Comedy News Round Up

Whoopi! Celebrate The Life Of Reilly And Take Another Trip With Coogan And Brydon

Very exciting comedy news this week. More than five years since their Grecian escapades, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon reunite for The Trip to the Northern Lights — the eagerly awaited fifth instalment of the multi-award-winning, critically acclaimed Sky Original comedy series.

Directed once again by renowned British director Michael Winterbottom (This England, 24 Hour Party People), the new six-part series sees the pair trade Mediterranean sunshine for the rugged beauty of Northern Europe. What follows is a gloriously daft and delicious journey — this time through Scandinavia — in search of fine food, wry conversation and a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights. More details here.

The latest interview in our Edinburgh Fringe Rarely Asked Questions series is snappy, wisecracking northern stand-up Aaron Wood. He’s a smart gagsmith onstage and online so it’s not surprising his answers to our questions are pretty clued up too. Read all about him here. Picture by Owen Peters.

There’s a big star heading to the UK stages later this year. Whoopi Goldberg returns this September for two live shows, her first UK appearances since 2018.

Audiences are invited to experience an intimate evening with the multi-award-winning actress, author, and producer as she reflects on her extraordinary career and trailblazing journey. More info here. Picture by Timothy White.

While the UK gets Goldberg America gets Romesh Ranganathan, who is set to perform in the USA and Canada this November.

Romesh embarked on his career in America in 2018 with the launch of Just Another Immigrant on Showtime, before appearing twice on James Corden's Late Late Show as well as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. His Netflix special, The Cynic, dropped in 2022 and in 2023 he returned Stateside with a sold-out show at the iconic New York Town Hall before embarking on a sold-out tour at the start of 2025. His latest dates are here.

Also heading our way is John C Reilly, who appeared alongside the aforementioned Steve Coogan in Stan & Ollie, is also coming to the UK. Following performances across North America, and an eponymous debut album, Academy Award nominee Reilly brings his most personal and highly anticipated project in 2025, Mister Romantic, to Soho Theatre Walthamstow on Tuesday 18 November. Details about this very special show here. Picture by Bobbi Rich.

Finally, the podcast My Time Capsule marks a major milestone with the release of its 500th episode, featuring comedian Josh Widdicombe.

Since its launch in 2020, My Time Capsule, hosted by the actor Michael Fenton Stevens, has delighted audiences by asking guests for five things which they’d like to preserve in a time capsule. Four things they treasure and would want to preserve but one they’re happy to bury and forget. Read on here. Picture by Jiksaw.