BCG Daily Saturday 10th August 2013
Press clippings
This week's best Edinburgh comedy
Reviews of The Wrestling II, Michael Che and John Kearns.
James Kettle, The Guardian, 10th August 2013John Cleese waits on news about the movie
John Cleese has spoken of his sadness over stalled plans to reunite the Monty Python clan.
The Daily Express, 10th August 2013Joz Norris' Edinburgh Fringe blog: 06
As has by now become my routine, I am front-rolling merrily down the Royal Mile in my morphsuit, arms outstretched and clutching flyers for all who wish to grasp them, when who should I run into but Sara Shulman, the editor of [Laugh Out London's biggest rival! - Ed] Comedy Blogedy. "Joz!! she cries, and has to forcibly arrest my momentum because the Mile is one steep road.
Joz Norris, Laugh Out London, 10th August 2013Edinburgh Fringe 2013 interview: Darts Wives
WAGS are so last season. This year it's all about the DWAGS! A kiss-and-tell sex texter, a bout of dartitus and a bitchy domestic about prize money. Meet the Beckhams and the Rooneys of the oche in this hilarious, no-holds-barred exposé of the passionate, competitive, dramatic world of darts where what matters more than anything is finishing on a double! More information about their show can be found at the end of their interview.
The New Current, 10th August 2013Edinburgh Fringe 2013 interview Shawn Hitchens
We are very happy to announce Shawn Hitchens new show Ginger Nation will be performed at PNH Free Fringe this year. The show has already gone down a storm in Canada and is likely to follow suit in Edinburgh. This year also marks the 1st Ginger Pride Walk - more information about this is in the link below.
The New Current, 10th August 2013Edinburgh Fringe 2013 interview Henry Maynard
Simply the greatest vaudevillian double act ever conceived for the small stage, present for your viewing pleasure a plethora of pleasing plays and skits! Expect riotous exploits, malarkey, molestation and mirth of a magnitude hitherto unseen in Bristo Square!
The New Current, 10th August 2013Edinburgh Fringe 2013 interview Dan Nightingale
An interview with Dan Nightingale about his Fringe show.
The New Current, 10th August 2013Edinburgh Fringe 2013 interview Gary Delaney
The multiple award winning stand up is known for his quick wit and his amazing oneliners. Sit back and enjoy one of the UK's most gifted comedy scribes and leave with a very special gift from the man himself.
The New Current, 10th August 2013Edinburgh Fringe 2013 interview David Trent
Interview with David Trent about his new Fringe show.
The New Current, 10th August 2013Edinburgh Fringe 2013 interview Katie Mulgrew
An interview with Katie Mulgrew about her new Fringe show.
The New Current, 10th August 2013Edinburgh Fringe 2013 interview Ben Van Der Velde
An interview with Ben Van Der Velde about his Fringe show.
The New Current, 10th August 2013Edinburgh Fringe 2013 interview Rhys Nicholson
Interview with Rhys Nicholson about his Fringe show.
The New Current, 10th August 2013Edinburgh Fringe 2013 interview The Dead Secrets
An interview with the sketch troupe The Dead Secrets about their Fringe Bulletproof Jest.
The New Current, 10th August 2013PM rejects Fry's call for boycott of Russia's Olympics
The Prime Minister has rejected a call from broadcaster Stephen Fry to strip Russia of the 2014 Winter Olympics because of its treatment of gay people.
BBC News, 10th August 2013Redheads stage Ginger Pride march at Edinburgh Fringe
People with red hair are showing off their true colours in a march through Edinburgh.
BBC News, 10th August 2013Listed: Sitcoms that became movies
Knowing me, knowing Vue! The Alan Partridge film is finally here, but which other sitcoms have successfully made the jump to the big screen?
James Williams, The Arts Desk, 10th August 2013Meet the new star of Saturday night TV - a puppet
He's got Brucie's chin and Vernon Kay's voice - it's Dougie Colon and he's ready to take over your Saturday nights with That Puppet Game Show.
Claire Webb, Radio Times, 10th August 2013Radio Times review
Cracking Saturday night family telly is tough, and bringing in puppets - even Jim Henson puppets - might seem like a last resort. But That Puppet Game Show, in which two celebrities vie for a £10,000 charity prize on a game show presented and staffed entirely by puppets, is no cheap'n'flimsy weekend whimsy. Each puppet, from host Dougie Colon (think Vernon Kay by way of Peter Kay) to softly spoken but ballsy show producer Mancie O'Neill, has a "personality" to go with their distinctively wide, smooth Henson mouths. The celebrities, this week Jonathan Ross and Katherine Jenkins, are game. And the challenges, which are facilitated by small, bendy frankfurters in clothes, are more than likely to raise a laugh from the average sofa.
Emma Sturgess, Radio Times, 10th August 2013That Puppet Game Show fails to fill the primetime slot
That Puppet Game Show represents the BBC's latest attempt to fill the coveted Saturday night primetime slot but only manages to tick some of the boxes required of it.
Oliver Todd, Metro, 10th August 2013Opinion: Awards - Who Needs Them?
The Edinburgh Fringe 2013 is one week old and already there is talk of awards contenders.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 10th August 2013Opinion: Edfringe 2013 - The year of stand-up angst?
Best shows of Week One? No contest really. David Baddiel and Bridget Christie.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 10th August 2013Five thoughts about...Ronny Chieng: The Ron Way
Can the Melbourne fest best newcomer repeat his feat here? Probably not...
Andrew Mickel, Such Small Portions, 10th August 2013Five thoughts about... Thunderbards
The strapping sketch duo's debut show...
Andrew Mickel, Such Small Portions, 10th August 2013Brendon Burns on the job of comedians (Link expired)
It's a comedian's job to be funny - yet too many are more concerned with showing off how clever they are, says Brendon Burns.
Brendon Burns, Edinburgh Festivals, 10th August 2013Interview: Adam Kay on life without his piano (Link expired)
Former doctor and singer/songwriter Adam Kay has move on to stand-up comedy. As Kate Copstick finds out, it hasn't hurt a bit.
Kate Copstick, Edinburgh Festivals, 10th August 2013Tim FitzHigham: Three week challenges
Fringe legend Tim FitzHigham has been on many journeys and set himself many challenging tasks over the years to provide the marvelous stories that fill his shows, though this year there have been more journeys than ever before, as he tackles a flood of crazy challenges with which he has been set. Though the challenge we set him - to write a guest column - probably doesn't feature.
Tim FitzHigham, ThreeWeeks, 10th August 2013That Puppet Game Show, BBC One review
All the things that made The Muppet Show so great have been half-heartedly copied in a cheapskate fashion and paraded like a bad tribute act. That Puppet Game Show's awfulness is epitomised by the presenter, a bland, chinless wonder called Dougie Colon (pronounced "Cologne" and voiced by Vernon Kay). Somewhere, a little green frog is burying his head in despair.
Ben Lawrence, The Telegraph, 10th August 2013The Alan Partridge guide to Norwich
The new Alpha Papa film has put Norwich in the spotlight. Here's where to eat, sleep, shop and have fun in Norwich. It's OK, they're not all Alan Partridge haunts.
Sarah Baxter, The Guardian, 10th August 2013The end of the affair, as told by him and her
Ex-lovers mine mutual heartbreak for comedy in separate fringe routines.
Vanessa Thorpe, The Guardian, 10th August 2013Eric and Ernie are still bringing us sunshine
The lives and talents of Morecambe and Wise are being celebrated in a show at the Edinburgh Fringe.
The Telegraph, 10th August 2013Steve Coogan: bewildered by his own success
As his Alpha Papa film opens to great reviews, the TV comedian is increasingly resembling his Alan Partridge creation.
William Langley, The Telegraph, 10th August 2013Edinburgh Fringe: 'Ticket sales up' after Olympics dip
Edinburgh Fringe ticket sales are up on this time last year across the major venues, with many reporting increases in double figures.
BBC News, 10th August 2013That Puppet Game Show: Do we need it?
There's no way I would watch next week. Saturday Night TV is in perpetual crisis but I'd just quit now if this is the best they can do.
Victoria Prior, The Custard TV, 10th August 2013Jason Byrne on doing stand-up about his lazy eye
He might have built his Fringe show around a childhood problem with a lazy eye, but there's nothing workshy about comedian Jason Byrne. A massive tour and a new BBC TV sitcom follow his best-selling Edinburgh run.
Janet Christie, The Scotsman, 10th August 2013Spotlight on: David Morgan
Scott McMullon catches up with comedian David Morgan to talk about his trip to Edinburgh Fringe and his new show Pretty.
Scott McMullon, So So Gay, 10th August 2013Welcome to the house of fun
Series producer Jamie Ormerod, who has been working closely on the concept for the show with The Jim Henson Company, says it's exciting to see it come together after two years in the pipeline.
Kirsty Nutkins, The Daily Express, 10th August 2013Podcasts
TV & radio
11am60 min
7 Day Saturday
Series 5, Episode 9This week Al Murray is joined by Andy Zaltzman, Mark Steel and Ruth Pickett to pull apart and take a lighter look at the week's news. On the agenda this week: bongos and shamburgers.
1:30pm30 min
Comedy Am Byth
Why don't Welsh comedians talk about being Welsh as much as other nationalities seem to celebrate their heritage? Tom Price investigates, at Edinburgh Fringe.
6:45pm45 min
That Puppet Game Show
Episode 1 - SackedA game show run by puppets, where two celebrities compete to win £10,000 for charity. Jonathan Ross and Katherine Jenkins battle it out with talking sausages and a tipsy armadillo.
7:30pm50 min
I Love My Country
Episode 2In this episode, Micky and Frank are joined by Chelsee Healey, Jonnie Peacock, Christine Bleakley, Melanie C, Larry Lamb and Len Goodman.