Details of special shows revealed

BBC Two has confirmed details of the comedy shows lined up to mark its 50th anniversary.

As previously reported on Chortle, the programmes include a reunion of Goodness Gracious Me, a sketch show from Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse, and a celebration hosted by Dara O Briain.

Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Nina Wadia and Kulvinder Ghir are back together for 30-minute Goodness Gracious Me special with new sketches alongside some of their classics.

Harry And Paul’s Story Of The Twos will feature characters such as Joan Bakewell Tart, Gerald Manley Paxman, John Cleese-Shop-Sketch, Mark Egghead, Germaine Dreary and Russell Somebody as they parody the station’s output.

Enfield said: ‘BBC Two gave me my big solo break with Harry Enfield's Television Programme almost 25 years ago. They have been loyal to us over decades. We therefore felt it was only right that now we should stab BBC Two in the back.

‘They kindly asked us to do a homage to 50 years of BBC Two. It's turned out to be less of a homage and more of a homicide. Whoops.'

The show will also feature Kevin Eldon, Simon Day, Rosie Cavaliero and Catherine Shepherd.

Meanwhile, Dara O Briain hosts All About Two, a 90-minute quiz featuring Pointless’s Richard Osman supplying extra information.

A documentary, 50 Years Of BBC Two Comedy, celebrates the station's history in the genre, induing Fawlty Towers, The Wrong Mans, Spike Milligan, Shooting Stars, The Office, Victoria Wood, The Fast Show and more.

Contributors include Armando Iannucci, Ricky Gervais, Prunella Scales, Vic and Bob, Michael Palin, Catherine Tate, Sanjeev Bhaskar, The Goodies, Terry Jones, Sarah Millican and Rebecca Front.

Finally, Inside The Comedy Vaults presents some rare clips, including early appearances from the likes of Rik Mayall, Fry and Laurie, and some long-unseen Ronnie Barker and Peter Cook gems.

Adam Barker, acting controller of BBC Two, said: ‘From The Likely Lads, the very first comedy the channel showed in 1964, to more recent highlights including Miranda, Rev, The Trip, Twenty Twelve and The Wrong Mans, BBC Two has a long and proud history of growing and supporting new comedy talent and I’m delighted to be announcing a range of brilliantly funny new content that celebrates 50 wonderful years of wit on the channel.’

Published: 19 Mar 2014