nessa (Ruth Jones), Stacey (Joanna Page), Gavin (Mathew Horne), Mick (Larry Lamb), Pam (Alison Steadman), Smithy (James Corden). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions

Gavin & Stacey

Series 2, Christmas Special - Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special

It's Christmas Eve and the Wests join the Shipmans for one of Mick's famous turkey dinners.

Sky Comedy. Copyright: Sky 11pm (repeat)
Smothered

Smothered

Episode 3

Sammy is semi-recovered from the discovery of Ellie's mum and Tom's ex-wife, Gillian. Though Sammy's not quite ready to meet Ellie just yet, she is ready to meet Tom's friends. A wild night out together is just what they need for Tom to show Sammy's flatmates that he's fun too. A "dad emergency" derails the night for Tom, testing the balance between his relationship with Sammy, and his responsibilities to his daughter.

Comedy Central 11pm
120 min
Jason Byrne: Audience Precipitation. Jason Byrne

Jason Byrne: Audience Precipitation

Comedy from the Irish stand-up Jason Byrne.

Radio 4 11pm
15 min
We Forced A Bot To Write This Show. Credit: BBC

We Forced A Bot To Write This Show

Episode 1 - Action Movie, Army Advert And Bake Off

We forced AI to digest massive amounts of media and then write its own versions. We pushed the scripts into the mouths of actors, and the result is, absurdly, joyously hilarious.

Radio 4 11:15pm
15 min
Nora Meadows' Week Of Wellness. Nora Meadows (Katy Wix). Credit: BBC, Hat Trick Productions

Nora Meadows' Week Of Wellness

Episode 3 - Dedicated to Father Ian

As ever, Nora helps her clients with her patented (patent pending) therapy techniques, but also finds time to record an ASMR sleep-aid.

Sky Comedy. Copyright: Sky 11:30pm (repeat)
Smothered

Smothered

Episode 4

Sammy is in full 'adult mode', embracing her new role, but only in theory, not practice. Tom realises he's fallen far out of step with his former friends and tries to forge a new friendship with another dad at school. Sammy's first proper attempt at babysitting Ellie is a harsh introduction to the realities of parenting. Sammy has trouble being honest with Tom about an old flame.

Sky Max. Copyright: Sky Midnight (repeat)
A League Of Their Own. Image shows left to right: Rob Beckett, Jill Scott, Mo Gilligan, Romesh Ranganathan, Patrice Evra, Micah Richards, Jamie Redknapp

A League Of Their Own

Series 18, Christmas Special

In this Christmas special, Romesh and the gang are joined in the studio for festive fun and games by Manchester United and French International legend Patrice Evra as well as award-winning comedian Rob Beckett. Together, the gang make a special visit to Brentford FC to cook up a Christmas lunch for the players...

U&Dave channel logo Midnight (repeat)
Mock The Week. Image shows from L to R: James Acaster, Tom Allen, Hugh Dennis, Dara O Briain, Kerry Godliman, Ed Byrne, Tez Ilyas. Copyright: Angst Productions

Mock The Week

Series 17, Episode 5

Dara O Briain and Hugh Dennis check out the week's news from around the globe in the company of guests James Acaster, Tom Allen, Ed Byrne, Kerry Godliman and Tez Ilyas.

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