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

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

Now

PRIVATE EYE AT 60 : The satirical magazine is marking its anniversary with a seven-episode video celebration, hosted by editor Ian Hislop and featuring extracts from the jokes pages from across the decades performed by Harry Enfield, Jan Ravens and Lewis McCloud – plus archive sketches from Peter Cook and John Sessions. Youtube channel.

RANDY FELTFACE & FRIENDS: The Melbourne Comedy Festival has released this episode of their stand-up showcase show for free on YouTube. Taking part are  Luke Heggie, Cassie Workman Aurelia St Clair and  Jude Perl.

Sunday October 31

INSIDE NO 9: DEAD LINE: Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith's special episode initially went out as  live on BBC2. Now it makes its Halloween night debut on Gold. Gold, 9pm.

THE DEIRDRE O'KANE SHOW: Emma Doran and Jason Byrne join the host and her house band Abandoman in this week's episode of the stand-up showcase from Dublin. Sky Max, 10pm

Monday November 1

FRISKY AND MANNISH: POPCORN: Working with the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield the comedic pop parodists have made an 'action-packed, comedic romp through movie genres' as a show that's downloadable, but only for the next two weeks. It's described as 'part-movie, part-live show, part-parody, part-love letter to cinema' and will be available here

WHISTLE THROUGH THE SHAMROCKS: In this new podcast, Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan teams up with playwright Camilla Whitehill for this comedy which mocks all the stereotypes of rural Ireland. Guest stars include Ben Miller, Susan Wokoma, Ed Gamble, Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Stephanie Beatriz, and  Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness as a banshee.

 RICHARD OSMAN'S HOUSE OF GAMES: It's a comedy-heavy line-up this week, with Luke Kempner, Nabil Abdulrashid and  Sarah Millican taking part, alongside author Philippa Perry. BBC Two, 6pm

THE LEAK: Tom Price and guests are back for a new series of Radio Wales' topical comedy, starting with a special green edition for Cop26. BBC Radio Wales, 6.30pm

WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY:The latest US revival of the improv show - now in its 18th season on the CW network, starts a run on Dave right from the first episode from 2013. Aisha Tyler hosts with regulars Wayne Brady, Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie along with guests Jeff Davis and former boxing champion Laila Ali. Dave, 7pm

HAPLESS: The indie-made sitcom starring Tim Downie as a journalist taking up a job at a small Jewish publication comes to Netflix, having previously aired on Channel 5. Writer and director Gary Sinyor created the show which features comedy stalwarts Geoffrey McGivern and Lucy Montgomery plus stand-up Josh Howie. The show - originally released as The Jewish Enquirer – has been likened to a British Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Tuesday November 2

QUESTION TEAM: Joining Richard Ayoade this week are James Acaster, Kemah Bob, Olga Koch and special guests Flo & Joan Dave 10pm

Friday November 5

SOHO THEATRE LIVE: Delayed from their original release date in September, this second series of ten stand-up specials recorded at the prestigious London venue drop today. They are:

•   Catherine Bohart: Immaculate 
•   Jordan Brookes: I’ve Got Nothing 
•    Desiree Burch: Unf*ckable 
•    Nina Conti: In Your Face 
•    Jessica Fostekew: Hench
•    Janine Harouni: Stand Up with Janine Harouni (Please Remain Seated) 
•    Kieran Hodgson: Maestro 
•    Sarah Keyworth: Dark Horse
•    Kai Samra: Underclass 
•    Sindhu Vee: Sandhog 

INFLUENCERS:  Katy Brand and Katherine Parkinson write and star in a new comedy about the online world of influencing. And part of their social media empire is a podcast called  A Lovely Chat With Ruth And Carla .. which will actually be released on BBC Sounds at the same time. Very meta. Radio 4, 6.30pm 

THE BIG NARSTIE SHOW Big Narstie and Mo Gilligan are back with a new series of their late-night chat, comedy and music show.  In the first episode, the guests include Katherine Ryan and rapper Digga D, and  there's an appearance from  Idris Elba. Channel 4, 11.05pm

BIG MOUTH: The fifth series of the animated coming-of-age comedy arrives on Netflix. The voice cast includes Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, Jason Mantzoukas and Maya Rudolph.

BORLEY RECTORY: Not a comedy, but this part-animated documentary about what's reputedly the UK's most haunted house will be of interest to fans of Inside No 9's Reece Shearsmith, who stars. This is the TV premiere of the 2018 film.

Saturday November 6

WORZEL GUMMIDGE: Mackenzie Crook's revival of the family favourite is back for three new episodes, starting with a story revolving around Bonfire Night. Paul Kaye guests as Guy Forks and Toby Jones as the entire Bonfire Night committee. BBC One, 5.45pm

THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW: His guests this week include Michael McIntyre, Aisling Bea and Rob Delaney. ITV, 9.30pm

Published: 31 Oct 2021