Comedy News Round Up

Back Of the Net! Another Steve Coogan Project And More

Last week we led with news of Steve Coogan returning for a new run of The Trip. This week we lead with news of yet another Coogan role. And one for which the Alan Partridge phrase “Back of the net!” is truly appropriate. The first trailer has been released from Saipan, the film about the clash between fiery Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy and equally fiery player Roy Keane. Coogan plays McCarthy. Watch the trailer and read more about the film here. Photo Credit: Aidan Monaghan

And on the subject of football, news broke this week that the BBC’s former Head of Values has been appointed to a new World Cup role for the 2026 World Cup. This is a nice way for the BBC to announce that after Twenty Twelve and a spell in W1A Hugh Bonneville will be return as hapless exec Ian Fletcher in a new comedy, Twenty Twenty Six. More intel here.

Elsewhere Beyond The Joke continues its series of Edinburgh Fringe Rarely Asked Questions interviews with this week’s tip, Candace Bryan, who who making her debut with MILF - Mom I’d Like To Find. Bryan certainly has an unusual pre-gig ritual: “I take a selfie, then zoom in on it and give myself a little kiss.” Read more about her thoughts on comedy here. Picture Credit: Jamie Henderson.

This week has also seen two new sitcoms launch, Pushers on Channel 4 starring Rosie Jones and Transaction on ITV2 starring Jordan Gray. Both might apear to be tackling ‘issues’ but they make sure they put the emphasis on finding the funny. Read our review of Pushers here and Transition here.

Still on TV, BBC hit Such Brave Girls is set to return for a second series. You can watch the trailer here.

And finally it’s also been a big week for tour announcements. One of my favourite stand-ups Chloe Petts is going on tour after the Fringe. Scottish star Connor Burns is also touring after his Fringe run. And Irish star Shane Todd is hitting the road too. But the biggest tour news is that Al Murray’s Pub Landlord is back with All You Need Is Guv. There’s no denying the world’s a mess daddio, but there is a glimmer of hope as the globe’s favourite bar steward returns with his Common Sense hot takes for the masses, offering a much-needed truth tonic (pint for the fella/glass of white wine for the lady) for these troubled times. With a frothing pint to hand, a barrel of laughs to pour from, and a flower in his heart, Guv is all you need. Dates and details here.