BCG Daily Friday 12th December 2014

Video: Russell Brand & Nigel Farage on Question Time

Comedian and campaigner Russell Brand has called UKIP leader Nigel Farage a "pound shop Enoch Powell", during a debate on immigration.

The men were appearing on the BBC's Question Time programme, answering an audience question on whether or not Britain is "overcrowded".

The UKIP leader said the quality of life for many in the UK had gone down as a result of immigration but faced a hostile response from one woman in the audience.

Brand, who has spoken out about a number of political issues, also faced a call from the audience to stand for election to Parliament himself.

How Twitter reacted to Nigel Farage vs Russell Brand

When the Ukip leader and comedian locked horns in Canterbury last night, Twitter went into meltdown...

Radio Times review

The most jaw-dropping - or ear-opening - curiosity in this episode comes from Italy. Stephen Fry plays a song that sounds like a rap record, and kind of is. Except it dates from 1972 and is by an Italian comedian and singer called Adriano Celentano. What's weird about it is that the lyrics are all nonsense words chosen because they sound to Italian ears like American English. (It's called Prisencolinensinainciusol if you want to Google it...) The theme, you see, is lying and deception.

Otherwise, the lavatorial theme that has run through the "L" series is well-plumbed, not least with a diversion on an utterly bizarre Japanese "gotta go" briefcase-cum-commode.

Radio Times review

In the last series we saw what happened when Lee and co were stuck in an alpine cable car. Now our threesome are on a plane to a budget holiday when Lee's vibrant lunacy starts to cause problems.

To begin with, he's scared of flying, and Daisy's airhead asides don't help. When Lucy notes that there hasn't been a terrorist threat in ages, Daisy chirps, "So we're due one any day!" It's this kind of two-line rhythm Not Going Out plays on. That, and a twisted logic. "They're just doing important last-minute safety checks," Lucy reassures Lee, prompting the response, "If they're important, why have they left them to the last minute?"

Preview of the Black Mirror Christmas special

The feature-length Back Mirror: White Christmas special is possibly the bleakest thing ever made for Channel 4's comedy department.

Black Mirror: White Christmas review

Sentimentality offset with wicked wit. Charlie Brooker repeats Black Mirror trick, with feature-length festive special starring Rafe Spall and Mad Men's Jon Hamm.

Comedy review: Ross Noble

No one could ever accuse Ross Noble of being predictable.

Audience clash with Russell Brand on Question Time

Viewers liken Question Time to Jeremy Kyle Show as audience members launch tirades against Russell Brand, Nigel Farage and each other.

Question Time: Russell Brand sexism and bullying

Russell Brand came under fire for sexist behaviour and bullying fellow panellists during a chaotic edition of the BBC's Question Time programme.

Review: Lee Mack

Without his constant impressions of hardened Mancunians, it's difficult to imagine how he pads this show out in other cities.

Does Ricky Gervais deserve Golden Globes nomination?

Ricky Gervais's Derek has been mauled by many critics. So why has the actor and writer been nominated for a Golden Globe.

A journey from Daily Star reporter to pranking editors

Back in March 2011, I wrote my proudest ever piece for the Daily Star - my resignation. Little did I expect the minor media ripple it provoked.

Tim Vine interview: the king of the crackers

The act Tim Vine is most often compared to is Tommy Cooper: both big men with sharp wits, killer one-liners and a love of silly props. He works hard at his gags, fine-tuning them for weeks. Occasionally, they come to him naturally.

Russell Brand: Can an outsider challenge status quo?

Russell Brand originally made his name as a comedian, actor and radio personality but in recent years has developed a serious profile as an activist and campaigner. But the man who claims he is merely "a comedian on Twitter" is coming under fire for his rejectionist approach.

Farage vs Brand: a blow-by-blow account

Ukip leader Nigel Farage squared up to comedian-cum-campaigner Russell Brand in last night's Question Time - but a purple-haired audience member stole the show.

Opinion: Russell Brand on Question Time

Well he looked like a revolutionary, albeit a well-scrubbed up revolutionary. But he didn't sound much like one. I've been trying to work out what went wrong with Russell Brand's appearance on Question Time last night.

If Brand cared about his cause he wouldn't have done QT

He should have known that anyone who is genuinely anti-establishment will always come undone.

'Babylon' season 1 episode 5 review

After a rocky couple of episodes, it really feels like Babylon is back to full strength this week, with a barnstorming episode that finally brings lagging storylines up to a point of interest.

A history of Christmas specials

A look at the history of Christmas comedy specials.

Farage and Brand: cut from the same cynical cloth

Their big spat on QT/ actually showed how much they have in common.

This week's new live comedy

Previews of Katie Mulgrew, Adam Riches and Robin Ince.

Should Russell Brand keep to comedy on serious points?

It was refreshing to hear Brand's views on Question Time, but if Nigel Farage escaped their showdown unscathed, it's because the comedian is in unfamiliar territory.

'Black Mirror is the new Twilight Zone', says John Hamm

The Mad Men actor said there had been nothing like it on TV since the Fifties.

Video: How to be more confident as a stand-up

15 comedians reveal their tips and tricks on how to be more confident on stage.

Knowing Me, Knowing Yule - a look at Christmas specials

It's that time of year again. No, not when the press announce the death of the sketch show for the billionth time - although that has happened - it's the time things get a little bit festive. So I thought I'd continue a theme from last year and look at some of my favourite Christmas specials.

Opinion: Comedians who don't want press coverage

James Acaster was on Radio 5, and while he was there ostensibly to plug his extended Soho Theatre run, you could almost hear the cogs in his brain whirring as he suddenly realised that with the DJ bigging him up so much he might be attracting gangs of Doreen-from-accounts-in-deely-boppers drunken Christmas office parties to his show.

Comedy controversies and developing tastes

Comedians are human, they make mistakes (quite frequently actually) but after bringing so much laughter to the world we should forgive them. And most important of all, learn to laugh because after all - they are just jokes!