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

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

Sunday April 14

THE GREAT CELEBRITY BAKE OFF FOR STAND UP TO CANCER: Comic Adam Hills is up against Heartstopper actor Joe Lock, the Reverend Richard Coles, and Sara Cox on challenges including the Showstopper, in which they must recreate their famous best friend. Channel 4, 7.40pm

Tuesday April 16

JIMMY CARR: NATURAL BORN KILLER: The comic's fourth Netflix special drops today, following His Dark Material (2021), The Best of Ultimate Gold Greatest Hits (2019) and Funny Business (2016). It is the filmed version of the hard-working comic's Terribly Funny tour, which was seen by 1.2 million people in 45 countries, and is also the first special Carr directed himself. Here's a short clip:

JUST LIKE THAT: Radio 4 Extra marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Tommy Cooper on March 15, 1984, with a rerun of this 2002 programme in which Milton Jones explores the life of the 'unattractive young man' who went on to become the nation's favourite clown, despite early rejection by the BBC for his 'poor diction and unpleasant manner'. Fans, friends and family also help recall the magical mayhem of Tommy Cooper including Tom O’Connor, Barry Cryer and Michael Parkinson.Radio 4 Extra, 10.30am

MEL GIEDROYC - UNFORGIVABLE: In which Emmanuel Sonubi explains the rules of the game 'flaming arseholes'; Daisy May Cooper, tells us why you should never invite her to a wedding and Ardal O'Hanlon reveals how dressing up as a priest ended up with him in a strangers' bath. Dave, 10pm

Wednesday April 17

MAMMOTH: In this new comedy, stand-up Mike Bubbins plays PE teacher Tony Mammoth, back from the dead 50 years after being frozen in time and determined he’ll approach his job the same way as he did in the 1970s. It also stars Sian Gibson, Joseph Marcell and Joel Davidson, with Bubbins writing the show with Paul Doolan. There's an interview with Bubbins and Gibson here. BBC Two, 10pm

CHANGING ENDS: Alan Carr's autobiographical sitcom about growing up gay in 1980s Northampton gets a primetime shot, almost a year after it debuted on the ITVX streamer. Read our original review here. ITV1, 8.30pm

PAINTING BIRDS WITH JIM AND NANCY MOIR: The Vic Reeves comedian and his wife start a new series in London, where they seek out the peregrine falcon with Justin Hawkins from The Darkness. Sky Arts, 9pm

Thursday April 18

BOTTOM EXPOSED: A celebration of Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall's sitcom, which ran for three series from 1991 to 1995, and spawned five sell-out stage shows. Edmondson gives his first-hand account with footage that has never been broadcast and exclusive stories from the set. The show also features producer and director Ed Bye and cast members including Helen Lederer, Kevin McNally, Roger Sloman, Lisa Maxwell and Paul Bradley plus famous fans such as Alexei Sayle, Chris McCausland and Maisie Adam. Gold, 9pm

Friday April 19

HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU: Jo Brand will be a panellist alongside guest host Alexander Armstrong. They are the two people with the most guest appearances on the show ever, but this is the first time they have been in the same episode. Munya Chawawa is the other guest joining Paul Merton and Ian Hislop. BBC One, 9pm

Published: 14 Apr 2024