Schmidt happens...

The week's comedy on demand

This week's comedy on demand…

Not All Men

Here's a new three-part web series from sketch duo Giants – aka Will Hislop and Barney Fishwick – with the help of their mates, primarily Georgia Bruce.

It has the timely theme, with the gags about changing ideas of masculinity, setting its tone with an opening scene that mocks men who believe strides towards gender equality are a sort of 'anti-man racism'. And other skits in the loosely narrative show include a parody of pick-up merchants.

Please Understand Me

Here's a novel idea. Two comedians pretend to be a couple with relationship issues, then visit a real therapist for advice. The sessions are filmed and broken up with filmed sketches illustrating the fiction.

The first episode features Rory Scovel and 2017 Edinburgh best newcomer Natalie Palamides, the second has fellow US comics Punkie Johnson and Ahamed Weinberg, with Dr Brown star Phil Burgers among those lined up for later skits. Watch the first episodes here.

600 Bottles Of Wine

This Australian comedy series revolves around Claire (played by series creator Grace Rouvray), a young woman back on the dating scene after a long-term relationship ends. And when she thinks she has found a potential new boyfriend, she turns to her coterie of friends to interpret the state of the possible new romance. Originally made as eight-part web series, 600 Bottles Of Wine has been released as four 18-minute episodes on . iPlayer this week.

Arrested Development

Even without the off-screen drama, the revival of Arrested Development feels like flogging a dead horse, at least based on the opening episode. A once-great comedy has turned into something of a pale parody of itself, layered with in-jokes, flashbacks explaining the convoluted plot of season 4, and so much of Ron Howard's voiceover it's virtually an audiobook. Maybe it'll pick up... Watch on Netflix here

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Much more dependable is Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, which returns with a run of six episodes (although the rest of its fourth and final season won't air until next year). And as always the gag-packed, fast-paced show is informed by big issues, even if it always addresses them in kooky ways. Episode one finds Kimmy accused of sexual harassment in the workplace. Watch on Netflix here

The Break with Michelle Wolf

In a busy week for comedies on Netflix, Michelle Wolf starts her weekly topical show, fresh from the notoriety she earned from hosting the White House Correspondents Dinner. It's a blend of current-affairs stand-up – though she insists 'I'm not going to try to teach you anything or discuss political policy with you' – with filmed sketches like the one below and a guest, this week fellow comic Amber Ruffin. Watch here.