BCG Daily Wednesday 20th August 2014
News
Features
Press clippings
Watch the Chortle Student Comedy final
Watch the finalists in the Chortle Student Comedy Award.
Chortle, 20th August 2014Psychology of comedy: where humour & psychosis overlap
New research shows that comedians have a remarkable amount in common with people who have schizophrenia or manic depression - and that this could be what makes them funny.
David Cox, The Guardian, 20th August 2014Billy Connolly may have had Parkinson's for 10 years
Pamela Stephenson, 64, said she had noticed her husband Billy Connolly's hand shaking for many years but assumed that he had spent too long playing the banjo.
Daily Record, 20th August 2014Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright to reunite for three films
Simon Pegg confirms a new trilogy planned for the next decade, with further collaborations planned in the years beyond.
The Guardian, 20th August 2014Catriona Knox: Post-boom bloom
You, like us, may have first come across the super-talented Catriona Knox as one third of the rather successful sketch troupe the Boom Jennies. But she is back at the Fringe this year with an all new solo show, which garnered high praise from our reviewer, who praised her "joyful set" and "perfectly pitched creations".
Caro Moses, ThreeWeeks, 20th August 2014Dan Clark: Brings him selfie back to the Fringe
But when we heard Clark would be back at the Festival this year, we were pleased, and a little surprised. And keen to find out more about his new show, why he is back at the Fringe this year, and whether or not he takes a good selfie.
Caro Moses, ThreeWeeks, 20th August 2014Edinburgh comedy awards: explore all the winners
From Cambridge Footlights in 1981 to Bridget Christie in 2013, explore the history of the Foster's Edinburgh comedy awards. Find out who won, who they beat and how the art of comedy changed each year. When did standup come to the fore rather than sketch humour? Who was the first female winner? Who won in the year that Jack Dee, Lily Savage and Frank Skinner were in the running? The winners of this year's awards will be announced on 23 August.
Paul Fleckney, The Guardian, 20th August 2014How the banned "Racist Joke Show" was a cunning stunt
At yesterday's eventually crowded Grouchy Club show (people keep wandering in willy-nilly and then don't leave - which is good), Jay Islaam talked about his Racist Joke Show.
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 20th August 2014Explain yourself: Adam Riches
Born in Cambridge and raised in Glasgow and London, Adam Riches specialises in exaggerated, eccentric characters, both fictional (his alpha-male survival expert Victor Legit) and drawn from real life (a rough-hewn Sean Bean; a silent, needy Ryan Gosling).
Anna Conrad, The Times, 20th August 2014Why Liam Williams should win the Comedy Award
I loved Williams's subterranean hour of nihilistic Gen-Y standup - and I'd have welcomed an appearance on the shortlist for his group Sheeps.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 20th August 2014Caroline Kaplan: 12 lessons I've learnt
As we near the finale of Festival 2014, how about some thoughts from an American first-time Fringe performer and attendee?
ThreeWeeks, 20th August 2014Fringe Q&As: Jason Cook
Jason Cook talks to HeraldScotland about weight gain, water, and jokes about baby goats' bumholes.
The Herald, 20th August 2014Fringe Q&As: John Robins
John Robins speaks to HeraldScotland about chip shop sauce, work parties and coming across as a self-involved tool.
The Herald, 20th August 2014Fringe Q&As: Jonny Awsum
Jonny Awsum speaks to HeraldScotland about Royal Marines, breweries and Wetherspoons mystery customer tests.
The Herald, 20th August 2014Audio interview: Hedluv and Passman
Cornish rappers Hedluv and Passman spoke to us about performing at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, their plans for the future and the meaning of some Cornish phrases.
George Ward, The Edinburgh Reporter, 20th August 2014Preview: Kiss Me Honey Honey
Audiences just can't get enough of Ross and Graham, the two men of a certain age brought to life at last year's Fringe by local panto legend Andy Gray and Forth One's Grant Stott.
Edinburgh Evening News, 20th August 2014Lenny Henry on performing in Rudy's Rare Records
After two acclaimed dramatic roles, Lenny Henry returns to the stage in a comedy about three generations of one family running a record shop together. Along with the funny lines, Rudy's Rare Records is giving him reason to think hard about his own father.
Nick Curtis, Evening Standard, 20th August 2014Video: Stand up comedy lessons for South East vicars
A London comedian has said he is on a mission from God to make church sermons more fun. Bentley Browning said about 50 members of the clergy had so far attended his free course which teaches them how to tell jokes.
BBC News, 20th August 2014If you only see 1 thing at the Fringe, make it this
You've only got five days left to catch the show that's taking Edinburgh by storm.
Carrie Lyell, Diva Mag, 20th August 2014Foster's award shortlist predictions
The comedy world is still waiting for white smoke to emerge from the panel meeting and the official Foster's Award shortlist to announced any time now. So while we wait these were my predictions after the first week. There will probably be five or six nominees when the official list is out, but I haven't seen anyone since the first week who would knock this quintet off the list. Then again, there is always likely to be a curveball so this could be completely wrong...
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th August 2014Joz Norris' Edinburgh Fringe 2014 blog: 04
Ali Brice's mental health continues to slip slowly into decline. The other day he stood in the hall wearing nothing but a towel and showing us all his testicles while making direct eye contact with all of us and not saying a thing. I just stood there drinking an Americano and laughed and laughed and laughed.
Joz Norris, Laugh Out London, 20th August 2014Al Murray makes an emotional discovery about family
The brash, boorish Pub Landlord, Al Murray's most enduring comic creation, would probably have a thing or two to say about the Al Murray we see blinking back tears in Secrets from the Asylum. Those words might include "man up", "wuss", and "not what made Britain great", because the ITV documentary shows Murray's moving reaction to a discovery he makes about his family.
Benji Wilson, Radio Times, 20th August 2014Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2014: quirky and unpredictable
This year's Comedy Awards shortlist distils an ever-broadening spectrum of talented comedians, says chair of judges Mark Monahan.
Mark Monahan, The Telegraph, 20th August 2014Videos
Podcasts
TV & radio
Hacker Time
Series 4, Episode 8 - Maisie SmithFun, chat and music with a cockney twist as Hacker's guest is EastEnders star Maisie Smith. Will he win her over or will she be on the dog and bone to her agent?
MacAulay And Co
Edinburgh 2014, Episode 12Fred and Susan are joined by Pamela Stephenson, Hardeep Singh Kohli, Richard Bacon and Kerry Godliman.
Dead Ringers
Series 12, Episode 4John Bishop and Alex Jones host a science show on the BBC; Nigel Farage hosts his own podcast from his local pub; Piers Morgan can't work out why he keeps blacking out; and a song about Frozen.
The Mimic
Series 2, Episode 6In this heart-breaking series finale it's the big day at last and Harriet and Martin are due to tie the knot...
8 Out Of 10 Cats
Series 17, Highlights Special - Jimmy, Sean & Jon's Best BitsJimmy Carr is joined by team captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson for a compilation show of their best bits from the last series. Guests include Jack Dee, Jo Brand, Jerry Springer, Johnny Vegas, Mel Giedroyc, Lethal Bizzle, Carol Vorderman and Josh Widdicombe.
The Future Of Radio
Series 1, Episode 4 - Good VibrationsLuke discovers that certain low frequencies add a whole new dimension to Book at Bedtime.
Little Lifetimes By Jenny Eclair
Series 1, Episode 4 - George's CakeBea can tell you how to peel an onion without crying or how to make the perfect pavlova. In her Shaker style kitchen she prepares a very special Birthday cake for her husband and reflects on a lifetime of culinary success and marital woe.