From setting online tasks to locked down families, to new podcasts to raise the spirits, or reliving the fun of a trip to the theatre for a stand-up show and discovering an acclaimed box set. Below is a guide to what’s there and how to find them. This will be updated intermittently on our press centre here.
ONLINE
Alex Horne – Home Tasking (Twitter @AlexHorne)
“Taskmaster is one of the most consistently funny comedy game shows on television”
★★★★ Sarah Hughes, The I
Emmy and double Bafta nominated Taskmaster has become interactive as the show’s creator and star Alex Horne sets Taskmaster style tasks for people of all ages to do from home, keeping families entertained and providing a nice diversion from everything that’s happening in the news. Using the hashtag #HomeTasking, Alex sets a brand-new task at 9am on Monday and Wednesday each week of lock-down, while Greg Davies has reprised his role as The Taskmaster to score people’s entries and announce winners on the Taskmaster YouTube channel.
Receiving thousands of ingenious entries from households across the globe and regularly trending on YouTube and Twitter, from the 15th April Channel 4 are broadcasting each new #HomeTasking task throughout the day on air and across their social platforms as part of their Stay At Home activity.
You can watch Alex explain Home Tasking here
Bilal Zafar – Bilal Zafar’s Acting School of Excellence (YouTube)
“witty and absorbing…highly entertaining. I look forward to whatever Zafar cooks up next”
Dominic Maxwell, The Times
Bilal Zafar has launched a new webseries: Bilal Zafar’s Acting School of Excellence. In the first episode released on 30th March, Bilal helps struggling actor Josie Long with her accents, expressions and they perform a scene from the classic British film; ‘Nil By Mouth’. Bilal will be releasing new episodes every Monday at 11am on his YouTube Channel.
You can watch the series here
Harry Baker – Something Borrowed (@harrybakerpoet)
“[Harry Baker’s] intricate, quick-fire rhymes have always been on the impressive side of mind-blowing”
The Scotsman
View this post on Instagram
Something Borrowed is the brainchild of World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker where he and a different guest from the worlds of comedy, music, and performance poetry share something old, new, borrowed and blue from their respective art forms. Interacting live with viewers during each show, it’s a gig/interview/conversation/way of staying connected while physically staying apart – The first show features the phenomenal poet Erin Bolens.
You can watch Harry’s Instagram lives at 7.00pm every Wednesday here
Iain Stirling – Gaming (Twitch @iainstirling)
“At his best the Edinburgh native is an unhinged free-form anecdotist”
★★★★ Mark Wareham, The Mail On Sunday
BAFTA-winning comedian Iain Stirling (Love Island, Taskmaster) is welcoming the public to join him playing on the world’s leading streaming service for gamers, Twitch from Monday to Wednesday at 7pm. Iain will be playing games including FIFA and puzzles, alongside doing magazine show style activities such as dissecting old children show’s television theme tunes whilst connecting with his audience via a chat box.
You can watch Iain on Twitch here
Jayde Adams – Couch Cabaret (Facebook Live)
“She’s a star”
Brian Logan, The Guardian
View this post on Instagram
Award-winning comedian and star of hit show Serious Black Jumper (Amazon Prime Video) which enjoyed viral success on TikTok where a section of the show reached 19 Million views, Jayde Adams welcomes viewers to a weekly interactive cabaret night streamed as live across social media. Hosted straight from her living room and accompanied by her glamorous assistants and fellow comics Rich Wilson and Paul Sweeney, Jayde invites her friends from the worlds of drag, comedy, art, and music to showcase their varied talents and entertain with new and experimental performances from their homes during lockdown. Airing weekly at 7.30pm from Wednesday 8th April on Facebook, the first show features Comedy Award Winner Rose Matafeo, award-winning sisterly singing sensation Flo & Joan, acclaimed stand-up Steve Bugeja, musical satirists Bourgeois & Maurice, and drag lip sync assassin Grace Shush and more. Jayde is on a mission to bring the excitement of a glitzy live cabaret show direct to people’s homes.
Latest press release here
You can watch Jayde’s Couch Cabaret on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm on Facebook Live here
Jenny Eclair – Arts and crafts (@JennyEclair)
★★★★ The Times ★★★★ Mail On Sunday
View this post on Instagram
Jenny Eclair (Perrier Award winning comedian, writer and star of hit BBC TV series Grumpy Old Women) is turning to daily arts and crafts to stay sane and flex her creativity amidst the Coronavirus madness.
You can follow Jenny’s arts and crafts on her Instagram and Twitter here and here
Jonny & The Baptists – The Saturday Quarantine Comedy Club (YouTube Live)
“Politically energised, raucously silly…broad, daft and punchy”
★★★★ The Guardian
Musical comedians Jonny & The Baptists are co-hosting a weekly online gig with Josie Long and John-Luke Roberts, as part of the Cosmic Shambles Stay At Home Festival, The Saturday Quarantine Comedy Club. They are the house band and co-hosts of this new show which airs every Saturday at 8.30pm on YouTube and on the Cosmic Shambles website. It features various comedians performing sets from home on YouTube live. Previous guests include Mark Watson, Tiernan Douieb, Shelf and Bilal Zafar and on 4th April the episode features Colin Hoult as Anna Mann.
You can watch the latest episode here
Paul Chowdhry – Quarantine Saturday Night Live (Instagram Live @paulchowdhry)
“It’s a rare and joyous thing to see a stand up so vibrant and imperiously on top of his game”
★★★★★ Mark Wareham, Mail on Sunday
View this post on Instagram
Paul Chowdhry is talking to fans around the world to see how they’re faring in lockdown in Quarantine Saturday Night Instagram live sessions.
You can watch Paul’s quarantine live streams on his Instagram here
Phil Ellis – Self-Isolation Reviews (YouTube)
“you will find yourself helpless with horrified irreverent laughter.”
★★★★★ Claire Smith, The Scotsman
Phil Ellis is self-isolating during the Coronavirus pandemic. In order to raise the spirits of other self isolators he is taking to YouTube to give “Self-Isolation Reviews” of everything in his house, every day, to entertain you and to stop himself staring at his gas oven.
You can watch Phil’s reviews on YouTube here
Pierre Novellie – CUTS (YouTube Live)
“A show packed full of belly laughs…impressively well written, perfectly building and building and rich with detail…Novellie delivers it all with real astuteness and skill”
★★★★★ Sharon Lougher, The Metro
CUTS is a new sketch show from Pierre Novellie, with Stuart Laws of Turtle Canyon producing Pierre’s directorial debut. A twisted sketch show written by Jonny Lennard, Theo Chester and Pierre, this features a huge range of the best up-and-coming British comedy talent, including Sara Barron, Ed Night, Garrett Millerick and Rich Wilson to name a few.
You can watch the premiere livestream of CUTS on Monday 6th April at 8.00pm here
You can also watch the individual sketches soon after on Pierre’s YouTube channel here
Pierre Novellie – Doodles (@pierrenovellie)
“A show packed full of belly laughs…impressively well written, perfectly building and building and rich with detail…Novellie delivers it all with real astuteness and skill”
★★★★★ The Metro
Pierre Novellie has launched a Youtube channel exhibiting his other talent – drawing. The longform drawing videos find both wit and relaxation amongst our constant anxiety. Pierre told his Twitter followers, “I have started a YouTube series now that we all live in quarantine where I film myself making up little doodles and you might find it fun and relaxing.”
You can watch Pierre’s doodles here
Richard Herring – Me1 vs Me2 Snooker (Twitch @rkherring)
“The UK’s online comedy pioneer”
The Times
In addition to his Stone Clearing podcast now being live-streamed via Twitch, Richard Herring, otherwise known as the world’s premier semi-professional self-playing snooker player, is bringing his Me1 vs Me2A s Snooker surreal podcast series to the live-streaming platform. In this show, Richard recreates his lonely childhood by playing himself at snooker; commentating as he plays. Madness!
You can watch Richard on Twitch here
Richard Herring – Stone Clearing (Twitch @rkherring)
“a podcasting veteran… the chat is always worth it… fab”
Miranda Sawyer, The Observer
The word’s first podcast dedicated to the ancient art of Stone Clearing (removing stones from a field and using them for better purpose) can now be lived-streamed online via Twitch. Watch Richard Herring as he attempts to build a wall around the huge field that can be seen from space, while serving as an introduction to the industry for the newcomer and hopefully providing tips for the many other stone clearers around the world. Despite the new format, remember this effort is still a secret – please do not tell anyone what Richard is doing.
You can watch Richard on Twitch here
Rob Auton – Instagram Live book reading (@robauton)
“He romantically seeks wonder and amazement in the everyday…an engaging, thoughtful show”
★★★★ Steve Bennett, Chortle
View this post on Instagram
Award winning poet and comedian Rob Auton is reading out a chapter of ‘FEAR -Essential Wisdom For Getting Through the Storm’ by renowned Zen master and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh live on Instagram at 2.00pm every day. This is a book that explores the origins of fear and offers detailed practises on how to deal with its often toxic presence in our lives. Rob says: “As I’m sure everyone has, I’ve have had an influx of emotions driving through me over the last couple of weeks- panic, uncertainty, disappointment, fear, anxiety, helplessness. All the big hitters. To help myself out I started reading one of the books I have turned to in the past. When I stared reading it I instantly felt calmer. I had the idea to read it out live on Instagram to share the insights the book gives. I have really enjoyed reading it out and people seem to be embracing the respite the book offers.”
You can listen to Rob’s Instagram lives at 2.00pm daily here
Russell Howard – Russell Howard’s Home Time (Sky One, NOW TV & YouTube)
“His topical chat show has been a hit, securing fascinating celebs like Louis Theroux, Jon Ronson and Naomi Klein for extended chats”
Graeme Virtue, The Guardian
Sky has commissioned Avalon to produce a new fast turnaround topical entertainment show from Russell Howard, Russell Howard’s Home Time, which will air twice a week on Sky One and NOW TV on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting this Thursday 9 April at 10.30pm.
A far cry from the usual polished studio sets, the new series will see Russell giving his unique perspective on current world events, as he chats to some famous faces and interesting people in lockdown, all from his former childhood bedroom. Expect some stories that have made Russell laugh, upbeat conversations, intimate live performances and heart-warming updates from the heroes helping the country on the frontline during these unprecedented times.
You can watch Russell Howard’s Home Time on Sky One, NOW TV and on his YouTube channel here
Latest press release here
Stevie Martin – Sketches (@5tevieM)
“funny AF”
TimeOut
View this post on Instagram
Co-host of the Nobody Panic podcast and one third of the Massive Dad sketch group, Stevie Martin (“Hilarious,” The Guardian) is putting out regular sketch videos during quarantine. Mining her life amongst the quarantine, the sketches explore topics including casting calls, auditions tapes and activist campaigning. Stevie’s latest sketch explores one of the pillar stones of the new normal, the Zoom meeting.
You can watch Stevie’s sketches on her Instagram and Twitter here and here
Tania Edwards – The Corona Diaries (@taniaedwardscomedy)
“rich with dark humour and hilarious one-liners…Tania Edwards has mastered her craft”
★★★★★ Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
View this post on Instagram
Welcome to the Corona diaries by Tania Edwards, who is staving off the Corona madness in daily diaries (well, apart from when she actually had corona) now she can no longer get to the stage to perform. Winner of Amused Moose Comedy Award 2018, Tania writes about being stuck in the house with her two young boys, her mother’s village shop where the business is booming, and benefits of being trapped in the same house as her husband – committing to her personal mantra that the show must go on.
You can read Tania’s Corona Diaries on her Instagram and Twitter here and here
STREAMING: COMEDY SPECIALS
Russell Howard – Recalibrate (Netflix)
“Howard is routinely a delight – silly, personable and with a superb knack for observation. This king of cockle-warmers is about to rule the world”
Sharon Lougher, Metro
Russell Howard’s stand-up show Recalibrate is available on Netflix. Self-deprecating comedian Russell Howard tackles politics, porn, childhood, social media and his own shortcomings. Yet he somehow keeps it positive.
You can watch the show here
Greg Davies – You Magnificent Beast (Netflix)
“Supremely silly stand up”
★★★★ Brian Logan, The Guardian
Greg Davies’ stand up show You Magnificent Beast is available on Netflix. Greg revisits terrifying dates, manscaping disasters, his father’s pranks and more in a savagely funny stand-up special.
You can watch the show here
The Horne Section – The Horne Section Television Programme (UKTV Play)
“It’s a band of professional musicians fronted by Taskmaster’s Alex Horne, who turns their abilities to pluck a tune into brilliant comedy magic”
Radio Times
The Horne Section’s two hour comedy special The Horne Section Television Programme is available to stream on UKTV Play. One half of Dave’s own Emmy and BAFTA nominated Taskmaster- Alex Horne- has a side career: he’s leader of a band called The Horne Section. Their two hour special features their spontaneous and free-wheeling combination of live music and comedy. Recorded live at the London Palladium, the jazz/comedy hybrid features guest performances from Nadine Coyle, Sue Perkins, Sara Pascoe and Joe Wilkinson.
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Phil Wang – Comedy Line-Up (Netflix)
“Closing in on standup dreamland”
★★★★The Guardian, Brian Logan
Phil Wang is one of two non-US acts to be part of Netflix’s Comedy Line-Up, a diverse group of up-and-coming comedians performing 15-minute sets in this stand-up comedy showcase series.
You can watch the show here
Chris Ramsey – Approval Needed (Amazon Prime Video)
“Ramsey has the potential to be a mainstream hit, a cult favourite or almost anything in between”
Stephen Armstrong, The Sunday Times
Critically acclaimed stand-up comedian Chris Ramsey’s brand new stand-up special, Approval Needed, filmed in front of a homecoming crowd at the Newcastle Tyne Theatre, is available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in 200 countries and territories worldwide. Expect more of Chris’ high energy, life affirming, trademark stand up as he gives us his hilarious take on everything from big issues, to small issues, issues that haven’t happened yet, issues that won’t happen, and even issues he’s invented in his own head.
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Ed Gamble – Blood Sugar (Amazon Prime Video)
★★★★ The Telegraph, Chortle, The List, Edinburgh Festivals, Time Out, The Skinny, Three Weeks
Star of Mock the Week, Taskmaster winner and co-host of chart-topping Off Menu podcast Ed Gamble has released his first comedy special, Blood Sugar, on Amazon Prime Video. As well as being a co-host on Radio X’s Sunday morning show, Ed’s TV stand-up appearances include Live at the Apollo (BBC Two), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV1), The Russell Howard Hour (Sky One), Live at the Comedy Store (Comedy Central) and Conan (TBS). His numerous guest appearances include Hypothetical (Dave), The Apprentice: You’re Fired (BBC Two), I’ll Get This (BBC Two), Richard Osman’s House of Games (BBC Two), Jon Richardson’s Ultimate Warrior (Dave), Insert Name Here (BBC Two) and Roast Battle UK (Comedy Central).
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Flo & Joan – Alive on Stage (Amazon Prime Video)
“these intricately crafted, flawlessly performed numbers will have you howling with laughter one minute, wiping away a tear the next”
★★★★ Rupert Hawksley, The Telegraph
Flo & Joan have released their first comedy special, Alive on Stage, available on Amazon Prime Video. This special from the suspiciously unsimilar sisters – whose songs have received over 50 million views – comes off the back of a complete sell-out run at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe with their latest show Alive on Stage which saw them add five extra shows, their debut UK tour and a run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. They also performed on the most recent Royal Variety Performance (ITV), Live at the Apollo (BBC Two) and Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal at The Hasan Minhaj Gala and as part of the prestigious Brit(ish) lineup. They have also recently toured internationally at the Bread & Circus World Buskers Festival 2020 in New Zealand, in which they won the Best Act award.
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Paul Chowdhry – Live Innit (Amazon Prime Video)
“the greatest British Asian comedian of all time”
Asjad Nazir, Eastern Eye
Comedy powerhouse Paul Chowdhry has stand-up special Live Innit available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in 200 countries and territories worldwide. Paul’s special is based on his hugely successful show Live innit, which had a thrice extended nationwide tour, including five nights at the Hammersmith Apollo and a sold out show at Wembley Arena in which Paul performed to a 10,000 strong audience.
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Iliza Shlesinger – UnVeiled (Netflix)
“An unapologetic, come-get-some attitude… terrifyingly honest, quick-fire stories with hilarious pay-offs”
★★★★ Time Out
Iliza Shlesinger’s 5th stand-up special UnVeiled was released in November of last year. Here comes the bride, and she’s got plenty to say. Newlywed Iliza Shlesinger dissects wedding traditions as she mines her nuptials for laughs.
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Rob Delaney – Jackie (Amazon Prime Video)
“a brutally funny show that might make you laugh out loud but also occasionally gasp in shock. In a good way.”
Sara Wallis, The Daily Mirror
Rob Delaney, the multi-award-winning co-creator, co-writer and co-star of the global hit TV show Catastrophe, stand-up special Jackie is available on on Amazon Prime Video. The special, released in January 2020, recorded at the Hackney Empire in London unpacks the horror and the joys of his life in the UK’s capital city: from swimming in tea, unearthing scammers, being a father and a husband, the monarchy, the rise of the sexbots… and the disappearance of his friend Jackie. Emmy Award-nominated and BAFTA Award winning, Rob is most widely known for the critically acclaimed Channel 4 (UK) Amazon Prime Video (USA) comedy Catastrophe, which broadcasts in 132 countries around the world.
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Jayde Adams – Serious Black Jumper (Amazon Prime Video)
“She’s a star”
Brian Logan, The Guardian
Serious Black Jumper sees award-winning Bristolian comic Jayde Adams take a completely new direction. Having packed away the sequins and glamour (for now) Jayde sets out to reinvent herself as a ‘Successful Independent Woman Person’, exploring what it means to be a feminist this century, and discover what it takes to be a real role model, whilst wearing the feminist wardrobe staple attire; the Serious Black Jumper™.
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Marc Maron – End Times Fun (Netflix)
“It doesn’t get much better than this… a masterclass”
★★★★★ Clive Davies, The Times
Marc Maron’s brand new Netflix special End Times Fun (released March 2020) is available to watch now.
Marc Maron wades through a swamp of vitamin hustlers, evangelicals and grown male nerd children, culminating in a gleefully filthy end-times fantasy.
You can watch the show here
Carl Hutchinson – I Know I Shouldn’t Behave Like This (YouTube)
“He captivates the audience with his perfectly timed suspenseful silences and plain-talking sense-making”
★★★★ Three Weeks
As seen on Comedy Central’s Stand Up Central and The Chris Ramsey show, stand-up comedian Carl Hutchinson (“One to watch” Chortle 2019) recorded his critically acclaimed (‘Effortlessly hilarious’ Three Weeks) show in front of a home crowd at Newcastle’s 1100-seater venue Tyne Theatre & Opera House, which sold out 3 months in advance. Carl uses his trademark high-energy delivery and hugely engaging manner to discuss some not so serious events in his life; buying a house for the first time, his mother and father replacing him with a dog and trying to heat up food in a hotel room.
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
PODCASTS
Al Murray & James Holland – We Have Ways Of Making You Talk
“James Holland supplies the scholarly flourishes, Murray clearly knows his stuff too… they make an assured double act”
★★★★ Clive Davis, The Times
Achtung! Achtung! Al Murray and historian James Holland discuss all matters Second World War in We Have Ways of Making You Talk. A weekly show exploring the war in close up, James and Al have a stunning knowledge of their subject, but don’t expect a linear narrative. The boys love a tangent and a forgotten tale, and roam down forgotten front lines, cast new villains and make the case for unlikely heroes.
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Goldhanger Films
Andy Zaltzman – The Bugle
“Political satire at its most enjoyable”
★★★★ Dominic Maxwell, The Times
The Bugle is the transglobal satiricast that leaves no potato unbuttered. Andy Zaltzman breaks down the news with comedians from across the world including Alice Fraser, Hari Kondabolu, John Oliver and Nish Kumar.
You can listen to the podcast here
Annie McGrath – Secret Artists
“A real master of deadpan… delightfully dry”
The Skinny
Funny people doing art. Often silly. Sometimes serious. Mainly relaxing. Each week a new guest brings an object or selects a subject which inspires them to create an artwork… they then draw or paint and chat art, comedy and tackle some quickfire questions. Secret Artists is a brand new podcast hosted by comedian and artist, Annie McGrath. Annie recently curated Art is the Best Medicine, an exhibition of artworks by comedians to raise money for Mental Health UK, which featured on the front page of the Guardian Guide and in the Evening Standard, iNews, Chortle, Beyond the Joke and Country & Town House. Artists involved in the exhibition include Vic Reeves, Harry Hill, Josie Long, Jenny Eclair, Jessica Hynes, Alex Horne and Tim Key.
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Turtle Canyon Comedy
Carl Donnelly & Julian Deane – Two Vegan Idiots
“Donnelly can provoke laughter out of almost anything”
★★★★ The Scotsman
Comedians Carl Donnelly and Julian Deane are both vegans and both idiots. Each episode they chat to a comedy guest about whatever is on their minds.
You can listen to the podcast here
Chris & Rosie Ramsey – Shagged. Married. Annoyed.
“Laugh out loud funny! Making the mundane hilariously funny…it’s honest and entertaining.”
Hannah Wright, Closer
Chris Ramsey and his wife, actor, presenter, Radio DJ, Live host, singer, Vlogger and Instagram star Rosie Ramsey launched their record-breaking and award-winning podcast series straight from their South Shields living room – Shagged. Married. Annoyed. With Chris & Rosie. The only way Rosie and Chris Ramsey can have a conversation without being interrupted by a toddler or ending up staring at their phones is by doing a podcast. They’ll be chatting all about life, relationships, arguments, annoyances, parenting, growing up and everything in between.
Latest press release here
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Avalon
Ed Gamble & James Acaster – Off Menu
★★★★ The Telegraph, Chortle, The List, Edinburgh Festivals, Time Out, The Skinny, Three Weeks
Ed Gamble works with fellow comic James Acaster to invite special guests into their magical restaurant with smash hit podcast Off Menu. Each guest choose their favourite starter, main course, side dish, dessert and drink. Voted one of the best podcasts of 2019 by The Guardian.
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Plosive Productions
Ed Gamble – Lifers
★★★★ The Telegraph, Chortle, The List, Edinburgh Festivals, Time Out, The Skinny, Three Weeks
Lifers podcast is a brand new eight part Spotify Original podcast from comedian Ed Gamble in which he talks all things metal with some of the genre’s biggest names. With a self-diagnosed “Coldplay face”, Ed Gamble’s seemingly unlikely obsession with heavy metal music may come as a surprise to many. During the course of the series, Ed will embed himself with a host of quintessential ‘Lifers’ who have given their whole identity to metal. His journey will see him talk with some of the genre’s biggest names including Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, Saxon’s Biff Byford and Motorhead’s Phil Campbell.
You can listen to the podcast here
A Spotify Original podcast
Frank Skinner – Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast
“Real stand-up, real lightness of touch, real joy…”
Dominic Maxwell, The Times
Comedian and Absolute Radio host Frank Skinner has launched a brand new original podcast – ‘Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast’. From 20th April, prepare to be swept away in some of Frank’s most loved literary landscapes, as he dives into an array of contemporary and classic works. Following the huge success of ‘The Frank Skinner Show’ on Absolute Radio, this new audio series, produced by Avalon, brings the comic’s wry observations and relatable wit as he explores his favourite poetic pieces. Reading extracts and analysing works, Frank will share and dissect the best verses of familiar and lesser-known poets in weekly segments.
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Avalon
Jacob Hawley – Jacob Hawley On Drugs
“he’s a distinctive act striving to negotiate class expectations and constrictions”
Jay Richardson, The Scotsman
As a stand-up comedian he tells jokes about his own recreational use. Now he’s exploring the scene in more depth, talking to people involved in all aspects of the drugs world. Available on BBC Sounds. The show has been featured in the iTunes Top 50 Shows, highlighted in Cosmopolitan’s Top 55 Podcasts and earned him an ARIA (Audio & Radio Industry Awards) 2020 nomination for Best New Presenter, while a second series has been commissioned by BBC Sounds.
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by BBC Sounds
Jarlath Regan – An Irishman Abroad
“Quite frankly, every single young person reading this should go download this podcast and listen to it every week for the rest of time.”
The Guardian
In each episode, comedian Jarlath Regan is joined by a well known Irish writer, actor, performer, sports person or public figure to discuss their life and shared experiences of Ireland and abroad. An Irishman Abroad has been recommended by The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Irish Times and The London Metro.
You can listen to the podcast here
Jarlath Regan – Men Behaving Better
“All round hilarity intersecting with emotion and stirring sections of internal conflict, finesse and heart”
★★★★The List
Alongside An Irishman Abroad podcast, Jarlath Regan has just released a new series of his podcast Men Behaving Better, a panel discussion podcast about what men need to do to improve. Previous guest include Trish Long, Simon Delaney, Finian Murphy and Tara Flynn with the latest episode featuring Romesh Ranganathan. You can listen on streaming platforms every two weeks on a Tuesday.
You can listen to the podcast here
Jenny Eclair & Judith Holder – Older and Wider
★★★★ The Times ★★★★ Mail On Sunday
Jenny Eclair (Perrier Award winning comedian, writer and star of hit BBC TV series Grumpy Old Women) and her Older and Wider co-host Judith Holder are releasing special ‘self-isolation’ episodes of their popular weekly podcast. The latest instalments have seen Jenny and Judith continue to share insight, gossip and general news from the menopausal front and beyond, as well as their lockdown attempts at arts and crafts, growing things and recipes to use up foods that are going off. Previous episodes have tackled subjects such as the realities of being mother of the bride to online shopping tricks, with the hilarious friends welcoming a range of guests, including broadcasting legend Anthea Turner, comedian Rose Matafeo, performance artist Bryony Kimmings and journalist Eve Pollard.
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Avalon
Joe Wilkinson, David Earl & Poppy Hillstead – Gossip Mongers
“An absolute natural, marrying Stewart Lee-style joke deconstruction to scathing one-liners worthy of Jack Dee… undoubtedly destined for greatness”
Evening Standard
Joe Wilkinson, David Earl and Poppy Hillstead read out unsubstantiated rumours sent in by listeners. At the end of each episode they choose their favourite piece of gossip and help spread it further by getting Poppy to shout it out the window.
You can listen to the podcast here
John Kearns & Mat Ewins – Microscope
“A supreme stand up – richly idiosynchratic comedy”
★★★★ The Guardian
Mat Ewins and John Kearns have just launched an improvised podcast, Microscope, in which they attempt solve some of the world’s biggest mysteries. Stores in the series involve an obscure theme park that appears to be haunted, a farmer kidnapped by penguins and a gym that’s been infiltrated by wizards. Recorded in front of a live audience.
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Plosive Productions
Lou Sanders – Cuddle Club
“She’s terrific”
★★★★ Brian Logan, The Guardian
Lou Sanders interviews guests (including Katherine Ryan, Nish Kumar, and Richard Osman) about various hug-based scenarios. She said “there are podcasts about everything, except cuddling. But don’t worry we are rectifying this. Raise your serotonin by listening to people embrace”. Quite apt for the imminent social isolation we’re about to find ourselves in.
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Plosive Productions
Matt Forde – The Political Party podcast
“Matt Forde never fails with his state-of-the-nation address, a mix of bang-on-the-money political takedowns and spot-on impressions”
★★★★ Mark Wareham, Mail On Sunday
The UK’s number 1 political podcast, The Political Party with Matt Forde (over 2.7 million downloads), will continue with a new focus on the coronavirus and government response. Recent guests include Paul Harrison (Theresa May’s Press Secretary) discussing the Covid 19 Communications strategy and Torsten Bell (former Treasury official) looking at economic measures being undertaken. The Political Party Podcast live show’s monthly residency at The Other Palace Theatre has totally sold out for over 5 years, and in 2018 Forde began releasing weekly studio recorded episodes too. Previous guests on the podcast include Nicola Sturgeon, Ken Clarke, George Osborne, Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell, Ruth Davidson, Nigel Farage, Harriet Harman, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Rory Stewart to name a few.
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Avalon
Matt Winning – Operation Earth
“everything a Fringe show should be: hilarious, personal, inventive, and something that will stay with you for some time to come”
★★★★★ Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
A comedy podcast about climate change hosted by Matt Winning. Each week Matt interviews a different special guest about topical climate news stories, walking through their carbon footprint and answering any burning issues. Most people don’t talk much about climate change but this podcast is trying to change that and show how humour can help bring people together.
You can listen to the podcast here
Pierre Novellie & Phil Wang – Budpod
“if you’re looking for weird and wonderful chats, you’ll want to check out BudPod in which comedians Phil Wang and Pierre Novellie cover everything from alien invasions and weird food combos to foreign policy and Trump.”
Danielle De Wolfe, ShortList
Pierre Novellie and Phil Wang are also providing listeners with self-isolation themed episodes of their podcast, ‘BudPod with Phil Wang and Pierre Novellie’.In this podcast, including the latest episode, BudPandemic, top stand ups and all-round great buds Phil and Pierre join forces to bring you hilarious conversation and funny little chunks they have found or made.
You can listen to the podcast here
Richard Herring – Richard Herring’s Leciester Square Theatre Podcast or RHLSTP
“the best celeb interviewer in Britain”
Edward Tew, The Guardian
The multi-award-winning and perennially popular live podcast interview series in which comedian Richard Herring (“The Podfather”, The Guardian) chats with some of the biggest names in comedy and entertainment. Dubbed “The UK’s online comedy pioneer” (The Times), RHLSTP has continuously made headlines over the years, probably most famously for Stephen Fry’s sad revelation that he tried to commit suicide and then most recently many aspects of Les Dennis’ interview going viral and making newspapers. And with over 200+ episodes available online, you can also catch interviews with the likes Eddie Izzard, Dawn French, David Mitchell, Katherine Ryan, London Hughes, Grayson Perry and Brian Blessed to name a few.
Latest press release here
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Sky Potato, Go Faster Stripe and Fuzz Productions
Rob Auton – The Rob Auton Daily Podcast
“He romantically seeks wonder and amazement in the everyday…an engaging, thoughtful show”
★★★★ Steve Bennett, Chortle
Award winning poet and comedian Rob Auton (TBS’ Miracle Workers, Netflix’s The End of the F***ing World, Comedy Central’ Stand-Up Central With Rob Delaney, Sky One’s The Russell Howard Hour) started The Rob Auton Daily Podcast on New Years Day, already amassing over 130k listens and counting. A new episode is released each day, which will see us through the current lockdown and beyond with bursts of funny and often poignant spoken word and music providing commentary on everyday life and injections of respite.
Latest press release is here
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Plosive Productions
Rose Matafeo & Alice Snedden – Boners of the Heart
“Matafeo is an astute, often hilarious observer of millennial life”
★★★★ The Telegraph, Rupert Hawksley
“Snedden owns her performance and has such a natural talent”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EdFestMag
Rose Matafeo and Alice Snedden are three things: Female, funny and friends. This podcast is an exploration of two comedians’ unlikely celebrity crushes and all the divergent personal stories which may explain why these gals turned out how they did. Rose’s globe-trotting, TV-starring comedy chops come up against Alice’s hilarious improv-honed brain and abandoned (though completed) law degree. The two flat-mates are in quarantine together and are broadcasting daily throughout their time in total isolation. Produced by Little Empire Podcasts.
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Little Empire Podcasts
Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan & Ned Sedwick – GrownUpLand
“She rips through sex and race with relish” ̣̣̣̣
The Sunday Times, Stephen Armstrong
“Now I’m a grown up… do I have to get married? Do I have to scrimp and save?? Do I have to host a dinner party???” GrownUpLand poses the most frustrating questions. Luckily, Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are here to guide you through the bewildering pursuit of adulthood. Through stupid challenges, useful facts and personal stories of rich victory and miserable failure, your guides will ensure you don’t feel alone in your hopeless endeavour to be a legit grown up. Available on BBC iPlayer. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4.
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by BBC Radio 4
Stevie Martin & Tessa Coates – Nobody Panic
“In complete command of the audience…tremendous.”
★★★★ Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
(The podcast formerly known as The Debrief Podcast) The hugely popular podcast hosted by Stevie and Tessa, a guidebook to life where the pair aim to work out how to be a functioning adult without screaming all the time. “Witty, smart and oh-so-relatable” (Evening Standard), the podcast has an ever growing fan base of devoted listeners, and has seen guests including the likes of Dolly Alderton, Nish Kumar and Jessie Cave.
You can listen to the podcast here
Produced by Plosive Productions
The Horne Section – The Horne Section podcast
“A beguiling blend of the smart and stupid…. a real delight”
★★★★ The Sunday Times
The Horne Section Podcast – Raucous, ridiculous and surprisingly satisfying, host Alex Horne and his band are joined in the basement by a very special guest for some musical mayhem and plenty of laughs. They were set to finish their 4th series in March (featuring Ed Gamble, Katy Wix among many more), but have decided to continue and record remotely during the C-19 outbreak so they can take suggestions direct from listeners who might need a bit of entertainment at home.
You can listen to the podcast here
Travis Jay & KG Tha Comedian – Undefeated
“He’s amazing”
Dave Chapelle
Travis Jay currently hosts Undefeated, a boxing podcast for casual fans, alongside KG Tha Comedian. Both huge fans of the fighgame, Travis and KG each week chop up all the antics of the boxing world, but comedians will be comedians. It’s boxing talk like you’ve never experienced before, laughter and boxing. For boxing fans, this is the podcast you didn’t know you needed.
You can listen to the podcast here
TV ON DEMAND
Breeders (Sky One)
“terrific: dark, fresh, brutal, funny…Simon Blackwell and Chris Addison have managed the near-impossible by creating a parenting comedy that is not twee and makes the tired tropes of sleep deprivation and school-catchment obsession funny.”
★★★★ Carol Midgley, The Times
Breeders, a new Sky Original comedy starring Martin Freeman (Fargo, Sherlock, Black Panther) and Daisy Haggard (Back To Life, Episodes, Black Mirror), explores the paradox that every parent knows but never admits: you would willingly die for your children, but quite often you also want to kill them. The 10 x 30 series airs on Sky One on Thursdays at 10pm and streaming service NOWTV, with episodes 1-3 available on Catch-Up now.
Breeders is created by Academy Award®-nominee and double Emmy® Award-winner Simon Blackwell (Veep, Back, Peep Show), double Emmy® Award and Directors Guild of America Award winner Chris Addison (Veep, The Thick of It, The Hustle), who also directed episodes 6-10, and Emmy and BAFTA®-winning Martin Freeman.
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Catastrophe (Channel 4 & Amazon Prime)
“From first to last Catastrophe has been an unremitting triumph.”
★★★★★ Lucy Mangan, The Guardian
Written by and starring Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan, Catastrophe is a four series comedy following an Irish woman and an American man who make a bloody mess as they struggle to fall in love in London. Clumsy lust, instant pregnancy, and genuine disaster provide the foundation for this flaming hovel of a relationship. The show has received universal critical acclaim and a raft of awards since launching in 2015. Three series have 100%, and one 95%, ratings on Rotten Tomatoes (representing the percentage of professional critic reviews in the USA and UK that are positive for a given film or TV show).
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Dave Gorman – Modern Life is Goodish (UKTV Play)
“His fine observations and crafted running jokes will soon have you snorting… Dave’s website (Dave the channel, not Gorman himself) has an archive of several seasons of this hidden jewel.”
Jack Seale, Radio Times
Dave Gorman Modern Life is Goodish ran for five critically lauded series on Dave, attracting 1.5 million viewers per episode at its peak, and was one of UKTV’s most successful original commissions. Also enjoy last year’s new series, Dave Gorman: Terms and Conditions Apply* where Dave brought along his trusty screen and three comedy guests as they cast their eye over his latest modern world discoveries, compete in mischievous games and generally try to unscramble the baffling morass of non-stop information that surrounds us in the internet age.
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Not Going Out (UKTV Play)
“Consistently hilarious”
★★★★★ Jaci Stephen, The Mail on Sunday
Lee Mack’s multi award-winning hit show, and longest running sitcom on air, has evolved from will-they-won’t-they flat share to celebrating suburban-madness over 10 critically acclaimed series.
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Russell Howard – The Russell Howard Hour (Sky One)
“Altogether more politicised and hard-hitting….It was a treat to find Howard showing so much bite… it’s not often you get such spiky satire on Sky1…Howard and his Hour should be applauded.”
Michael Hogan, The Daily Telegraph
Russell Howard offers his unique and acclaimed perspective on news and current affairs over three series of The Russell Howard Hour available to watch on Sky TV on demand and NOW TV. The inaugural series of the Sky original and Avalon production was the most successful new entertainment series to launch on the channel since 2010 and the show has since received over 400 million views across social media as a result of multiple segments going viral. Filmed in front of a studio audience, Russell conducts in-depth wider social interviews with an array of interesting people after having guests including Ed Sheeran, John Oliver, Alesha Dixon, Chris O’Dowd, Naomi Klein, Jamie Oliver, Louis Theroux, Diane Abbott, Greg Davies, Fiona Bruce, Richard Curtis, Stephen Merchant, Jack Black and Elizabeth Banks.
Latest press release here
You can watch the show here
Russell Howard & Mum – Globetrotters (Sky One)
Join Russell Howard as he embarks on the ‘mother of all journeys’ around the globe with the twinkly eyed smasher that is his mum, Ninette. Series 1-4 is available to watch on Sky TV and NOW TV.
You can watch the show here
Taskmaster (UKTV Play)
“Funny, revealing, and glorious”
★★★★★ Andrew Billen, The Times
All 9 series of the double BAFTA nominated and Broadcast Award winning show Taskmaster are available to stream on UKTV Play. Each series welcomes a new group of hyper-competitive comedians placing themselves at the mercy of Taskmaster tyrant Greg Davies, and the scrutiny of stats keeper and skivvy Little Alex Horne in the most hard-fought and fierce comedy game show on television.
You can watch the show here
For further information and images please contact pressoffice@avalonuk.com or 0207 598 8000.
