And the rest 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:     

Monday January 3

THE BIG BANG THEORY: This pilot episode of the US sitcom featuring arch-nerds Leonard and Sheldon, which aired in 2007, turned out to be the first of 279 episodes… E4, 7.30pm  

Tuesday January 4

TOAST OF TINSELTOWN: Matt Berry is back as the large-living actor, but now in Los Angeles. Toast Of Tinseltown. Harry Peacock returns as  Ray Purchase and Berry's What We Do In The Shadows co-star Kayvan Novak plays the wonderfully named Des Wigwam.  BBC Two, 10pm    

Wednesday January 5

MANDY: Following her marginally longer Christmas special, Diane Morgan’s alter-ego returns, trying to find fulfilment via a series of short-lived jobs in the gig economy. Along the way, she becomes a stately home tour guide, appears on a genuinely out-of-this-world reality show, and accepts the most unappealing job in the sewage industry. Guest stars over the series include Alexei Sayle, Nick Mohammed, Deborah Meaden, Nigel Planer, Tom Basden, Anna Maxwell Martin, Charlie Chuck and Sir Tom Courtenay BBC Two, 10pm

Thursday January 6

FIRST DATES: Monty Python star Carol Cleveland, 79, makes an unexpected appearance in the dating show tonight, meeting a 76-year-old interior designer called Keith. She appeared in 30 of the 45 episodes of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, plus all four  movies. A former beauty queen she was also once named one of the three most beautiful people in entertainment. Channel 4, 10pm.

THE NETHER REGIONS: A new series of the sketch show written by Red Dwarf co-creator Rob Grant and 2point4children’s Andrew Marshall, which they perform with Helen Cripps, Edward Rowett and Holly Morgan. BBC Radio 4, 6.30pm.  

Friday January 7

THE TRAIN AT PLATFORM 4: A new four-part sitcom set in the carriages of a cross-country rail service from Now Show creators Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis have written a new sitcom, set in the carriages of a cross-country rail service. It stars Code 404’s Rosie Cavaliero as train manager Sam and Cuckoo’s Kenneth Collard as first-class steward Gilbert, with the creators making cameo appearances Radio 4, 11.30am.

KIRI’S TV FLASHBACKS: Kiri Pritchard-McLean takes over from Tudur Owen in this comedy trawl through the BBC Wales archives. BBC One Wales, 7.30pm.

8 OUT OF 10 CATS DOES COUNTDOWN: The show returns for a 22nd series, with Roisin Conaty and Kiri Pritchard-McLean taking on Jon Richardson and Rob Beckett. Huge Davies is in Dictionary Corner. Channel 4, 9pm  

Published: 2 Jan 2022