The comedy week ahead

We've launched a new Twitter feed at ChortleNOW – which will send alerts a minute or two before selected comedy programmes start on TV or radio. Do follow!

Sunday February 8

LIVE IN LEICESTER: The city's comedy festival continues all week. Today we'd recommend heading to Heroes@LCB Depot, whose line-up  includes The Herbert Show at 4pm; Arthur Smith Does Things He's Never Done  at  at  7.15pm and  Martin Mor's An Irishman You Don't Meet Everyday at  8.30pm. For full festival details, see the website

Monday February 9

TV: It's a busy night for comedy on the telly tonight. First Asylum, the three-part comedy that may or may not be inspired by Julian Assange (clue: it is), launches on BBC Four. Its premise of an odd-couple of personae non gratae holed up in the London embassy of a suspect South American regime is intriguing - and the cast, including Ben Miller, Dustin Demri-Burns and Kayvan Novak is strong. BBC Four, 9pm

TV: It forms a double-bill with the return of Brian Cox as Bob Servant, the burger tycoon and indeed would-be burgher of the Dundee suburb of  Broughty Ferry.BBC Four, 9.30pm

TV: Then you can switch over to Sky Atlantic - if you have it - for the superlative satire of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, returning after its hiatus. Sky Atlantic, 10pm.

LIVE IN LONDON: Nick Mohammed's camp, skittish, egotistical and deluded alter-ego Mr Swallow launched his own musical at last year's Edinburgh Fringe. Now renamed Dracula! to accurately reflect the subject matter, the show starts a three-week run at the Soho Theatre. It's full of diva-like tantrums, genuine attempts at musical melodrama and amateurish chaos, all of which can combine in a perfect storm of comedy. Review.

RADIO: Just A Minute returns for a new series with Sheila Hancock, Graham Norton, Paul Merton and Robin Ince in this first episode – with future guests in the eight-part series including Stephen Fry and, making his debut David Tennant. Radio 4, 6.30pm

Tuesday February 10

TV: Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience, the comedian's BBC Wales show makes the transition to a prime BBC Two slot. Like a live-action Mr Benn, the Never Mind The Buzzcocks host each week takes on a different unusual job. Today: Deep sea fisherman BBC Two, 10pm

TV: Nick Helm returns in BBC Three's acclaimed sitcom Uncle in which he plays Andy, the irresponsible out-of work musician who has an unlikely alliance with his neurotic teenage nephew Errol. BBC Three, 10pm<

LIVE IN LONDON: There's a rare intimate performance of Miles Jupp's latest (and rather wonderful) stand-up show at the Invisible Dot tonight. The last time Miles Jupp is Not The Chap You're Thinking Of was in London, it was at a West End theatre. It's a lovely expression of middle-class frustrations and anxiety, hilariously realised.

LIVE IN GLASGOW: Mark Thomas's fascinating show Cuckooed, about his betrayal when he was an anti-arms-trade activist, by a friend who turned out to be a spy for weapons-maker BAE, starts a three-night run at the Tron theatre.

RADIO: Delve Special, the radio comedy starring Stephen Fry as investigative reporter David Lander gets a repeat run on Radio 4 Extra. This series is from 1985 and starts with an probe into an art robbery. Radio 4 Extra, 11pm

Wednesday February 11

LIVE IN HARROGATE: The Sitting Room hosts a strong bill, with the superpowered Jarred Christmas, high camp from Jonathan Mayor, peculiarity from Pat Cahill, and top  compering from Dan Nightingale.

RADIO: Paul Sinha examines The Magna Carta as it reaches its 800th birthday. In The Sinha Carta, the comic and quizzer will examine some of its 63 clauses of medieval Latin – and also suggest some modern equivalents. Radio 4, 6.30pm.

Thursday February 12


TV: 10pm is Comedy O'Clock on the telly tonight as three diverse shows, all meritorious in their own way, go head to head. On BBC Three, Elis James and Kadiff Kirwan remain locked in their young offenders' institution in the final episode of the first series of Crims; on BBC Two Charlie Brooker sneers at the vacuity of politics and the media in his  Weekly Wipe; and on ITV2 Keith Lemon's sporadically hilarious Sketch Show has its second surreal episode.

LIVE IN LEICESTER: It's the UK Pun Championship tonight, a rap battle-style showdown but with wordplay in place of 'yo momma' slurs. Defending title-holder Darren Walsh takes on Rob Thomas, Tony Cowards, Richard Woolford, Martin Cosser, Leo Kearse, Richard Pulsford and Rob Coleman.

LIVE IN MANCHESTER: Paul Sinha offers some smart stand-up at the Frog and Bucket, supported by the  under-rated Paul Pirie, and always dependable Mick Ferry as compere. They are all on the bill through till Saturday.

Friday February 13

ONLINE: The BBC releases nine original comedy shorts on  iPlayer to mark Valentine's Day. Those taking part in the Funny Valentines include Bill Bailey, Nick Helm, Matt Berry, Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe, Limmy, Modern Toss, Russ Abbott and Katy Wix. Here is our guide to what's coming.

LIVE IN LONDON: Headliners in Chiswick offers a quality club line-up today and tomorrow, with the superlative Simon Evans headlining alongside Steve Williams and Tom Wrigglesworth.

RADIO: The radio show from Simon Munnery's totalitarian alter-ego The League Against Tedium gets a rerun on Radio 4 Extra tonight, from 10.30pm.

Saturday February 14

LIVE IN LONDON: There are a lot of Valentine's specials on tonight… although for all that live comedy offers, romance is rarely high on the bill. Beyonce-obsessed Luisa Omielan, however, is hosting a night for all the single ladies (all the single ladies) at the Assembly Hall, featuring her feelgood  show Am I Right Ladies? followed by a DJ set from DJ Olly Stock.

LIVE IN LONDON: Meanwhile, David O'Doherty performs his latest show ...Has Checked Everything at the Hackney Empire.

RADIO: Tim Minchin's 2007 New Year's Day show gets another airing on Radio 4 Extra at 10pm.

Published: 8 Feb 2015