BCG Daily Tuesday 13th January 2015
News
Press clippings
Tamsin Greig jokes about idea of a Green Wing musical
Tamsin Greig has joked that Green Wing would make a good musical.
Frances Taylor and Jamie Harris, Digital Spy, 13th January 2015Drunk History review
In execution, the simple idea of drunk storytellers proves more entertaining than it ought to be, although there's probably a question mark over how long the joke will remain funny.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 13th January 2015Archive: 13 January 1968: BBC may lose Sooty to ITV
After 15 years, and about 200 programmes, dear old Auntie is showing signs of disenchantment with the puppet's creator Harry Corbett.
Anthony Tucker, The Guardian, 13th January 2015Why post-apocalyptic Britain isn't the end of the world
Fleeces, So Solid Crew and third nipples - Freddy Syborn, writer of ITV2's new black comedy, explains why armageddon doesn't have to be doom and gloom.
Freddy Syborn, The Guardian, 13th January 2015Greatest TV shows to watch now - the British comedies
20 great British comedies available on demand, from Peep Show and The Thick of It to Fawlty Towers.
James Gill, Radio Times, 13th January 2015Radio Times review
It's one long, surreal trip down memory lane for ageing impresario and self-styled noble, Count Arthur Strong. Recalling his teddy-boy days via unreliable flashback, the episode riffs on West Side Story, Oliver! and even The Great Escape. It all begins when a guilt offering from Michael (Rory Kinnear) takes Arthur out of the cocoon of Bulent's greasy caff and out to the airfield. Thanks to a cleverly constructed misunderstanding, an ordinary scene of two people walking towards some light aircraft becomes something hysterical.
Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 13th January 2015Radio Times review
The complete nuclear destruction of society might not seem like the obvious basis for a sitcom, but that's how this new ITV2 series kicks off. Youngsters Tom and Suze are brought together romantically by their assumed imminent death, only to get stuck with each other after the bomb drops.
Despite the slightly tasteless premise Cockroaches is actually pretty funny, with a vein of dark comedy well mined from the tropes of post-apocalyptic films combined with a very British rationalisation of events. Also, watch out for a fun role from Jack Whitehall (who co-wrote Bad Education with Cockroaches writer Freddy Syborn) - he pops up as Suze's street-talking ex, Oscar.
Huw Fullerton, Radio Times, 13th January 2015James Corden on taking over Late Late Show
James Corden has acknowledged that replacing Craig Ferguson as host of The Late Late Show will be "daunting".
Justin Harp, Digital Spy, 13th January 2015Russell T. Davies says Four Weddings 'infected' drama
Screenwriter Russell T. Davies has blamed Hugh Grant's bumbling character in Four Weddings and a Funeral for "infecting the whole of fiction".
Monkey, The Guardian, 13th January 2015Video: Adil Ray on Fox News 'Muslim Birmingham' comment
The Birmingham-born creator of BBC comedy Citizen Khan has criticised a terrorism commentator who said the city was a no-go area for non-Muslims.
BBC News, 13th January 2015Jack Whitehall and Michael Whitehall blogs
An eccentric son? A grumbling father? What do the comedian and dad Michael really think of each other?
Jack Whitehall and Michael Whitehall, Radio Times, 13th January 2015US TV orders Happyish series, starring Steve Coogan
Showtime has picked up the new series Happyish, starring Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Steve Coogan.
ComingSoon.net, 13th January 2015Opinion: never make friends with a comedian
After I posted a story yesterday about Stewart Lee standing in for Stuart Maconie on BBC6 Music's Freak Zone, it was pointed out to me that Lee had previously been critical of Maconie in his 2008 show 41st Best Stand-Up Ever. Lee was putting the boot into talking head pundits-for-hire and mentioned that Maconie, for a fee, can recall any aspect of human experience.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 13th January 2015Bishop Dawn? No! The Vicar of Dibley has had its day
Am I alone in wanting this sitcom revival madness to cease?
Chris Hallam, Metro, 13th January 2015Comedy and public information films?
Public information films featuring some well known comedy stars.
British Classic Comedy, 13th January 2015The Double review
In 2014, Richard Ayoade presented us with his latest directing project: The Double, an artistic representation of the 1846 Dostoyevsky novel.
Becca Moody, Moody Comedy, 13th January 2015Massive Dad review
This lovably stupid group breathe fresh air into traditional material - even the throwaway jokes are hilarious.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 13th January 2015John Cleese interview: Americans are a miserable bunch
In a candid interview, comedy legend John Cleese talks religion, making mistakes in romance, and the physical effects of fame.
Jane Graham, The Big Issue, 13th January 2015Miranda Hart makes her Hollywood debut in 'Spy'
Hart appears in new espionage comedy Spy as the best friend of Melissa McCarthy's Susan Cooper, a dissatisfied CIA analyst who has to step up to the plate and prevent a nuclear disaster when all other secret agents are compromised.
Huw Fullerton, Radio Times, 13th January 2015Joan Collins took Benidorm role as her sister is a fan
Joan Collins got a part in the hit comedy Benidorm because sister Jackie is a fan. Jackie, 77, took a box set to 81-year-old Joan's LA home. After watching it for four hours, a giggling Jackie rang creator Derren Litten.
The Mirror, 13th January 2015Cockroaches, ITV2 - TV review
Like The Walking Dead with a sillier sense of humour and a British TV budget.
Ellen E. Jones, The Independent, 13th January 2015'Last Tango in Halifax' season 3 episode 3 review
Last Tango in Halifax plunged straight in to the lesbian wedding of the year, with a twist on the old clichéd 'will they/ won't they' conundrum.
Sarah Lewis, Cult Box, 13th January 20155 reasons why you should watch 'Coupling'
OK, so you've just binge-watched all ten seasons of Friends in the last two weeks. Don't panic, friend! I have just the thing to ease you back to reality: Coupling, a popular BBC ensemble comedy that ran in the U.K. from 2000 to 2004.
Lara Rutherford-Morrison, Bustle, 13th January 2015TV review: Cockroaches, ITV2
It won't be the end of the world if you miss Cockroaches, but future episodes promise appearances from Alexander Armstrong and Nigel Planer and it certainly feels worth sticking with.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 13th January 2015Videos
TV & radio
Gigglebiz
Series 4, Episode 7Professor Muddles creates a machine to make himself young again, while sports reporter Keith Fitt attempts to break another world record.
I've Never Seen Star Wars
Series 6, Episode 3 - Rebecca FrontRebecca Front, a self-confessed scaredy-cat, is persuaded to take her first ride on a motorbike and read her first science book. But how much of it did she understand?
Blue Go Mad In Ibiza
Episode 2The boys find themselves being wedding planners and 'Bluesmaids' at a crazed fan's wedding. What could possibly go wrong?
Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled
Series 2, Episode 2The curly-haired QI favourite hosts a hilarious free-form chat show, where the conversation can go anywhere! With Ben Miller, Lizzie Roper, Patrick Kielty and Felicity Ward.
Cockroaches
Episode 1Tom, Suze and Laura stumble across the camp while wandering around the wasteland that was once England. Unfortunately, the place is run by Oscar, Suze's insufferable ex. They soon discover lack of food and water are the least of their problems.
Count Arthur Strong
Series 2, Episode 2 - The Day The Clocks Went BackArthur takes a flying lesson. A broken heart and Arthur's inability to get his head around the concept of the clocks going back leads to a terrifying mix-up at 2000 feet.