Spike Milligan's series and the rest of the week's comedy on demand

The week's best comedy on demand.

The Self-Renovators podcast

Comics Caroline Mabey and Taylor Glenn have launched this new podcast in which they 'road-test self help tips from the internet'.

'I had the idea after seeing article after article promising "10 easy ways to be happier/more successful/less overwhelmed,"," says Mabey. 'It feels like everyone's trying to sell you a self-help silver bullet, and it seems like bullshit, cushioned between almond milk adverts.'

Glenn, who was a psychotherapist before turning to comedy, adds 'It's great that comedians have branched more and more into exploring mental health, and we wanted this podcast to be fun, accessible, and focused around specific challenges.'

In that spirit, the Self Renovators have tried morning mindfulness, dancing to an entire song every day, and spending a week where they're not allowed to complain – reporting back for the podcast.

New episodes will be released fortnightly and the first three are here.

Spike Milligan: Assorted Q

Thanks to a BBC Four rerun, two compilation of sketches from Spike Milligan's pioneering sketch shows have popped back up on iPlayer. The BBC calls them 'surreal, influential and controversial' – and you'd be hard pressed to argue with that:

Click to watch episode one or episode two

The Rough Guide To Everywhere podcast

He's the star of E4's Gap Year, so Tim Key is an apt guest for this regular travellers' podcast.

On this week's episode he talks about his gap year in Kiev, Ukraine – taking 61 hours to get there by coach and train but being charmed by its idiosyncrasies – as well as how filming Gay Year in south-east Asia made him reflect on his life.

And he explains his surefire indicator of when you know in an authentically mad city: seeing weird things being carried by moped. Listen here

The Mark Steel Lecture

The first series of the comic's monologues, which currently aired in 1999, is currently being repeated on Radio 4 Extra. And this week's instalment holds a particular interest for comedy fans, as it looks at the fascinating life and character of Charlie Chaplin. Listen here.

Andy Parsons: Slacktivist

Andy Parsons' latest stand-up show landed on Sky Box Sets and the £6.99-a-month on-demand service Now TV last week. Recorded at the Harrogate Theatre, he takes aim at 'the Big Society' with his usual mix of anger and ridicule. Watch here.

Published: 8 Apr 2017