Welcome to The Velvet Onion – the central hub for an interconnected range of alternative comedy and more. Click through for the LATEST NEWS, and see what’s so hot right now take a look below.

NURSE – Tuesday @ 10pm, BBC Two

This week sees the launch of Paul Whitehouse‘s new show Nurse – featuring Simon Day and Colin Hoult in it’s ensemble cast.

As we explained in detail recently, the four part series features Esther Coles (Tittybangbang, House of Fools) as community psychiatric nurse Liz, who is visiting her various patients – most of whom are played by Paul Whitehouse.

With the series also featuring Rosie Cavalero (Hunderby) and Vilma Hollingberry (Psychoville), the cast list alone is reason enough to give it a chance. Thankfully, the resulting bittersweet comedy is a subtly nuanced gem that deserves your attention.  You can catch Episode One on Tuesday evening at 10pm on BBC Two.

HOUSE OF FOOLS – Monday @ 10pm, BBC Two

After a week off, Series Two of House of Fools returns this week with its third episode on Monday evening at 10pm, again on BBC Two.

The show stars Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer alongside Matt Berry, Dan Skinner, Morgana Robinson, Daniel Simonsen and Ellie White, with this week’s episode featuring a guest appearance by Alex Lowe (Barry From Watford, The Peter Serafinowicz Show).

This time around, Julie asks Vic to create a promotional video for her new bistro, but he writes his script on the back of a moth – which escapes into the kitchen and begins gorging on everyone’s underwear. Meanwhile, a pop star with a striking resemblance to Bob’s son arrives in the country and Beef suggests they take advantage of the media interest by planting Erik in the restaurant to generate publicity. As madcap as ever, then.

MOONE BOY – Monday @ 9pm, Sky 1

The third series of Moone Boy also continues apace over on Sky One this Monday evening at 9pm.

In this week’s edition of Chris O’Dowd‘s imaginary friend sitcom, Padraic finds himself caught in the middle of his warring parents and decides to escape his troubles, leading his worried mum and dad to raise the alarm following his disappearance. Unaware of the chaos he is causing, the lad embarks on a life of crime with the help of Martin. Meanwhile, Crunchie’s friends stage an intervention after he resorts to drowning his sorrows.

Featuring the return of the unstoppable might that is Johnny Vegas, this week’s episode is another jewel in the award-winning sitcom’s crown.

POMPIDOU – Sunday @ 6:35pm, BBC Two

The bonkers visions of Matt Lucas return early on Sunday evening, in Pompidou‘s third episode.

This week, the penniless aristocrat is watching Heirloom Roadshow on TV and realises an antique Chinese bowl he gave to his friend Merrick (TVO regular Tony Way) for Christmas is worth £1million. Deciding he must reclaim the bowl, Pompidou has an idea to swap it with an imitation and heads to a charity shop with his butler Hove (Alex MacQueen).

With special guest appearances by Jane Asher and Bella Emberg, this episode sounds like a blast, and while Pompidou has been dividing audiences so far, there’s life in the daffy old sod yet.

COMIC RELIEF – Friday from 7pm, BBC One

Finally this week, Friday sees the return of Comic Relief to our screens, and while there are few of our regulars taking part (at present), we nevertheless feel this worthy cause is something we should celebrate.

Most excitingly for us, the delightful Rebecca Front joins Ben Miller and, of course, Rowan Atkinson in a brand new Mr Bean sketch. Elsewhere, David Walliams revives Lou from Little Britain, now taking care of Sir Stephen Hawking, and there’s a return appearance from The Vicar of Dibley team.  All alongside lots of surprises on the night, and films raising awareness of the plight of those Comic Relief supports.

As ever, there are many ways you can take part – from direct fundraising, to wearing a red nose, or simply donating your cash.  To be amazing and donate to this year’s appeal, CLICK HERE.

Another chance to see: BURKE & HARE – Sunday, 11:05pm

If you’ve not yet had a chance to see John Landis’ 2010 black comedy Burke and Hare – starring Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis, you can catch it on BBC Two next weekend. Alongside the likes of Isla Fisher, Tim Curry, Tom Wilkinson, Sir Christopher Lee and Hugh Bonneville, the film features a cavalcade of top notch talent from the world of British comedy.

These include Jessica Hynes, Reece Shearsmith and Michael Smiley, alongside Bill Bailey, Ronnie Corbett, Paul Whitehouse and Stephen Merchant, as well as a brief cameo from Simon Farnaby and Tom Meeten. Get in! If you’d rather buy the film, you can get it on dvd and blu-ray now.

AND THE REST

As ever, there’s so much going on in the realm of the Velvet Onion, it’s quite easy to miss things. The best way to keep track is with our Twitter feed, and here’s a few highlights from throughout the week gone by. Until next time, keep on peeling!

A new BBC interview with Matt Berry, in which he talks about his work in comedy & music: http://t.co/GhU2SfQWNl

— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 3, 2015

Tickets for Ch4’s Comedy Gala go on sale at 9am on Thurs. Aisling Bea & Warwick Davies will be there, and acts are still being added… — The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 3, 2015

…more info and tickets available here: https://t.co/6jRCiwsAWy. Remember it’s for a great cause!

— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 3, 2015

It. Has. Arrived. #Aaaaaaaah! @steve_oram @TomMeeten @noelfielding11 @julian_barratt @toyahofficial @alicelowe pic.twitter.com/NiNRfZOyCA — The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 4, 2015

We are so excited for Aaaaaaaah! it’s unreal. Can’t wait to see it and tell you all about i!

— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 4, 2015

Steve Coogan & @babycowLtd are backing the Avalon & @HatTrickProd bid to buy BBC Three. http://t.co/oP8OylqSX2 pic.twitter.com/zeT1hXZG6l — British Comedy Guide (@UKComedyNews) March 4, 2015

We love reading interviews from the future! @noelfielding11 talks to Australian site The Music about what comes next: http://t.co/uMX9NICxc0

— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 4, 2015

Paul King meets another (prospective) King, plus you can pre-order the Paddington movie on DVD and Blu-ray: http://t.co/h0cGPWNM4K — The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 5, 2015

Noel Fielding’s new art show opens tomorrow! More details and photos here (+ Noel explaining the exhibition): http://t.co/bcBh6u7yey Citin!

— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 6, 2015

Kim Noble’s wonderfully unique show ‘You’re Not Alone’ has been extended to run over Xmas! Details here: http://t.co/Jlbb0WIwxM — The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 6, 2015

It’s the inaugural show of @DanClarkEsq‘s new comedy night tomorrow (Sat). Sara Pascoe headlines. Details & tickets: http://t.co/gyC84bwMdO

— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 7, 2015

On Tuesday evening, Paul Whitehouse & @eyupmeducky star in NURSE. @simonday24, @colinhoult co-star. http://t.co/YzAAfQ3Nlc — The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 7, 2015

Today should’ve been Rik Mayall’s 57th birthday. Its absolute buggering bastard breastfaced bollocks the silly twat isn’t here to celebrate.

— Paul Holmes (@DidymusBrush) March 7, 2015

So, in delaying the second round of TVO IS FIVE birthday messages to make sure a few we were expecting came in, we’ve realised something. — The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 7, 2015

The annual renewal of our domain came up… and we realised we became a DOT COM on 14th March 2010.

— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 7, 2015

Gosh! Next episode of Chain Reaction (Vic Reeves talks to Olivia Coleman) is produced by none other than @arnabacus (Radio 4 @ 18.30 on Wed) — The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 7, 2015

More news about The Monster, the new short film from @WrenJR & @BobPipe, starring @RichardDGlover. It’s happening! http://t.co/CQETtQwheQ

— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 8, 2015

It’s International Women’s Day, so let’s honour the female folk at The Velvet Onion who make us laugh, cry & feel with their creativity… — The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 8, 2015

And if you’re unfamiliar with their work, visit http://t.co/KVyvc8lTOx to check them out. Today is the day you should do it 🙂

— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) March 8, 2015