The best of the week's comedy on TV and radio

The best of the week’s comedy on TV and radio.

Tuesday December 11

THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE: More used to sitting on a throne than bowing to it, Taskmaster Greg Davies hosts the annual showbiz shindig, with comedians Lost Voice Guy, Rhod Gilbert, Gad Elmaleh and Rod Woodward on the bill. Beforehand, Davies said: ‘I am delighted to host the Royal Variety. It is a role that I am wildly unsuited to and I will no doubt offend a great many people, but my Mum has a voracious appetite for meeting members of the Royal family and this seems a reasonable price to pay for the gift of life.’ ITV, 9pm

Thursday December 13

THE GOOD PLACE: A treat for those without Netflix as the most inventive sitcom for many a year arrives on E4. Kristen Bell stars as Eleanor Shellstrop, a woman who dies and is sent to The Good Place, which is definitely not where she belongs - so tries to remain undetected by Michael (Ted Danson), the architect in charge of her new neighbourhood where nothing is quite what it seems. E4, 9pm

BILLY CONNOLLY’S ULTIMATE WORLD TOUR: The Big Yin takes viewers on a trip around his new home state of Florida, while also looking back at his travels over the last 25 years, including visits to Scotland, Canada and Australia. ITV, 9pm

Friday December 14

THE LAST LEG: Kathy Burke is the guest of Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker tonight. Channel 4. 10pm

Saturday December 15

DEATH ON THE TYNE:A follow-up to last year’s Murder On The Blackpool Express, the most successful original show made by the Gold channel. Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson return as Terry and Gemma from Draper's Tours, now taking a small group on an ill-fated trip on the Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry. Written by comic Jason Cook, the feature-length murder-mystery features an impressive ensemble cast including Sue Johnston, Felicity Montagu, Doon Mackichan, Georgie Glen, Don Gilet, Tony Gardner, James Fleet, Taj Atwal, David Mumeni and Sheila Reid. Gold, 9pm

GHOSTBUSTERS: The network premiere of Paul Feig's contentious female-led remake of the fantasy comedy, starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. Channel 4, 9pm

Published: 9 Dec 2018