BCG Daily Thursday 23rd October 2014

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ITV sets out comedy wishlist

ITV comedy commissioner Saskia Schuster wants to work with new writers as she bids to fill slots across the commercial broadcaster's main channel and ITV2.

Matthew Campelli, Broadcast, 23rd October 2014

Nick Frost lands lead role in US comedy The Finger

ABC have snapped up Mr Nick Frost to lead their new comedy, the wonderfully ridiculous-sounding The Finger...

Rob Leane, Den Of Geek, 23rd October 2014

Cardinal Burns interview

For all his manic sketches and borderline certifiable characters, Dustin Demri-Burns, one half of award-winning comedy duo Cardinal Burns, takes a serious approach to his craft.

Marion Sauvebois, Swindon Advertiser, 23rd October 2014

London-specific comedy from Andrew Maxwell

Comedian Andrew Maxwell is putting on a paean to London over the next few weeks with a show marking 20 years of his living in the capital, full of anecdotes and social commentary, plus special guests to add something a bit different.

Rachel Holdsworth, Londonist, 23rd October 2014

Review: Lee Mack, Eventim Apollo

Amiable comic races through a disappointing set.

Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 23rd October 2014

Miranda: the 10 funniest moments

As Miranda Hart publishes a collection of her favourite Miranda scripts, we select the 10 most memorable moments from the award-winning sitcom.

Rupert Hawksley, The Telegraph, 23rd October 2014

Radio Times review

A bizarre decision by BBC4 to consign this gently beguiling sitcom to a 10pm grave. Anyone would think the channel was trying to bury it. But Mackenzie Crook's show deserves to stand the test of time, with its sly, nerdy humour and touching interactions.

This week Danebury Metal Detecting Club is looking for a new president, a wedge is driven between friends Andy and Lance, and heartache is in the air. There are nuggets of drama amid the well-staged gags (writer/star Mackenzie Crook is also doing a terrific directing job - look at the opening gag for just one example) and we're desperate to know how the series will pan out. The nervy dynamics of the pub quiz will be familiar to anyone who does them: "Round three: the Balearic Islands"!

Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 23rd October 2014

Jimmy Carr's Oscar Pistorius joke goes too far

The comedian's quip about blaming Reeva Steenkamp for her death was less than well received at the music magazine's awards show in London.

Sarah Deen, Metro, 23rd October 2014

Jessica Knappett interview

The writer and star of E4's Drifters talks "inherently sexist" panel shows, token women and overcoming expectations.

Ellie Walker-Arnott, Radio Times, 23rd October 2014

Opinion: did Jimmy Carr go too far?

Now I'm not going to dissect the joke here and suggest that his first remark was punching up while his second was punching down. Nor am I going to discuss the timing of the gag, only a day after the sentencing of Pistorius. What I'm interested in is the question of whether the audience was really as offended by the gag as some reports suggest?

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd October 2014

Russell Howard's comedy inspirations

What makes that "nice" Russell Howard so hilarious? Is it Lee Evans - or his mum?

Stephen Armstrong, Radio Times, 23rd October 2014

Chuckle Brothers & Tinchy Stryder: ultimate supergroup?

TV presenters Paul and Barry Elliott have unveiled their charity single To Me To You featuring the grime star.

Kasia Delgado, Radio Times, 23rd October 2014

Why Miranda ending is the worst news ever

I am, what I call, distraught. Miranda Hart's announcement is such the opposite of fun, says Ellie Walker-Arnott.

Ellie Walker-Arnott, Radio Times, 23rd October 2014

Did 10 O'Clock Live ever stand a chance?

It's worth listening to the old episodes - especially by the time of the third series. Maybe if this had started as a low-profile show filled with unknowns then they might have started to build a fanbase and eventually become half the hit deluded executives had thought it would be from the start.

Lorcan Mullan, Chortle, 23rd October 2014

Neville's Island review

The one thing the production undoubtedly has going for it is a fantastic naturalistic set where the cast really do emerge from a chilly lake as they reach the island and the people in the front row are supplied with emergency ponchos to shield them from rogue spume. But for me that's the main splash this damp comedy makes.

Simon Edge, The Daily Express, 23rd October 2014

Morecambe and Wise tribute plan revealed

A bronze piece of wall art paying tribute to both Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise could go on permanent display in Morecambe.

The Visitor, 23rd October 2014

Mark Watson celebrates 10 years in comedy

So what is the secret to conquering your nerves on stage? Mark said: "You are quite scared when you do it. If you weren't a bit nervous doing stand-up then I think you would be an unpleasant person - you'd be an arrogant person."

David Morgan, Warrington Guardian, 23rd October 2014

How two brothers helped set up Feeling Nuts

Wendy Gough lost her teenage son Matthew to the disease 16 years ago. Now, two of her disciples - Simon Salter and Andrew Salter - are using social media to shatter the taboo of talking about testicular cancer.

Ian Burrell, The Independent, 23rd October 2014

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

Boj. Copyright: Pesky Productions

Boj

Episode 34 - Still As Statues

Boj finds Mia upset because her paintings of the Twitchlets are ruined - they were meant to be a birthday present for her mum. Can Boj help Mia to make a new present?

Radio 4
6:30pm
30 min
John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme. Image shows from L to R: Carrie Quinlan, Simon Kane, John Finnemore, Lawry Lewin, Margaret Cabourn-Smith. Copyright: BBC

John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme

Series 4, Episode 2

Featuring a sketch that you will never really own, the rudest of awakenings for one particular pet and a look at the often ignored positive side of stereotyping.

Drifters. Image shows from L to R: Bunny (Lydia Rose Bewley), Laura (Lauren O'Rourke), Meg (Jessica Knappett). Copyright: Zodiak Media Company

Drifters

Series 2, Episode 1 - Rock N Roll

Meg is traumatised when her parents announce a trial separation. Meanwhile Bunny has started seeing the banjo player from promising but unsigned band The New Harvesters, and Laura finds herself taking care of Gary.

Celebrity Juice. Image shows from L to R: Gino D'Acampo, Leigh Francis

Celebrity Juice

Series 12, Episode 7

Keith, Gino and Fearne present more ludicrous games. Joining the panel this time are Hairy Bikers Dave Myers and Simon King; Craig Revel Horwood; Chloe Jasmine; and Charlotte Crosby.

BBC Four
10pm
30 min
Detectorists. Image shows from L to R: Becky (Rachael Stirling), Andy Stone (Mackenzie Crook)

Detectorists

Series 1, Episode 4

Terry announces that he is standing down as leader of the DMDC, unleashing a bitter, winner takes-all scramble for presidential power when Andy and Lance fall out over gold, and Becky and Sophie are forced to become allies in the Two Brewers pub quiz. Is this Andy's worst idea ever?

Lovesick. Image shows from L to R: Dylan (Johnny Flynn), Evie (Antonia Thomas), Luke (Daniel Ings). Copyright: Clerkenwell Films

Lovesick

Scrotal Recall, Episode 4 - Jane

Just before Angus and Helen's wedding, it's Evie's birthday; she plans to tell Dylan about her feelings, but there's a surprise party about to be sprung...

BBC Two
10pm
30 min
Russell Howard's Good News. Russell Howard. Copyright: Avalon Television

Russell Howard's Good News

Series 9, Episode 1

In the first episode of the new series Russell looks at Ebola, the UK Independence Party, Oscar Pistorius and a reopened Irish pub...

BBC Radio 4 Extra
10:30pm
30 min
Newsjack. Image shows from L to R: Tessa Coates, Romesh Ranganathan, Ellie White, Lewis Macleod. Copyright: BBC

Newsjack

Series 11, Episode 5

The week's stories cobbled together in a scrapbook sketch show, which anyone can write for. Uninformed, up to the minute, down to the dregs. Presented by Romesh Ranganathan.

Radio 4
11pm
30 min
52 First Impressions With David Quantick. David Quantick. Copyright: Giddy Goat Productions

52 First Impressions With David Quantick

Series 1, Episode 2

Hear stories about David Bowie, Fidel Castro and David's dad, among others.

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