The best TV and radio comedy of the week

The best TV and radio comedy of the week.

Wednesday March 29

BRIAN PERN: A TRIBUTE: Yes we’ve lost another musical great. Following the sudden death of Brian Pern in a Segway-related tragedy, BBC Four pays tribute to the prog rocker who 'invented world music'. Presented by Rhys Thomas, this one-off features Brian’s final prophetic interview, while friends and fans pay tribute. Meanwhile, the remaining members of his band Thotch plan a tribute concert at the Royal Albert Hall to raise money for Segway Awareness. BBC 4, 10pm

Thursday March 30

JOHN BISHOP IN CONVERSATION WITH... Russell Brand is Bishop’s guest in this extended interview programme, talking about his recovery from addiction, coping with the glare of media spotlight, and the relative normality of his new life with his partner and baby daughter. W, 9pm

Friday March 31

DECLINE AND FALL: In what’s set to be a breakthrough role, Jack Whitehall stars as – wait for it – a posh Oxford type in this new adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s satire. When Paul Pennyfeather is unfairly sent down from university after a student prank, he finds his only option is to go and teach at a substandard boarding school in rural Wales.

CARTERS GET RICH: An 11-year-old Brit wins a multimillion-dollar contract with Silicon Valley on the back of a hit app in this new comedy starring James Van Der Beek, from Dawson’s Creek, and Kerry Godliman, from the comedy circuit. She plays the mother of tech prodigy Rio Chambers; while Van Der Beek plays the brash internet tycoon who buys him out. Look out too for John Finnemore as the bumbling Old Etonian adviser charged with helping the family cope with their sudden fame and fortune. Sky 1, 8pm

Saturday April 1

HOAX! To celebrate April Fool’s Day, comedian Jake Yapp delves into the archives to celebrate the history of hoaxing using extracts and full BBC radio programmes including Down The Line, the spoof call-in show, and Incredible Women, the spoof interview show. It also features lesser known pranks such as the 1971 tribute to the non-existent Gerald Burley by Yehudi Menuhin and David Attenborough’s report on the sounds of the fictitious Sheba Islands. Radio 4 Extra, 9am

Published: 26 Mar 2017