BCG Daily Wednesday 21st March 2012

News

Press clippings

Dara O'Briain to host the BAFTA TV awards

Irish comedian Dara O'Briain will take over from fellow countryman Graham Norton to present this year's TV Baftas.

The Sun, 21st March 2012

David Walliams may cause BGT 90-second live delay

Simon Cowell is considering airing Britain's Got Talent's live shows on a 90-second time delay because of the unpredictable humour of judge David Walliams.

Metro, 21st March 2012

Python reunion: And now for something completely awful

Rumours of a Monty Python reunion lead Gerard Gilbert to wonder: why?

Gerard Gilbert, The Independent, 21st March 2012

Roger and Val is the best UK sitcom since The Office

The Office was a game-changing work of genius, and since then no British sitcom has been able to hold a candle to it...until Roger and Val, that is.

Harry Harris, Sabotage Times, 21st March 2012

Russell Brand's girlfriend is model Nikolett Barabas

It may have come as a surprise that Russell Brand gave up his A-list wife to cavort with an unknown. But it seems the comedian's new squeeze is actually not quite as anonymous as first thought. The pretty brunette has been identified as Hungarian model Nikolett Barabas.

Daily Mail, 21st March 2012

Where are all the female stand-ups?

Male stand-ups still dominate our TV shows, the live circuit, and last night's Chortle awards. Why? Sarah Millican, Josie Long, Isy Suttie and others give the inside story.

Leo Benedictus, The Guardian, 21st March 2012

Dirk Gently - Episode 1.3 review

The last episode of Dirk Gently returned to the show's default style, compared to last week's sci-fi/fantasy indulgence, and I have to admit that disappointed me.

Dan's Media Digest, 21st March 2012

Eric and Ernie brings some RTS sunshine

Eric and Ernie brought the BBC some sunshine last night, bagging two Royal Television Society programme awards.

BBC Ariel, 21st March 2012

Jesting About 2: All ears for pick of the sitcoms

The laughs from an invited audience of BBC commissioners and comedy executives are both hearty and plentiful at the Television Centre read-through of the two strongest sitcom scripts to emerge from Jesting About 2: Funny Gets Serious.

Claire Barrett, BBC Ariel, 21st March 2012

What? No Michael McIntyre? The Chortle awards 2012

The comedy website Chortle announced its annual award winners last night at a glittering, clown-studded London event and I have to admit I couldn't have chosen better myself. But then actually I was involved in the choosing, as part of the panel who whittled the massive comedy scene down to a shortlist which readers could then vote for online.

Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 21st March 2012

John Bishop: My week of hell for Sport Relief

Being asked to do a challenge for Sport Relief is like being asked to be the god parent to an ugly baby. Despite knowing you will forever have a picture of an ugly baby hanging on your wall in case your godchild's parents come to your house, it is very difficult to say no.

John Bishop, The Huffington Post, 21st March 2012

Radio 4 commissions drama about Dad's Army

Dear Arthur, Love John, by West End playwright Roy Smiles, will chart the relationship between Dad's Army stars Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier and focus on the creation of the beloved TV series.

Tom Cole, Radio Times, 21st March 2012

A night in the life of Hal Cruttenden

If you ever hear a comedian say they're "doing a Cruttenden", they're referring to ace stand-up Hal Cruttenden, and it means they're dashing around town cramming in as many paid slots as possible. Earning their keep. And nobody gigs harder than Hal.

London Is Funny, 21st March 2012

Interview: Steve Benham, TV Burp's Heather

In the run up to the last episode of TV Burp ever (or not if you believe The Sun!), we've been lucky enough to interview TV Burp favourite (and sausage lover) Heather, otherwise known as Steve Benham.

Harry Hill Fansite, 21st March 2012

Michelle Butterly: 'Trudy is bad ass!'

Benidorm fans will see spirited scouser Trudy play a very cruel trick on her mate Sam in episode six.

What's On TV, 21st March 2012

Mixed Blessings Series One on DVD (Link expired)

As Mixed Blessings - on the evidence of this first series - doesn't really exploit its central premise in any truly progressive fashion, it can only really be judged on its merits as a slice of mainstream situation comedy. As such, it's a decidedly average entry in the canon and not hard to see why it hasn't troubled TV comedy historians - or even the UK Gold graveyard shift - over the subsequent decades.

James Gent, Tachyon TV, 21st March 2012

TV & radio

1:20pm
30 min

Dani's House

Series 5, Episode 6 - Dani's Day Off

Dani pulls a sickie to have a fun day out with Jack and Ruby, but with Zarina on the warpath it's making her decidedly nervy... and ill. Maisy and Megaboyd compete to get on Britain's Got Weird Talent - how weird (and low) can they get?

2:15pm
45 min

On Mardle Fen

Series 4, Episode 4 - The Old Lost Road

An invitation turns up for 'Mr Hedges' to read a poem at a large charity do in the cathedral on Christmas Eve. Both Jack and Warwick begin to practice, using the heavily pregnant Zofia as a sounding board.

3:35pm
25 min

Diddy Movies

Series 1, Episode 3 - Space

A princess from another world needs help. Only the crew of the Diddy Star ship can save her from the planet of the Space Weevils.

5:15pm
30 min

Sadie J

Series 2, Episode 10 - Jazperilliant

Danny loses Roger, while Steve and Keith lose their sense of proportion when they get sucked into the latest video game. Back at the Y club Dede offends Ms V's nephew when she uses him as a way to complete the '10 things to do before you're 14' list.

6:30pm
30 min