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

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

Monday May 22

THE CONNERS: The fifth season of the Roseanne spin-off comes to the UK, with all episodes available to stream from today, as well as a linear outing on Sky Comedy. The sitcom, which has just been renewed for a sixth series in the US, stars John Goodman as Dan, Laurie Metcalf as Jackie and Sara Gilbert as Darlene Sky Comedy, 8pm

Tuesday May 23

WANDA SYKES: I'M AN ENTERTAINER: The outspoken American comic is back with a new Netflix special in which she talks about the challenges of raising Gen Z teens and the dilemmas of being a liberal in a hypercharged political climate.

OLGA KOCH: OK COMPUTER:The Russian-born comedian returns with a second series drawing on her background as a computer scientist. In this opening episode, the stand-up and her trusty digital assistant Algo (played by Ru Paul’s Drag Race Tia Kofi) try to agree what is and isn’t 'fun'. Radio 4, 6.30pm

Wednesday May 24

ROOM 101 WITH Paul Merton: The format returns to its radio roots, in its original one-to-one incarnation, and with former host Paul Merton. In this first episode, Claudia Winkleman attempts to banish picnics, whispering and alliteration forever. Radio 4, 6.30pm

TEARS OF A CLOWN: To tie in with BBC Mental Health Awareness Week, Radio 4 Extra repeats this 2014 programme in which Robin Ince looks at the enduring cliché of the sadclown amd examines the relationship between stand-up comedy and mental health. Is comedy just like every other profession, or is there a need for some loss or pain in childhood to create the outsider who wishes to spend each night making themselves face one of the top three fears of human beings, public speaking? Romantic vision, bitter truth, debatable myth - can we really work out the formula that makes a comedian? Radio 4 Extra, 8pm.

TWAYNA MAYNE: BLACK WOMAN A repeat run for the comic's stand-up show about her identity as a black child adopted by a white parent. Radio 4, 11pm

PLATONIC: Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne star in this new Apple TV+ comedy as a platonic pair of former best friends approaching midlife who reconnect after a long rift. Early reviews have earned it a 100% approval ratin on aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes so far…

Thursday May 25

INSIDE NO 9: After last week's big twist episode, this week Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith play long-term lovers Joe and Chas, in an episode entitled The Last Weekend. Pemberton's former Benidorm co-star Sheila Reid guests in the last of the current series.

Friday May 26

HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU: With Carol Vorderman and comic Nabil Abdulrashid this week.BBC One, 9pm

THE LATEISH SHOW WITH Mo Gilligan: The comedian is joined by actor Adrian Lester and Eurovision star Sam Ryder. Channel 4, 10pm

THE NEWS QUIZ: Andy Zaltzman is joined by Lucy Porter, Simon Evans, Robin Morgan and the Spectator’s Kate Andrews for this episode, recorded at the Hay Festival. BBC Radio 4, 6.30pm

Published: 21 May 2023