BCG Daily Friday 21st January 2011
Press clippings
Ricky Gervais plays down Golden Globe furore
British comedian Ricky Gervais has defended jokes he made about Hollywood stars at Sunday's Golden Globes, insisting he did nothing wrong.
BBC News, 21st January 2011Who should win at the British Comedy Awards?
Ahead of Saturday night's ceremony on Channel 4, Michael Deacon picks out who deserves to win.
Michael Deacon, The Telegraph, 21st January 2011Cultural Life: Sarah Millican, comedian
Interview with Sarah Millican about her cultural tastes.
Morgan Durno, The Independent, 21st January 2011Comedy of endurance at Studio 50's marathon soap-opera
Tonight an ensemble of 25 actors and musicians will embark on a stamina-busting, 50-hour improvised comedy soap-opera, the appropriately named Studio 50. This troupe of hardcore performers will be joined by 30 guest artists to help turn Hoxton Hall in London's Shoreditch into a New York nightclub hosting the 1977 World Disco Dancing Championships.
Julian Hall, The Independent, 21st January 2011First Night: 10 O'Clock Live, Channel 4
They had the big stories, but where were the big laughs?
Tom Sutcliffe, The Independent, 21st January 2011BBC Four's 'Hattie' captivates 1.6m
A BBC Four drama on the life of Carry On actress Hattie Jacques was seen by more than 1.6 million on Wednesday evening, the latest audience data has revealed.
Andrew Laughlin, Digital Spy, 21st January 201110 O'Clock Live: did the Channel 4 hype backfire?
Blanket coverage and unhelpful comparisons with The Daily Show meant 10 O'Clock Live was never going to live up to expectations.
Stuart Heritage, The Guardian, 21st January 2011Video - BCA 2011: King or Queen of Comedy nominees
On Saturday night the cream of British comedy talent will gather for the British Comedy Awards. We look at some of the nominees' best clips, including David Mitchell, Miranda Hart and Michael McIntyre.
The Telegraph, 21st January 2011The British Comedy Awards' most controversial jokes
The annual ceremony has a history of provocative gags made on the night by presenters, guests and nominees. Here are five of the most contentious.
Michael Deacon, The Telegraph, 21st January 2011Video: Comics regale skeptics with tales
Stand-up comedians Helen Keen and Matt Parker perform for Skeptics in the Pub at the Monarch in Camden on 23 December.
The Guardian, 21st January 2011TV Ratings: Question Time trumps 10 O'Clock Live
BBC1 politics show featuring Alastair Campbell and George Galloway beats launch of Channel 4's satirical format.
Jason Deans, The Guardian, 21st January 2011It's official: Red Dwarf to get full new series in 2012
Red Dwarf is returning for a new six-part series, it's been revealed. This is good.
Simon Brew, Den Of Geek, 21st January 2011The return of cuddly comedy
The nominations for Saturday's British Comedy Awards are full of comics you would happily introduce to your grandmother. How refreshing.
Andrew Pettie, The Telegraph, 21st January 2011Russell Brand to star in 'Rock of Ages' movie
Russell Brand is the latest actor looking to lend his voice to Rock of Ages, the Adam Shankman-directed screen adaptation of the stage musical.
Mike Fleming, Deadline, 21st January 2011British Comedy Award predictions
Top comedy writer Paul Kerensa (Miranda and Not Going Out) gives his predictions...
BBC Comedy, 21st January 2011Not Going Out series 4 episode 3 review
What I really enjoy about Not Going Out is that, no matter what the backing scenario for a particular episode is, it can generate 10-12 really solid laughs per instalment.
Simon Brew, Den Of Geek, 21st January 201110 O'Clock Live: more cracking jokes than breaking news
10 O'Clock Live, or Charlie Brooker's Have I Got Newswipe For You Mock The This Week Out Of 10 Cats as I like to call it, was a slightly awkward pastiche of news reportage, stand-up, political debate and satire.
Christopher Hooton, Metro, 21st January 201110 O'Clock Live review
Overall, 10 O'Clock Live started its run with a confident first step, but more variety to the features would be appreciated.
Dan Owen, Dan's Media Digest, 21st January 201110 O'Clock Live review
Some of the gags were sharp, particularly when you consider how up-to-the-minute the subject matter can be. The show kicked off with material on the Alan Johnson story - something which had only come out in the news a couple of hours previously.
Steve Charnock, Orange TV, 21st January 2011News Quiz: Why will there be no end of the peer show?
It's Friday, so here's a little treat from tonight's News Quiz, featuring Sue Perkins, Mark Steel, Jeremy Hardy and Hugo Rifkind.
Jaine Sykes, BBC Comedy, 21st January 2011Video: Ricky Gervais defends Golden Globes controversy
Ricky Gervais has continued to defend controversial comments he made about Hollywood stars while hosting the Golden Globes.
Appearing on Piers Morgan's new US chat show he described them as "jibes" and said he thought the stars had a sense of humour.
Piers Morgan, BBC News, 21st January 2011World of Jeremy Dyson, writer
The fourth member of The League of Gentlemen discusses his writing shed, early success and his boys' toys.
Jessica Salter, The Telegraph, 21st January 2011So far, 10 O'Clock Live just talks down to the kids
The current affairs satirical show left me feeling patronised, and confused about what its so-called young perspective means.
Oliver Laughland, The Guardian, 21st January 2011A quick chat with Charlie Brooker
Charlie Brooker explains how TV sold us a dream that real life failed to deliver in his new BBC2 show How TV Ruined Your Life...
What's On TV, 21st January 2011John Cleese: I'd be happier if aliens got my ex-wife
John Cleese has claimed the only way he could be happier was if aliens abducted his ex-wife.
Nicola Methven, The Scotsman, 21st January 201110 o'Clock Live: So What Did We Think?
10 O'Clock Live should comfortably recover from this initial backlash (which seems to have been over-hyped in a similar way to the show itself), but execs should have realised the importance of letting a show of this nature find it's feet and more importantly - it's chemistry - naturally. Essentially, given the players involved, this series should be too good to fail but they do need to do sort out the tempo.
On The Box, 21st January 2011TV & radio
7:25am15 min
1:35pm15 min
Piano Lessons
Episode 2Ronnie gets into deep water with Sophie's mum and Barry writes a remarkable song.
5:15pm30 min
Gigglebiz
Series 2, Episode 5Featuring Rod and Annette - where, as usual, Annette is blissfully unaware of Rod's latest prize catch.
5:25pm30 min
Sadie J
Series 1, Episode 2 - RobobootyliciousSadie fixes it for Dede's mum to come to the JLS concert with her, and gets Steve to help Dede with her robot wars fight night on the same night. Then Dede's mum turns out to be even less cool than Steve, so she tries to get her dad back, by sabotaging Dede's robot so he won't have to help her any more.
6:30pm30 min
The News Quiz
Series 73, Episode 4Sandi Toksvig presents another episode of the ever-popular topical panel show, with guests Jeremy Hardy, Mark Steel, Hugo Rifkind and Sue Perkins.
9pm60 min
Comedy Rocks With Jason Manford
Episode 2Fresh from the jungle, comedienne Jenny Eclair performs on the show; the ever popular Alistair McGowan also takes to the stage, as well as up and coming young comedy star Daniel Sloss. Music comes from Eliza Doolittle and The X Factor's Olly Murs.
10pm30 min
Fast And Loose
Episode 2Hugh Dennis is back with another batch of improvised games and sketches. This time featuring the talents of Justin Edwards, Humphrey Ker, Jonathan Mangum, Wayne Brady, Jess Ransom and Laura Solon.
10:35pm45 min
The Graham Norton Show
Series 8, Episode 13 - Vince Vaughn, Sarah Millican, DiddyVince Vaughn talks about his new movie The Dilemma, and hot comic Sarah Millican is also on the sofa. Plus actor, designer and music superstar Diddy chats and performs live in the studio.