BCG Daily Friday 24th April 2015

News

Press clippings

W1A, TV review

Too cosy to be cutting but, moving forward, it's totes worth sticking with.

Ellen E. Jones, The Independent, 24th April 2015

Inside No. 9, Nana's Party, TV review

League of Gentleman's Reece Shearsmith steals the show in this very clever drama.

Chris Bennion, The Independent, 24th April 2015

Jeremy Paxman: when newsreaders do comedy

The journalist is venturing into comedy and, apparently, he's raring to go.

Ellen E. Jones, The Independent, 24th April 2015

W1A review: 'nibbling, not biting, satire'

The problem with W1A is that reality is funnier than spoof - just look at Jeremy Clarkson. And the annoying language really is annoying.

Sam Wollaston, The Guardian, 24th April 2015

'W1A' season 2 episode 1 review

W1A may expose the follies and bureaucracies of the BBC, but it also has real humanity and heart. Just like the BBC itself in fact.

Malcolm Stewart, Cult Box, 24th April 2015

W1A: Jessica Hynes shines

In my opinion, the mark of a good satirical comedy is how close to reality you feel that the situations are. So, when I watched the first series of W1A, I felt at some points as if I were watching a documentary...

Matt D., Unreality TV, 24th April 2015

W1A, Series 2, BBC Two

It's still sharp, but should the BBC be flagellating itself a second time?

Jasper Rees, The Arts Desk, 24th April 2015

Withnail and I, film review

Withnail and I was regarded for many years as a cult film but stands now as one of the finest British films of the Eighties. And what's not to like about a film with the line: "Don't threaten me with a dead fish"?

Martin Chilton, The Telegraph, 24th April 2015

W1A and Inside No. 9 review

Reviews of sitcom W1A and the "Nana's Party" episode of Inside No. 9.

Claudia Connell, Daily Mail, 24th April 2015

There's lots of satire about but it's achieving nothing

This looks like being the closest election in living memory so a few votes shifting direction could make all the difference. But either by accident or design, these programmes, however much fun they are to watch, are more about TV ratings that ballot box results. TV satire clearly doesn't change anything. If it did they would ban it.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 24th April 2015

This week's new live comedy

Previews of Frankie Boyle, Reginald D Hunter and ImproFest.

James Kettle, The Guardian, 24th April 2015

W1A: BBC pulling its pants down & slapping its cheeks

Every episode, for me, is a ticker-tape parade of recognisable woes - not just from my nigh-continuous dealings with the Beeb, but with all channels.

Grace Dent, The Independent, 24th April 2015

Inside No. 9 season 2 episode 5 review: 'Nana's Party'

Last week, we spoke about Shearsmith and Pemberton's fascination with the quiet desperation of everyday banality. This episode takes that to the hilt - the hilt of a very big knife, in fact.

Andrew Allen, Cult Box, 24th April 2015

Why you must jump into Car Share on BBC One

Peter Kay's newest venture is a return to sitcom. Car Share which, for reasons I'm not entirely clear on is getting an airing on the iPlayer before starting on BBC One on Wednesday, might be my favourite new BBC comedy for a long time.

Luke, The Custard TV, 24th April 2015

Video: budding writers to learn how to write comedy

Aspiring comedy writers will have the chance to hone their craft at a conference in Llandudno this weekend. The two-day event, taking place at Venue Cymru, will aim to give budding writers the "chance to find their voice". Those attending will learn about writing for sit coms, stand-up and sketch shows for television, radio and online. Television producer Steve Doherty spoke to BBC Wales and offered his top tips for writing comedy gold.

BBC News, 24th April 2015

Review: Andrew Lawrence

He's been vilified on social media for being un-PC after an ill-judged Facebook posting. But Andrew Lawrence is really just a misanthropic comedian railing at hypocrisy.

Graham James, Bournemouth Echo, 24th April 2015

Dara O Briain: Crowd Tickler - the gig review

The man did not disappoint, working his derrière off throughout and yet remaining personable.

Roger Crow, The Huffington Post, 24th April 2015

Can you discuss Peckham without mentioning Del Boy?

Here's a fascinating trivia nugget for you: did you know that the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses was set in Peckham? Yes, of course you did. So -- and here's the thing that's driving us beserk -- do we really need to be reminded of this every single time we read an article about Peckham? Apparently so.

Will Noble, Londonist, 24th April 2015

20 years of Father Ted

This week Father Ted turned 20. I know what you're thinking; bit young for a clergyman. However you look at it; 20 years is an outstanding achievement.

Rob Gilroy, Giggle Beats, 24th April 2015

Ronnie Barker's paedophile son earns huge royalties

Pervert Adam Barker is equal shareholder in Handles For Forks which distributes his late dad's work.

Tom Bryant, The Mirror, 24th April 2015

How Channel 4's No Offence is shaking up police drama

Shameless creator Paul Abbott's latest series is like an X-rated version of The Bill.

Sarah Hughes, The Independent, 24th April 2015

HIGNFY review: no mention of headline making Clarkson

Stephen Mangan proves an able stand-in for the host they wouldn't mention.

Isabel Mohan, The Telegraph, 24th April 2015

Give 'Scrotal Recall' a chance

Where some may see vulgarity, I saw opportunity. Curiosity won, and binge-watching began. After watching all of season one--six episodes, around 23 minutes long each, I found Scrotal Recall to be very funny.

Kait Calabrò, Entertainment Weekly, 24th April 2015

Review: Peter Kay's Car Share

While the LOLs are limited, there is an affectionate, feelgood atmosphere to the show.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 24th April 2015

Jenny Eclair interview

Former punk poet Jenny Eclair was one of the first women to break into the stand-up comedy boys' club.

Standard Issue, 24th April 2015

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

BBC Radio Scotland
1:30pm
30 min
Mark Nelson

The Good, The Bad And The Unexpected

Series 1, Episode 4

Julia Sutherland is joined by comedians Jo Caulfield, Ray Bradshaw, Ian Stone and Lucy Porter to find out who is good, who is bad and what might be unexpected.

The Leak. Tom Price

The Leak

Series 2, Episode 5

Tom Price and guests from the world of comedy and entertainment review the week's biggest stories from around Wales and the world. Recorded in front of a live studio audience.

Radio 4
6:30pm
30 min
Dead Ringers. Image shows from L to R: Lewis Macleod, Debra Stephenson, Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey. Copyright: BBC

Dead Ringers

Series 14, Episode 3

Satire meets silliness in the flagship comedy for hard-working families up and down the country.

Absolute Radio
7pm
30 min
The Alternative Vote. Matt Forde. Copyright: Avalon Television

The Alternative Vote

Episode 2

Comedy show for Absolute Radio in which Matt Forde asks comedians what they'd do if they were elected to government.

Alan Carr: Chatty Man. Alan Carr. Copyright: Open Mike Productions

Alan Carr: Chatty Man

Series 14, Episode 6 - Kirstie Allsopp, Phil Spencer, Stephen Mangan, Paul Bettany, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Charles Hamilton, Rita Ora

Alan Carr welcomes property gurus Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer to chat about new series Love It or List It. Stephen Mangan drops by to talk about his new National Theatre play Rules For Living. Finally, Paul Bettany and Aaron Taylor Johnson discuss Avengers: Age of Ultron. Music is from Charles Hamilton and Rita Ora performing New York Raining.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC
10:35pm
60 min
The Graham Norton Show. Graham Norton. Credit: So Television, Christopher Baines

The Graham Norton Show

Series 17, Episode 3 - Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Josh Widdicombe, Blur

Mark Ruffalo says being The Hulk has no effect on his children whatsoever; Elizabeth Olsen talks about the Olsen Twins; Jeremy Renner says he not to be trusted with a bow and arrow; Josh Widdicombe talks about one of his oddest fans; and Blur performs live in the studio.

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