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r;r iMl n‘r st Nani: COMEDY LAB

Channel 4, various dates and times

Channel 4’s self-proclaimed ‘comedy experiment experiment‘ returns with a new series of politically incorrect original performances, sketch shows and spoofs. As befits the eclectic showcase, this season's offerings are something of a mixed bag in terms of quality as well as style. Whatever (Fri 13 May, 11.40pm O. ) imagines a world in which teenagers have been given carte blanche to realise their programme ideas (isn‘t that what already happens in television‘s corridors of power?). The result is lots of mean-spirited, downright offensive titles such as ‘Tug of Whores’ and “Bart the Chav', which would be acceptable if they were remotely funny (which they aren't).

Much better is Blackout (Mon 16 May, 11.35pm 0.. ), a surreal play co-scripted and starring Reginald D Hunter. In this far-out scenario, a recently dumped woman morphs into a streetwise 1970s black American male, with much amusement derived from the ensuing culture clash. Also pushing the boundaries of taste and decency is disabled candid camera opus I’m Spasticus (Tue 17 May, 11.40pm 0.. ) which is peculiarly reminiscent of Trigger Happy TV, right down to the atmospheric use of pop music. Perhaps partly inspired by Lars Von Trier’s The Idiots, the cast use their physical imperfections to poke fun at the able bodied.

Some of these ideas, such as the wheelchair user dangling by his parachute straps from a tree and the man with cerebral palsy attempting to interview baffled designers at London Fashion Week are inspired, it rather close-to-the—knuckle. Certainly it’s a cut above Skin Deep (Thu 19 May, 11.45pm O. ), a sitcom set in a tattoo parlour, whose claustrophobic setting and ‘gentle’ (read, soporific) tone will have you longing for a power cut. (Allan Radcliffe)

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100 Greatest War

Films Channel 4, Sun 75 & Mon 76 May, 9.20pm 8 9pm Full Metal Jacket or Saying Private Ryan? Platoon er Dambusters? Which is the topperrnost?

Junior Mastermind BBCt. Sun 15 May. 7.05pm John

I lurnphrys interrogates soriie nippers on topics such as Star Wars. Winston Churchill and the history of the longhow.

Elvis by the Presleys Scottish, Wed l8 May, 9pm 1. isa Marie and Priscilla talk as they've never done before about life With ‘The King'.

Abi Titmuss: A Modern Day Morality Tale Channel 4, Thu l9 May, 9pm .John lestie‘s ex and the Loaded 'Iovely' (pictured) gets the raw documentary treatment. Just how did she get where she is today?

The Thick of It 8801, Thu 79 May. IO. 30pm Armando lani‘succi pens this satirical look at the riiachinatioris of party politics. Chris

1 angham stars.

Dylan Moran: Monster Live Channel 4, Fri 20 May 10pm The laconic comic with the heavy heart and award— winning streak is caught on camera live on stage during his last tour.

Eurovision BBCI. Sat 2i May, 7pm .lavine flies the flag for us Brits in this trashy campfest from Kiev. the delightful capital of the Ukraine. Murphy’s Law BBC 1. Thu 26 May. 9pm James Nesbitt returns for a third series of adventures With his jovial. uncompromisrng undercover cop as he becomes a guniunner to gangland heavies.