The week's best comedy on TV and radio

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

Sunday March 27

THE MISINVESTIGATIONS OF Romesh Ranganathan: In a spin-off of his Misadventures travel series, the comedian turns detective - despite having no experience. In the first of three shows, he attempts to resolve the mysterious death of Jimi Hendrix in London in September 1970. Another will look at Tupac Shakur’s death. Ranganathan says: ‘We wanted a spin-off for Misadventures, and after we discussed Misinterpretations, Miscalculations and Misunderstandings we finally settled on Misinvestigations. It’s been really interesting to look into these high-profile deaths and I am very excited for people to see the show, unless of course people don’t like it, in which case I will release a statement explaining how I never really believed in the project.’ Criminal psychologist Dr Julia Shaw offers some professional assistance. BBC Two, 9pm

Monday March 28

DEEP HEAT: A new comedy set in the world of wresting, created by comedy duo Max & Ivan with co-writer Andrew Ellard. The six-part series follows quick-witted, rebellious Holly (Jahannah James), a frustrated wannabe wrestler trying to save the oldest pro-wrestling company in the North West of England with its roster of misfits. Co-stars include Pippa Haywood, Richard Fleeshman and Sharon Rooney while Matt Lucas, John Thomson and Ben Ashenden provide guest performances. The lowdown on Deep Heat’s character and episode guide

NEWARK, NEWARK: A three-part comedy, stripped in the same timeslot today, tomorrow and Wednesday, revolves around the relationship between exhausted, newly-divorced chip shop manager Maxine (Morgana Robinson) and her big-mouthed, soft-bellied, son, Leslie (Jai Hollis, Ruth & Safiya) coming out as gay to the surprise of no one. Mathew Horne also has fun as her dullard ex-husband in a strong ensemble cast. Writer Nathan Foad talks about the semi-autobiographical show here and the cast have their say here Gold, 9pm

RICHARD OSMAN’S HOUSE OF GAMES: This week comedians Babatunde Aleshe and Jo Caulfield pit their knowledge and lateral-thinking skills against presenters Richie Anderson and Carol Smillie. BBC Two, 6pm.

Tuesday March 29

MEL GIEDROYC: UNFORGIVABLE: Jason Manford reveals the lengths he’d go to not share a room with his brother, AJ Odudu reveals the secret to DJing, and Jessica Knappett explains why you should never attend a funeral with her. Dave, 10pm

Thursday March 31

EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPES WITH Sandi Toksvig: Sandi takes comedian and self-confessed city girl Jenny Eclair to Wales, the Wye Valley and the glorious Malvern Hills. Channel 4, 9pm

Friday April 1

HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU: Clive Myrie hosts as the topical panel show returns for a 63rd series. Journalist Helen Lewis and comedian and writer Andy Hamilton are the guests. BBC One, 9pm

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE AUSTEN: Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders star as respected novelist Florence and movie star Selina in this comedy series about two sisters at war by Veep writer David Quantick. This is a repeat of the pilot before the first of five new episodes run in this slot from next week. Radio 4, 11.30am

THE BUBBLE: This Netflix comedy movie revolves around the cast and crew of a blockbuster action franchise attempting to shoot a sequel while quarantining at a posh hotel. The ensemble cast includes Karen Gillan, Iris Apatow, Fred Armisen, Karen Gillan, Maria Bakalova, Vir Das, David Duchovny, Samson Kayo, Keegan-Michael Key, Guz Khan, Leslie Mann, Kate McKinnon, Peter Serafinowicz and Rob Delaney.

HACKS: New to Amazon’s Prime Video service in the UK is this HBO Max show which won Emmy awards for outstanding writing and directing, plus outstanding lead actress for Jean Smart. She plays Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian who has blazed a trail through the male-dominated stand-up scene for decades. But after she starts losing work in favour of younger acts, Deborah’s manager pitches another of his clients, recently outcast 25-year-old television writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder), to help freshen up her set.

Published: 27 Mar 2022