Chortle Digest: BBC pilots, My Dad Wrote A Porno, Seinfeld and more..

No 790
July 28, 2017

The BBC has announced a blitz of 12 new comedy pilots:
•Tim Vine, Spencer Jones and Rob Beckett are heading for BBC One
• BBC Two's batch includes a sitcom starring Sarah Solemani and Brett Goldstein, another written by Holly Walsh and a sketch show led by black comics
• Tom Hardy, Charlotte Riley, Javone Prince and Kayvan Novak are the headline stars for a new batch of BBC Three comedy pilots.

Sara Pascoe has signed a deal to write a follow-up to her acclaimed book Animal.

A Scottish comedy duo little known on the traditional comedy circuit havetopped a list of rising comedy stars.

And Jerry Seinfeld has topped the list of the world's highest-paid, stand-up comedians.

Susan Calman has cancelled her autumn tour after landing a TV job.

Jack Whitehall is to host a TV celebration marking 70 years of the Edinburgh festivals.

Jon Stewart is to release his first stand-up comedy specials in 21 years.

Noel Fielding, Matt Berry, Rich Fulcher and Lucy Montgomery are to provide voices in a new animated comedy from Simpsons creator Matt Groening.

Kumail Nanjiani's new romcom The Big Sick.

From Just For Laughs in Montreal:

My Dad Wrote a Porno: Live
Jerry Seinfeld and Gad Elmaleh
Ron Funches: Funch-A-Mania
The Lucas Brothers
Emily Heller
Mike Birbiglia: The New One

Welcome to this week's Chortle Digest... the last before we're consumed by Edinburgh Fringe madness.

As always check chortle.co.uk for all the breaking news, reviews and features – plus listings of thousands of live comedy events.

Follow us on Facebook here.

Edinburgh 10x10s
10 shows on for one night only
10 shows that break the rules
10 old newcomers
10 dubious programme entries
10 comedians who have been photographed in a body of water (Because, why not?)

And try this week's comedy trivia quiz

Robin Ince's Edinburgh tips

We welcome your contributions! Email feedback@chortle.co.uk

So many comedians... so little time

Sample 12 of the best comedy and variety acts at the Edinburgh Fringe every day in Chortle's Fast Fringe. We've got some big names lined up. so watch the website for details.

Pleasance Dome 18:40 daily, Tickets

Jim Jefferies on dumbing down, a Star Wars / Arrested Development mash up among others.

Click here for all the other videos we've featured this week.