BCG Daily Wednesday 22nd October 2014

Jessica Knappett on Drifters 2: "It's filthier than S1"

Jessica Knappett doesn't feel the need to defend E4's Drifters from its critics ("The ratings speak for themselves"), but the young actress/writer/producer is keen to hit back at accusations that the sitcom - returning for a second series this week - is unrealistic.

Russell Howard: US doesn't want my comedy show on TV

For most people in showbiz, cracking America is the ultimate dream. But what happens if you pursue that dream and in a nightmare turn of events, the States says no?

That's exactly what's happened to comedian Russell Howard, whose BBC Three show, Russell Howard's Good News, is moving to BBC Two in the UK.

"I have tried so hard, but they do not want me," he said. "We've tried to get it to like BBC America, but they're not having it."

Almost Married wins Best Feature Film award

Market Bosworth moviemaker Ben Cookson has achieved the dream of every up and coming director - to be able to call himself "award-winning".

His first full-length film Almost Married, which he wrote and directed, has scooped the Best Feature Film award at the Marbella Film Festival.

Top 5 Moments... Shooting Stars

Shooting Stars is without doubt the greatest panel show ever made, with it lasting for a healthy six series and spanning from 1993 to 2011. It remains a source of frustration for me that the programme was cancelled in 2011 as it definitely hadn't exhausted itself in any way. The best justification for this may very well be that the comedic style of Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer was a tad too strange for a new and evolving audience, though there is still a gap in my life ever since its cancellation. I have very fond memories of being only nine or ten years old and absolutely crying with laughter at the madness that is Shooting Stars, from its Dove From Above round to Vic's pub singing.

Where do QI get their facts and figures from?

Going in search of weird and wonderful facts can take you to Hawaii or the Himalayas - but you're just as likely to find geek gold in Wigan, writes QI elf James Harkin.

Steve Coogan to star in new 'Happyish' pilot in USA

Eight months after original lead Phillip Seymour Hoffman passed away, Showtime has announced plans to move forward with comedy Happyish. The premium cable network has ordered a new pilot, which will see Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge) succeeding Hoffman as the lead, TVWise has learned.

Natasia Demetriou - comedy's most nervous standup?

In a show inspired by men she met on Tinder, with supporting roles for her family and her dog, the Invisible Dot's Natasia Demetriou elevates her anxieties to an art form.

Sara Pascoe discusses life after the Fringe

Comic has extended her critically acclaimed show exploring sexual anthropology and falling in love.

Russell Brand cancels his book launch debate

Russell Brand was forced into an old-fashioned political retreat when he cancelled a debate to launch his new book after guests including the leading human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell expressed concerns about the make-up of the panel.

My comedy hero: James Acaster on The Rock

'It's nice to have a big muscly guy being funny and stupid'

Neville's Island play makes a splash in West End

Neil Morrissey has described the set of his new West End comedy Neville's Island as the most uncomfortable he has ever worked on.

Comedy greats to give talk at Salford Festival

The serious business of bringing comedy to the TV screen will be brought to life by the creators of BBC hits Twenty Twelve and W1A, along with Blackadder and QI producer John Lloyd at a major conference next month.

Josh Widdicombe interview

"I haven't had a break in so long I wouldn't know what to do with it."

7 reasons we will miss the show

All good things come to an end, so they say, and the finale came with a heavy slab of emotion, so a box of tissues was a must.

Catie Wilkins: Hey! Comedian! Leave them kids alone

Celebrity comics are taking over children's literature. Hmm, says comedian and children's author Catie Wilkins.

Matt Rees in Funniest Person in the World competition

Award-winning Welsh comedian Matt Rees is competing in the Funniest Person in the World competition in Los Angeles

Vic and Bob back to their best with House of Fools 2

Warning: Contains spoilers - As soon as Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer step in to their mocked-up living room, on the strangely tiny set of House of Fools, their chemistry is palpable.

Neighbours don't want Museum of Comedy bar

Not all of the new Museum of Comedy's neighbours in Bloomsbury have seen the funny side after it revealed plans for an alcohol licence.

Love, Rosie review

Love, Rosie plays out a little like a cross between a Richard Curtis film and One Day without ever managing to find its own groove. This is an enjoyable if weightless piece that will please romantic comedy fans, but struggle to speak to the unconverted.

Why rom-coms are good for the soul

A little happy, Instagrammed escapism never did anyone any harm, says Ellie Walker-Arnott.