© BBC/Monumental Giving up the Ghosts…
The best comedy on TV and radio this Christmas
Our pick of the comedy on TV, radio and streaming this week…:
Sunday December 24
NOT GOING OUT: In the 100th episode Lee (Lee Mack) promises perfect family Christmas, agreeing to the wishes of wife Lucy (Sally Bretton) to do something charitable and ensuring 'nothing goes wrong'. The result is that Wilfred, a lonely pensioner from the nearby care home, is invited to join them for Christmas dinner. The only instruction is that Wilfred is not, under any circumstances, allowed to drink alcohol… Sounds like a Gremlins-style set-up for disaster to us. The episode also stars regulars Hugh Dennis, Abigail Cruttenden, Deborah Grant and Geoffrey Whitehead. Click here for an in-depth read about the show and Mack's attitude to the much-maligned genre of the traditional studio sitcom. BBC One, 10pm
SUSIE MCCABE: FEMME FATALITY: The comic's acclaimed stand-up special gets a primetime airing, recorded at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow. Read our review of the live show from the Edinburgh Fringe here. BBC Scotland, 10pm
BRADLEY WALSH: MY COMEDY HEROES: Tonight, the entertainer looks at his favourite stand-ups including Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse, Caroline Ahern, Lee Mack, Jimmy Carr, Billy Connolly and Victoria Wood. Channel 5, 7.30pm
ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES: GREATEST CHRISTMAS MOMENTS: In a new and exclusive interview, Sir David Jason shares his secrets from the Christmas sets of his classic comedy. We learn about the special that ran into overtime and cost the BBC big bucks because Sir David kept corpsing. We hear how a shower cap inspired one of the show's most iconic moment and, how one Christmas special contained the most expensive joke in the BBC's history. Also taking part ar Tessa Peake-Jones, who played Raquel, as well as celebrity fans such as John Sergeant, Theo Paphitis, Sherrie Hewson and Krishnan Guru Murthy. Channel 5, 9pm
THE JONATHAN ROSS CHRISTMAS SHOW: Romesh Ranganathan and Kevin Bridges are among the guests. ITV1, 10.15pm
NICHOLAS PARSONS DAY: Radio 4 Extra dedicates the full day's programme to celebrating the late Just A Miute host, with a 6-hour chunk of programming repeated four times from 6am. See the full schedule here
Monday December 25
GHOSTS: It's a sad farewell to all the spectral inhabitants of Button House, as the charming sitcom comes to an end with this special episode. It sees Mike's mum Betty (Lorna Gayle) come to visit and outstay her welcome, introduces viewers to baby Mia, and has all the Ghosts explaining to Robin how to get into the Christmassy spirit. BBC One, 7:45pm
CAROLINE AHERNE: QUEEN OF COMEDY: The late comedian is celebrated in this new Arena film, featuring unseen photographs and contributions from a cast of her lifelong friends, including Steve Coogan, John Thomson, Craig Cash and producer Andy Harries. The film traces Aherne’s life from childhood in Wythenshawe, Manchester, through her early adventures as a woman on Manchester’s alternative stand-up scene and the breakthrough moment when the BBC commissioned The Mrs Merton Show, and on to the Royle Family, which she created with Cash Co-writers Henry Normal and Phil Mealy, and fellow cast members Sue Johnston, Ricky Tomlinson and Ralf Little recall the groundbreaking series. The film also looks at how Aherne became a fixture of tabloid speculation about her personal life, something she would struggle with throughout her career. BBC Two, 10.25pm
BARRY HUMPHRIES: THE LAST LAUGH: In this Christmas special documentary a host of top stars reflect on the life and comedy of Dame Edna Everage creator Barry Humphries, including Jonathan Ross, Nick Cave, Dara Ó Briain and Lord Jeffrey Archer - which is probably the only time those four names have been grouped together. The show also relives classic moments from his signature characters as well as interviews Barry gave as himself before his death in April at the age of 89. ITV1, 10pm
MRS. BROWN’S BOYS CHRISTMAS: Will Agnes Brown have the peaceful Christmas she wants? No, obviously not… BBC, 10.45pm
RICKY GERVAIS: ARMAGEDDON: In his megabucks-generating stand-up show, dropping on Netflix today, the comic discusses the end of humanity, family weddings, funerals, Artificial Intelligence and - of course - political correctness,
PAUL BLACK: NOSTALGIA: The social media comedy star takes a trip down memory lane with his feel-good stand-up special, recorded at the Music Hall in Aberdeen as part of his UK tour. In it, he examines the quality bar of Neds these days and showcases a childhood photo that he reckons solved one of the great divides in our nation. Read our review of the live show from the Glasgow Comedy Festival here. BBC Scotland, 10.30pm
WITH GREAT PLEASURE AT CHRISTMAS: RUTH JONES: The co-creator of the hugely-loved sit-com Gavin and Stacey shares some of her early comic inspirations as well as memories of growing up in Wales. Radio 4, 3.15pm
IT'S A FAIR COP CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Copper turned comic Alfie Moore takes an audience through real-life crime scenarios… with a 'festive' twist.Radio 4, 6.30pm
UNCANNY: THE HAUNTING OF Daisy May Cooper: The This Country actor and writer believes she shares her Cotswolds home with the spirit of a dead highwayman and a pair of disembodied legs, amongst other things. Now she’s called on the help of supernatural expert Danny Robins to investigate… Radio 4, 10pm
Tuesday December 26
BRENNAN REECE: The stand-up is releasing his hour-long special on YouTube for free from 9am.
BIG FAT QUIZ OF THE YEAR 2023: Jimmy Carr puts the questions to Mo Gilligan, Rosie Jonee, Katherine Ryan, Richard Ayoade, Mel Giedroyc and Kevin Bridges. Channel 4, 9pm
RICHARD OSMAN'S FESTIVE HOUSE OF GAMES: It's a strong comedy week in the house with Hugh Dennis, Kerry Godliman and Black Ops star Gbemisola Ikumelo pitting their general knowledge against McFly's Harry Judd. BBC Two, 6pm
RONNIE CORBETT: MY 30 FUNNIEST MOMENTS: A 90-minute retrospective featuring moments from the late star's long and varied career. Channel 5, 8pm
Wednesday December 27
IMAGINE… FRENCH & SAUNDERS: POINTED, BITCHY, BITTER: Alan Yentob's documentary covers the enduring career of the double act which started when they were college flatmates, entertaining each other by playing pranks and inventing characters and continues with their podcast Titting About. Dawn and Jennifer revisit the former site of the Comic Strip Club in Soho where a group of young comedians revolutionised the comedy scene. Alongside interviews with Comic Strip comedians Alexei Sayle, Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer, Dawn and Jennifer tell the story of being the women in a team that would change the face of television. The show also features interviews with Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins, Joanna Lumley, Ruby Wax and Richard Curtis to reveal the caustic wit behind their cosy exterior and show the huge impact that French & Saunders had on the generations of comedians that followed. BBC One, 10.30pm
BOB SERVANT SAYS CHEERIO: Succession's Brian Cox returns to the character of unsuccessful, unselfaware,Broughton Ferry entrepreneur Bob Servant for one last time as Neil Forsyth's comedy bows out with a two-part farewell. Radio 4, 11.30am
SPORTS FUNNIEST 2023: Greg James raids the archives with the aid of Maisie Adam and Guz Khan. Sky Max, 9pm
GOOD MORNING, YVETTE’S NAN: Top marks for the punny title. A granny becomes a pirate radio DJ in Neil Williams’s comedy drama, set in a retirement home in South Wales. Starring Siw Hughes. Radio 4, 2.15pm
Thursday December 28
DAWN FRENCH IS A HUGE TW*T: In this stand-up show recorded at the London’s Palladium, Dawn French reveals all the excruciating gaffes and howlers she’s made across her 40-year career. Read our review of the stage version here.BBC One, 10.30pm
BREAKING THE YEAR: A TV outing for the Radio Scotland topical panel show as host Des Clarke and guests Kirsty Wark, Mark Nelson, Ashley Storrie and Sanjeev Kholi look back at the biggest stories and events of the year. BBC Scotland, 10pm
OUR FAVOURITE 1970s SITCOMS: A 60-minute special celebrating the decade's funniest sitcoms with a host of celebrity guests. We find out how Michael Crawford performed all his own slapstick stunts in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave 'Em, how the cast of The Good Life bonded over pea pod burgundy, how Fawlty Towers became a huge hit, and how a real-life affair inspired Carla Lane to write suburban sitcom Butterflies. The show also features stand-out moments from The Last of The Summer Wine, The Liver Birds, The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin, Steptoe and Son, and Dad's Army. Channel 5, 8pm
Friday December 29
MORTIMER AND WHITEHOUSE: GONE FISHING: Bob, Paul and Ted the dog travel to Scotland to fish for salmon and to sample traditional Hogmanay celebrations. They start their trip on a steam train overlooking the River Dee, the first place they’ll fish, a river that brings back special memories for Paul as he used to fish the very same beat with his father for many years. Mystic Wilf drops by to predict their year ahead and Ted is treated to a special afternoon’s entertainment before the traditional works party and awards ceremony. BBC Two, 9pm
THE KEMPS: ALL GOLD: Spandau Ballet’s Gary and Martin Kemp are back with more television Gold with a follow up to their to the hit 2020 mockumentary The Kemps: All True. This time filmmaker Rhys Thomas follows the brothers over a whole year as they make a biopic, get divorced and form a supergroup. Naturally, not everything goes to plan. Michael Kitchen returns as the Kemps’ long-suffering manager, alongside a number of big-name cameos. Read much more about the show here BBC Two, 10pm.
BASED ON A TRUE STORY: Kaley Cuoco stars in this dark comedic thriller about an estate agent, a former tennis star and a plumber who seize a unique opportunity to capitalise on America’s obsession with true crime. Sky Max, 9pm
PAUL SINHA'S PERFECT PUB QUIZ: A special end-of-year episode of the show taking a deep dive into trivia questions. Radio 4, 6.30pm
Saturday December 30
BRADLEY WALSH: MY COMEDY HEROES: In the final episode of this three-part series, Brad looks at double acts including The Two Ronnies, Reeves & Mortimer, French & Saunders, Fry & Laurie and Armstrong & Miller.
Published: 24 Dec 2023
