BCG Daily Monday 28th February 2011
Press clippings
Hill's 'TV Burp' sinks to three-year low
Harry Hill's TV Burp fell to its worst audience since 2008 as ITV1 was thrashed by BBC One in primetime on Saturday night.
Paul Millar, Digital Spy, 28th February 2011Friday Night Dinner: Sitcom Review
Friday Night Dinner is the first significant solo writing piece from the much travelled Robert Popper who is one of the men behind such hits as The Inbetweners, Spaced and Peep Show. The show which consists of the strong cast including Simon Bird and Tamsin Greig is set in the family home with the Jewish family meeting up for Friday Night Dinner which is very similar to a traditional English Sunday roast in terms of the occasion.
A. Pinter, Comedy Critic, 28th February 2011Interview: Eric Idle
Eric Idle is one of the country's most loved comedians. Born in South Shields, the comedian, actor, author, singer, and writer first rose to attention in the children's television comedy series Do Not Adjust Your Set, before going on to be part of the groundbreaking comedy team Monty Python. Since then Idle has starred in countless films, several Monty Python features, played in his own rock band, albeit a spoof one, and had an asteroid, 9620 Ericidle, named in his honour. In 2005 Monty Python's Spamalot, a musical comedy "lovingly ripped off from" the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, for which he wrote the music book and lyrics for, first opened in Broadway and has since toured all over the world. This February sees Spamalot reach the North East with six nights at the Sunderland Empire. Brian Beacom caught up with the comedy legend.
Brian Beacom, Giggle Beats, 28th February 2011Interview: Keith Farnan
Have you heard the one about the Irish lawyer who became a stand-up comedian - and took inspiration for his first major live show from Death Row?
David Lee, The Scotsman, 28th February 2011'Friday Night' exec pleased with ratings
Friday Night Dinner creator Robert Popper has revealed that he is pleased with the show's ratings.
Catriona Wightman, Digital Spy, 28th February 2011Al Murray TV quiz show to feature prizes of meat
Comic Al Murray is to host a new quiz in which contestants win prizes of meat.
The Sun, 28th February 2011A Big Silly Thing
Okay, enough talk about money and courses and radio. Let's do some script nitty-gritty: the time, A Big Silly Thing.
James Cary, Sitcom Geek, 28th February 2011Colin Firth 'would like to try comedy role'
Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth has said that would like to turn his hand to comedy after picking up his gong for Best Actor at the Academy Awards in LA on Sunday night.
Tim Clark, Get Comedy, 28th February 2011BBC revives New Comedy Award
A BBC stand-up competition that launched the careers of Alan Carr and Marcus Brigstocke is being revived six years after it was scrapped, with comedian Patrick Kielty lined up to present programming around its return.
Matthew Hemley, The Stage, 28th February 2011The Story Of Variety Review: Gone But Not Forgotten
Back in an age before TV ruled the world, the theatre was the place to be. Even better, you wouldn't have to get your drama from Eastenders because you'd be sat in the front row worrying about whether the man on stage with a cart wheel on his head was going to deposit it into your lap. Never before have so many people wanted the man on the stage to get it right.
Michael Anderson, On The Box, 28th February 2011Welcome to the BBC Radio 2 New Comedy Award 2011
Hello, and welcome to the BBC Radio 2 New Comedy Award 2011 blog. Over the next few months, we'll publish the latest news, videos, advice and behind-the-scenes info. from the project.
Lianne Coop, BBC Blogs, 28th February 2011Episodes Series 2
BBC Two's critically acclaimed international sitcom Episodeswill return for a new nine part series next year, written by David Crane (Friends) and Jeffery Klarik (Mad About You). The series has been re-commissioned by Janice Hadlow, Controller of BBC Two and BBC Controller of Comedy Commissioning, Cheryl Taylor.
Jon Aird, BBC Comedy, 28th February 2011Harry Hill's K Factor book launches in March
The K Factor spin-off knitting competition from TV Burp is launching in book form in March.
Harry Hill Fansite, 28th February 2011Showtime renews 'Episodes', 'Shameless'
Showtime has renewed Episodes and Shameless for second seasons, the cable network has announced.
Mike Moody, Digital Spy, 28th February 2011Interview: Rufus Jones
Emma McAlpine chats to Rufus Jones, one half of the two-man character act No Son of Mine.
Emma McAlpine, Spoonfed, 28th February 2011Friday Night Dinner - Review
Friday Night Dinner is worth a watch.
James Summers, Suite 101, 28th February 2011Videos
TV
Podcasts
TV & radio
11:30am30 min
Brian Gulliver's Travels
Series 1, Episode 2 - JuradiaThis week Brian talks about his adventures in Juradia, a country where every other person is a lawyer and has more than 16,000,000 laws, and seemingly utopian Incartia, where there is just one law consisting of two words.
6:30pm30 min
Just A Minute
Series 59, Episode 4The comedy panel game continues this week with Sir Terry Wogan making his first ever appearance alongside Paul Merton, Julian Clary and Graham Norton. Nicholas Parsons hosts.
8:30pm30 min
Max Boyce: The Road To Treorchy
The story of Live at Treorchy, the best-selling album that turned an unknown comedian and singer called Max Boyce into an international star.
9pm60 min
The Story Of Variety With Michael Grade
Episode 1 - After The WarSixty years ago every UK town had a variety theatre. Michael Grade tells the story of this lost world.
10:35pm30 min
Mrs. Brown's Boys
Series 1, Episode 2 - Mammy's SecretMrs Brown is concerned that her family are keeping too many secrets. Her daughter, Cathy, won't tell anyone about her new boyfriend and son Mark won't tell anyone why wife Betty has thrown him out.
11pm30 min
Mark Watson's Live Address To The Nation
Episode 1 - PilotMark looks at 'Ambition' - is it always positive thing to be ambitiously reaching for the stars, even if those stars are way out of our galaxy? Or should we sometimes be a bit more humble and accept our shortcomings.