BCG Daily Monday 23rd November 2015

Features

Press clippings

Andrew Bailey interview

Rhik Samadder meets the Comedy Store misfit and forgotten pioneer of British alternative comedy.

Rhik Samadder, The Guardian, 23rd November 2015

Australian radio bans 'racist' Charlie Drake song

Australia's ABC radio has banned its presenters from playing an "offensive" hit record after a listener complained that it was racist. Chart-topping 1960s novelty song My Boomerang Won't Come Back, by British comedian Charlie Drake, has now been permanently removed from Aunty's playlist.

Rob Harris, The Herald, 23rd November 2015

Ricky Gervais: I love playing David Brent

"I think he's even funnier and sadder in his later years. But he's still trying. That's what I like about him"

Kasia Delgado, Radio Times, 23rd November 2015

Jeremy Hardy: Live - The Lowry, Salford

There is no support act tonight but Hardy's rapid delivery ensures so much material is crammed into the two-hour show that no one could feel short-changed. Jeremy Hardy is political correctness gone very funny indeed.

Dave Cunningham, The Reviews Hub, 23rd November 2015

Nish Kumar review

Kumar has a confidence in his material that shines through in his act. This is well-polished, crafted routine, which ticks all the boxes for what a stand-up show should be, but also leaves you with a great deal to ponder in terms of the current global state of affairs.

Matt Forrest, The Reviews Hub, 23rd November 2015

John Dredge on making an online sketch show

"John, how did you make your online comedy sketch show?" is a question I have never been asked, but I thought I'd write an article on the subject as I feel it's only a matter of time. Of course, it's by no means easy. Shows of this sort cost literally hundreds of pence, whether it be for buying paper to write ideas on, or for purchasing pens without which the paper would be worse than useless.

John Dredge, The Huffington Post, 23rd November 2015

Extended interview: Matt Berry

I interviewed Matt Berry last month at Channel 4's offices near Victoria to tie in with the new series of Toast of London, which goes out on C4 on Wednesdays at 10.30pm.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd November 2015

Christopher Biggins slams down Porridge reboot

'I wish they would leave these things alone,' the actor, who appeared as Lukewarm in the comedy series, admitted after the Beeb decided Porridge would be one of five programmes to come back to our screens in 2016.

Rebecca Lewis, Metro, 23rd November 2015

Beth Vyse on As Funny as Cancer at the Soho Theatre

Beth Vyse has been a long time favourite of ours for her manic and insane characters. This year she mixed her trademark lunacy and penchant for silly props with the very personal tale of her cancer diagnosis. It's a truly remarkable show which became one of cult hits of the fringe, as funny as it was moving. We were able to catch up with her before her Soho Theatre run.

Laugh Out London, 23rd November 2015

Dapper Laughs interview

Dapper Laughs believes that a big part of his perception problem is that he's "working class".

Caroline Frost, The Huffington Post, 23rd November 2015

DVD/Blu-ray review: Peter Kay's Car Share

The year 2015 was, amongst other things, the year it became okay to like Peter Kay again.

Chris Hallam, Chris Hallam's World View, 23rd November 2015

Catastrophe, series two review

Catastrophe is a sitcom brimming with suppressed and entirely inappropriate giggles, with Horgan and Delaney effortlessly capturing the essence of what it means to be human; namely, being innately and irrepressibly self-centred.

Becca Moody, Moody Comedy, 23rd November 2015

Review - Bridget Christie: A Book For Her

A Book For Her is less universally coherent than its predecessors, a series of routines rather than a show with one overarching structure, and so is slightly less satisfying. But Christie's zeal in attacking big, complicated issues with surrealism is laudable, and there are plenty of bizarrely funny moments.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 23rd November 2015

Josh review

Right. Well this is difficult. The first episode was a little disappointing (although Jack Dee on the ironing board: amazing), but the second was brilliant.

Lucy Anne Gray, Gray Comedy, 23rd November 2015

Should Dapper Laughs be forgiven?

The lad's comic Daniel O'Reilly killed his on-stage persona after a sexism storm last year. But Dapper Laughs says he's changed. So can he prove he's a feminist - or even funny?

Brian Logan, The Guardian, 23rd November 2015

9 things we want to see in the David Brent movie (Link expired)

Here are all the cringey moments, musical medleys, and guest appearances we want to see in the new film from Ricky Gervais.

Jordan Sims, WOW247, 23rd November 2015

Chewing Gum review

I'm very behind the times on Chewing Gum, so I'll keep it brief: I love it.

Lucy Gray, Gray Comedy, 23rd November 2015

Interview with Liam Pickford

A chat with Liam Pickford.

Comedy Blogedy, 23rd November 2015

Interview with Francis Foster

I've been doing comedy since 2009. I quit in 2011 because I was dreadful.

Comedy Blogedy, 23rd November 2015

Interview with Lauren Pattison

I've been gigging for just over 3 years but I actually did a couple of gigs when I was just 15 which feels so long ago!

Comedy Blogedy, 23rd November 2015

Interview with Sophie Willan

I've been doing stand-up comedy for just over a year.

Comedy Blogedy, 23rd November 2015

No laughing matter: Black stand-up comedy

You wait 19 years for a replacement to the much loved black comedy series The Real McCoy (last broadcast in 1996) then, a bit like waiting for a bus, they all come along at once!

Michael Peters, Media Diversified, 23rd November 2015

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

Radio 4
11:30am
30 min
The Missing Hancocks. Tony Hancock (Kevin McNally)

The Missing Hancocks

Series 2, Episode 1 - How Hancock Won The War

Tony tell Andrée about his war wound, which is a story you may find hard to believe. This episode was originally broadcast in February 1956 and features a classic score newly recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Trollied. Image shows from L to R: Gavin (Jason Watkins), Cheryl (Sarah Parish). Copyright: Roughcut Television

Trollied

Series 5, Episode 4

Neville's insecurities show when girlfriend Linda runs into an old flame. Meanwhile Charlie discovers an embarrassing secret about Daniel.

After Hours. Willow Hannigan (James Tarpey). Copyright: Jellylegs

After Hours

Episode 4 - Lonely Press Play

Willow offers to abandon a night out with his old friends early to present the show.

BBC Two
10pm
30 min
Live At The Apollo. Image shows from L to R: Al Porter, Noel Fielding, Dane Baptiste. Copyright: Open Mike Productions

Live At The Apollo

Series 11, Episode 3 - Noel Fielding, Dane Baptiste, Al Porter

TV favourite Noel Fielding is the host of the third episode and introduces the brilliant Dane Baptiste and Ireland's newest comedy star Al Porter.

Scot Squad. Image shows from L to R: PC Surjit Singh (Manjot Sumal), PC Hugh McKirdy (Graeme Stevely). Copyright: The Comedy Unit

Scot Squad

Series 2, Episode 6

Volunteer Officer Ken Beattie discovers that there is more than meets the eye to a blind man he is assisting. Maggie LeBeau provides a tour of her call centre, while Desk Sergeant Karen Ann Millar is contronted by a case of cut-price bananas.

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