The Key to good poetry

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

Our pick of the comedy on TV, radio and streaming this week…

Sunday March 17

THE GREAT CELEBRITY BAKE OFF FOR STAND UP TO CANCER: Munya Chawawa enters the tent as the series returns, trying to impress Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith more than his rivals - actor Jodie Whittaker, singer Paloma Faith and TV personality Spencer Matthews. Channel 4, 7.40pm

Monday March 18

RICHARD OSMAN'S HOUSE OF GAMES: Comic Rob Deering faces Strictly pro Katya Jones, TV presenter Jayne Middlemiss and cricketer turned TV presenter Phil Tufnell for the week's games BBC Two 6pm

SUNSHINE AND LAUGHTER: To mark 25 years since the death of Ernie Wise on March 21, 1999, Penelope Keith reads Louis Barfe’s account of the creation of his enduring double act with Eric Morecambe, from meeting at the Swansea Empire in the 1930s, while appearing as separate acts in one of Jack Hylton’s touring variety shows, to conquering the world of TV. This adaptation first aired on Radio 4 in 2021. Radio 4 Extra, 12pm

Tuesday March 19

TIM KEY'S POETRY PROGRAMME: The poetry show that only sometimes gets around to any actual poetry returns. In the first episode, guests Stephen Merchant and Lolly Adefope join Key and regulars Tom Basden and Katy Wix, while future guests include Mike Wozniak, Sam Campbell and Morgana Robinson. Radio 4, 6.30pm

MEL GIEDROYC - UNFORGIVABLE: Mel and sidekick Lou are joined by Joel Dommett, who confesses his dastardly behaviour as his wife gave birth, Omid Djalili, who reveals how he upset Gwyneth Paltrow, and Lindsey Santoro. Dave, 10pm

Wednesday March 20

OMID DJALILI: THE GOOD TIMES TOUR: The British-Iranian comic's last show is to be streamed to mark Nowruz, or Persian New Year. The show, recorded at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, will be streamed exclusively on the Driift platform from 8pm tonight, priced £12, then on demand for a further four days.

Thursday March 210

TWISTED METAL: This action comedy, based on the video game franchise of the same name, stars Anthony Mackie as a delivery driver running guns in the dangerous wasteland between idyllic cities. Guest stars in the Paramount+ show include Scream's Neve Campbell and Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Stephanie Beatriz.

Friday March 22

TRAVEL MAN: 48 HOURS IN TRIESTE: Joe Lycett is back on the road, with the first episode of the new series visiting Trieste in northern Italy with Alan Davies. They attend the Wind Museum, which contains a collection of wind samples donated from all over the world, visit the village of Prosecco, head to a historical coffee house frequented by James Joyce, enrol on a painting class and nip over the border to Slovenia to visit the Lipica Stud Farm, home to 300 Lipizanner white horses. Channel 4, 8.30pm

THE LAST LEG: Lenny Henry and Maisie Adam are the guests. Channel 4, 10pm

Saturday March 23

THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW: Stand-up Leo Reich chalks up another career milestone as a guest on the show, alongside Paul Rudd, Mel B and Bllie Piper. ITV1, 9.35pm

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Published: 17 Mar 2024