BCG Daily Friday 22nd April 2011

Features

Press clippings

Heard the one about the 'bitchy' female comics?

Three leading comedians have been accused of perpetuating a "bitchy and irrational" stereotype of woman comics by the organiser of an all-female stand-up competition, after they criticised her for charging entrants.

Rob Hastings, The Independent, 22nd April 2011

Opinion: is proper 'sketch comedy' dead?

Before I launch into this attack, one should understand that I am not simply stating facts, hence the word 'opinion' at the beginning of the title. As a man who enjoys the pleasures of television comedy, I have recently found myself looking through the YouTube archives for 'A Bit of Fry and Laurie' and the other sketch shows submitted by the determined nerds of video posting, leading me to pose the above question: is proper 'sketch comedy' dead?

Mohammed Adnan, Giggle Beats, 22nd April 2011

Radio review: The Simon Day Show

New comedy set in a provincial theatre features the comedian in character- some old favourites, some new.

Elisabeth Mahoney, The Guardian, 22nd April 2011

An interview with Mike Lawrence

Maybe you know Mike Lawrence. Although he's relatively new to the comedy scene, he's been diligently working on his craft for years, doing stand-up, as well as writing and shooting films with friends whilst attending college and working at McDonald's.

The Humourdor, 22nd April 2011

Stewart Lee: Joking apart

When the BBC came to pull out clips from my 2009 TV series, Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle, for trails, they found it impossible to snag anything compact enough to use.

Stewart Lee, The Financial Times, 22nd April 2011

Arthur: so bad it could end Brand's Hollywood career

Review of new movie Arthur: Dudley Moore's Arthur was a lovable idiot. Russell Brand's is a narcissistic know-all in a remake so bad it could end his Hollywood career.

Chris Tookey, Daily Mail, 22nd April 2011

Comedy Dave, Jayne Sharp file for divorce

Dave Vitty and Jayne Sharp have announced their split.

Rebecca Davies, Digital Spy, 22nd April 2011

Michael McIntyre wowed by 'BGT' impressionist

Michael McIntyre reserved his highest praise for an impressionist on this weekend's Britain's Got Talent.

Paul Millar, Digital Spy, 22nd April 2011

Danny Bhoy and Simon McKinney: Good looking comedians

Like a Valentines' restaurant buffet, the offerings of the New Zealand Comedy Festival are diverse. Fortunately for comedy lovers, the quality is better.

David Farrier, The New Zealand Herald, 22nd April 2011

Videos

TV & radio

8am
25 min

Me & My Monsters

Series 2, Episode 10 - Chain Gang

When the monsters are impressed by a few of Dad's old magic tricks, Fiend decides to become a master magician. Of course, he is useless, and manages to chain Angela and Norman together - just as Angela has a date coming over!

10am
30 min

What's So Funny?

Series 1, Episode 3

Rufus Hound is joined by Dave Gorman as they present a half-hour, weekly whizz through the world of comedy.

4pm
30 min

Peoplewatch

Episode 1 - Pilot

Comedy natural history about human beings, Springwatch style, with live studio reports from all over Scotland hosted by top nature experts Attenborough and Irwin.

6:30pm
30 min

The News Quiz

Series 74, Episode 2

Snooping, Superinjunctions, and Sleeping on the Job: iPhone's tracking abilities, celebrity gagging orders and an air traffic controller who watched movies on the job get The News Quiz treatment. Guests this week are Susan Calman, Matthew Parris, Will Smith and Jeremy Hardy.