Radio Times review

Now in its 25th year, The British Comedy Awards remains that rare thing: an awards ceremony with the potential for something unpredictable and interesting to happen. Still, some things are guaranteed: Jonathan Ross will say something deeply off-colour, making the audience "Ooh" like mischievous schoolchildren. Leading the nominations with six is Matt Berry's shouty-voiced sitcom Toast Of London, while among those competing for the King Or Queen Of Comedy award are David Mitchell, Jo Brand and Greg Davies.

Burnistoun takes to the stage with 2015 live show

Comedy duo Robert Florence and Iain Connell are taking their Scottish show to Glasgow's King's Theatre during the annual event.

Radio Times review

Jonathan Ross is your host as the nation's comics get together and royally rip the mickey. No tears. No compliments. It's their way of saying they love each other.

The nominations list shows 2014 has been an exceptional year - albeit primarily for white men, who are so glaringly dominant, it's a wonder there aren't any blokes up for best comedy actress.

The evening should belong to Matt Berry, whose riotous Toast of London is in line for six awards, the most nods since Gavin & Stacey seven years back. His fellow best actor nominee Mathew Baynton might have a better chance in the restored comedy drama category - if The Wrong Mans can edge out Rev. and the dazzling Inside No 9.

Or will it be a night for codgers? Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse's labour of love Story of the Twos is justly recognised, and there are two noms for a gang of plucky UKTV debutants called Monty Python...

Best TV of 2014: No 5 - The Trip to Italy

Was the Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon vehicle a travelogue, a comedy, a food show, scripted reality, or something else entirely? Or was it simply as good as television gets?

Prince Charles asked Eric Idle to be his jester

Not long ago, at Billy Connolly's house in Scotland, Prince Charles gave Eric Idle offer he could refuse. "He said, 'Would you be my jester?' " Idle recalled. "I said, 'Why would I want a fucking shit job like that?'"

Black Mirror: White Christmas review

Black Mirror isn't really sci-fi, it's more like now after a couple of software updates - and it's quite terrifying.

Nish Kumar picks fantasy comedy bill

Ahead of his run at Soho Theatre, chirpy brain-box Nish Kumar conjures up his dream comedy night...

Kevin Bridges is 2014's top selling act

Kevin Bridges was the most popular comedy act of 2014, according to Ticketmaster.

Sam Neill to guest star in Toast of London

Toast of London star Matt Berry has revealed that Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill will guest in series three.

Comedy review of 2014: a year of momentous farewells

It has been a year of farewells in the world of comedy, some joyful, some not, says Mark Monahan.

5 best comedy shows of 2014

Featuring Harry and Paul’s Story of the Twos, Adam Riches, Noel Fielding, Bridget Christie and John Kearns.

5 worst comedy shows of 2014

From John Cleese's depressing whinging to the embarassingly retrogade Citizen Khan, Mark Monahan chooses his five worst comedy shows of 2014.

Nick Helm, Soho Theatre - comedy review

Nick Helm's stand-up persona is the tragic loser, taking it out on his crowd by bellowing in their faces or getting them up onstage.

Review: Burning Duck Comedy Club, The Black Swan, York

The Burning Duck Comedy Club started only a few months ago, but already has drawn in quite the crowd - and no wonder: their selection of alternative comedy is a delight.

Comedic realism & the failure of liberalism

In the latest Quietus Wreath Lecture looking back at 2014, Joe Kennedy looks at how comedy is failing to deliver a decent response to the current British malaise.

What's Behind Pantomime?

David Garrick didn't much like pantomime -- but as manager of Drury Lane's Theatre Royal the celebrated actor and champion of Shakespeare had to be pragmatic. By the mid-18th century, panto's popularity had grown to such an extent that Garrick was forced to wearily concede, "If you won't come for Lear or Hamlet, then I must give you Harlequin."

Review: BBC New Comedy Award Final 2014

One thing I can't help mentioning upfront is that if my social media pages are any guide Lost Voice Guy, alias Lee Ridley, must be the ante-post favourite (this bit is being posted before the competition starts). It may just be my timeline, but I've seen more appeals for people to vote for him on Twitter and Facebook than I've seen for any of the others. It may not affect the result but then maybe if it does that's appropriate - Ridley has cerebral palsy and cannot talk. He delivers his jokes via a text-to-speech app on his iPad so he certainly harnesses new technology in his act more than any of the others...

Review: Channel 4's Black Mirror: White Christmas

The performances were all very good, although I was surprised Jon Hamm almost reprised his Don Draper role from Mad Men. It felt like Charlie Brooker either needed a Draper-type for this suave role, and luckily managed to get the real deal, or Hamm was drawn to a part that wouldn't be much of a stretch but allow him to appear in a show he loves.

British Comedy Awards 2014 review

Channel 4 are rumoured to be dropping the awards next year so unless they return to ITV, they could disappear from terrestrial for good.

British Comedy Awards - it's all in the timing

I don't know if he was watching The British Comedy Awards on C4 last night but they might as well have been dubbed The Irish Comedy Awards.