The week's best comedy on TV, radio and streaming

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

Sunday February 20

DOWN AND DIRTY WITH JIM NORTON: First aired in 2008, this series features earthy stand-up from the likes of Bill Burr, Jim Jefferies and the late Patrice O’Neal. All four episodes are being shown back to back tonight. Sky Comedy, 10.40pm

Monday February 21

RICHARD OSMAN’S HOUSE OF GAMES: It’s a new champions week - and the first dad-daughter clash as Ade and Beattie Edmondson view for the title, alongside fellow comics Kemah Bob and Angela Barnes, the first contestant to win all five days. Can she repeat the feat? BBC Two, 6.30pm

LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH John Oliver: The topical comedy show returns with a deep dive behind the headlines. Sky Comedy, 9pm

THE STAND UP SKETCH SHOW: Tonight’s line-up is Michael Odewale, Michael Stranney, Tom Lucy, Felicity Ward, Larry Dean, Esther Manito, Babatunde Aleshe and Finlay Christie. ITV2, 10pm

JUST A MINUTE: Sue Perkins challenges Dane Baptiste, Stephen Fry, Sheila Hancock and Paul Merton to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation. Radio 4. 6.30pm

THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY: The 2005 movie version with Martin Freeman and Zooey Deschanel arrives on Amazon Prime Video.

Tuesday February 22

CAT BURGLAR: Charlie Brooker’s over-the-top, interactive, Tex Avery-inspired cartoon comes to Netflix. By answering witty trivia questions, viewers must help Rowdy Cat get one over on Peanut the Security Pup and break into a museum to steal some prized paintings. Despite what it sounds like, it’s not for kids…

MEL GIEDROYC: UNFORGIVABLE: Tonight Bill Bailey comes face-to-face with victims of his and his dog’s bad behaviour, former heavyweight champion David Haye overshares about creative ways to take his training supplements and Rosie Jones confesses all the times she’s used her disability for evil. Dave, 10pm

Wednesday February 23

FRAYED: Sarah Kendall’s comedy returns, with her character Sammy having escaped from her native Australia and is now living in a tiny London flat while frantically trying to prove that her lawyer (Robert Webb) has stolen her house. Sky Max, 10pm

Thursday February 24

BILLY CONNOLLY DOES: Yet another Big Yin retrospective as the comedian again looks back at his 50-year stand-up career, mixed with classic clips and shaggy-dog tales regaled from his Florida home. Each of the episodes covers a particular topic, such as work, sex, travel, childhood and parenthood. Gold 9pm

Friday February 25

MADEA HOMECOMING: Tyler Perry returns with his tough-talking female alter-ego as the latest movie in his hugely successful franchise lands on Netflix. Would it help to know that Brendan O'Carroll makes a guest appearance in his Agnes Brown guise?

Published: 20 Feb 2022