News

Audioboom Group Plc, the leading independent podcast company, has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Adelicious Ltd, the award-winning British podcast network.

The acquisition and combination of the businesses will create the UK’s largest homegrown podcast network with 40 million unique listeners and more than 125 million monthly downloads and video views.

Adelicious, founded by Pascal Hughes and David McGuire in 2020, is home to more than 200 leading podcasts, including Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things, Short History Of…,The Teen Commandments with Sara Cox and Clare Hamilton, and History Extra.

Audioboom’s British podcast roster includes No Such Thing As A Fish, Dig It with Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley, the official Formula 1 podcast Beyond The Grid, and The Cycling Podcast. The combined scale of the network will provide brands with expanded advertising opportunities and increased marketing, technology and monetisation support for British podcasters.

Andrew Goldsmith, CEO of Adelicious,...

Adelicious has strengthened its commercial team with two new senior hires, appointing Liam Robinson and Antonia Digby as Agency Sales Directors to help lead the growing sales division of the UK’s leading independent podcast hosting platform.

Liam Robinson joins Adelicious with over a decade of experience in advertising sales, including nearly five years specialising in podcasts. He has held roles at The Athletic, Acast and Octave, taking to market a wide range of shows across multiple genres. In his new role, Liam will be responsible for leading relationships with both group and independent media agencies, with a focus on strengthening brand visibility of Adelicious's portfolio in market.

“Having worked with Adelicious over the years, it’s no surprise to see the growth they’ve had in such a competitive space,” said Liam Robinson, Agency Sales Director at Adelicious. “I’m really excited to get stuck in and make an impact.

The Podcast Show, the biggest international festival for the business of podcasting, is back for its fourth year. This one-of-a-kind event brings together podcast industry leaders, brands, platforms and the sharpest new creators from across the globe to celebrate and help shape the future of podcasting. The festival will take place across two days in Islington, London, 21 - 22 May 2025.

This year, The Podcast Show is bigger and more ambitious – with even more global industry partners, more networking opportunities and parties, more content and the biggest names in the industry.

Over 120 partners will join the line up with many exhibiting for the first time sitting alongside those that have supported the show since its launch four years ago.

Official Partners returning include; Acast, AdsWizz, Amazon Music, Audioboom, BBC Sounds, and Wondery, with Sirius Xm joining for the first time alongside other new Partners NPR, BBC Studios, Financial Times, The Economist, Cvp and SanDisk.

It was announced today that Chris and Rosie Ramsey’s hit podcast Sh**ged.Married.Annoyed. has joined Adelicious, the UK’s leading independent podcast network.

Produced by Avalon, the hugely popular and critically acclaimed podcast hosted by Chris and Rosie Ramsey has become one of the most loved podcasts in the UK. With over 300 episodes recorded and 195 million downloads, the podcast has continually held spots in the top five podcasts in the UK since the Edison Research chart launched two years ago. The podcast has also spawned two record-breaking live arena tours, a Sunday Times №1 bestselling book, two series of an acclaimed BBC chat show, and, last autumn, a new children’s book which went on to become an instant bestseller. The show has also picked up multiple awards including back-to-back National Comedy Awards for Best Podcast (2023 and 2022), a Global Award for Best Podcast and the Listeners' Choice Award at the British Podcast Awards.

Eric Braeden Slams Donald Trump, Calls Him “orange idiot” During Wildfire Interview ( Photo Credit – Facebook )

The Los Angeles wildfires have led to devastation and heartbreak for so many citizens. From residents losing their homes to 11 people losing their lives (per NBC), California is in a state of mayhem, with evacuations happening around the clock. Shows, events, and productions have been halted amidst it all. A few soap stars have lost their houses and shared their grief on social media. Eric Braeden is a long-term star and a veteran actor who has been a part of the daytime industry for decades.

Recently, he spoke about the unfortunate wildfires and made sure to slam Donald Trump’s recent claims and blames. He called him an “orange idiot” and called out his irresponsible behavior.

The Young & The Restless Star Eric Braeden Slams Donald Trump, Calls Him An “Orange Idiot”

Eric, who has played...

How Did Fans React To Filming Notice At Ariana Madix & Katie Maloney’s Snack Shop? ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Since Bravo announced that Vanderpump Rules would be rebooting and the upcoming 12th season will be back with an all-new cast instead of the original one, there have been rumors galore. From comments of cast members to reports suggesting that the OGs are competing amongst each other for a spinoff of their own, the rumor mill hasn’t stopped buzzing since. One of the many speculations mentions a potential spinoff featuring Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney at their sandwich shop, Something About Her.

While nothing was confirmed after the rumors started circulating, a new detail has reignited speculations about the spinoff. Here’s what we know.

Is There A Filming Notice At Ariana Madix & Katie Maloney’s Sandwich Shop?

Fans spotted a filming notice at Ariana and Katie’s sandwich shop, sparking...

Who Joined Traitors Season 3 As New Wildcard Entries? ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Season 3 of The Traitors has grabbed many eyeballs due to its outlandish promos and intriguing contestants. With so many known faces and reality stars, including four faces from The Real Housewives universe and an infamous Vanderpump Rules villain, things are about to be fun.

To name the housewives, Robyn Dixon from Potomac, Dorinda Medley from New York City, Dolores Catania from New Jersey, and Chanel Ayan from Dubai. Tom Sandoval from Vanderpump Rules is also a cast member of the season. Moreover, the makers have added three new faces to the edition. Here’s who the wildcards are and what we know about them.

Which Cast Members Have Been Added To Traitors Season 3? Rob Mariano

Alan Cumming, the host of the reality series, introduced the first new cast addition by asking a masked man to reveal himself. It turned out to be Rob Mariano,...

Tiku Talsania In Critical Condition, Admitted To Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

A few hours ago, breaking news about the veteran Bollywood and television actor Tiku Talsania came in, leaving his fans and fraternity concerned. It is learned that the actor’s health condition is not good, and he has been admitted to the hospital in Mumbai. A few hours back, there were reports about him suffering from a heart attack, but now, his own family has dismissed such reports.

Tiku has been in the entertainment industry for a long time. He has been entertaining the audience for over four decades and has created his own space, especially in comedy roles. This morning, out of nowhere, reports about his hospitalization flooded the internet, and it was learned that the veteran actor suffered a heart attack.

While talking to Ndtv, Tiku Talsania’s wife, Deepti Talsania, dismissed heart attack...

Who Is Damien Hastings On The Young & The Restless? ( Photo Credit – Facebook )

The last few months on The Young & the Restless have focused on building two storylines. One is the Sharon, Ian, and Jordan arc, which began with Heather’s murder. Now, Nick and the Newman family have also gotten involved in it. On the other hand, Nate finds out that he has a half-brother.

He has since been looking for him, and his search has finally ended. Who is Damien Hastings, and how is Nate connected to him? What is their current storyline, and what does the character have up his sleeve? Here’s what we know about the new role and what the actor playing him has to say about it.

The Young & The Restless: All About Nate’s Half-Brother Damien Hastings

Towards the end of last year, Amy Lewis returned to Genoa City...

Why Is Comedian Russell Howard Quitting TV? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Russell Howard, the comedian famous for his satirical shows like Russell Howard’s Good News and The Russell Howard Hour, has announced his departure from television after nearly 20 years in the industry.

The 44-year-old comedian, who became a household name with his political humor and witty commentary, shared his decision to step away from TV during a Have A Word Podcast appearance.

Trending Did Karen Huger Skip The Real Housewives Of Potomac Season 9 Reunion To Check Into Rehab After DUI Incident? Find Out

Does Bozoma Saint John Plan To Quit The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills? Fans Speculate After Cryptic Video

Russell Howard’s Shift Towards Standup Comedy

Howard admitted that while TV provided a great platform for his career, he now prefers the spontaneity and thrill of stand-up comedy. He revealed that touring and performing live are far more...

On Friday January 10 2025, CBS broadcasts After Midnight!

Dustin Nickerson; Russell Howard; Aparna Nancherla Season 2 Episode 54 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “After Midnight” promises a night filled with laughter and entertainment. Titled “Dustin Nickerson; Russell Howard; Aparna Nancherla,” this episode features three talented comedians who are sure to bring their unique styles to the stage.

Dustin Nickerson is known for his relatable humor and sharp observations about everyday life. His comedic approach often connects with audiences through stories about family and personal experiences. Fans can expect him to deliver some fresh and funny takes that will resonate well with many.

Russell Howard, a familiar face in the comedy scene, is celebrated for his energetic performances and witty commentary on current events. His ability to blend humor with insightful observations makes him a standout. Viewers can look forward to his lively presence and engaging stories that are sure to entertain.

Aparna...

“Jimmy Kimmel Live” has been canceled Wednesday night, because of the fires that have been raging throughout Los Angeles since Tuesday, Variety has confirmed. Kimmel’s Wednesday guests were slated to include Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked”), Brian Jordan Alvarez (“English Teacher”) and musical guest Victoria Canal. Should “Jkl” also shut down on Thursday, guests currently lined up include Timothée Chalamet (“A Complete Unknown”) and musical guest The Lumineers.

CBS has also canceled tapings for “After Midnight,” hosted by Taylor Tomlinson, for the remainder of the week due to the ongoing Los Angeles fires. The show, which tapes at the Paramount studio lot, will now air repeats on Wednesday and Thursday. (A rerun was already scheduled for Friday.) Wednesday’s episode of “After Midnight” was originally set to include comedians Heather McMahan and Zach Noe Towers, as well as actor-reality star Lisa Rinna. And Thursday’s episode was set to include comics Dustin Nickerson,...

On Saturday 28 December 2024, BBC One broadcasts Saturday Kitchen Live!

Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Saturday Kitchen Live” promises an exciting mix of culinary delights and entertaining conversation. Matt Tebbutt will host the show, guiding viewers through a lively kitchen atmosphere. This episode features talented chefs Richard Bainbridge and Crystelle Pereira, both known for their unique styles and delicious recipes.

Joining the chefs is special guest Russell Howard, a well-known comedian. His presence is sure to bring some laughter and fun to the kitchen. The combination of cooking and comedy often leads to unexpected moments, making this episode one to look forward to.

Drinks expert Olly Smith will also be on hand to suggest the perfect wines to complement the dishes prepared in the studio. His expertise adds another layer to the experience, helping to enhance the flavors of the food.

Overall, this episode of “Saturday Kitchen Live” looks set...

Foodies and fans of lively weekend television are in for a treat with “Saturday Kitchen Live.” Airing at 11:00 Am on Saturday, December 28, 2024, on BBC One, this episode promises plenty of delicious dishes, entertaining moments, and expert tips. Hosted by the ever-charming Matt Tebbutt, the show welcomes a fantastic lineup of guests to join the fun in the kitchen.

This week, Matt is joined by chefs Richard Bainbridge and Crystelle Pereira, who will showcase their culinary talents with mouthwatering recipes sure to inspire viewers at home. Adding an extra dose of humor and charm is special guest Russell Howard, who brings his unique energy to the studio. Meanwhile, drinks expert Olly Smith is on hand to recommend the perfect wines to complement the dishes prepared during the show.

Whether you’re a cooking enthusiast, a fan of good food, or just looking for an enjoyable way to spend your Saturday morning,...

British comedian Russell Howard will premiere his new stand-up special “Russell Howard Live at the London Palladium” as a global streaming event on Jan. 15 via the Driift platform.

The 60-minute special was recorded during Howard’s fourth international tour. The stream will include “Off The Cuff,” a bonus program featuring exclusive content. Howard will also participate in a live interactive session with fans during the launch night.

The special caps off Howard’s extensive international tour spanning 237 shows across 141 cities in 30 countries, selling over 335,000 tickets. The tour included 13 performances at London’s Palladium and runs in the U.S., Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Australia. Additional dates are scheduled for early 2025 in the Nordics, Hong Kong, India and Singapore before returning to Europe and the U.S.

Howard’s recent ventures include the “Five Brilliant Things” podcast, which launched in the Top 10 Comedy Podcasts, featuring guests like John Oliver, Jimmy Carr and Greg Davies.

Adelicious, the UK’s leading independent podcast hosting and monetisation network, has more than doubled its average campaign spend and the number of brands advertising on the network since 2023, delivering its one-billionth ad impression this year. The network’s shows now attract a monthly listenership four times higher than the average on major global platforms, solidifying Adelicious’ position as a market leader.

These impressive figures have been driven by significant additions to the invite-only network in 2024. Among these is the full roster of podcasts from Dmg, the most recognised and engaged news brand in the UK. Their shows now hosted by Adelicious include the true crime series The Trial, Soccer A-z, which reunites former Soccer Am hosts Tim Lovejoy and Helen Chamberlain and Bryony Gordon’s Life of Bryony.

Adelicious also welcomed a range of top-tier talent from Avalon, including Russell Howard’s Five Wonderful Things and Frank Skinner’s...

The SmartLess Media team have found their next podcast bet: A soccer show called GoalLess, which will feature a lighthearted format “that highlights the passion, personalities, and pitch drama that make soccer beautiful.”

Comedian Russell Howard and soccer broadcaster Chris Wittyngham will co-host the podcast, which launches on Thursday, Sept. 19. SmartLess Media, Meadowlark Media and SiriusXM are producing GoalLess, which also counts Paramount+ as its launch sponsor.

GoalLess will release two new episodes each week, on Mondays and Thursdays, in the SiriusXM app and on other podcast platforms.

“I can’t wait to get stuck into the Champions League with Chris on GoalLess. Talking about football and having a laugh. It’s my dream job!“ Howard said in a statement.

“I am very excited to be rejoining the Meadowlark family, along with the SmartLess team, to bring GoalLess to the masses with Russell each week,” added Wittyngham. “As both a...

In his new uInterview, comedian Russell Howard reveals what the real differences are between American and British audiences as he sets off on his new U.S. tour.

Howard explained to uInterview founder Erik Meers that, in his opinion, U.S. audiences “are absolutely incredible.”

His goal is to make sure that people “look up from the food and engage them” throughout the set. He claimed that this is “the only place in the world where I’ve ever had standing ovations when you walk on stage.”

On the other hand, in the U.K., he’ll “get standing ovations but gradually.”

“We struggle to show love, whereas Americans seem to have no problem like admitting that you like the person you’ve paid money to see,” he joked.

Howard shared some details about his road trip across the U.S. with his mom that took them to Naples, Florida.

It was announced today, 25th September, that Russell Howard launches his new podcast Wonderbox, produced by Avalon, on the 11th October 2023.

A Wonderbox is a place where you keep little reminders of what makes life worth living. Each week Russell will chat to a special guest about what they’d keep in their Wonderbox, recounting the most memorable and funniest moments of their lives.

Russell begins the series chatting with 2023 Emmy Award ‘Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics’ & Brit Awards ‘Best New Artist’ Nominated Sam Ryder plus BAFTA Nominated Munya Chawawa (Race Around Britain) in a special bumper double episode, followed by stars including Emmy Award winning John Oliver (Last Week Tonight), Jimmy Carr, Taylor Tomlinson, Jack Whitehall , Greg Davies , Guz Khan, Jen Brister, Jordan Gray and BAFTA Nominated Rachel Parris (Late Night Mash).

Russell Howard said “I love doing this podcast. I get interesting guests and I ask them what they love.

Russell Howard is launching a new podcast where he chats guests about what they’d keep in their Wonderbox. Each of his guests across the series will recount the most memorable and funniest moments of their lives. Russell begins the series talking to 2023 Emmy Award and Brit Awards nominated Sam Ryder plus BAFTA nominated Munya Chawawa in a special double episode.

Exclusive: British comedian Russell Howard is launching a comedy podcast featuring the likes of John Oliver, Jimmy Carr and Taylor Tomlinson.

The stand-up, who has had his own specials on Netflix, will release the first episode of Wonderbox on October 11. The podcast launch coincides with the East Coast U.S. leg of Howard’s latest tour.

Avalon, which manages the comedian and writer, is producing. The format will see Howard discussing with special guests their ‘Wonderbox, which is “a place where you keep the little reminders that make life worth living.”

Each week, Howard will ask the guest about what they’d keep in their Wonderbox, recounting the most memorable and funny moments of their lives. Listen to the trailer below.

The series will begin with a conversation with Emmy-nominated singer Sam Ryder and BAFTA-nominated comedian Munya Chawawa (Race Around Britain) in a special bumper double episode.

Guests will include...

Standup comedian Russell Howard, beloved in his native U.K. for Sky’s long-running “The Russell Howard Hour” and known to global audiences for Netflix specials “Lubricant” (2021) and “Recalibrate” (2017), is once again taking his live show through the States.

“The unadulterated giddiness of U.S. audiences” is what he’s most looking forward to about the 15-stop U.S. leg, kicking off Oct. 4 in Durham, North Carolina.

“As much as I love performing stand-up in the U.K., it’s like Mordor in comparison,” he told TheWrap ahead of the exclusive premiere of the “Russell Howard Live 2023” trailer, seen above. “In the U.K., you’ll get a standing ovation at the end of the show, whereas in America you get one at the beginning as well!”

As for which stop he’s most looking forward to, Howard has his eye on the Oct. 12 stop at New York City’s...

Get to shout out "Rhlstp!!" like a proper cool kid as the multi-award-winning and perennially popular live podcast interview series in which comedian Richard Herring chats with some of the biggest names in comedy and entertainment tours this autumn. Usually recorded in London’s glittering West End, Rhlstp is going on the road. The UK & Ire 2023 / 2024 tour will start in September and includes dates in Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Salford, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff and Dublin, along with multiple dates at the show’s spiritual home in London’s Leicester Square Theatre.

Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday 30th June with an exclusive fan pre-sale on Thursday 29th June for Rhlstp badgers and plussers. To become a badger/plusser or to view all dates visit, visit richardherring.com

Richard Herring enjoys continual success as both a writer and performer and is widely known an innovator in the world of podcasts,...

Imagine being someone who’s never seen Taskmaster. A virgin to joy. Someone whose eyes have never before drunk in the sight of a banana-Noel Fielding hiding in a fruit bowl, of Joe Wilkinson presenting the mayor of Chesham with 42 Calippo ice lollies, or of Charlotte Ritchie stumbling around a golf course blindfolded like an adorable Minion. What promise awaits! The prize tasks, the flashes of creative genius, the glorious failures… Alex Horne’s challenge-based comedy panel show is one of the most reliably entertaining TV programmes ever made.

If you’ve yet to have the pleasure, and would like a steer as to which series are the best of this show, then here’s our attempt to lead you though the highs and less-highs. Please note that this ranking was produced by democratic process, which means that even we don’t agree with it (the Daisy May Cooper...

Mock the Week, which ran for over 20 seasons on the BBC in the UK, is coming to the U.S.

Amazon Freevee has greenlit a U.S. version of the show exec produced by Trevor Noah and Dan Patterson, who was responsible for the British series.

It comes after the show, which is a mix of a panel show and stand-up comedy format, ended in the UK last year.

The series sees two teams of comedians take a satirical swipe at current news, pop culture, and world events.

In the UK, it was hosted by Dara O’Briain, and featured the likes of Hugh Dennis, Rory Bremner, Frankie Boyle, Russell Howard and Chris Addison. It originally launched in 2005 and was created by Patterson and Mark Leveson, who were behind Whose Line Is It Anyway?

The U.S. version will be exec produced by Noah, who left The Daily Show last year,...

Let’s get the awkwardness out of the way first, shall we? The answer is yes, it definitely Was a throw. No further questions, thank you.

Mae Martin’s Taskmaster performance has been solid gold so far, from the hilarious #throwgate controversy in the drumming challenge to teaching us how to play the double bass with your toes, and introducing an excellent new way of pronouncing the word “humiliated”.

If you thought all that was impressive, just wait until you discover this award-winning Canadian comedian’s other work (spoiler alert: it’s very very good):

Mae Martin’s TV Comedy Career Actually Started 20 Years Ago

An adorably geeky 16-year-old Mae appeared on Canadian award show Cream of Comedy back in 2003 after becoming the youngest ever nominee for the show’s prize. They didn’t win, but their excellent Buffy The Vampire Slayer-themed set was a good sign of things to come.

Comedian Paul Chowdhry has announced season three of his podcast, The Paul Chowdhry Pudcast. Each episode sees Paul going light and dark with his guests, encompassing everyone from comedians to musicians to broadcasters and more. Never one to hold back on his opinions, Paul tells it how he hears it. The Paul Chowdhry PudCast first launched in 2021 and, over 40 episodes later, Paul has spoken to Greg Davies, Shappi Khorsandi, Russell Howard, Lucy Beaumont, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, London Hughes, Johnny Vaughan, Kerry Katona and more.

Exclusive: Avalon, the production company behind HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and FX/Sky comedy Breeders, has hired Jenelle Lindsay as Executive Vice President of Television.

Lindsay, who is based in LA, joins from Steph Curry’s Unanimous Media, where she was President.

She will oversee the creative team developing and producing scripted series for the studio, which had over 40 productions last year.

Reporting to Avalon’s Global CEO Laura Kennedy, Lindsay helped Curry’s bolster his production company with series such as ABC’s Holey Moley, Netflix animated series Good Times with Norman Lear and Seth McFarlane, and Apple+ film Underrated with producer Ryan Coogler as well as a comedy for NBC and films for Amazon and Disney+.

Prior to Unanimous, Lindsay served as SVP of Development and Production at Sony Pictures Television, and SVP of Development and Production at Ashton Kutcher’s Katalyst Media, having...

Dish, the hit podcast hosted by Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, will be getting extra social for the festive season as the presenting duo escape the studio and cosy up at Grimmy’s own home, where some special guests have been invited round for Christmas food, drink and laughs.

In a series of episodes, Hugh Bonneville, Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond, and Annie Mac will all settle down for a fireside chat, while Michelin star chef Angela Hartnett cooks and Grimshaw serves up the drinks. The hosts’ warm reception and sense of humour make Dish the most hospitable and social show on the planet.

Dish takes a pioneering approach to turning podcasts into a social event: it’s recorded like a podcast, shot for Instagram and edited for TikTok. As a result, it’s had 20 weeks at number one on Apple’s food podcast chart and is regularly in the top 20 Apple shows.

Delayed gratification is all well and good, but let’s be honest: we all prefer the instant kind, so it’s a good job that as soon as one series of Taskmaster finishes, the line-up of contestants for the following series is revealed.

Tonight’s Series 14 finale was no different, and we now know we can look forward to seeing Frankie Boyle, Jenny Eclair, Ivo Graham, Mae Martin and Kiell Smith-Bynoe doing very silly things for Alex Horne and Greg Davies in Series 15.

We’ve just said goodbye to Fern Brady, John Kearns, Munya Chawawa, Dara Ó Briain and Sarah Millican as Series 14 reached its climax and Dara Ó Briain was crowned the Taskmaster champion. It was also the first time in Taskmaster history that there was a joint last place, with Fern Brady and John Kearns tying in fourth. It’s been an absolute banger of a series, with unwilling sabotage,...

Exclusive: Audible has today launched Jack Whitehall’s Safe Space, a new 10-part original comedy series hosted by the comedian featuring a host of A-list guests, including Judd Apatow and Jameela Jamil.

Throughout the series, Whitehall sits down with his guests to dig into some of their most cringe-inducing tales.

The synopsis reads: From the school days we’d rather forget (Emily Atack), to worst first impressions (Russell Howard) and cringeworthy celebrity encounters (Jameela Jamil), no shameful stone is left unturned, as Jack is joined by some of the funniest names in the industry who come bearing all about the moments in their lives that have led to sleepless nights. Elsewhere, Jack gets to the bottom of a real day’s work with comedian and former handyman Tom Davies, discusses embarrassing relationship experiences away from the screen with Judd Apatow, and discovers...

Every year, there comes a point when the UK comedy industry suddenly becomes abuzz with whispers. Word gets about that the producers of Mock the Week are in town. They’re scouting out stand-up shows for new talent – and you could be next. “Everyone’s going, ‘You know they’re looking’,” comedian Maisie Adam tells me. “You suddenly ended up going to every gig feeling like you’re in those early episodes of X Factor, queuing up outside.”

When it was announced in August that the BBC was canning Mock the Week after 17 years, in order to “create room for new shows”, online discourse exploded. People questioned what the show ending in its current format (the team are optimistic it’ll find a home elsewhere) meant for the BBC, for the panel show format and for satire as a whole. But for comedians, the end of Mock the Week represented...

Soccer Aid for Unicef 2022, broadcast live and exclusively on ITV and Stv last week from the London Stadium, has raised a record-breaking £15,673,728 so far for Unicef’s vital work giving children around the world the care-free, play filled childhoods they are entitled to.

This record-breaking amount was raised thanks to the generous support of the UK public, ITV and Stv viewers, and The Power of Nutrition who have matched donations up to £4 million, meaning double the difference for children. This figure has smashed last year’s record total for money raised on the night.

The hotly anticipated match took place at the sold-out London Stadium with 54,410 fans in attendance, 10 years on from the London 2012 Summer Olympics. The match ended 4-1 on penalties to Soccer Aid World XI, taking them into the overall lead with 6-5 wins since the inaugural 2006 match. Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, David Beckham OBE presented the Soccer Aid...

Exclusive: Taskmaster, the quirky British game show, is taking another swing at the U.S. market with its own global streaming service.

The team behind the series, which is produced by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver producer Avalon Television, is launching Taskmaster SuperMax+.

The SVOD service launches today with a particular focus on the U.S. and Canada. The show’s YouTube channel has had over 3B impressions with around a third coming from North America.

It’s one of the first shows, rather than companies, to launch its own standalone subscription video platform.

It comes after a slightly damp squib of a launch in the U.S. in 2020 when The CW, which had acquired the original version of the show, pulled the show off the air after one episode. A U.S. remake of the show, hosted by Reggie Watts, aired for one season on Comedy Central in the U.

The year is somehow already almost over! To celebrate another passage around the sun, Netflix is putting its best foot forward with its list of new releases for December 2021.

Netflix’s options of original series are quite vast and impressive this month. It starts early on with two finales: Lost in Space wraps up its story with a third and final season on Dec. 1 and is quickly followed by the last go-around for Spanish hit Money Heist. The blockbusters continue apace from there with The Witcher season 2 premiering on Dec. 17, Emily in Paris season 2 on Dec. 22, and Cobra Kai season 4 on Dec. 31 to close out the year.

Read more TV The Witcher Season 2 First Look Asks What Kind of Father Geralt Will Be By Michael Ahr TV How Will Money Heist End? By Gene Ching

It’s also a good month for movies on Netflix. Adam McKay’s satirical climate...

Netflix will close out the year by debuting its biggest awards contenders and popular series like Season 2 of “The Witcher” and Season 2 of “Emily in Paris.”

But the headline releases are on the film side. December 1 brings the streaming premiere of “The Power of the Dog,” Jane Campion’s Best Picture favorite starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Kodi Smit-McPhee. On December 10, Netflix drops “The Unforgivable,” a new drama with former Best Actress winner Sandra Bullock. On December 24, it’s Adam McKay’s star-studded Best Picture hopeful “Don’t Look Up,” with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Cate Blanchett, Rob Morgan, Timothee Chalamet, Tyler Perry, Ariana Grande, and Mark Rylance. The streamer closes out 2021 with “The Lost Daughter,” Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut with Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson.

Ahead, everything coming to Netflix in December 2021.

Coming Soon

Decoupled

Dec. 1

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean...

Exclusive: British comedian Russell Howard is returning to Netflix with a stand-up comedy special and a documentary.

Howard will launch stand-up special Lubricant and Until the Wheels Come Off, a companion documentary, on the streamer on December 14. It is thought that it marks the first stand-up special to be launched in unison with a doc.

Howard, who is behind Sky’s The Russell Howard Hour and BBC’s Russell Howard’s Good News, was about to prepare for the biggest world tour of his career in 2019. He had just got married, was turning 40 and was celebrating his 20th year in comedy. For the first time in his career, he was allowing cameras to follow his life, whilst also navigating huge changes in his personal life. Then bats got involved.

As Russell’s wife resumed duties on the NHS front line, he was sent to his parents to lockdown in his childhood bedroom.

Exclusive: Sky, Comcast’s European pay-tv giant, has commissioned Avalon to produce another two seasons of topical comedy show The Russell Howard Hour.

The renewal will take Howard’s show into its sixth season on Sky One and Now TV. The show also streams in the U.S. on his YouTube channel, which has more than 1M subscribers.

Avalon, which makes HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, said Season 4 attracted some of The Russell Howard Hour’s best ratings since its launch. As well as Howard riffing on the horrors of 2020, it featured in-depth interviews with the likes of Matthew McConaughey and Jack Black.

Sky entertainment boss Philip Edgar-Jones said: “Russell Howard is the sharpest comic on TV and we are thrilled that he’ll be restlessly and hilariously nailing our messed-up world for at least another two seasons on Sky One.”

Executive producers are Richard Allen-Turner, James Taylor,...

ASCAP raises the curtain on its second virtual celebration of annual award winners today through June 25, recognizing its top film, television and video game composers as recipients of 2020 ASCAP Screen Music Awards.

The accolades will take place with the hashtag #ASCAPAwards on ASCAP’s Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram @ASCAP and @ASCAPScreen. Each winner will be honored in a post that enables fans, friends and peers to join in congratulating the music creators that bring their favorite onscreen entertainment to life. ASCAP will share exclusive photos and videos from the winning composers — and special celebrity guests — as part of the event.

Top Box Office Film goes to Hans Zimmer for The Lion King.

Other Top Box Office winners include Pinar Toprak (Captain Marvel), who will appear on video on ASCAP social media providing a tour of her home studio, and Lorne Balfe (Gemini Man), who created a special video documenting the receipt of his award.

A week after ASCAP gave out its pop awards, the performing rights organization rolled out another round of kudos with the ASCAP Screen Music Awards for composers, announced online Tuesday morning as the kickoff to a two-day online event taking place in lieu of the org’s usual black-tie dinner in Beverly Hills as a result of ongoing quarantining.

Hans Zimmer won the trophy for top box office film for scoring the blockbuster remake of “The Lion King.” In television, the award for most performed themes and underscore went to David Vanacore, whose most-heard work of the year included “Survivor” and “Deal or No Deal.” Siddhartha Khosla, of “This Is Us” fame, won for top network television series.

Although those awards represent acclaim represented in sheer commercial numbers, ASCAP also polls its composer and songwriter members to give out three peer-voted awards. In the Composer’s Choice categories, John Powell...

Editors’ Note: With full acknowledgment of the big-picture implications of a pandemic that already has claimed thousands of lives, cratered global economies and closed international borders, Deadline’s Coping With Covid-19 Crisis series is a forum for those in the entertainment space grappling with myriad consequences of seeing a great industry screech to a halt. The hope is for an exchange of ideas and experiences, and suggestions on how businesses and individuals can best ride out a crisis that doesn’t look like it will abate any time soon. If you have a story, email mike@deadline.com.

Brit comedian Russell Howard has always been one to look on the bright side of things. The lockdown has been a challenge for the comic, who has had to find creative outlets for his infectious energy and desire to make people laugh, while isolated in his house. His efforts have not gone unnoticed,...

Comcast-owned Sky has commissioned Last Week Tonight With John Oliver producer Avalon to make a quick-turnaround coronavirus show hosted by British comedian Russell Howard.

Howard usually fronts Sky One show The Russell Howard Hour and had been on his third world tour before it was interrupted by the Covid-19 outbreak. During his time in lockdown, he will now present Russell Howard’s Home Time from his childhood bedroom.

Howard will offer his perspective on world events, speak to famous people and spotlight stories of unsung heroes. The show will air on Sky One on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting April 9 at 10.30 Pm, before being uploaded to Howard’s YouTube channel.

Without comedy panel show Taskmaster, the world would be a worse place. There’d be no Tree Wizard, no Bob Mortimer-designed pork pie presentation unit, a great deal less footage of the brilliant weirdness of Sally Phillips, Josh Widdicombe wouldn’t have a Greg Davies foot tattoo and the mayor of Chesham would never have been presented with the rare gift of 42 Calippos.

Created by Alex Horne and developed for television from his 2010 Edinburgh Fringe show, Taskmaster brings extreme and silly joy; it is to be cherished.

Nine series of the show that pits comedians against absurd and pointless challenges to see just how their minds work have aired on Dave since 2015. This year, it’s packing up and moving to a new home on Channel 4, a move confirmed in November 2019 with these words from Alex on the official website:

‘I promise the show won’t change & there...

A celebrity edition of popular British cooking format “Bake Off” has added an Oscar-winner to its ingredients. Richard Dreyfuss is in the lineup for “The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer,” which will air later this year.

The celeb-infused version of the show is a key element in U.K. broadcaster Channel 4’s annual Stand up to Cancer charity fundraising push.

“Jaws” and “American Grafitti” star Dreyfuss won the Academy Award for best actor for his role in “The Goodbye Girl” in the late 1970s and was nominated again for “Mr Holland’s Opus“ in 1995. He has also won Golden Globe and BAFTA awards.

The U.S. star will join a range of fellow celebrities hoping to win the Star Baker apron on “The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer.”

Documentary filmmaker Louis Theroux will also take part, as will others including tennis player Johanna Konta,...

Danny DeVito, Jessica Chastain and Doctor Who’s Jodie Whittaker are to star in the new season of Jamie Oliver’s Friday Night Feast.

The series returns to Channel 4 for a sixth season with celebrity chef Oliver and his friend Jimmy Doherty cooking up a feast for pals at a pop-up café at the end of Southend Pier.

In addition to the trio, guests include Sir Patrick Stewart, Black Panther actor Martin Freeman, Stephen Fry, Episodes’ Stephen Mangan, Harry Hill, Russell Howard, Romesh Ranganathan and Olympian Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill.

With It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia star DeVito, the pair go back to his roots in Basilicata, where his grandparents came from, with food cooked from the town his family came from. Oliver said, “He’s a Hollywood legend and he came especially to see us – at the end of Southend Pier, two hours out of London, for a six-hour filming.

Comedy Central is branching into live events in the UK with the launch of a three day stand-up festival. Comedians including Jimmy Carr, Russell Howard and Katherine Ryan will headline Comedy Central Live, which will take place between October 5 – 7 in Southampton.

While the Viacom-owned broadcaster has held promotional events such as a Friends festival in the UK, the move marks the first time that it has held a full comedy gala.

Other comedians include Catastrophe creator and star Rob Delaney, Love Island narrator Iain Stirling and What Would Beyonce Do? star Luisa Omielan as well as Rob Beckett, Desiree Burch, Chris Ramsey, Joel Dommett, Nish Kumar, Russell Kane, Dane Baptiste, Mo Gilligan, Phil Wang, Suzi Ruffell, Reginald D Hunter, Doc Brown and Britain’s Got Talent winner Lost Voice Guy.

In addition, the event will hold live versions of a number of its on screen shows such as Your Face Or Mine,...

British broadcaster Channel 4 has found its man to lead its youth revolution – hiring Karl Warner, founder of Sony-backed producer Electric Ray as head of E4.

Warner, who founded the Million Pound Menu and Alone at Home producer in 2014, becomes Controller of the youth-skewing channel, best known for series such as reality hit Made In Chelsea.

This comes after C4’s Director of Programmes Ian Katz handed the channel an additional budget of £10M (Us$13.4M).

Katz called Warner, a colorful character in British television, known for wearing garish jackets, one of the most “impish” figures in the UK industry. Before setting up Electric Ray, alongside Meredith Chambers, he worked at the BBC, commissioning series such as John Bishop’s Britain, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Live at the Apollo for BBC One and Undercover Princes, Russell Howard’s Good News and Junior Doctors for BBC Three. Before joining the public broadcaster,...

Exclusive: Last Week Tonight With John Oliver producer Avalon has lost its Chief Operating Officer. I hear Tim Robinson has left the British production company and talent management agency.

Robinson, a popular figure within the British television industry, joined the company, which has offices in London, New York and La, in September 2016 and left at the end of last month. He lead day-to-day operations at the business and managed the long-term strategic development of the group. He worked across the company’s production business, its talent management arm as well as studios, promotions and international distribution.

Deadline understands that Robinson’s departure was mutual and that he is currently in talks for a new role.

In addition to Oliver’s weekly HBO comedy show, Avalon produces series including Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney’s Channel 4 and Amazon comedy Catastrophe, UKTV format Taskmaster, which has just been remade in the U.

UTA has hired Bjorn Wentlandt as an agent in its comedy touring division.

Wentlandt joins the company with decades of experience and will specifically focus on expanding global representation and booking current UTA comedy clients internationally. He will work closely with the agency’s existing roster of worldwide acts, which include Impractical Jokers, Jeff Dunham, Flight of the Conchords, Jim Jefferies, Sarah Silverman, Jim Gaffigan, Rachel Bloom, and Sebastian Maniscalco, among others.

“As our touring division continues to grow with sold-out shows around the world, Bjorn’s extensive knowledge of the global comedy marketplace, combined with the great relationships he has built over the years, will benefit our clients and the agency’s profile at large,” said Nick Nuciforo, UTA’s head of comedy touring.

Wentlandt spent the last seven years at London’s top comedy firm, Avalon Entertainment, where he was responsible for running the group’s live company...

Kirsten Howard Feb 22, 2018

In news that should delight Taskmaster fans across the land, there are now officially four new series of the hit show on the horizon...

Award-hoarding Dave comedy Taskmaster is here to stay for a while, UKTV has announced today. It's ordered four (four!) new series of the smash hit show, which will consist of ten new 60-minute episodes a pop.

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Greg Davies will be back as the omnipotent Taskmaster, alongside assistant Alex Horne, for all four runs, it's also been confirmed.

The sixth series, set to air in the spring, will welcome Alice Levine (My Dad Wrote A Porno), Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing), Liza Tarbuck (Upstart Crow), Russell Howard (The Russell Howard Hour...