BCG Daily Monday 3rd November 2014

Interview with promoter Peter Dixon

We talk to Peter Dixon, who runs Funny Way To Be Comedy Club in Barnard Castle.

Griff Rhys Jones interview

Tiggerish Griff Rhys Jones on how anger got him ahead in television, coping with rejection and why Mel Smith's death was 'very, very annoying'.

Comedy review: Lee Mack

With relatively little fanfare, Lee Mack has risen to become one of the UK's most popular comics.

Review: Eric and Little Ern

This is a warm, funny, and nostalgic look at this special duo, which, without attaining any great theatrical heights, is still infused with admiration and affection.

Review: Richard Herring

Recounting hilarious childhood tales at an incredibly fast pace, it was hard not to be swept along by our besuited host's energy, even if his frantic patter was a little difficult to follow at times.

Pictures: Catherine Zeta-Jones's glamorous spy fights

She may have developed a reputation as something of an English Rose over the years, but Catherine Zeta-Jones was anything but as she continued to film Dad's Army on Friday.

Radio Times review

Voiceover artist Steven Toast is back in the studio, being tormented by producer Clem Fandango and a familiar-sounding man. Is that really Mayor Boris Johnson who wants Toast to record the familiar Tube warning "Mind the gap"?

The perpetually fuming Toast (Matt Berry, co-writer with Father Ted's Arthur Mathews) returns for a second series, which mines the rich seam of bawdiness opened by the first.

Toast of London is spectacularly coarse (in the opening episode Toast signs up for a Prostitutes and Celebrities Blow-Football Tournament). But Berry is brilliant as Steven, a hopeless actor with a career so far on the skids he has to dress up as Charles Dickens for a themed London bus tour. It brings him into direct conflict with his nemesis, the repellent Ray Purchase.

Radio Times review

An exodus of cast members in the last series means that we have lots of new employees to meet. Some, like Colin's nan Rose (Miriam Margolyes) feel too caricatured to be credible, but Stephen Tompkinson as thwarted doctor-turned-pharmacist Brian hits the right note.

On the whole, though, Trollied is now a shadow of its former self: the comedy is far too broad and the warmth seems to have left along with most of the original line-up. But at least the seedy Colin is still clocking on. He's been promoted, but is struggling with knotting a tie. Apparently, it's because all the ones he wore for his court appearances were clip-ons.

Radio Times review

After the summer reunion rekindled interest in all things Pythonic, Gold has now enticed celebs into choosing their favourite sketches for a nightly five-part series. Tonight, Tracey Ullman plumps for the Montys in drag rolling about in mud on a hillside (Batley Townswomen's Guild Presents the Battle of Pearl Harbor), while Noel Fielding celebrates the genius of one joke repeated, in The Kilimanjaro Expedition.

Jim Carrey, meanwhile, prostrates himself before the Pythons, or as he calls them the "Super Justice League of comedy", and recalls the effect on him of Ernest Scribbler: Michael Palin's man who laughs himself to death. You'll see why immediately: Palin's performance is uncannily Carreyesque.

Tomorrow night, wordsmith Stephen Fry selects Argument Clinic (oh yes he does) and there's more cross-dressing: Hell's Grannies, chosen by Eddie Izzard.

Frankie Boyle: UKIP is fair game for comedians

Nigel Farage's moan about 'leftie comedians' on panel shows is riddled with contradictions. He appears to want comics not to make jokes.

Radio 4 listeners angry at promotion of Brand's book

Radio 4 listeners have reportedly been angered by the BBC's "shameless" promotion of Russell Brand's new book.

Miriam Margolyes interview

Miriam Margolyes on success, sexuality - and meeting Will.i.am. "I'm surprised I haven't been more successful," says the Trollied star.

Jim Davidson, Sands Centre, Carlisle

Terrific gagmeister who delights in giving offence.

Bob Mortimer to be honoured for achievements in comedy

Bob Mortimer is to receive an honourary degree from Teesside University later this month for his achievements in comedy.

First pictures from the set of No Offence

Shameless writer Paul Abbott has penned No Offence, a comedy drama about police in Manchester, which is now filming across the city.

9 classic moments from Toast Of London

Steven Toast is back. What could be better then, than a brief reminder of the first series' career highlights? Can you hear us Clem Fandango?

Douglas Adams's secret stash revealed

Details of the previously unseen Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy material to be exclusively performed at Chortles comedy book have been revealed.

Jason Cook: Broken - Lowry Theatre Salford

Jason Cook manages to pull the routines off with a mixture of honesty and self-deprecating vulnerability that allows the audience to empathise.

Review: Jeremy Hardy

Struggling with a heavy cold Jeremy Hardy still managed - between bouts of coughing - to cast his wry eye and caustic wit over current events and society's foibles.

Blu-Ray and DVD review: Withnail & I

What makes Withnail & I a classic is their humbling familiarity to anyone who's ever been a bit down and out, or felt scuppered by the hand life has dealt (careers in the arts or otherwise). To paraphrase Charles Dickens: it's most certainly the worst of times, but quite possibly the best of them too.