BCG Daily Thursday 6th November 2014

Dapper Laughs banned from university gig

Controversial comedian Dapper Laughs has been banned from performing at a university after a campaign by students.

Radio Times review

Before this utterly charming series had even begun, headlines were written about the show belittling metal-detecting. Nothing could be further from the truth. The pastime was more of a peg on which to hang a sitcom about people, a celebration of the rural pace of life. It's gathered momentum and confidence as it's gone on, with characters we really care about.

Whether or not the series is recommissioned, the appropriately poetic ending has a "just right" feel to it, and it's better the more you think about it. For Mackenzie Crook, as star, writer and director, Detectorists has been a quiet but unequivocal triumph.

Miriam Margolyes interview

She doesn't like Tony Abbott's swimwear or policies, thinks Nigel Farage is frightening, loves Australia - mostly - and thinks Israel can be blind to its own faults. Anything else to add to the list?

The tweet @dapperlaughs deleted in shame

Dapper Laughs, the Vine to ITV2 success story; sweaty, street-harassment ballbag; and one-man argument for chemical castration has tweeted something delightful. But not delightful enough that he wants to leave it up for everyone to read.

25 painful minutes of Dapper Laughs' Christmas album

Nothing says Christmas like a urinary tract infection and a cash-in single, are we right?

Bertie Carvel interview

Bertie Carvel's role-playing childhood was ideal preparation for a varied acting career, from Miss Trunchbull in Matilda to a smooth press officer in Danny Boyle's Babylon.

Rhod Gilbert is Carmarthenshire venue donor

A mystery benefactor who gave money to help reopen a live music venue in Carmarthenshire has been revealed to be comedian Rhod Gilbert. The television star's donation - reported in local press to be nearly £3,000 - came after he heard about the campaign for the Parrot in Carmarthen.

Seann Walsh interview

"It's an hour of boring dross," he joked. "It's me again. If you know what my stick is, you'll like it. But things have changed since my last tour; I've moved in with my girlfriend and it's sort of about how that's changed things."

Tony Robinson: 'Maybe we'll bring Maid Marian back'

Sir Tony Robinson has said that he is "proud" of his classic children's TV series Maid Marian and Her Merry Men, which marks its 25th anniversary this year. When asked if there was any chance of a reunion, he said: "We talked about it at one time but it just disappeared. Maybe another time we'll do it."

Frank Skinner on cleaning up his act

So just how much of Frank Skinner's material in new tour Man in a Suit is lifted directly from his own life? "You'd be amazed. I embroider very little. I never completely invent anything. "I think it would lack conviction if I did."

Sid James - in profile

Perhaps best known for his many appearances in the successful Carry On series and as long suffering Father in Bless This House. James initially made his name as Tony Hancock's co-star in the radio series Hancock's Half Hour it would be the spring board to a hugely successful career spanning over twenty years until his untimely death aged just 62 in 1976.

Paul Foot, Hovercraft Symphony In Gammon # Major

Another year means another Paul Foot show that I just had to see.

Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre): stage review

A traditional working class musical about industrial action that sits worthily alongside Billy Elliot, Brassed Off and The Full Monty.

Fylm School redefines the comedy setup

Simon Munnery has redefined the comedy setup. We don't mean the setup to a punchline: Munnery has redefined the setup of the actual room, to wit he hosts his entire current show Fylm School from where the sound desk usually is - broadcasting his crooked-toothed mug onto a screen onstage via camera.

Russell Brand tweets PARKLIFE! & ruins it for everyone

The comedian and activist has seized upon a Twitter joke made at his expense.

Miranda's Tom Ellis wins newspaper damages

Miranda actor Tom Ellis has won substantial damages over a false story that he was failing to pay child maintenance to his ex-wife, actress Tamzin Outhwaite.

Dapper Laughs accuses us of stopping him raising money

Dapper Laughs thinks our review is hurting homeless people.

What happened when our female writer criticised Dapper

Dapper Laughs wasn't impressed, and decided to publicly call me out for my Scrooge-like attempt to sabotage his good deeds. Unsurprisingly, many of his followers responded with the same kind of predictable misogyny Dapper Laughs has made his trademark.

Review: Twisted Loaf, Soho Theatre, W1

I have watched shows from some strange places in the past, but this was the first time I had to watch the first ten minutes through a crack in the door. Having arrived one minute late for Twisted Loaf's show Half-Baked I had to wait for a suitable break to nip in. Once in I felt I should have watched the rest of this weird, discombobulating, occasionally sexy and frequently disturbing set through a crack in my hands.

My comedy hero: Vikki Stone on Bette Midler

Comedian talks about old-school humour, trifles and why Ms Midler would be proud of her new show.

Q&A: Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel

Duo discuss the personal influence of Morecambe and Wise and the responsibility of portraying the comedy legends.

The spotlight on... Darren Walsh

Walsh is the name, and punning's the game.

Shocking stats reveal comedy's HUGE gender gap

Panel shows such as Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You and QI have terrible female representation, according to stats from Chortle.

Stewart Lee discusses the evolution of Comedy Vehicle

'When I look at the first series, it feels like a different person; the character has changed by circumstances and ageing'

Vote for the nation's best toilet joke

Ahead of World Toilet Day on November 19, a host of comedians have thrown their hat in the ring, imparting their best toilet gags.

Dapper Laughs charity donations rejected by Shelter

Charitable donations raised from a Dapper Laughs album will not be accepted by Shelter.

Burnt offering: Matt Berry's Toast's no laughing matter

It's as if two sixth formers had watched a few old DVDs - The Dick Emery Show, Rising Damp, the odd episode of Bottom or Alan Partridge - then written down the first thing that came into their heads.

Why it's great that Detectorists will be back

Ben Dowell salutes a BBC Four series which was both touching and funny - and will be coming back for a second run following tonight's on-air announcement.

Eric Idle: We were an odd bunch

It is an odd thing to do comedy and we were an odd bunch. And it was not undergraduate humour, we are all graduates thank you very much.

Comic Phil Lucas puts fake planning notices in Brighton

A clutch of strange planning applications have been spotted around Brighton and Hove. They are the work of comedian Phil Lucas.

Why there will never be a British 'Daily Show'

Recently 10 O'Clock Live was consigned to the scrapheap of British TV history, alongside the likes of The 11 O'Clock Show, Tonightly, The Late Edition with Marcus Brigstocke and Recommended Daily Amount. It's a very special pile of semi-forgotten relics. They all reflect that golden goose for every ambitious TV producer - creating a successful UK version of The Daily Show.