BCG Daily Friday 13th July 2012

Video: Stephen Mangan on emotions and giving birth

Actor Stephen Mangan, who has portrayed Tony Blair and currently plays a pregnant man on the London stage, spoke of emotions in the week when David Cameron's temper and the the "feisty form" of Conservative MP Ann Marie Morris were in the news.

Michael Portillo recalled losing his seat at Westminster - and also claimed there were "extensive similarities" between Andy Murray and Gordon Brown - as he debated political image and emotions with Andrew Neil and Alan Johnson.

The interview ends with the actor talking of his hopes for a new series of Episodes - in which he stars with Matt LeBlanc and Tamsin Greig.

Basil Fawlty, the paton saint of Friday the 13th

For many, Friday the 13th may be the one day where your actions (or inactions) range from staying inside, avoiding black cats, walk way out of your way to prevent you from walking under ladders, or even attempting to avoid buildings that have a 13th floor. Unfortunately, for Basil Fawlty, every day is Friday the 13th at Fawlty Towers without his even trying. When you think about it, in 12 short episodes, Basil experienced a lifetime of Friday the 13th's.

Live from Latitude: an interview with Al Murray

When you hear the word 'festival', 'pints' is surely never far behind. So what better way to kick off our coverage of Latitude 2012 than an interview with The Pub Landlord himself, Al Murray. James Harle tracks him down for a quiet word before his appearance in the Comedy Arena tomorrow morning...

Angelos Epithemiou interview

Digital Spy interviews Dan Renton Skinner, who is in character as Angelos Epithemiou.

Robin Ince's top 10 stand-up comedians

We asked Robin Ince to namecheck his top 10 (living) stand-up comedians.

Should Twitter entertain millions with public rows?

Comedian Janey Godley's tweets of a couple's train-bound row raise questions of how to protect our privacy in public places.

Q&A: Adam Buxton

'Who would I invite to my dream dinner party? The people I'd invite to my normal dinner parties'

Review: The Gong Show, The Shack

The rules are simple. Wannabe comics get just five minutes to take the stage and impress an audience with their wit and humour. Unfortunately, only the very best will complete their allotted time, because audience members can 'red card' those acts that struggle to raise a titter.

Dead Boss, series 1 finale

This show isn't terrible, but I often had the feeling that the production was doing its utmost to hide weak scripts and sign-posted jokes. The exuberant piano-based soundtrack became intolerable by Episode 4, and I wasn't a fan of how broad everything was played. It was too much of a cartoon for me, really.