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.

Monday April 18

COMEDIANS GIVING LECTURES: Sara Pascoe returns with a new series of the show which is very much explained by its title. In tonight’s episode, Toussaint Douglas talks about How To Find The Right Partner; Elf Lyons, the daughter of eminent economist Gerard Lyons, shares her Introduction to Economics’ and Frankie Boyle talks about Power and Politics In Today's World. Dave 10pm

TRAVEL MAN: 48 HOURS IN CYPRUS: Joe Lycett satisfies his wanderlust in Cyprus, where he's joined by Mo Gilligan to sample a halloumi workshop, mushroom boats and the salt and pepper museum. Channel 4, 8.30pm

RICHARD OSMAN’S HOUSE OF GAMES: Stand-ups Rachel Fairburn and Des Clarke go into battle for the comedy world this week, along with DJ Trevor Nelson and Cranford actress Kimberley Nixon BBC Two, 6pm

Tuesday April 19

THE GREAT CELEBRITY BAKE OFF FOR STAND UP TO CANCER : Comic Mawaan Rizwan puts his skills to the test alongside pop singer Ellie Goulding, TV presenter and disability advocate Sophie Morgan, and actor Tracey-Ann Oberman. Channel 4, 8pm

Wednesday April 20

INSIDE No 9: The anthology series arrives for a  very welcome seventh run, starting with an episode that reunites creators Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith with their former League of Gentlemen partner Mark Gatiss. Entitled Merrily, Merrily, it stars Shearsmith as Lawrence, who has arranged a special reunion on a boat for his old university friends. But as they strike out across the remote lake, ‘their conversation takes them into troubled waters’. The episode also stars Diane Morgan. BBC Two, 10pm.

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE: The eighth and final series of the fast-paced, Andy Samberg-led cop comedy kicks off with a double bill. E4, 9pm

RUSSIAN DOLL: Set four years after Nadia (Natasha Lyonne) and Alan (Charlie Barnett) escaped mortality’s time loop together, season two of Russian Doll will explore more existential ideas through a humorous, quirky sci-fi lens. This season - described as an ‘ever-expanding, era-spanning, intergenerational adventure’ - finds the pair exploring a time portal located in one of Manhattan’s most notorious locations. Out on Netflix today.

Thursday April 21

CHIVALRY: New comedy drama created, written by and starring Steve Coogan and Sarah Solemani about sexual power on a movie shoot in the era of #MeToo. Co-starring Sienna Miller. Channel 4 10pm.

PAUL SINHA’S PERFECT PUB QUIZ: In this new series, the comic and quizzer goes beyond the same old trivia questions – such as ‘What’s the name of the only member of ZZ Top without a beard?’ - to offer surprising alternatives and to explore the fascinating stories behind the answers. Radio 4, 6.30pm

Friday April 22

HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU:Mel Giedroyc hosts with Richard Osman and Observer columnist Sonia Sodha on the panel. BBC One, 9pm

IT’LL BE ALRIGHT ON THE NIGHT: David Walliams returns with a new collection of outtakes featuring the likes of Ricky Gervais and Greg Davies. ITV, 9pm

THE NEWS QUIZ: Andy Zaltzman returns for more topical quips, convoluted analogies and intricate puns. Radio 4, 6pm

Published: 17 Apr 2022