Big Week for Comedy on Channel 4

Tonight on Channel 4 sees the beginning of a comedy week that even they might find hard to top (Na – thinking of it, they probably can – and will in the future)

Starting at 9pm is the recording highlights of last weeks Comedy Gala held at the O2 in aid of Great Ormond Street. C4 claimed it to be the BIGGEST comedy gig ever and it would be hard to disagree with around 25 performers doing sketches and (mainly) stand up.

The gig included Alan Carr, Andy Parsons, Bill Bailey, David Mitchell, Catherine Tate, Christine Bleakley, Jack Dee, Jack Whitehall, James Corden, Jason Manford, Jo Brand, John Bishop, Jonathan Ross, Kevin Bridges, Kevin Eldon, Lee Evans, Mark Watson, Michael McIntyre, Noel Fielding, Omid Djalili, Patrick Kielty, Rich Hall, Rob Brydon, Ruth Jones, Sean Lock, Shappi Khorsandi, Derren Brown, Jimmy Carr, Johnny Depp, Kevin Bishop,
Ricky Gervais, Robert Webb, Stephen Merchant.

I understand McIntyre closed the first half and Lee Evans the second, both doing slightly longer than the other acts who did approximately five minutes.

After the Comedy Gala finishes is a Frank Skinner stand up tour gig in full, Live from the NIA Birmingham.
And as if to make up for their absence at the gig, C4 will show stand up of Russel Brand (Doing Life) , Dylan Moran (What It Is) and Eddie Izzard (Circle) throughout the week,as well as Sean Lock live from the Hammersmith Apollo.
ON Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for the first time in the UK, we will witness the Comedy Roasts of Chris Tarrant, Sharon Osbourne and Bruce Forsyth.
Finally on Saturday, the 100 Greatest Stand Ups will be shown. This is not a repeat, but an update of the original list and show that was made in 2005.
The top few will probably be very similar, but there will be some new names included who have established themselves since 2005, notably Michael McIntyre, Frankie Boyle, Russel Howard, Russel Brand to hazard a guess.
I will be writing more about the Comedy Roast format in the next few days (as I attended the Roast of Chris Tarrant).

Coronation Street – The Next Wedding

I’m predicting Andrew Sachs and Rosie Webster.
Obvious revenge for Andrew Sachs marrying someone who should be a notchpost on the bed of Russel Brand.

Second contender – Ken Barlow and Martha The Mermaid – in the spirit of the 60’s, Ken will become a pirate DJ and on the wedding night – ‘Rock the Boat’

January On The Telly

Breaking Made Up Gossip...
Arthur Daley is planning to take out a contract on
Shane Richie...

Minder How You Go...
Dennis Waterman didn't sing the theme toon!!

If TV had a transfer window deadline day...

Minder             Five to ITV2 (buy back clause)
Carol Thatcher  	BBC One Show to Channel 5, free
FA Cup			ITV to BBC, undisclosed
Jeremy Clarkson	
	Top Gear to Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
Russel Brand 		Radio 2 to Hollywood

Shane Richie        Eastenders to Minder (C5)

Where Did It All Go S****?
A new strand of programming for Channel 5 focusing on
Cheryl Cole, Girls Aloud (Sssshame thing shurrly) and Ant & Dec 

(still not sure whose on the left and whose on the right).
I expect the programme we wont see (on 5) is
"Five: Why Is It Still S***?" (c) Adam Faith on his deathbed