BCG Daily Tuesday 24th November 2015

Press clippings

Matt Lucas and Greg Davies are in Dr Who Xmas special

Doctor Who fans will rolling in the halls laughing this Christmas, as two famous comedians join the show's festive episode. Greg Davies and Matt Lucas will join Peter Capaldi's Doctor, as he 'hides' from "Christmas Carols and Comedy Antlers".

Radio Times, 24th November 2015

Kieran Hodgson recalls his first gig

Ahead of the final London run of his flippin' brilliant show Lance, character comic Kieran Hodgson looks back at a sweaty, laugh-free night in Shoreditch, 2009.

Kieran Hodgson, London Is Funny, 24th November 2015

Frankie Boyle on the fallout from Paris

"This is the worst time for society to go on psychopathic autopilot."

Frankie Boyle, The Guardian, 24th November 2015

Ofcom probe Jimmy Carr 'shortage of dwarves' gag

The One Show found itself at the centre of a formal probe by the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom after a risque comment about dwarves backfired. Jimmy Carr said: "I tried to write the shortest joke possible. So, I wrote a two-word joke which was: 'Dwarf shortage'."

Daily Mail, 24th November 2015

Joanna Lumley & Jennifer Saunders at fashion awards

They've been busy filming Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie over the past few months. And Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders clearly can't get enough of reprising their iconic roles for the big screen adaptation of the popular sitcom since they showed up at The 2015 British Fashion Awards in character as Patsy Stone and Edina Monsoon.

Daily Mail, 24th November 2015

Billy Connolly: 33 great quotes

"Never trust a man, who when left alone with a tea cosy... doesn't try it on."

The Telegraph, 24th November 2015

Sarah Millican: What is in my handbag

I should tell you I cleaned out my handbag a week before I offered to write this piece. But in some ways, that is more telling. Now you'll know what I CHOSE to put back in after the clearout.

Sarah Millican, Standard Issue, 24th November 2015

If 2 men sharing a flat's comedy what does that make me

The BBC call me up for a comment on flat-sharing as an adult man, and I start brooding.

Nicholas Lezard, The New Statesman, 24th November 2015

Hal Cruttenden review - mocks the weak with brio

The TV regular has constructed a plausible world full of self-absorbed, middle-class misanthropy, with occasional strikes against conformity.

Brian Logan, The Guardian, 24th November 2015

Radio Times review

This untypical episode about guarding prisoners of war suffers from limp gags and too much stereotyping. A little urgency is instilled with the suggestion that Walker may be a fifth columnist, and it does feature Mainwaring stuck down a hole "like Winnie the Pooh".

Listen out for Godfrey delivering the unimaginable line "Your tiny hand is frozen" to an Italian soldier, and some epic sentence-mangling from Jones, who puts his bayonet to good use for a change. John Ringham (who became familiar as Penny's dad in Just Good Friends) returns for the last time as Captain Bailey.

Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 24th November 2015

Radio Times review

See where Tim Vine got his pun-slinging, and Count Arthur Strong his comic ineptitude, in this daily collection of sketches. Tommy Coopers shtick of useless conjuring was endlessly funny. Typically he would get a big laugh from apparently hashing a trick, then a roar of appreciation when it succeeded - and he'd top that by unwittingly revealing the mechanics of the trick. Three steps to comedy heaven.

Look out in tomorrow's show for a surreal walk-past by "Oliver Hardy" ("It wasn't was it?" asks Cooper), a ventriloquist "Cooper at Sea" on a rocking set, and eternal straight man Allan Cuthbertson struggling to keep the star on his feet during a karate sketch - Cooper was 6ft 4in and big with it.

Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 24th November 2015

Radio Times review

This final outing for the sublime second series careers from disaster to disaster as the fallout from Rob's dalliance with sexy French colleague Olivia reverberates. He is thrown out of the house, goes to live with Dave (who's on a post-break up bender of epic proportions) and then falls spectacularly off the wagon himself; Sharon, meanwhile, goes drinking with "party pal" Kate, and does something she may come to regret.

It's safe to say that for everyone in Catastrophe-land the grass beyond the marital bed and home is far from green. But once again everything is done with wit, panache and an acute awareness of the day-to-day trials that afflict all married couples. I'll miss this fantastic show, but of course I will be doing so safe in the knowledge that Channel 4 would surely be as bonkers as poor old Dave not to bring it back next year.

Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 24th November 2015

Radio Times review

You don't get much bigger than the end of the world and Iain Hollands's drama squeezes every ounce of tension from the fact that Earth's destruction is not so much nigh as a living nightmare. "It's been quite a morning," says Mat Baynton's Jamie (or is it?) in the safety of the Slough bunker before we flash back to all the close shaves, dramatic escapes, self-sacrifice and redemption that have led to the final reckoning.

Earlier forays into the supernatural (we met God, played by June Whitfield) also prove not to be a one-off as divine intervention once more plays its part, alongside special effects of biblical proportions) There's a final twist, which may irritate you as much as it did me, but this is still an exciting and satisfying end to an excellent series.

Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 24th November 2015

Radio Times review

Things take a turn for the gross as Mark's attempt to steal April from her husband sees David Mitchell's gloriously pompous bank clerk volunteering for various unpleasant medical procedures (it makes sense, don't worry). But will his attempts to turn his love rival insane with the help of a little Byzantine church history succeed?

Jeremy (Robert Webb) has romantic problems of his own as he realises that he may have to keep up his many lies to his new boyfriend (and life-coaching client) for the rest of his life. Super Hans also makes another welcome appearance, this time with an attempt to facilitate a robbery at Mark's workplace. These guys, eh? When will they ever learn?

Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 24th November 2015

Radio Times review

After being hit on the head, terminal womaniser Steven Toast falls in love - with a man. And not just any man, but Jon Hamm, handsome star of Mad Men, who's making a film about Tommy Cooper in Dorset.

"I've literally never heard of him," Toast tells his giddy agent Jane Plough (pronounced Pluff). But once "the Hamm", as he is referred to throughout, walks through the doors of the decrepit Colonial Club, Toast (Matt Berry) is smitten. Not even he can resist the Hamm's fabled "charm and charisma" ("It's like black magic!").

Toast's puppy-like devotion - he makes Hamm a mix tape of marching tunes and spies on him as he undresses - is both idiotic and funny, and Hamm plays along with an admirable poker face. Watch out for guests Heida Reed (Poldark) and Brian Blessed as Toast's dad.

Alison Graham, Radio Times, 24th November 2015

Radio Times review

If Radio Times had a Scene of the Year competition I'd nominate a two-hander in the finale of this adorable sitcom. It's moving not only for what is said but also for what is not - and the back story suggested by it. In a pub garden, Lance (Toby Jones) nurses a pint, rueful about not hearing from the daughter he's just discovered he has. Smiley Sheila (wonderful Sophie Thompson), whom we thought was naive and a bit simple, consoles him with unexpected wisdom. And behind her careful words lies a world of sadness.

Not far behind are other insightful scenes: Lance and Andy discussing ambition; Andy and his mother-in-law (Diana Rigg) on priorities; and a real beauty between Andy and Becky: both absurd and affecting. But then Detectorists has always championed unfashionable things like kindness and friendship.

It's an episode of decisions, framed with a David Bailey eye and a nuanced script... delivered by actors who know they've made something of lasting value. Perfection.

Star/writer/director Mackenzie Crook told RT the BBC wants more, so we just hope it'll come buzzing back soon.

Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 24th November 2015

Radio Times review

At one point in this history of pre-televisual entertainment, Frank Skinner enters a rehearsal room to hear a classic music-hall song. It was a favourite of Dan Leno, a 19th-century superstar sometimes regarded as the first stand-up comic (Chaplin and Laurel were both fans). The song is called The Hard-Boiled Egg and the Wasp, but it's less entertaining than its title, even with the full-blooded rendition we get to see.

And that's the problem: music-hall routines, as extensively celebrated here by Skinner and Suzi Klein, haven't aged well, or perhaps they need the right context to work - not a larky documentary. At least Klein has a decent stab at impersonating the genre's queen - Marie Lloyd.

David Butcher, Radio Times, 24th November 2015

Radio Times review

Heaven knows, there's not much to laugh about in the news, which almost perversely means we need more than ever the pungent satire of Have I Got News for You. If we can't make fun of our fears, then we're lost.

Scotland's former First Minister Alex Salmond, now MP for Gordon at Westminster, is one of the guests. He has appeared on the show before, though some years ago, back when everyone, including him, had more hair.

Also trying to help us to forget our troubles is Sara Pascoe, a cheerful stand-up who's clever enough and observant enough not simply to be the female comedian who fills the "we need a woman" chair.

Hosting is everyone's favourite, the twinkly and urbane Alexander Armstrong. As MC of Pointless, he's king of the daytime quiz show, and also recently topped the classical music charts with his first album, A Year of Songs. Let's hope he gives us a tune.

Alison Graham, Radio Times, 24th November 2015

Comedy film studio is flattened

As the dust clears away from the latest casualty in the war waged by the 'regenerative' bulldozers, it's left to Londonist to sift through the rubble and find out just what we've lost with the current demolition of Teddington Studios. This was where Tommy Cooper, Benny Hill and Morecambe and Wise filmed their shows, as well as more recent sitcoms such as Birds Of A Feather, The Office, Mr Bean, Black Books and Goodnight Sweetheart.

Stuart Black, Londonist, 24th November 2015

Peep Show: Series 9, Episode 2 - Gregory's Beard review

There's a clear sense that Armstrong and Bain are having a lot of fun with this final series, and are throwing everything in and more - hitchhiking, attempted garrotings, a violent beating for one of the characters, the reveal of Super Hans real name - even an appearance of the legendary twins.

Joshua Worth, On The Box, 24th November 2015

Live review: Ivor Dembina, Old Jewish Jokes, Albany, W1

What is it that makes Jewish humour simultaneously so Jewish and so universal? Ivor Dembina's show at the Albany, Old Jewish Jokes, provides some clues.

Brandon Robshaw, Beyond The Joke, 24th November 2015

Review: Ed Byrne, Theatre Royal, Winchester

Outside, Looking In started life at the Edinburgh Fringe and Byrne has reordered parts of it, and the show benefits greatly from the adjustments

Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 24th November 2015

Sue Perkins is right: losing friends to relationships hurts

It didn't surprise me when the presenter talked of the loss she felt when Mel Giedroyc got married. We don't talk enough about this side of friendship.

Fay Schopen, The Guardian, 24th November 2015

A lesbian storyline was cut from Love Actually

There's nothing like finding out that one of your favourite Christmas films had a lesbian storyline cut to rid you of festive cheer. Bah humbug.

Carrie Lyell, Diva Mag, 24th November 2015

Sara Pascoe: Zoolander 2 is a step backwards for us all

Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of a trans model hurts anyone who has been boxed in by statements such as 'men don't cry' or 'women are nurturing'. Gender is a prison we all live in.

Sara Pascoe, The Guardian, 24th November 2015

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

Go Jetters. Copyright: BBC

Go Jetters

Series 1, Episode 9 - Lambert-Fisher Glacier, Antarctica

When Grandmaster Glitch builds his effigy in ice, his digging threatens the Lambert Glacier in Antarctica.

Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled. Image shows from L to R: Russell Howard, Reece Shearsmith, Alan Davies, John Robins, Tiffany Stevenson. Copyright: Phil McIntyre Entertainment

Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled

Series 3, Episode 4

Alan is joined by John Robins, Russell Howard, Reece Shearsmith and Tiffany Stevenson to discuss such varied subjects as Freddie Mercury's penis-shaped birthday cake, cruel animal mishaps, John Robins's nudist beach experience, recovering after general anaesthetic and being caught out by technology.

Radio 4
11pm
30 min
Liam Williams - Ladhood

Liam Williams - Ladhood

Series 1, Episode 3 - Truants

Misanthropic comedian Liam Williams tells of his teenage misadventures in the Yorkshire suburbs through evocative monologues and flashback scenes.

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