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

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

Sunday December 19

ROB & ROMESH VS CHRISTMAS: Messrs Beckett and Ranganathan join Zippo’s Circus to learn acrobatics, contortion and knife-throwing, ready for a  performance at London’s Winter Wonderland. Sky Max 9pm

THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE: Alan Carr introduces fellow comics Judi Love, Bill Bailey, Chris McCausland and Josh Widdicombe, plus music from Ed Sheeran, Rod Stewart and Elvis Costello. ITV, 7.20pm

Monday December 20

BBC TWO: It’s a strong comedy night on the channel, starting with classic festive editions of Porridge at 6.15pm and Dad’s Army at 7pm. After the quiz break for Mastermind, Only Connect and University Challenge, the laughs resume with the Christmas QI at 9pm, with guests Bonnie Langford, Joe Lycett and Sally Phillips. At 9.30pm it’s a seasonal episode of underrated sitcom Two Doors Down, followed by the return of Diane Morgan’s Mandy in a cautionary tale featuring Johnny Vegas and John Cooper Clarke. This extended special is a full minute longer than usual. Then a rerun of Motherland’s Christmas special at 10.20pm ahead of the Comic Relief pantomime  Beauty And The Beast -  featuring  Lily James, Oliver Chris, Guz Khan, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Sian Gibson ,  Susan Wokoma, Celia Imrie,  Pam Ferris, Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal. Phew!

WOULD I LIE TO YOU AT CHRISTMAS?: Jim Broadbent, Rose Matafeo, Angela Rippon and Ardal O’Hanlon join regulars Rob Brydon, David Mitchell and Rob Brydon.  BBC One, 8.30pm

THE STAND-UP SKETCH SHOW CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Russell Kane, Seann Walsh, Dane Baptiste, Glenn Moore, Lily Phillips, Nabil Abdulrashid, Bella Hull and Vidura Rajapaksa take to the stage, with their routines acted out in sketch form. ITV2, 10pm

Tuesday December 21

JIM GAFFIGAN: COMEDY MONSTER: Described as the ‘king of clean comedy’, six-time Grammy nominee Gaffigan releases his latest stand-up special on Netflix today, with tales of family life, the pandemic, and billionaires in space…

Wednesday December 22

LIVE AT THE APOLLO: The Christmas special features stand-up from Jason Manford, Maisie Adam and Nabil Abdulrashid. It’s followed by a rerun of  Secrets Of The Apollo, in which comedians share their memories of performing on the show. BBC Two, 10pm

Thursday December 23

GHOSTS: In this special Christmas episode of the ensemble comedy, Kitty becomes convinced that Santa has made an early stop at Button House. BBC One, 8.30pm

NOT GOING OUT: Lee gets the hump when wife  Lucy books tickets to see a pantomime starring her teenage crush Jason Donovan… then starts dreaming of himself living a panto life… BBC One, 10pm

THE Tim Vine CHAT SHOW:  A festive return for the talk show which shuns celebrity guests, to allow the comic to talk to the audience instead. Radio 4, 6.30pm

HANSEL & GRETEL AFTER EVER AFTER: David Walliams presents the third of his festive fairy tale specials picking up the story after the siblings have escaped the witch’s gingerbread house – only to be dismayed to learn that their village – their family included - is being enchanted by a mysterious stranger plying them with sweet treats. The cast also includes Sheridan Smith and Mark Addy. Sky Max, 8pm

Friday December 24

SPITTING IMAGE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: The latex satire show arrives returns back on terrestrial TV with this special, previously available on Britbox. Elton John meets an angelic Brad Pitt, Nicola Sturgeon shares a Glasgow kiss under the mistletoe and Tom Cruise finds driving a sleigh can be risky business. ITV, 10pm

CHRISTMAS COMEDY CLUB WITH Lost Voice Guy: The Britain’s Got Talent winner introduces Bill Bailey, Rosie Jones, Omid Djalili andJoel Dommett.ITV, 10.30pm

COUNT ARTHUR STRONG’S RADIO SHOW! The befuddled entertainer tries his hand at being the department-store Santa. What could possibly go wrong? Radio 4, 11.30am

8 OUT OF 10 CATS DOES COUNTDOWN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL:  Jon Richardson and Sarah Millican take on Lee Mack and Jason Manford. Channel 4, 9.30pm. It’s followed by the  Last Leg Christmas special with guests Joanna Lumley and Big Zuu, and at 11.30pm a rerun of the Friday Night Dinner celebration 10 Years And A Lovely Bit Of Squirrel.

Saturday December 25

JIMMY CARR: HIS DARK MATERIAL: The comic’s third Netflix stand-up special lands today, featuring  his cruel wit – and some jokes he calls ‘career-enders’. Though we suspect he’s way too successful for that…

MRS BROWN’S BOYS: The first of the inevitable annual specials puts Agnes in charge of the church choir. BBC One, 10.20pm

THE LAVENDER HILL MOB: The 1951 Oscar winning Ealing comedy crime caper  starring Alec Guinness, Sid James and Stanley Holloway - plus an early appearance from Audrey Hepburn. Talking Pictures TV, 6.35pm

Published: 19 Dec 2021