BCG Daily Thursday 24th November 2011

Jason Manford: I don't miss The One Show

Jason Manford talks to Metro about his career in stand-up, writing his autobiography, why he doesn't miss The One Show and what he thinks of the mixed reception of the talent contest Show Me The Funny.

The Cafe - review

Although the characters were undoubtedly larger than life, the laughs were not always as substantial. At times, things seemed to flip between jolly old people making worn-out jokes and having arduously kooky arguments about jam, and young people doing quick-fire dialogue about online dating and saying "laters" over and over and over again...

The Cafe review - Royle male strikes

You can get a long way on charm alone. After several hundred years of snoozing through Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Ralf Little appears to be getting his act back together.

The Café review

It might take a while, but these characters could become as lovable to us as they already clearly are to their creators.

The real-life Rev fights back with tough love

Vicar Paul Turp, who inspired the hit BBC TV series Rev, confesses all.

TV matters: Only Fools and Horses

Viewers will laugh again when the much-loved chandelier scene is repeated - but what does that tell us about comedy?

Too far, Jimmy Carr: Fury at Down's kids joke

Jimmy Carr sparked fury with a sick joke about Down's Syndrome children.

Christmas gift guide: Stand-up comedy DVDs

Ten of the best stand-up DVDs out this Christmas for your delectation.

QI: Quite interesting facts about pigs

A quietly intriguing column from the brains behind QI, the BBC quiz show. This week: QI pigs out.

Ruth Jones: Gavin and Stacey special is being planned

Ruth Jones, who stunned fans earlier this week as she showed off her dramatic weight loss, has revealed that she and Gavin and Stacey co-creator James Corden are planning to write more of the hit TV series in the future.

Hugh Laurie to end 30-year TV career when House ends

Hugh Laurie will quit television after his award-winning medical drama House finishes.

Tim Vine on life, laughter and trouser-themed pop music

The Punslinger himself talks comedy with Claire Webb.

Phill Jupitus to star in Big Society musical

Comedian Phill Jupitus is to appear in a new musical at the recently reopened City Varieties music hall in Leeds.

Mongrels series 2 episode 4 review

I was completely and utterly wrong. This episode is certainly the best of Series 2 so far and, without doubt, lives up Series 1.

Twitter wars between Russell Brand and Stephen Fry

It's @rustyrockets v @stephenfry for the UK Twitter crown, but who are the other biggest Tweeters in the business?

Tim Vine: the comedian who puts the pun into punchline

Comedian Tim Vine on jokes, his brother Jeremy and the pluses of being a posh idiot.

Leicester festival launches contest for older comedians

The Leicester Comedy Festival has launched a new competition for stand up comedians over the age of 55.

Freddie Starr: I'll never go back to the jungle

Freddie Starr Starr has revealed he would not go back to the I'm A Celebrity jungle for a million pounds.

The Café review

If you're the kind of person who finds people-watching to be a most edifying pastime, and the richness of words a real tonic, then you are on safe ground here, just about four yards short of the shifting sands of Weston.

Tim Minchin interview

Tim Minchin is worried that he'll take too long to answer each question (he has form, apparently). Nonetheless, we proceed tentatively to the first... is he a musician or a comedian?

"I'm a musician."

Paddy McGuinness interview

"I was walking down Oxford Street earlier in London, and I got the sense, if I were to fall down, everyone would just keep walking over me."

Rob Deering promises laughs at Christmas gig

Comedians often road test fresh material by playing small gigs to gauge audience reaction. None of that for Rob Deering, though - he prefers to try out his latest gags on the wife, even though she never finds them funny.

Tim's stars are worth a Minchin

I am going down to London at the beginning of the week to attend the press night of the musical Matilda, with lyrics and music by Tim Minchin.

Paddy McGuinness on Northern humour

"I was walking down Oxford Street earlier in London, and I got the sense, if I were to fall down, everyone would just keep walking over me." So speaks a true northerner, Paddy McGuinness, who reflects on his native land of Bolton.