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

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

Sunday December 29

COMEDIANS AT KING'S: The second instalment of this showcase of circuit veterans features Gary Little, John Moloney, Ninia Benjamin and Andy Askins. Read our review of the night here. BBC Scotland, 10.30pm 

JOE LYCETT: I'M ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL AND I THINK Joe Lycett:  The TV premiere of his 2018 stand-up DVD, recorded at the Hammersmith Apollo.  Channel 4, 10pm

Monday December 30

ALAN CARR'S CELEBRITY RE-PLAY 2019: Guest celebrities test whether they've been paying attention over the past year. ITV, 9pm

Tuesday  December 31

DAME EDNA RULES THE WAVES: Despite constant reports of retirement, Dame Edna is back for another talk show – this one reputedly aboard her luxury yacht, the Ocean Widow. Joining her are Sharon Osbourne, Rudoph Walker, Rob Rinder, Emily Atack, Joe Sugg, Anita Rani and more BBC One, 9.05pm

THE LAST LEG OF THE YEAR: Guests include Sue Perkins, Sara Pascoe, Tom Davis, Rosie Jones and Johnny Vegas, plus house band The Horne Section . Channel 4, 9pm

THE COMEDY CLUB: Alex Horne PRESENTS THE Horne Section NEW YEAR Ring in the New Year –  albeit 12 hours early – as comedian Alex Horne is joined by his five-piece band in this show, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2013. Radio 4 Extra, 11.30am 

Wednesday January 1

MIRANDA: MY SUCH FUN CELEBRATION: To mark ten years since her sitcom, Ms Hart is reunited with co-stars Sarah Hadland, Patricia Hodge and Sally Phillips for his showbiz spectacular at the London Palladium. Other guests include Heather Small singing What Have You Done Today to Make You Feel Proud andd the Kingdom Choir. Read what Miranda has to say about the show here. BBC One, 5:45pm

COMEDY LEGENDS: Billy Connolly: This instalments of the Sky Arts show examines the career of The Big Yin, from his days as a welder in the Glaswegian shipyard when he was a banjo player in the folk music band The Humblebums, via his appearances on Michael Parkinson's chat show in the 1970s, to stand-up icon and movie star… and his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease that may force his retirement. Sky Arts, 9pm

MY BRILLIANT LIFE: Alistair McGowan stars as a host of famous people in this new comedy about man who spends his life on the road, daydreaming about the brilliant life that he's never had… Radio 4, 11pm

UP THE CHASTITY BELT: Sophisticated comedy doesn't go well with a hangover… so maybe try this low-rent 1971 spin-off from Up Pompeii in which Frankie Howard plays both King Richard the Lionheart and cowardly peasant Lurkalot. Hugh Paddick  (of Julian and Sandy fame) makes for a notable Robin Hood and the cast also includes Eartha Kitt, Roy Hudd and Bill Fraser. Talking Pictures TV, 10.05pm

Thursday January 2

IMAGINE… Lenny Henry: YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK: Alan Yentob follows the comedian as he releases his first autobiography charting his early years in showbusiness. In this film Sir Lenny Henry meets up with his closest friends, family and colleagues to remember his sudden rise to fame aged 16 on TV talent show New Faces, which catapulted him from working-class kid from Dudley to one of Britain's most celebrated black performers. Imagine... also explores Lenny's other early television breakthrough roles on Tiswas and Three Of A Kind, as well as five years as the only black performer in The Black & White Minstrel Show. Sir Lenny also discusses his recent career reinvention as a serious actor of stage and screen, and his work as a political activist campaigning for greater diversity in the entertainment and broadcasting industry. BBC One, 11pm

I AM Richard Pryor: Comedians, historians, activists and family members reflect on the eventful life of Richard Pryor in the latest documentary about the boundary-pushing comic. The focus of the film in on focuses Pryor's early decision to abandon his inoffensive clean-cut image and take a more radical political and personal approach to the art. Sky Arts, 10pm 

Friday January 3

ALL GIRLS LIVE AT THE APOLLO:  The Dave channel has recut some of the 13 series of the stand-up show to showcase the best female comedians who have appeared on the famous stage. The first episode includes Sara Pascoe, Sarah Millican, Katherine Ryan and Roisin Conaty; the second, at the same time tomorrow, features Jo Brand, Joan Rivers, Aisling Bea and Gina Yashere. Dave, 9pm

BIG FAT QUIZ OF THE DECADE Jimmy Carr returns as the question master as Claudia Winkleman, Nish Kumar, Joe Lycett, Alan Carr, Stacey Solomon and Jonathan Ross try to remember the last ten years. Channel 4, 9pm

Published: 29 Dec 2019