The week s best comedy on TV and radio
The week’s best comedy on TV and radio.
Sunday March 7
FUNNY FESTIVAL LIVE: This new stand-up showcase is being stripped across the week every night until Thursday. Tonight’s comedians are Jason Manford, Judi Love, Toussaint Douglass, Michael Stranney and Jayde Adams.
BBC Two, 9.45pm
FESTIVAL OF FUNNY: In the first of two comedy pilots, Kiri Pritchard-McLean explores all the things she’s missed while living in isolation, using audience stories to help recall the awkward moments of life that we so weirdly want back. The second show, The Empire, is set in Imperial India, where the new district magistrate of Darjeeling grapples with the responsibilities of his new post with the help - and sometimes hindrance - of his colleagues. The cast features Stephen Fry, Alexander Owen Rasika Dugal, Michelle Gomez and Arnuvab Pal - the stand-up who also wrote the script.
From The Delightful Sausage, Tommy Tiernan, Kiri Pritchard-Mclean and Anuvab Pal
Radio 2 is to pilot four new comedy shows from The Delightful Sausage, Tommy Tiernan, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Indian comic Anuvab Pal.
Pal has written a series set in colonial Darjeeling, where a magistrate must grapples with the responsibilities of his new post.
The cast of The Empire features Stephen Fry, Michelle Gomez Rasika Dugal as Sapna and Anuvab Pal as Harbans and as Mrs Campbell.
Meanwhile Delightful Sausage – Christopher Cantrill and Amy Gledhill, pictured - are making a travelogue based on UK getaways.
In the pilot of Staycations, the Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated double act stay a Dracula-themed B&B, sampling some eye-watering cuisines and having a truly unforgettable stay at a Yorkshire holiday camp.
John Thomson to present short tribute
The BBC is to celebrate the work of Caroline Aherne as part of its forthcoming Festival Of Funny.
Her Fast Show colleague John Thomson will present a series of clips from her work including The Mrs Merton Show and The Royle Family in the half-hour show.
Aherene died of lung cancer at her home in Timperley at the age of 52 on July 2, 2016.
Caroline Aherne At The BBC will air sometime between late February and mid-March as comedy programming takes over much of the Corporation’s output. However it has not yet been announced which channel the tribute will air on.