BCG Daily Thursday 20th November 2014

Theatre review: Made in Dagenham

The events that led to the Equal Pay Act are inspirational, yet the stage production fails to make a lasting impression.

James Acaster interview

Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee James Acaster is zipping about on the radio, in the online series Sweet Home Ketteringa, and touring his show Recognise around the country. Last week he performed at Nottingham's Glee Club; and so, with a face inexplicably redder than any face has ever been, I asked him some questions.

Craig Charles leaves I'm a Celeb after brother's death

Scouse I'm A Celebrity star Craig Charles has left the jungle after the death of his brother Dean.

Radio Times review

The high-level political stuff among the Met top brass is the meat of this beefy satire. But for me the parts that work best involve the SO19 unit of armed cops and their brutal banter: it feels like the germ of a bigger, funnier sitcom in itself.

At the moment the everyday machismo is veiling the fact that one of their number, Warwick, is having a bit of a wobble, mentally. (He shot someone dead in the pilot and later was assigned to shoot a horse as part of his rehabilitation - they're all heart.)

As for the Commissioner and his eager spin chief, she has a brilliant idea: Metwork, the force's very own digital news channel.

Radio Times review

No howling laughs, but Joanna Scanlan and Vicki Pepperdine's gentle comedy nuzzles up and wins you over like a doe-eyed mutt. As their teenage offspring get closer, do-gooder Naomi (Pepperdine) gets the upper hand with dog trainer Nana V (Scanlan), but a confidence-building day for pups soon puts paid to that.

Meanwhile, Naomi is beset by an unhinged neighbour, Heaven Jones (superb Margi Clarke), and V flannels her lardy ex's nether regions. Everyone is terribly obliging in this show.

Shappi Khorsandi: I'd be happy to fill a comedy quota!

Shappi Khorsandi has joked that she would be "quite happy" to fill a quota on a comedy panel show.

Ricky Gervais: David Brent movie is a risk

Ricky Gervais admits making David Brent: The Movie is a risk to the character's cult status.

Review: John Bishop

John Bishop is one of those blokes you could spend hours with over a few bevvies down the pub.

Hugh Laurie to appear in Veep

Hugh Laurie is heading back to the small screen. The House star has landed a role in US political TV comedy Veep.

Theatre Review: Jeeves and Wooster

A night of light-hearted comedy was the perfect remedy for a drizzly November evening here in Southampton.

Justin Moorhouse and Jim Poyser launch company

Justin Moorhouse, writer Jim Poyser and marketing agency MC2 have joined together to form a new production company.

Robin Ince: Horror was a place where comedians hid

Twisted tales, ghoulish punchlines... Robin Ince on why many comedians are attracted to horror fiction.

Jason Manford interview

Jason Manford talks starring in The Producers in Bromley with Louie Spence and getting Mel Brooks' seal of approval.

Review: Live at the Apollo

With Sarah Millican, Russell Kane and Joe Lycett. Confined to a half-hour slot, the trio left us wanting more, which is the way it should be.

It's no joke being part of Stewart Lee's act

When comedians make critics the subject of their stand-up, it rarely ends well.

Daily Mash: The perfect mash-up of jokes and journalism

The Daily Mash is now the UK's biggest humour website, producing comedy "on an industrial scale".

Confessions of a celebrity jobseeker and British comic

Last year, I wrote a blog about Northern English comic Jimmy O. In July this year, he published his autobiography.

Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival appeal for book funds

The organisers of Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival hope to be laughing all to the bank as they try to publish a book about the event.

Lee Evans quitting comedy is the worst news ever

"This is it. Finished... it's the end," Evans announces as his Monsters tour races towards its finale. But his exit from comedy is a huge blow, says Emma Daly.

Mark Thomas to sue Met Police over 'snooping'

The Metropolitan Police is being sued by the television presenter and satirist Mark Thomas and five other journalists who claim they were unlawfully snooped on by a little-known Scotland Yard unit dedicated to "domestic extremism".

Babylon, series 1, episode 2 review

The mixture of highbrow and lowbrow comedy might sit uneasily together but it's still very funny.

Star support at premiere of new comedy Staff Room

Stars headed to support the launch event for online comedy series Staff Room at The Comedy Store on Deansgate Locks.

Martin Freeman to guest host Saturday Night Live

Martin Freeman will make his Saturday Night Live hosting debut next month.

Romesh Ranganathan interview

"Have I improved?" he cries. "If anything I feel I'm probably worse now. If you're ignorant and you do something, that's one thing ... but it's far worse if you know, and you still do it. And I know it."

'Babylon' season 1 episode 2 review

"Seriously? Police sponsorship? This kettling was brought to you by Morphy Richards?!" mutters Finn, in just one of the many brilliant one-liners spouted in this week's Babylon, which continues to prove itself as a contender for the titles of the best and funniest cop show of the year.