BCG Daily Friday 31st July 2015
News
Features
Press clippings
Eleanor Morton's top 5 plagues of all time
Eleanor Morton has emerged this year as one of our favourite comedy acts around, with an endearing, awkward quality that is fun and silly and other great things.
Eleanor Morton, Laugh Out London, 31st July 2015Edinburgh preview: Rob Beckett
I didn't want to write a preview of Rob Beckett that focussed on his teeth. Honest. But then I saw that his show was called Mouth of the South and I thought, well, he's asking for it.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 31st July 2015Interview with Piff the Magic Dragon
You may recognise him from Penn and Teller: Fool Us or more recently, America's Got Talent, but this August, you can see Piff The Magic Dragon at the Edinburgh Fringe! We caught up with him to talk about the recent success in the US, what we can expect from the new show and if Mr Piffles could ever go solo.
Callum Moorin, The Angry Microwave, 31st July 2015Al Murray: 'mob mentality' threatens free speech
Comedian Al Murray has criticised the "mob mentality" on social media for attacking free speech. Murray, known as his politically incorrect alter-ego the Pub Landlord, said people are "weaponising" their anger if they take offence at something in the public domain. He cited the example of Daniel O'Reilly, whose Dapper Laughs character attracted a slew of negative headlines after his content was deemed to be sexist and offensive.
BT, 31st July 2015Eddie Izzard supports idea of transgender London mayor
It's Izzard's work in both politics and charity that sets him apart from his peers: In 2009 he completed 43 marathons in 51 days for Sport Relief and earlier this year, Eddie revealed plans to run for Mayor of London in 2020.
Jon Hornbuckle, Attitude Magazine, 31st July 2015If you find Frankie Boyle offensive don't buy a ticket
If you find Frankie Boyle's humour offensive, it's simple... just don't buy a ticket.
Fionola Meredith, Belfast Telegraph, 31st July 2015Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain Part 3 review
At an hour long this show is a perfect treat for just about any child or anyone who enjoys a few poo jokes.
Tom Finch, The Public Reviews, 31st July 2015Lolly Adefope climbs out of the Bearpit for Fringe show
Edinburgh intros #15: She's only been doing comedy for about five minutes, but Lolly Adefope has already made her name by being nominated for the Leicester New Comedian award and a part of cult hit The Bearpit Podcast Podcast with John Kearns. Her character comedy show Lolly is her Fringe debut...
London Is Funny, 31st July 2015John-Luke Roberts - throwing balloons at grief
Edinburgh intros #16: A purveyor of consistently funny Edinburgh shows over the years, Mr Roberts is ramping up the clowning.
London Is Funny, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015 - Afterhours Comedy
Laughter packed, legendary and unmissable, Afterhours Comedy returns to Assembly Roxy to delight audiences with another splendid season.
Paul Hyland, The Edinburgh Reporter, 31st July 2015Interview: rarely asked questions - Andrew Watts
One of the word-of-mouth hits in Edinburgh last year was Andrew Watts' Feminism For Chaps.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 31st July 2015Audio: 'Boyle has a right to offend anyone he wants'
After a campaign was launched to ban Frankie Boyle from a West Belfast festival, Spiked editor Brendan O'Neill debated free speech on Downtown Radio.
Brendan O'Neill, Spiked, 31st July 201510 free Fringe comedy shows to look out for (Link expired)
Visiting Edinburgh for the festival doesn't have to burn a hole in your wallet, thanks to this list of free Fringe comedy shows you'll want to drop your change for...
Sarah Slack, WOW247, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015: best comedy shows
Including Johnny Vegas, Katherine Ryan, Trevor Noah, Aisling Bea, Bridget Christie, Max and Ivan and Nina Conti.
Alice Jones, The Independent, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015 - Amused Moose Comedy's Laugh Off Final
Vote alongside international comedy cognoscenti, to raise aloft the hottest breakthrough stars of tomorrow who battle brilliantly for fame, fortune and a shiny moose trophy in the final for 2015's emerging talent.
Paul Hyland, The Edinburgh Reporter, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015 - Amused Moose Comedy Award Grand Final
Grab your hot tickets to vote at this prestigious Fringe final alongside international comedy cognoscenti for tomorrow's stars.
Paul Hyland, The Edinburgh Reporter, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015 - The Improv Musical
Improvised musical mayhem to leave you in hysterics. Watch your ideas come to life - the show is in your hands!
The Edinburgh Reporter, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015 - Joey Page: Catastrophe Party
It's Joey Page's 10 year anniversary as a stand-up comedian.
The Edinburgh Reporter, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015 - Tania Edwards: Electrifying
Tania Edwards brings her hotly anticipated and hilarious new show Electrifying to Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year.
The Edinburgh Reporter, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015 - Imran Yusuf
Following his success at last year's Fringe, where he was featured in The Telegraph's 'Top Jokes of the Fringe', Imran Yusuf returns to Edinburgh this year with a special edition version of last year's show Super Roar of the Underdog - Turbo X: HD Remix.
The Edinburgh Reporter, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015 - Tom Toal in Sunshine on Bexleyheath
Tom Toal returns to the 2015 Edinburgh Festival Fringe with his most personal show yet with Sunshine on Bexleyheath.
The Edinburgh Reporter, 31st July 2015Interview: Jack Rooke
The Fringe is a place to share personal experience, explore ideas and broach uncomfortable topics. This is exemplified in shows like Jack Rooke's Good Grief, a comedy storytelling show with its origins in the sad loss of his father at a young age. Exploring the world of bereavement, and co-written with his nan, it's also part of Death on the Fringe, a series of shows about the topic throughout August. We spoke to Jack about this sometimes awkward subject matter...
TV Bomb, 31st July 2015This week's new live comedy
Previews of Limmy, the Comedy Grotto All-Day Edinburgh Preview Special and Josh Widdicombe.
James Kettle, The Guardian, 31st July 2015Bridget Christie webchat - post your questions now
The feminist comedian is joining us to answer your questions in a live webchat at 1pm BST on Monday 3 August - post them in the comments below.
The Guardian, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015 one to watch: Matt Forde
Today, Matt Forde struggles to understand how Russell Brand has become the "voice of the dispossessed".
Tom Eames, The Guardian, 31st July 2015Fringe 10x10 - 10. Award winners
Comedians who have already scooped accolades.
Chortle, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015 theatre: best performances
A look at some of the best theatre shows.
Holly Williams, The Independent, 31st July 2015Phil Ellis: Funz and Gamez creator interviewed
His kids' show that wasn't really for kids, Funz and Gamez, became the word-of-mouth success of last year's Fringe, winning the Panel Prize and leading to a sitcom pilot. Confrontational comedian Phil Ellis prepares for Funz and Gamez Tooz.
John Stansfield, The Skinny, 31st July 2015Fringe fresh: Dearly Beloved
Check out this new comedy drama by Sarah Archer in Edinburgh next month.
Carrie Lyell, Diva Mag, 31st July 2015Fringe prize for the dumbest review
A new prize is to be awarded to the 'most critically misunderstood' comedy show of the Edinburgh Fringe.
Chortle, 31st July 2015The five things we want from the Ab Fab film
With Joanna Lumley revealing yesterday that the long-awaited Absolutely Fabulous film will start shooting this October, there was a buzz here at Attitude HQ: It's ACTUALLY HAPPENING. But wait - will it be good? What do we want from an Ab Fab movie?
Ben Kelly, Attitude Magazine, 31st July 2015Fringe Q&As: Andrew Watts
Andrew Watts discusses being a dad, comedy course and how to build a chap.
The Herald, 31st July 2015Fringe Q&As: Clare Plested
Clare Plested discusses DVD extras, pretending to get married and office parties.
The Herald, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015: an interview with Jenny Bede
Musical comedian Jenny Bede talks to Joel Down about the necessity of 'thick skin', keeping everything in perspective and solo stand-up in the run-up to her debut Fringe show, Don't Look at Me.
Joel Down, Nouse, 31st July 2015Songs, sex and suspicious parents
On top of running the Royal Court in London, Vicky Featherstone is back with the National Theatre of Scotland for the summer to direct a play about wild teenage girls. Tim Bano talks to her about responsibility and recklessness.
Tim Bano, Fest Mag, 31st July 2015Focus on: Michael Che
He's in the big league of American prime-time comedy writing. Why bother with the Fringe?
Si Hawkins, Fest Mag, 31st July 2015Three to see ED2015: sketch shows worth checking
So many sketches, so little time - ThreeWeeks Co-Editor Caro Moses recommends three top sketch shows from the Fringe.
Caro Moses, ThreeWeeks, 31st July 2015Three to see ED2015: new musicals
Putting the spotlight on the musical Fringe, ThreeWeeks Co-Editor Caro Moses tips three new musical shows.
Caro Moses, ThreeWeeks, 31st July 2015Poetry Corner #02: by Jennie Benton Smith (Class 10B)
ThreeWeeks invites Fringe-favourite poets to put some words to paper - or a portable device of their choosing - to entertain you here in Poetry Corner. Today, Jennie Benton Smith. She's from Class 10B.
Jennie Benton Smith, ThreeWeeks, 31st July 2015LetLuce: Setting sail for another Fringe
LetLuce - aka Lucy Pearman and Letty Butler - garnered plenty of acclaim with their show Show Pony last August, and now they return with a brand new outing called Sea Men (A Naval Tale).
Jennie Benton Smith, ThreeWeeks, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015 - Ed Gamble: Lawman
Star of Almost Royal (BBC America/E4) and the chart topping Peacock & Gamble Podcast, Ed Gamble moseys back to the Edinburgh Fringe with Lawman - a brand new stand-up show about why it's hip to be square.
Adam Wilson, The Edinburgh Reporter, 31st July 2015Interview with Matthew Crosby
We chat to Matthew Crosby about his upcoming Edinburgh Fringe Show, Smaller Than Life, bumping into Johnny Vegas outside a train station, the future of Pappy's Badults and much more!
Callum Moorin, The Angry Microwave, 31st July 2015Gideon Irving: brief history of the wandering minstrel (Link expired)
Gideon Irving is a self-defined 21st century Troubadour - who better to explore the fascinating history of the wandering musician?
Gideon Irving, WOW247, 31st July 2015In Cahoots interview (Link expired)
Conversations with comedians can be painful. They're creative beings, and as such are sensitive. It's important to treat them with respect; then write an article about the painful conversation you've had. With the help of their inner thoughts, In Cahoots paint a picture of a successful new material night's surprising post-show-bar-chat with a pair of aspiring comedy writers.
WOW247, 31st July 2015James Hamilton: Stories don't go out of style (Link expired)
Sketch is dead! Sketch is alive! Stand-up's boring! Stand up's pure! Clowning's a fad! Clowning's rad! Meta's better! Meta's pretentious! After five years making award-winning live comedy, James Hamilton (of Casual Violence acclaim) has learned one thing: story is king, and kings don't go out of style. Unless people decide they'd prefer a constitutional republic.
WOW247, 31st July 2015Meet Tania Edwards - Ed Fringe 2015
My name is Tania Edwards and I'm a comedian. My show is a funny take on the space between words and action: I'm looking at that fine line between box office success and prison.
Short Com, 31st July 2015Interview: Patrick Morris
Trying to live his life more rock'n'roll than ambient jazz, Patrick Morris is coming to the Festival Fringe at Underbelly to share his Fairly Premature Bucket List. Going through a quarter-life crisis and realising he's done nothing to fill the pages of his memoir with, Patrick has spent the last 6 months ticking off his bucket list to hilarious and sometimes disastrous results. We grilled Patrick on everything from hair tips to the ladies...
Tabatha Glancy, TV Bomb, 31st July 2015Lou Sanders: Edinburgh Fringe 2015 interview
Lou Sanders is one of our all time favourite acts; any show of hers is always full of the perfect balance of stupidity and creativity. This year she has won our vote for best show title of the Edinburgh Fringe with Excuse Me, You're Sitting on My Penis Again (Joe Lycett came second with "That's The Way, A-Ha A-Ha, Joe Lycett[/i]). As usual, the title bears little resemblance to the premise: a show about an adult female trying to get into Eton school for boys.
Laugh Out London, 31st July 2015Alan Partridge inspires city art exhibition
Fictional Norwich radio DJ and Alpha Papa star Alan Partridge has inspired a 30-piece art exhibition in the city of Norwich.
BBC News, 31st July 2015Edinburgh Fringe 2015 must-see - Dane Baptiste
"It can be crowded, and you can become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of acts there, but at the same time I would say the issue personally is that there are still some members of the British public who are unaware that the biggest arts festival takes place in Edinburgh."
Tom Eames, Digital Spy, 31st July 2015Dane Baptiste interview
"A whole generation has missed out on a black sitcom".
Tom Eames, Digital Spy, 31st July 2015Edinburgh Fringe 2015: Everything you need to know
It can be a scary prospect for Fringe noobs to know what to see and where to go during the month-long event in August - especially as there already 2,300 productions on sale, which is more than ever before at this stage.
Tom Eames, Digital Spy, 31st July 2015The 10 most annoying things about Edinburgh Festival
The Edinburgh International Festival is once again upon us this month in all its action-packed, carnivalesque glory.
Christina O'Neill, The Herald, 31st July 2015Andrew Maxwell: back at the Fringe to dish it out
He may have been attacked on stage last year but it'll take more than that to stop Andrew Maxwell returning to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Jill Castle, The Herald, 31st July 2015How the Fringe stage became a comic psychiatrist chair
The day the comic actor Robin Williams committed suicide was the day Bryony Kimmings and Tim Grayburn knew they had to make a show about men and mental health. She was a performance artist and comedian, he was an advertising executive with no performing experience beyond the football pitch and work presentations for his London agency.
Alex Hardy, The Times, 31st July 2015Jo-Jo Bellini and John Robertson interview
Tasked with interviewing comedians Jo-Jo Bellini and John Robertson ahead of their Fringe shows, Fred Fletch used the opportunity to take them on a double-date to a sex club. Obviously. WARNING: Contains scenes most will find distressing.
Fred Fletch, The Skinny, 31st July 2015Fringe 2015 ones to watch: Matt Forde
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015 kicks off next week, and Digital Spy is presenting five videos and chats with some of the event's finest comic talent.
Digital Spy, 31st July 201510 unusual Fringe experiences for 2015
From a game of Volfsball to an absurdist cookery class.
The List, 31st July 2015Edinburgh Fringe 2015 highlights: comedy
As per usual, there will be laughs aplenty at Edinburgh Fringe - this where the heartiest chuckles will be heard.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 31st July 2015Videos
Podcasts
TV & radio
Hacker Time
Series 5, Episode 5 - Kevin CliftonFun, chat and music from Hacker T Dog, featuring Strictly Come Dancing's professional dancer Kevin Clifton as Hacker's special guest.
Twirlywoos
Series 2, Episode 5 - Going OverThe Twirlywoos watch a horse going over a jump and try to have a go themselves. Meanwhile, back in the Boat, the Stop-Go Car visits Peekaboo and they play a game of leapfrog.
Clare In The Community
Series 10, Episode 4 - Things That Go Bump In The DayThe Sparrowhawk team are forced work together to overcome a little problem they discover in the office.
Breaking The News
Series 1, Episode 9Host Des Clarke is joined by Sanjeev Kohli, Janey Godley, Chris Forbes and journalist Katie Grant.
The Now Show
Series 46, Episode 5The Now Show saves you from the trouble of keeping up with the news by providing a topical mix of stand-up, sketches and songs that tell you everything you need to know.
Siadwel
Series 2, Episode 4 - Charity and I Don't UnderstandSiadwel gets confused by his shoes, goes to his girlfriend Gravel's Tupperware party and reminisces about Dim Ysmygu, the man who invented the No Smoking sign.
Would I Lie To You?
Series 9, Episode 1This week the guests joining Lee Mack and David Mitchell are Danny Dyer, Jon Richardson, Joe Lycett and Moira Stuart.
A League Of Their Own
Series 9, Out-takes - Unseen - Vol 2James Corden presents some previously unseen footage from the sports-based panel show.
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
Series 6 (Channel 4: Series 7), Episode 12Sean Lock and Freddie Flintoff take on special guest captain Bill Bailey with Roisin Conaty. Susie Dent is joined by Rob Beckett in Dictionary Corner.
20 Moments That Rocked Comedy
Retrospective looking at influential and controversial comedy moments.
The Last Leg
Series 6, Episode 6Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker provide some offbeat commentary on the significant moments of the past seven days. John Cleese joins the regulars this week.