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

The best of the week’s comedy on TV, radio and on demand…

Sunday November 6

THE Spike Milligan SHOW: Broadcast for the first time since its original transmission in 1973, this programme thought lost from the archives has now been restored and airs as part of the BBC’s 100th birthday celebrations. In it, the comic icon 'talks rubbish and sings rubbish’, according to the show’s billings. Radio 4 Extra, 10.30am, then on BBC Sounds

Monday November 7

RICHARD OSMAN’S HOUSE OF GAMES: Tim Key takes on other previous winners in this week’s trivia challenges. He’s up against Jamie Laing from Made In Chelsea, Sunetra Sarker from Ackley Bridge and Laura Whitmore from Love Island. BBC Two, 6pm

Tuesday November 8

MEL GIEDROYC: UNFORGIVABLE: Joining Mel and sidekick Lou Sanders for the last episode this series are Jonathan Ross, and comics Olga Koch and Slim. Dave, 10pm

NEAL BRENNAN: BLOCKS: In this new Netflix special, the comedian (and co-writer of Chappelle's Show) moves physical blocks around the stage in order to explain the emotional and cultural issues that make him feel like something's wrong with him. From his complicated relationship with his dog Keith, drugs and alcohol, liberalism and his Slim chances of finding real everlasting love, Brennan tries to give the audience an honest look inside his psyche.

Wednesday November 9

BBC NEW COMEDY AWARDS: The BBC hasn’t done a great job of promoting this, but today is the final of its influential new talent hunt, as recorded in Cardiff last week. Six of the best up-and-coming comedians vie for the title, namely: Dee Allum, Omar Badawy, Joshua Bethania, Robbie McShane, Marjolein Robertson and Dan Tiernan. Our review of the live gig - which does not reveal the winner - is here. BBC One, 10.40pm

TWO DOORS DOWN: The hit ensemble comedy returns for a sixth series and Christmas special, albeit without Doon Mackichan as Chortle reported in August. We return to Latimer Crescent as Colin (Jonathan Watson) is vulnerable after being unceremoniously dumped by her character, Cathy. Beth (Arabella Weir) and Eric (Alex Norton) are doing their best, but conversation is already strained when Christine (Elaine C Smith) steams in demanding all the gory details. BBC Two, 10pm

Friday November 11

MAMMALS: He’s attracted some bad press of late, for allegedly treating restaurant staff badly and definitely stealing a Ricky Gervais joke. Now James Corden stars in Mammals, a new six-part comedy drama from Spectre writer Jez Butterworth that drops as a box set on Amazon’s Prime Video today. The Gavin & Stacey co-star plays a chef whose world implodes when he discovers shocking secrets about his pregnant wife, Amandine (Melia Kreiling)

THE BIG NARSTIE SHOW: The rap star and Mo Gilligan are back for a fifth series of their anarchic, late-night chat show. Guests in the first episode include hip-hop superstar Eve, actor and all-round tough guy Ross Kemp, and Celebrity Gogglebox regular Bez. Channel 4, 11.05pm

Published: 6 Nov 2022