BCG Daily Friday 18th March 2011

Red Nose Day: Fake That ready for Comic Relief

Take That come face to face with their comedy doubles in a special sketch to be screened during tonight's Comic Relief TV extravaganza.

Your next box set: The Thick of It

The Thick Of It creates an outrageously ugly picture of politics - and still makes you laugh, and laugh.

Profile: Jerry Sadowitz, comedian

Arguably Scotland's greatest comedian, and undoubtedly the most underrated, Jerry Sadowitz remains a cult, enigmatic figure. A misanthropic monster on stage, appalling, obscene, ferocious, he holds nothing back - not his ugliest thoughts, nor his oft-exposed penis - yet he reveals little of himself, the sleight-of-hand of an acclaimed magician who's been keeping audiences speculating about his mind's furious workings for a quarter of a century.

Bring Back Whites campaign gathering steam

Full disclosure upfront. I have only seen two episodes from the first (and only) season of the BBC situation comedy, Whites, starring Alan Davies as an executive chef at a country house hotel that has "past his sell-by date". That said, I feel qualified to comment on the current "Bring Back Whites" campaign as this is a show that I have been tracking since it went in to production.

Rufus Hound joins Radio 4 Extra's comedy line-up

Rufus Hound is to host a show called What's So Funny? on new digital station BBC Radio 4 Extra, which will also include Comedy Club, a series featuring comics such as Arthur Smith.

Comic Relief challenge: how hard can stand-up be?

When six BBC radio presenters tried their hand at standup for the first time, were the results funny or farcical?

Video: Creating the agonising moments of film Submarine

The British film "Submarine" tells the heart warming tale of a young man's first experience of love and has already had rave reviews at this year's Toronto, London and Sundance film festivals.

It is directed by the Perrier award winning comedian Richard Ayoade, known for his roles in shows such as The Mighty Boosh and The IT Crowd, and stars Craig Roberts as 15-year-old Oliver Tate.

They spoke to BBC Breakfast about what it was like to make the film.

Jim Davidson cancels theatre tour

Comedian Jim Davidson has cancelled his first play, Stand Up And Be Counted, after poor ticket sales.

Newsjack Writers' Q&A

A third question and answer session for budding Newsjack writers.

Comic Relief's 10 best moments

What are your favourite funny bits from Red Nose day? We start you off with our most memorable 10.

Peter Kay signs deal to write a third book

Comedian Peter Kay says: 'I'm absolutely delighted and every night, thank the good lord for spell check.'

Chris Moyles sets new radio record for Comic Relief

DJ Chris Moyles has set a new world record by staying on air for more than 50 hours.

10 O'Clock Live has finally hit its stride

With the audience and the autocue under control tonight, 10 O'Clock Live finally had the breathing space to come into its own.

Audio: Enfield in Downton Abbey spoof for Comic Relief

It's Red Nose Day on Friday and the TV show begins tonight on BBC1.

BBC Radio 5 live Breakfast spoke to Harry Enfield who told Nicky Campbell and Shelagh Fogarty about the special spoof Uptown Downstairs Abbey he's starring in alongside Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley and Kim Cattrall.

Why do people tell sick jokes about tragedies?

Tasteless tweets about the Japanese tsunami have landed celebrities in trouble. So what makes people tell sick jokes about terrible disasters?

Have you been watching ... Friday Night Dinner?

Despite being mauled by the critics and riddled with flaws, the sitcom is finding its groove and starting to show promise.

Stand Up For Comic Relief: The winner is...

Over the past ten days, radio presenters from across the BBC have been nervously biting their nails in anticipation of the Stand Up For Comic Relief winner being announced.

Comic Relief 2011: viewers' guide

What's happening when during tonight's Comic Relief charity marathon on the BBC.

Udderbelly Festival Line-Up Announced

The full line-up has now been announced for the third annual Udderbelly Festival at the Southbank Centre and it's shaping up to be not only the longest season (running from April 29th to July 17th) but also the biggest the big purple cow has ever seen outside of Edinburgh.

Charlie Baker: I'm son of Jack Black & Sinatra

Flamboyant funnyman Charlie Baker has put his music hall style to good use.

James Corden on how he bagged a Beatle for Comic Relief

James Corden is told that Sir Paul McCartney would like to speak to him. "Yeah. OK," he says, outwardly quite cool, inwardly all over the place. Then, a few days on, he hears that the former Beatle will call him shortly.

Comic Relief's 24 Hour Panel People: We did it!

On 2 January 2011 we decided, with less than two months to go, to create the BBC's first ever 24-hour online panel show marathon - and 24 Hour Panel People was born.

Watch an exclusive clip from the new series

Comedy Central's resident prankster Olivia Lee is back for a brand new series of Dirty Sexy Funny.

Shameless star Alice Barry: From brothel to B&B

Alice Barry looks out of the front room window of her Blackpool bed & breakfast. "I stand here and watch the stag and hen parties walk into town," she says. Alice likes to see the revellers pass by but never invites them in.

Babble-gush as the Olympic clock ticks

It's sharp, and can make you wince, but it can't be hilarious because there is no central monster, as there is in The Thick of It.

A quick chat with Frank Skinner

One of the few good things to come out of the recession was the fact that it brought the quick-witted Frank Skinner back to our TV screens after he lost most of his life savings in the banking crisis...