The best comedy on demand

The best comedy on demand.

The Ealing Comedies

As news breaks that Gold is to make a new documentary series about the Ealing Comedies, fronted by Richard E Grant, here is an old BBC documentary from the same subject, from back in 1970, voiced by Frank Muir and featuring excerpts from: Hue & Cry, Passport To Pimlico, Kind Hearts And Coronets, Whisky Galore, A Run For Your Money, The Lavender Hill Mob, The Man In The White Suit and The Ladykillers. Watch here – or get a taster with this clip in which former staff recall director Michael Balcon's 'feminine possessiveness':

Chelsea

Netflix moves into the world of the talk show, putting out three episodes of Chelsea Handler's new programme every week. The streaming service is distancing itself from the usual format, calling it 'a first of its kind', while the comedian used her first opening monologue to say: 'I don't want to do a monologue anymore,' protesting she was offering an explanation, not a monologue. But it does for all intents and purposes, feel like a classic late-night talk show save for some of the filmed sections. Three episodes have gone up already with guests including Chris Evans (the Captain America one, not the Top Gear one), Gwyneth Paltrow, her ex-Chris Marin, and Drew Barrymore. Watch here.

Barry's Lunch Club

Since it goes out during the daytime, you might have missed this Radio 4 sitcom from Alex Lowe's alter ego Barry From Watford – in which we learn that his surname is St Michael. Each week, the 82-year-old character invites an audience to hear about topics close to his heart. The show also features Stephanie Cole as club secretary Hilary. All four episodes are now available here

Aziz Ansari: Buried Alive

It's sometimes easy to forget that Spotify has a decent catalogue of comedy albums, including a lot of American stand-up, which you can hear for free with a basic account. Recently added is this assured stand-up special from breakout Parks and Recreation star Aziz Ansari in which he offers an eloquent insight into marriages and relationships. Listen here.

Published: 14 May 2016