The week's best comedy on TV and radio

Here’s our pick of the week’s best comedy programmes on TV, radio and on-demand:  

Sunday August 29

MORTIMER & WHITEHOUSE: GONE FISHING:Bob and Paul head to the island of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides as their delightful series returns for six new episodes. BBC Two, 8pm

ON YER BIKE FOR SOCCER AID: Stand-up Zoe Lyons is one of the celebrities crossing the Yorkshire Dales in this charity challenge. ITV, 6.30pm

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST: The classic 1952 version of Oscar Wilde’s comedy, featuring Michael Redgrave, Edith Evans and Margaret Rutherford. Talking Pictures TV, 1.50pm

Monday August 30

RICHARD OSMAN’S HOUSE OF GAMES: This week’s contestants are comedians Shazia Mirza, Lucy Beaumont and Joe Thomas plus Jake Wood, aka Max Branning in  EastEnders. BBC Two, 6pm

Tuesday August 31

BACK TO LIFE: Daisy Haggard returns as ex-con Miri Matteson trying to rebuild her life for a second series of the comedy she co-wrote with Perrier Award-winner Laura Solon. All six episodes will be available on BBC Three iPlayer from 6am.

ALAN DAVIES: AS YET UNTITLED: Tonight’s guests are Jason Manford, Toussaint Douglass, Desiree Burch and Suzi Ruffell. Dave, 10pm.

THE BIRTHDAY CAKE GAME: A new comedic quiz hosted by Richard Osman that poses one simple question - do you know how old people are? Guests in this opening episode are broadcaster Jayne Sharp and comics Ed Gamble and Beattie Edmondson. Radio 4, 6.30pm  

Wednesday September 1

CODE 404: The crimefighting duo of the future is back. DI Carver (Stephen Graham) and his glitchy AI-driven partner DI Major  (Daniel Mays) are thrown back together to investigate a 20-year old cold case as Sky’s comedy returns. Sky Comedy 10pm

LEE MACK’S ROAD TO SOCCER AID: The comedian aims to get match fit with the aid of celebrities and sports stars  including Rob Brydon, Eddie Izzard, Sven Göran Eriksson, Mo Farah and Nicola Adams. ITV, 9pm.

Thursday September 2

LATE NIGHT MASH: The satirical news show hosted by Nish Kumar returns with a new name but a familiar format, after The Mash Report was cancelled by the BBC. Kumar will be joined by co-hosts Rachel Parris and Ellie Taylor plus correspondents including Geoff Norcott, Catherine Bohart, Fin Taylor, Michael Spicer, Steve N Allen and Ahir Shah. Eighth episodes plus a compilation are on the way. Dave, 10pm  

Friday September 3

CINDERELLA: The new comedy-musical take on the classic fairytale arrives on Amazon Prime. James Acaster, Romesh Ranganathan and, unfortunately, James Corden play the three footmen in a cast that also includes Missy Elliot, Pierce Brosnan, Minnie Driver and, in the title role, singer Camila Cabello.

HARRY SECOMBE: UNSUNG COMEDIAN: To mark 100 years since the birth of Sir Harry Secombe, comedy writer Gareth Gwynn speaks to family members, friends and fans about The Goon Show star’s comedic legacy. Gwynn believes Sir Harry is one of the most important comedians Wales has ever produced – and fears his contribution and influence, thanks in part to his modesty, is in serious danger of being overlooked. Contributors include Paul Merton, Barry Cryer, Ruth Madoc and Gemma Arrowsmith, as well as his son, Andrew Secombe. BBC Radio Wales, 6.30pm  

Published: 29 Aug 2021