Plus new shows from Geoff Nortcott and Hassan Minhaj in this week's TV picks

Monday October 21

THE FRANCHISE: There’s some serious comedy firepower behind this new series about the crew of an unloved franchise movie fighting to get their next superhero blockbuster made. Its creators are Armando Iannucci, director Sam Mendes, and Succession producer Jon Brown and it stars Himesh Patel as Daniel, Aya Cash as Anita, Jessica Hynes as Steph, Billy Magnussen as Adam and Lolly Adefope as Dag. And recurring guest stars include Richard E. Grant and Daniel Brühl. It kicks off with a triple bill. Sky Comedy, 10pm

RICHARD OSMAN'S HOUSE OF GAMES: his week comics Alexei Sayle and Emma Sidi – currently touring the country in the very loose guise of civil servant Sue Gray – go up against Eternal singer Kelle Bryan and Blue's Antony Costa. BBC Two, 6pm

Tuesday October 22

LUCY BEAUMONT: LIVE FROM THE ROYAL COURT THEATRE: It’s the first stand-up special from the writer, comic and former Taskmaster contestant, in which she shares bizarre stories from her life. Sky Comedy, 9pm

MEL GIEDROYC: UNFORGIVABLE: In these days of tightened budgets, the BBC has taken to buying in shows that previously aired on Dave, owned by its commercial arm BBC Studios. Now Giedroyc's panel/talk show hybrid makes the transfer, with the comic and sidekick Lou Sanders hearing their guests' most shameful anecdotes. Episode one features Graham Norton, Desiree Burch and Alex Brooker. BBC Two, 9:45pm

HASAN MINHAJ: OFF WITH HIS HEAD: Netflix releases the comedian's third stand-up special, tackling politics, misguided self-improvement, and the challenges of life with young kids and ageing parents.

INSIDE No 9: Series 7 begins a repeat run on Gold, starting with Merrily Merrily, the one about a university reunion on a lake that saw Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith joined by their old League Of Gentlemen mucker Mark Gatiss as well as Dane Morgan. Gold, 11pm

Thursday October 24

GEOFF NORCOTT: BASIC BLOKE: The comic's latest stand-up special, filmed in glittering Stevenage, comes to NextUp. Norcott said: 'I’m delighted to get this special out there. There’s a lot about Stevenage people don’t know, and almost all of it is worse than the things they already knew. I’m also glad someone is speaking up for the average male. I know there are some wronguns out there, but most blokes like me are trying their best.'Subscribe to NextUp here, and there's a free trial.

Friday October 25

HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU: Angela Barnes makes her first appearance on the show, appearing opposite Grayson Perry. Charlie Brooker is the guest host. BBC One, 9pm

THE CLEANER: This week, Greg Davies' Wicky’s been called to a remote and windswept lighthouse off the coast of Ireland, where he encounters grumpy lighthouse keeper Brennan (Conleth Hill) BBC One, 9.30pm

Published: 20 Oct 2024