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

Our pick of the comedy on TV, radio and on demand this week:

Sunday April 30

THE WINDSORS CORONATION SPECIAL: A welcome - and of course timely - return for the comedy that plays royal shenanigans as if they were an outrageous soap opera… and often seems less melodramatic than the real thing. As he finally gets to be crowned king Charles (Harry Enfield) is desperate for a spectacular affair with all the pomp and circumstance he thinks he deserves. As does Queen Consort Camilla (Haydn Gwynne), who can't wait to drape herself in diamonds and fur. Sadly, the UK's in the middle of the Cozzie Livs - or cost of living crisis - and Wills (Hugh Skinner) thinks the coronation should reflect these more frugal times. Meanwhile Harry (Richard Goulding) and Meghan (Kathryn Drysdale) are finally free of Windsor family politics to concentrate on their simple life in California. But can they really afford to miss the big moment? Read an interview with many of the cast here. Channel 4, 9pm

FRANKIE BOYLE'S FAREWELL TO THE MONARCHY: After 1,000 years of violent, ruthless, land grabbing, child murdering, wife- beheading, slave trading, misogynist, empire-building, the comic thinks it might be time to wind uop this weird institution. In this programme he looks back to the reigns of William the Conqueror, the most successful immigrant to cross the Channel in a small boat; Richard III, famous for his role in murdering the boy who should have been King; Henry VIII who thought it okay to marry six wives and execute two, because he was chosen by God; Lady Jane Grey, the nine-day queen, beheaded as a victim of royal misogyny; Elizabeth I, the 'virgin queen' who saved her country, but invested in slavery; and Victoria, the most powerful woman in the world, but listed in the census as Albert's wife with her job being queen.Channel 4, 10pm

THE CHASE CELEBRITY SPECIAL: Sarah Millican is one of the contestants.ITV1, 8pm

THIS IS YOUR LIFE: Eric Sykes's epsiode of the biographical show is getting a repeat airing to celebrate the centenary of his birth on May 3. The episode originally aired on Christmas Day and features contributions from the likes of Tommy Cooper, Frankie Howerd, Max Bygrages, Spike Milligan, Johnny Speight, Ha ry Secombe and Sean Connery. Skyes died in 2012 at the age of 89. ITV3, 9pm. And at 8am on Thursday, Radio 4 Extra will broadcast a 2007 interview with the comedian in which he reflects on his radio years writing scripts for Frankie Howerd, Archie Andrews and the Goons.

Monday May 1

BOYCIE IN BELGRADE: In this travelogue, Only Fools and Horses star John Challis heads to the Serbian capital to find out why Only Fools and Horses is the most popular TV show in this small Balkan nation. New to streaming platform ITVX today.

JUST A MINUTE: Sue Perkins challenges Gyles Brandreth, Jan Ravens, Tony Hawks and Rachel Parris to speak for 60 seconds…with the usual provisos. Radio 4, 6.30pm

Tuesday May 2

ALAN DAVIES AS YET UNTITLED: Joining Alan for the last in the current series are Johnny Vegas, Rachel Parris, Ellie Taylor and Josh Pugh. Their stories revolved around the world’s worst comic, a massive dump, an unwanted mutt, a cry for help and a selection of Dutch marital aids. Dave, 10pm

Thursday May 4

INSIDE NO 9: This week's episode is entitled Paraskevidekatriaphobia - meaning the irrational fear of Friday the 13th. Reece Shearsmith plays Gareth, a sufferer, who decides to work from home on the fateful day, just in case anything unlucky happens. Samantha Spiro and Amanda Abbington are the guest stars. BBC Two, 10pm.

Friday May 5

HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU:Alexander Armstrong is guest host, with panellists comedian Maisie Adam and journalist Helen Lewis joining team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop BBC One, 9pm

BLACK OPS: In this new comedy-thriller from Famalam’s Gbemisola Ikumelo (who also stars) and co-writer Akemnji Ndifornyen, two inept community support officers go undercover to thwart a violent criminal gang, but they soon discover they are in way over their heads. Read an interview with Ikumelo here. BBC One, 9.30pm

THE LATEISH SHOW WITH Mo Gilligan: The comedian returns for a fourth series, with guests Chris and Rosie Ramsey, Harry Hill, Alex Scott and Priyanka Chopra. Channel 4, 10pm

THE NEWS QUIZ: Ria Lina, Andrew Maxwell and Andy Parsons are Andy Zaltzman's comedy guests this week. Radio 4, 6.30pm

Saturday May 6

For those seeking some respite from the wall-to-wall Coronation coverage…

THE ROYLE FAMILY: Aptly enough for Coronation weekend, the Gold channel will be screening all three series of The Royle Family as back-to-back episodes, one season over each of the next three nights. Constitutional monarchy, my arse. Gold, from 9pm

FAWLTY TOWERS: 50 YEARS OF LAUGHS: The latest in Channel 5's run of celebratory comedy documentaries, mixing talking heads and much-loved clips. Channel 5, 9.15pm

Published: 30 Apr 2023