BCG Daily Sunday 18th January 2015
Press clippings
Jack Whitehall & Freddy Syborn on their friendship
It started with a fight at school, but the 26-year-old comedian and 27-year-old writer are now best friends who also work together. "It's a bit like a marriage," says Jack.
Ed Cumming, The Observer, 18th January 2015Radio Times review
Caroline has to adapt to her dramatic new family circumstances and she's finding it hard, but for once her mum Celia is kind and sympathetic. Of course, Celia refused to attend her daughter's wedding to Kate, but life ebbs and flows, and grievances can't be nursed for long.
Writer Sally Wainwright is so gifted and assured when it comes to calling out to our emotions: no one is more precise at picking apart the mechanics of relationships, particularly relationships between women. She's blessed with a great cast and there are some scenes tonight between Anne Reid and Sarah Lancashire (Celia and Caroline) that will take away pieces of your heart.
But Last Tango isn't just about a mother and daughter; it's about the trials of a big extended family, including Gillian (Nicola Walker), who's about to take a big leap.
Alison Graham, Radio Times, 18th January 2015Radio Times review
Much like Granville's sandwiches, the jokes are definitely past their sell-by date, but viewers don't seem to mind in the slightest that the laughs come from men wearing dresses or libidinous pensioners. Six million watched this revisit of Roy Clarke's 1970s sitcom on a Sunday night recently, more than saw Foyle's War or Last Tango in Halifax.
Arkwright's latest scheme is inspired by a visit from a travelling salesman (Mark Williams), who's flogging a soothing linctus "that also cleans your brass and silver". It makes the canny grocer realise that he needs a gimmick if he's to shift the batch of Old Mother Hemlock's Ancient Remedies he's bought.
Jane Rackham, Radio Times, 18th January 2015Armando Iannucci on the 2015 general election
It really says a lot about the state of British politics that the televised leaders' debate I'm most looking forward to is the one between Russell Brand and Al Murray. The way things stand, it looks more likely than a Cameron v Miliband debate. It also looks the more interesting.
Armando Iannucci, The Observer, 18th January 2015Kate Cook - potential Lady Macbeth with a pipe
"I did comedy for two years and then I stopped because my sister died and I stopped finding anything funny," actress and comedian Kate Cook told me.
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 18th January 2015New comedy writing award - for women only
Helen Lederer is planning to set up an award for women who write comedy fiction.
Chortle, 18th January 2015Omid Djalili interview
The stand-up and TV favourite has a fund of anecdotes, is passionate about food and would make the ideal dinner-party guest. But it's perhaps best not to let him drive there.
Tim Lewis, The Guardian, 18th January 2015Why don't female standups crack more puns?
It may be Miranda Hart's catchphrase, but 'pun intended' doesn't seem to be the case for many female comedians.
Viv Groskop, The Observer, 18th January 2015Alun Cochrane: (Me Neither) - The Lowry, Salford
For a comedian so strongly marketed and reported as a miserabilist, Alun Cochrane is much more jovial than his reputation would lead one to expect. His deadpan delivery is betrayed by the obvious delight he takes in shocking the audience with a well-crafted punchline or near-the-knuckle satire.
Laura Maley, The Public Reviews, 18th January 2015Who will join your lineup of classic comics?
With Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival just around the corner, we're asking our readers to once again vote for their favourite comedian.
Yasmin Duffin, Leicester Mercury, 18th January 2015Ten local acts to see at the Glasgow Comedy Festival
Here are 10 local acts aside from the mainstream household names that are just as worthy of your time at the festival from March 12-29.
David Bateman, STV, 18th January 2015Sharon Horgan: "I'd rather be funny than pretty"
Could Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney be the world's most outrageous comedy duo?
The Mirror, 18th January 2015How to get your comedy character elected as an MP
It sounds fun to run for election as a comedy character. It sounds like it will all be huffy politicians, ruined hustings and funny photo ops with crying babies. But is it? No. It's mainly admin.
Nat Tapley, Us vs Th3m, 18th January 2015Review: Idiots + Gunge = Laughing, Newcastle Stand
Picture the scene; two grown men in make-up and ladies' underwear, aggressively singing Disney songs in a variety of accents before a baying crowd of children and adults. For over a hundred people on a Saturday afternoon in Newcastle, this was not some sort of feverish nightmare, but a reality; a reality wrought by comedian Lee Kyle and his gunge-based kids' comedy show.
Nic Wright, Giggle Beats, 18th January 2015Pub Landlord Al Murray on his election strategy
The comedian is to stand against Farage for South Thanet in the 2015 general election. But what are his guvnorment's policies? Guardian experts question him on welfare, freedom, immigration and foreign lagers.
The Guardian, 18th January 2015Last Tango in Halifax series 3, TV review
A thankful return to form as we're hit with some believable drama.
Neela Debnath, The Independent, 18th January 2015'Last Tango in Halifax' interview: Nina Sosanya
Last Tango in Halifax star Nina Sosanya chats about the shocking events of tonight's episode.
William Martin, Cult Box, 18th January 2015Last Tango in Halifax review (spoilers)
I have to say that, after a shaky start, this series of Last Tango in Halifax is turning out to be the best run that the show has ever had.
Matt D., Unreality TV, 18th January 2015Last Tango in Halifax travel guide
Fans of the BBC drama have fallen in love with its locations - but they're not all in Yorkshire.
Jade Bremner, Radio Times, 18th January 2015Andrew Lawrence on the sanctimony of social media
On 7 January, after the Charlie Hebdo office had been attacked, comedian Andrew Lawrence posted: "All you hand-wringing Libtards whining incessantly about Islamophobia, you're awful quiet today." Mindful of the reaction this might provoke, the two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee then added: "'It's too soon to make jokes about that Andrew'. I can't help it if I'm over-efficient". If tragedy plus time equals comedy, what price tragedy and immediacy?
Jay Richardson, The Scotsman, 18th January 2015'Last Tango in Halifax' season 3 episode 4 review
Last Tango in Halifax is always a dramatic event, but tonight's episode was subdued on the dramatic highs and lows, and rightly so.
Sarah Lewis, Cult Box, 18th January 2015Videos
TV & radio
The Rest Is History
Series 1, Episode 6With Josh Widdicombe, Roisin Conaty and historian-in-residence Dr Kate Williams.
Still Open All Hours
Series 1, Episode 5Granville has bought a job lot of bargain stock but needs a clever plan to sell it all. A visiting salesman gives him a marketing idea. Meanwhile Eric is not getting on with his wife and seeks emergency romantic help from young Leroy.
Last Tango In Halifax
Series 3, Episode 4Caroline is overwhelmed at the prospect of looking after baby Flora on her own until a stranger walks into her life who may be the answer to her prayers. Meanwhile Raff is delighted at the news that his mum and uncle are getting wed.