BCG Daily Friday 25th February 2011
Press clippings
Benidorm - ITV1, 9pm
Fresh from being voted Best Comedy at the National Television Awards (by viewers, not industry bigwigs), TV's bawdiest comedy returns. And it's just what we need to brighten up dark evenings.
Jane Simon, The Mirror, 25th February 2011Benidorm: Charlotte Ward goes behind the scenes
Standing around a market early on a chilly winter morning, I can't stop shivering - and not just because of my thin summer clothes.
Charlotte Ward, The Mirror, 25th February 2011Friday Night Dinner - Channel 4, 10pm
Robert Popper - the writer of this new sitcom - is a comedy giant who can walk down the street without fear of being recognised. He's produced Peep Show, written for South Park and co-created and starred in Look Around You - the comedy science show. His TV and film credits are endless, but you might know him as Robin Cooper - pen-name for his best-selling The Timewaster Letters.
Jane Simon, The Mirror, 25th February 2011Sheila Reid: Women are having Madge-themed hen parties
Benidorm star Sheila Reid has revealed there are real life Madge-themed hen parties in the Spanish city - where women arrive on mobility scooters.
The Sun, 25th February 201110 O'Clock Live is still far from perfect
With one dud presenter and several awkward moments, Thursday's 10'Oclock Live proved that the show still has many mistakes to iron out.
Rachel Tarley, Metro, 25th February 2011Mrs Brown's Boys: TV Sitcom Review
New to the BBC is Brendan O'Carroll's long running stage creation Mrs Brown's Boys. A sitcom which features Brendan himself dragged up as an old Irish mother of six. The show will grab the headlines initially for its language as a lot of the humour features Mrs Brown's incredibly course ramblings being saturated in Fecks and Fucks. Somehow this language pleases the real live studio audience but how I'm not exactly sure.
A. Pinter, Comedy Critic, 25th February 2011Interview: Brian Donaldson
Brian Donaldson is Comedy Editor at The List and has written about comedy for The Times, The Scotsman, Evening Standard and The Herald. As part of a series of interviews with comedy reviewers, Ian Fox caught up with Donaldson.
Ian Fox, Giggle Beats, 25th February 2011Doctor Who series 6: James Corden definitely returning
Doctor Who's upcoming series will see a return for James Corden, the BBC has confirmed.
Simon Brew, Den Of Geek, 25th February 2011Andi Osho on Let's Dance: I've had four micro-cries
I've shot myself in the foot. Not literally, of course. That would make Let's Dance For Comic Relief too big a challenge even for me, and I love a challenge. It's the final week of training and I'm beginning to realise quite how difficult my routine is. Problem is, I chose it.
Andi Osho, BBC Blogs, 25th February 2011Interview: Friday Night Dinner creator Robert Popper
Robert Popper, creator of Channel 4's new sitcom Friday Night Dinner, talks about how he drew on his own family'eccentricities.
Marc Lee, The Telegraph, 25th February 2011Griff Rhys Jones: I don't care what young people watch
The presenter talks ageism, his serious side and his new BBC Two series Hidden Treasures of...
Chris Harvey, The Telegraph, 25th February 2011British comedy films that time, and Oscar, forgot
It may be Oscar time, but if you're really interested in a few classic British comedy films, head over to the local video store and spend some quality screen time before Oscar Sunday.
Bill Young, Tellyspotting, 25th February 2011Comedy writer Robert Popper on Tangerine gate
Award-winning comedy producer, writer and actor Robert Popper has helped create some of the most popular British shows on TV in recent years.
BBC News, 25th February 2011Reconstructing Jim Davidson
Jim Davidson, starring as a bigoted comic in a new play he has written, has apologised for any offence his humour might have caused in the past. So would it be possible for such a controversial figure to make a comeback?
Tom Geoghegan & Jon Kelly, BBC News, 25th February 2011'Benidorm' cast praise guests Bananarama
The cast of Benidorm have praised their series four guests stars Bananarama.
Alex Fletcher, Digital Spy, 25th February 2011Friday Night Dinner: Can It Pass The Inbetweeners Test?
I'll say it now: for viewers inevitably migrating to Friday Night Dinner from The Inbetweeners, it's nowhere near as rude, crude, and...well, funny.
Lucy Doyle, On The Box, 25th February 2011Backstage at the NME Awards with Angelos Epithemiou
Shooting Stars legend Angelos Epithemiou was clearly bemused with hosting the NME awards.
Tommy Holgate, The Sun, 25th February 2011Menier brings Ruby Wax show Losing It back for 2nd run
Ruby Wax's show Losing It, currently playing a sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, is to return to the venue for a second stint in May.
Matthew Hemley, The Stage, 25th February 2011Hashtag Friday: #notfringe
The best comedy hashtag on Twitter this week.
Spoonfed, 25th February 2011Benidorm Review: Costa Del ITV
Gold necklace of your name? Check. England Top? Check. Bad attitude with just a bit of campness? Check! All aboard the 9pm flight to big laughs on a Friday evening with the return of the much loved sitcom set in everyone's favorite holiday destination.
Nathan Rodgers, On The Box, 25th February 2011Tamsin Greig hopeful for more 'Episodes'
Tamsin Greig has revealed that talks are under way for a second series of Episodes.
Alex Fletcher, Digital Spy, 25th February 2011Comedy Writing: In praise of radio
There is no doubt that TV is where it's at. Every new sitcom that comes out is reviewed by all and sundry, generates a thousand tweets and opinions. The aspiring comedy writer, then, could be forgiven for overlooking radio. But they'd be missing out on acres of opportunities.
James Cary, Sitcom Geek, 25th February 2011Dylan Moran: 'Panel shows bore me'
Stand-up and Black Books actor Dylan Moran has criticised comedy panel shows.
Alex Fletcher, Digital Spy, 25th February 2011Review: Friday Night Dinner
In fear of sounding too much like the new controller of BBC One, Danny Cohen, who has apparently decided there are too many middle-class sitcoms on the channel, Friday Night Dinner did leave us gagging for some Shameless or Only Fools and Horses. Their dinners were so much more fun.
Sarah Dean, AOL, 25th February 2011Tim Key: on touring
The deadpan comedian, currently on the road with his poetry-crammed if.com award winning show The Slutcracker, talks about making things a touch bigger.
Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph, 25th February 2011Friday Night Dinner review
It was a good start and seems to be something of a grower. While it took a little while to get going, there were some very funny moments in the episode and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the eccentric Goodman family over the coming weeks.
Transmission Blog, 25th February 2011Videos
TV
TV & radio
11:30am30 min
Spread A Little Happiness
Series 2, Episode 1 - What are we going to do about Maria?The arrival of Hope's cousin Maria from Dagenham is a bonus, until she starts bringing her southern ideas to a northern makeover.
1:45pm15 min
Jonathan Watson's Big Society
Episode 3Featuring Jonathan's legendary array of comic voices, Jonathan Watson's Big Society takes a dig at Scotland's cultural and topical landscape as we enter an uncertain 2011.
5:25pm30 min
Sadie J
Series 1, Episode 7 - PartyliciousSadie's thinks she is too old to have a birthday organised by her dad, so she tries to help Kit and Dede organise her own surprise party.
6:30pm30 min
The News Quiz
Series 73, Episode 9Jeremy Hardy, Roisin Conaty, Dominic Holland and Susan Calman take part in the topical panel game hosted by chairman Sandi Toksvig.
9pm60 min
Benidorm
Series 4, Episode 1Gavin has a new holiday companion; The Garveys can't find Madge, but do find Cilla Black; Mateo is introduced to his new colleague Les (aka Lesley); whilst Les's son Liam tries to spend time with girls Natalie and Sam.
10pm30 min
Fast And Loose
Episode 7Improvised games with guests Greg Davies, Justin Edwards, Pippa Evans, Humphrey Ker, Marek Larwood and Laura Solon.
10pm30 min
Friday Night Dinner
Series 1, Episode 1 - The SofabedMum and dad are having a clear-out, but dad is reluctant to chuck away all his tatty old magazines, and ropes in Jonny to secretly hide the stash back at his flat.
10:35pm45 min
The Graham Norton Show
Series 8, Episode 18 - Matthew Fox, Diane Kruger, Jessie JGraham is joined by handsome Lost star Matthew Fox; Hollywood actress Diane Kruger; and Jessie J, winner of the Critics' Choice Award at the Brits.