5 new stand-up specials come to ITVX | The week's best comedy on TV, radio and streaming

5 new stand-up specials come to ITVX

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

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

Sunday January 12

THE DRY: It's been streaming on ITVX for a while – where it's amassed million views – now the second series of the comedy-drama about Shiv, a thirtysomething recovering alcoholic, and her relationship with her dysfunctional family comes to terrestrial TV. A third series has just been commissioned. ITV1, 10.15pm

Monday January 13

ALEXEI SAYLE'S STRANGERS ON A TRAIN: In this second series, the comedian again breaks the golden rule of travelling by train in the UK - by actually talking to his fellow passengers. In this opening episode, he travels from London to Blackpool, meeting Michael, who is on his way to a major international dance competition, and the woman who runs the most famous fleet of trams in the country. BBC Radio 4, 10.30pm.

RICHARD OSMAN’S HOUSE OF GAMES: Comedian Ania Magliano takes part this week, alongside sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, reality show regular Joe Swash and BBC Asian Network’s Jasmine Takhar. BBC Two, 6pm

Tuesday January 14

DINNERLADIES: The second series of Victoria Wood's sitcom - co-starring Anne Reid, Julie Walters and Maxine Peake, among others – enjoys another outing, stripped in the same slot every weekday. Gold, 8pm.

Wednesday January 15

RUSSELL HOWARD LIVE AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM: The comic's latest special will be streaming on the Driift platform from 8pm in the UK, then available on demand from 1am tomorrow. The stream will include a bonus programme of content called Off The Cuff, while Howard will also participate in a live interactive session with fans during the launch. Tickets, priced £10, are available here.

Thursday January 16

STAND-UP SPECIALS: Five new specials drop on ITVX today, thanks to the broadcaster's tie-in with comedy streamer NextUp. They are Rachel Parris's Poise, described as a 'love letter to musical comedy'; Geoff Norcott's Basic Bloke, about masculinity; Marcus Brigstocke's social commentary Absolute Shower; Jo Caulfield's biting Here Comes Trouble and Alasdair Beckett-King's whimsical and surreal Nevermore.

UP THE CHASTITY BELT: Frankie Howerd is Lurkabot, a serf who sells love potions, in this patchy crusade-era historical comedy, released in 1971 and written by Sid Colin, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. Talking Pictures TV, 9.05pm

Friday January 17

TRAVEL MAN: 48 HOURS IN ROTTERDAM: Joe Lucett takes The Last Leg's Alex Brooker on a two-day tour of the Dutch city, staying not in hotels but eco-friendly Wikkelboats. Their trip includes a rooftop tour, savouring chips in peanut sauce and playing a game at the Dutch pinball museum. Channel 4, 8.30pm

8 OUT OF 10 CATS DOES COUNTDOWN: Jimmy Carr hosts as Jon Richardson and Guz Khan take on Katherine Ryan and Joe Wilkinson. Susie Dent is joined in Dictionary Corner by Alasdair Beckett-King, and maths whizz Rachel Riley looks after the letters and numbers.Channel 4, 9pm

Saturday January 18

MICHAEL McINTYRE’S BIG SHOW: The comic returns with a new series, with episode one featuring Alan Carr, Jamie Oliver and Marti Pellow, plus reality stars Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott taking part in the Midnight Gameshow filmed before they split. BBC One, 6.50pm

Published: 12 Jan 2025

Live comedy picks

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