BCG Daily Tuesday 16th December 2014
News
Features
Press clippings
Review: Not The Messiah (He's A Very Naughty Boy)
Not The Messiah is no serious work, but it is, at moments, seriously beautiful nonetheless
Richard Patterson, Exeunt Magazine, 16th December 2014Radio Times review
Charlie Brooker's digital dystopia delivers a festive mystery in anthology form, with three connected stories about dark things in a twisted near-future. Jon Hamm and Rafe Spall lead the cast as two men sharing a Christmas meal somewhere remote and snowy. Where are they? And who are they, really? As the companions exchange stories, we see Oona Chaplin as a woman bedevilled by "smart" gadgets, and Hamm himself offering unconventional romantic advice.
Plus, in the sort of flip between virtual and tangible worlds that's the trademark of the series, the question is asked: what would happen if you could "block" people and never see or hear from them again in real life, as you can on Twitter and Facebook?
Jack Seale, Radio Times, 16th December 2014Radio Times review
A second slice of the joyfully funny Simon Day-fronted spoof rockumentary sees our hero desperate to finally stage his Day of the Triffids rock opera. But will Pern be upstaged by the other members of his erstwhile prog-rock band Thotch (Paul Whitehouse's Pat Quid and Nigel Havers's Tony Pebble, pronounced "Pebblay")? Not likely.
He has a few problems ensuring the confectionery stand stocks vegetarian-only Jelly Babies, however, and a Twitter storm erupts when a stray mic catches him remarking how he "hates Blacks". Pern, of course, is referring to the outdoor clothing specialists. Roger Moore and Paul Young are among the guest stars.
Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 16th December 2014Radio Times review
Spend a magical Christmas with a jolly bearded man. In a shed. Comedian and multimediagician Adam Buxton brings his distinctive mix of songs, animation and internet flotsam to this festive special. If you have never heard his hilarious take on bug-eyed YouTube commenters then you're in for a treat, but even longtime Adam & Joe fans should find something new.
In the best tradition of telly Christmas specials Adam is joined by some old friends, including poet Tim Key and Buxton's five-year-old daughter Hope. There'll be music and laughter and a hefty dose of nostalgia provided by...well, us, as Adam flicks through old copies of Radio Times. It'll be the best Christmas you've ever spent in a shed.
Jonathan Holmes, Radio Times, 16th December 2014Noel Fielding: I called Alice Cooper at 5am for a chat
The Never Mind The Buzzcocks captain and comedian, 41, discusses steam with Stephen Fry and wallpaper with Courtney Love as he takes us through his photo album...
Emma Jones, The Mirror, 16th December 2014Mark Watson to undertake 27 hour gig for Comic Relief
Mark Watson is to perform a stand-up marathon next year, in aid of Comic Relief. Beginning at 9pm on February 27 2015, the comic will gig for 27 hours straight; one for each year since Comic Relief launched.
Nic Wright, Giggle Beats, 16th December 2014TV documentary for Elaine C Smith
Elaine C Smith's first stand-up tour in a decade is to captured for a TV documentary for STV.
Chortle, 16th December 2014Only time all of Twitter agrees with Russell Brand?
This week has seen a social media turn-around for the star following the airing of BBC Three's Russell Brand: End the Drugs War.
Jenn Selby, The Independent, 16th December 2014MacAulay and Co set to end after 17 years on air
BBC Radio Scotland's much loved MacAulay and Co morning show is coming off the airwaves after seventeen years in the spotlight. Radio Scotland is working on three major new series with Fred MacAulay including a new comedy panel show. Breaking The News, a weekly satirical panel series, will see Fred chair alongside fellow comedians and journalists in a round up of the week's news.
Beverley Lyons, Daily Record, 16th December 2014Never Mind The Buzzcocks, series 28 review
Never Mind The Buzzcocks has entered it's 28th series and what could possibly make this all-inclusive and sharp-witted musical-based panel show any better? Rhod Gilbert, that's what.
Becca Moody, Moody Comedy, 16th December 2014Miranda: It's been such fun... or has it?
Miranda will bow out - clumsily, presumably - on Christmas Eve. And so it's the last chance to debate whether this was a trailblazing triumph for comedy - or an embarrassment that pandered to the worst kind of stereotypes about women.
Sally Newall and Fiona Sturges, The Independent, 16th December 2014Black Mirror: White Christmas, Channel 4 - TV review
Black Mirror is great on our technology culture, but also just great.
Ellen E. Jones, The Independent, 16th December 2014Black Mirror: Rafe Spall excels but rest is too grim
Call me old fashioned, but I like my Christmas specials to have a bit of festive cheer. I only knew Black Mirror by its reputation as a dark satire of modern life, so I sat down to watch expecting to be both horrified and depressed.
Vicky Prior, Metro, 16th December 2014War on Christmas: interview with Gary McNair
Comedian joyrides the festive season through the Arches by declaring War on Christmas.
Gareth K Vile, The List, 16th December 2014Top 5 comedy gigs of 2014
You laughed, you cried, you heckled: Brian Donaldson breaks down the best acts of the year.
Brian Donaldson, The List, 16th December 2014Live comedy DVDs roundup
Featuring Lee Mack, Richard Herring, Al Murray, Jon Richardson, Jim Davidson and Harry Hill.
Brian Donaldson, The List, 16th December 2014Black Mirror Christmas special review
This Christmas special of Charlie Brooker's techno-horror show manages to compact the show's usual three-part run into one, feature-length, portmanteau episode.
Andrew Blair, Cult Box, 16th December 2014Black Mirror: We wish you a very bleak Christmas
"There's nothing in this that's as bleak as whatever the fuck EastEnders is going to do" claims Charlie Brooker in the casually scornful manner in which only he can. Speaking at the preview screening of White Christmas, last night's 'festive special' of his dystopian Channel 4 anthology Black Mirror, I have to disagree with Brooker. The ninety minute feature length special of his disconcerting dystopian drama was markedly more gloomy and disturbing than your average shouty, death-strewn festive soap instalment. But an incomparably more insightful, entertaining piece of television.
Craig Heathcote, The Custard TV, 16th December 2014Black Mirror: White Christmas review
White Christmas' nightmarish tales of isolation might be dark, but they show sage concern about the kind of world we're building for ourselves. They ask us to consider the humanity of how we treat people online and in the real world. An extreme reflection it might be, but underneath it all, Black Mirror may well have the most charitable heart of any of this year's seasonal specials.
Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 16th December 2014Brian Pern: The funniest show on TV right now
He's the man who "invented world music" and who created the first ever music video using Plasticine. Yes, we're talking about '70s rock legend Brian Pern - the frontman of Thotch.
Alex Fletcher, Digital Spy, 16th December 2014Black Mirror: White Christmas, review
Charlie Brooker's festive special shows a dark side to our digital obsession.
Mark Monahan, The Telegraph, 16th December 2014British Comedy Awards 2014 programme
Read an online copy of the programme for the British Comedy Awards. It includes various articles, including tributes to Rik Mayall and Addison Cresswell.
British Comedy Awards, 16th December 2014Videos
Podcasts
TV & radio
4 O'Clock Files
Episode 2 - Extra-Curricular ActivitiesMr Bell highlights what the school can offer away from the classroom. From sport to school trips, can life at Elmsmere be 'almost fun'?
Shaun The Sheep
Series 4, Episode 27 - Save The DumpThe Farmer decides to build a golf course on the farm to impress the local squire. When the flock discover they'll lose their beloved dump, they need to come up with an imaginative solution to try and save it.
Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang Ups
Series 2, Episode 6 - The Well Of LonelinessWhen Tom's father uncovers some potentially life-changing news through his research into the family tree, Tom is pressganged into helping him find a church which could be devastating for the Wrigglesworth name. Meanwhile, Tom's mum and gran enter the cut-throat world of competitive well-dressing.
Psychobitches
Series 2, Episode 5This week's sketches feature Jack Whitehall as a disgruntled Maria von Trapp, Frances Barber as two-faced sideshow hermaphrodite Josephine Joseph and Katy Brand as dancing tour de force Isadora Duncan.
Black Mirror
Episode 1 - White ChristmasChilling feature-length seasonal special of the critically-acclaimed drama series, starring Jon Hamm, Rafe Spall and Oona Chaplin. The most mind-bending episode yet consists of three interwoven stories brimming with near-future madness.
Adam Buxton's Shed Of Christmas
From his own shed, comedian Adam Buxton pays tribute to Christmas, with clips, interviews and animation, as well as poetry from Tim Key and music from Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes.
Bad Robots
Series 1, Episode 6It's the last episode of the series and the robots are going out with a bang.
Brian Pern
Brian Pern: A Life In Rock, Episode 2Brian plans to stage his entire debut solo album, Brian Pern's Musical Version Of The Day Of The Triffids, live from the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa with a host of special guests.
Andrew O'Neill: Pharmacist Baffler
Episode 1Andrew discusses gender identity from a transvestite's point of view and talks about his own experiences growing up.