BCG Daily Sunday 26th July 2015
Press clippings
Geeking out over sitcoms
This week, as I fail to find the time to get all that needs writing, written; I spare a thought for St Paul. The days and weeks he put in, writing letters to everyone from the Romans to the Corinthians, must have been staggering.
Rob Gilroy, Giggle Beats, 26th July 2015Catastrophe is easily one of the smartest programmes
It's anything but a catastrophe.
Don Kaplan, The New York Daily News, 26th July 2015Comedy gems that inspired today's stars
With a host of comedic talent set to appear at the Edinburgh festival fringe early next month, we asked some top names to identify the joke or moment that first tickled their funny bone...
Morwenna Banks, Ed Byrne, Nina Conti, Sarah Hadland, Harry Hill, Patrick Kielty, Jessica Knappett, Stewart Lee, Amy Poehler and Mark Thomas, The Guardian, 26th July 2015Top comic says Fringe acts face 'impossible' odds
Bridget Christie, who became only the third woman to win the Fringe's biggest comedy award two years ago, has warned the festival is no longer the place for acts to experiment.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 26th July 2015Edinburgh Fringe interview: Sofie Hagen
Debut comedy shows are the stuff of legend at Edinburgh Fringe and Sofie Hagen's debut show is a little overdue. Already winner of a host of awards, including last years Chortle Best Newcomer Award and stints on BBC Two and Radio 1 and Radio 4 the general consensus is Hagen's the one to watch!
The New Current, 26th July 2015Edinburgh Fringe interview: Papa CJ
The winner of Asia's Best Stand-Up Comedian Award 2014 and Last Comic Standing finalist Papa CJ is something of a legend and he's treating the Laughing Horse Free Festival to his 5 star hit 'Naked'. In this autobiographical show Papa CJ bares all with tales of his childhood, school days, love, sex, heartbreak and hope.
The New Current, 26th July 2015Edinburgh Fringe interview: Piff The Magic Dragon
What do Shania Twain, David Copperfield and Penn & Teller have in common? They've all had Breakfast at Piffany's, and this year you can too. Direct from Las Vegas, Piff the Magic Dragon and Mr Piffles return to the Fringe with new tricks, old snacks and sweet, sweet prizes.
The New Current, 26th July 2015Edinburgh Fringe interview: Richard Soames
Morally upstanding stand-up and sketches from star of Fringe favourites The Beta Males (Radio 4, Chortle Award nominees). Join the 'excellent' (Sunday Times) Richard Soames for a very public moral crisis as he questions every nice thing he's ever done. There will be tea...
The New Current, 26th July 2015Edinburgh Fringe interview: Racheal Ofori
This year's fringe is continuing to out do itself as the destination of choice for female playwrights as more visibility is give for women's stories and life experience this year. The award winning Fuel Theatre bring Racheal Ofori's debut play Portraits to Pleasance Dome marking the World Premiere performance of this inspirational piece of theatre inspired by Ofori's own experiences.
The New Current, 26th July 2015Joe Lycett: 'Being bisexual has its own challenges'
In the new issue of Attitude, we chat to rising comedian Joe Lycett about dating, his sexuality, and his top 10 placing in this year's Attitude HOT 100. The 26 year-old, who is a regular face on TV, admits that being bisexual "presents its own challenges", but that he's finally feeling ready to settle down.
Attitude Magazine, 26th July 2015Joe Lycett: being bisexual has its own challenges
In the new issue of Attitude, we chat to rising comedian Joe Lycett about dating, his sexuality, and his top 10 placing in this year's Attitude HOT 100.
Will Stroude, Attitude Magazine, 26th July 2015Goodbye Will Franken; hello Sarah Franken
Over the past 15 years, Will Franken has forged a reputation as a fast-paced, multi-layered character comedian. This year, however, Will Franken will be not at the Edinburgh Fringe - but Sarah Franken will. For the British-based American comic has decided to end 'a lifetime of secrecy' and come out as transgender.
Chortle, 26th July 2015Interview: rarely asked questions - Matthew Crosby
Following yesterday's interview with Pappy's lynchpin Tom Parry, today we are gently probing the tiniest (in height) member of Pappy's, Matthew Crosby, whose solo show is at Just The Tonic's Mash House from August 6 - 30.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 26th July 2015Edinburgh preview: Balham Free Fringe Festival finale
The three-day freebie binge in Balham comes to an end today with another triple-barrelled bill of comedy.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 26th July 2015Viva McGonagall! Bring your own pitchfork
Scottish comic wordsmith Elvis McGonagall talks to Martin Walker about his new Edinburgh Festival Fringe show Elvis McGonagall: Countrybile. He treats listeners to a couple of satirical poems and gets a quick plug in for his second series on Radio 4.
Martin Walker, Broadway Baby, 26th July 2015Beth Vyse: 'My family are The Waltons on Alcohol'
Beth Vyse is a comedian/actor/director who has appeared on TV in shows like Doctors, Holby City, Spooks and A Touch of Frost. Beth talks to Martin Walker about her TV work and her latest, deeply personal, Edinburgh Festival Fringe show.
Martin Walker, Broadway Baby, 26th July 2015Jenny Bede interview
Jenny Bede began her career in musical theatre before developing a taste for stand-up comedy. Her latest show, Don't Look at Me, is a blend of both and is running in Edinburgh throughout August.
The Stage, 26th July 2015Review: Matt Berry Does...Holidays, BBC iPlayer
The third instalment in Matt Berry's online series finds our seductive-toned narrator guiding us through his version of the history of summer holidays. Or to be more precise, the "UKAY summer holiday" as Berry deliciously phrases it.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 26th July 2015Dapper Laughs: 'I should have been educated about rape'
The controversial comedian, who was filmed making a joke about rape at a gig last year, says that the media used a 'small, cleverly edited piece of footage' against him.
Rebecca Hawkes, The Telegraph, 26th July 2015Edinburgh Fringe tips from Dave Chawner
With the Edinburgh Fringe almost upon us, comedian Dave Chawner has kindly put together a video offering some tips on Festival survival.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 26th July 2015Fringe preview: Gilded Balloon
With the Gilded Balloon enjoying its 30th anniversary in 2015, there's a lot to celebrate.
Kerry Teakle, TV Bomb, 26th July 2015How to have a frugal Fringe
With just a few weeks until the start of the Fringe, there's no excuse for not taking in what is arguably the best arts festival anywhere in the world. If you're canny, experiencing the Fringe doesn't need to cost the earth.
Kerry Teakle, TV Bomb, 26th July 2015Fringe 2015 - A Man Called Monkhouse
In July 1995, alone in his cramped study, among thousands of showbusiness artefacts, film stock and memories the comic legend Bob Monkhouse realises his treasured joke books have been stolen. This is something of a disaster in the world of the obsessive performer and joke-smith. As the reality of the situation sinks in, he is forced into an uneasy introspection.
The Edinburgh Reporter, 26th July 2015Fringe 2015 - Wil Greenway: For the Ground that Grew Me
"I'm going to tell you how my Grandad lost his eye. I'm going to tell you the secret to making the best roast potatoes in the world. And I'm going to tell you how a costume party can ruin your life. Family history 100 years old. Our roots have stories. These are mine."
Phyllis Stephen, The Edinburgh Reporter, 26th July 2015Fringe 2015 - Moby Alpha
An homage to classic sci-fi and literature, Moby Alpha tells the story of a mad captain's quest for revenge on the amorphous energy cloud that temporarily took his leg. More simply, Moby Alpha is a comic Moby Dick in space.
The Edinburgh Reporter, 26th July 2015Fringe 2015 - The Bad Arm
If you thought Irish dancers were all curly-haired cutie-pies with perfect posture, meet a scowling girl from London in this outrageous antidote to Riverdance.
The Edinburgh Reporter, 26th July 201510 atypical comedy shows at the Edinburgh Fringe 2015
This is the last list we are posting this year and it includes those shows that don't fall easily into the other categories, although are definitely worthy of a mention.
Laugh Out London, 26th July 2015Five fast Fringe questions with... Dillie Keane
An quick interview with Dillie Keane.
The Public Reviews, 26th July 2015Five fast Fringe questions with... Daniel Tobias
A quick interview with Daniel Tobias.
The Public Reviews, 26th July 2015Five fast Fringe questions with... Tatterdemalion
A quick interview with Tatterdemalion.
The Public Reviews, 26th July 2015Five fast Fringe questions with... Sophie Pelham
A quick interview with Sophie Pelham.
The Public Reviews, 26th July 2015Videos
TV & radio
The Javone Prince Show
Episode 2Javone is attacked by ninjas, reveals will.i.am's new role as an HR consultant, and is completely uninterested in the announcer's beef with Idris Elba.