BCG Daily Monday 19th January 2015
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New Punch-Drunk Comedy night launches in Blyth
Geordie stand-up Kai Humphries is launching a new comedy night in his hometown tonight.
Andrew Dipper, Giggle Beats, 19th January 2015Alex Edelman, Soho Theatre - comedy review
There is also political heft here. He reflects on his generation's disillusionment with Barack Obama and reveals that his degree at New York University cost him a jaw-dropping $191,000, which puts UK fees into perspective.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 19th January 2015Radio Times review
Sharon Horgan's young Irishwoman meets a handsome American stranger (co-writer Rob Delaney) in a bar and embarks on a wild affair that they both know will end when he heads back to the US. Problem is, she then falls pregnant and they decide to stay together and keep the child.
It's a premise that isn't as far-fetched as it sounds. She obviously needs the support, while he is adamant that his kid will have what he didn't - a dad who sticks around.
It's grown-up, rude, the sex scenes are hilarious and the two leads have a genuine rapport in a comedy that has you rooting for this odd couple all the way through, whether it is meeting her ghastly friends or coping with the medical scares that accompany her pregnancy. There are verve, panache and real things at stake here.
Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 19th January 2015Rab C Nesbitt to play Glesga granny
Rab C Nesbitt star Gregor Fisher will play a Glasgow granny in his latest role.
Paul English, Daily Record, 19th January 2015Sharon Horgan: 'It's hard to stay in love'
The Irish comedian and writer talks about her new Channel 4 series Catastrophe, the difficulties of romance while being a parent and the limits of satire.
Gabriel Tate, The Telegraph, 19th January 2015Sioned Wiliam is Radio 4's new Comedy Commissioner
Sioned Wiliam has been appointed as the new Commissioning Editor for Comedy, BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.
BBC Press Office, 19th January 2015UK Women In Comedy Festival to return in 2015
The UK Women In Comedy Festival is set to return for a third year as organisers announced new dates for 2015.
Andrew Dipper, Giggle Beats, 19th January 2015How real a threat to UKIP is Al Murray?
When comedian Al Murray said that he would stand in South Thanet against UKIP party leader, Nigel Farage, it heralded the arrival of his first "serious competition," but will the no-nonsense political outsider still be cracking jokes about the contest in May?
Rupert Myers, GQ, 19th January 2015Let's hear it for comedy albums
I've probably listened to more Bill Hicks than I've ever watched. Might the British comedy album (as per the title of Derek and Clive's opus) Come Again?
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 19th January 2015Sharon Horgan: I've mined my life for comedy
"We started looking at our own lives and the genesis of our relationships and we thought it might be nice to see the beginning"
Ellie Austin, Radio Times, 19th January 2015Rob Delaney: Why I have moved to the UK
US comedian and co-writer of the Channel 4 comedy Catastrophe tells Ben Dowell what he most loves about his new home - the NHS, children's playgrounds and fewer guns...
Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 19th January 2015Jason Manford shares first picture of newborn daughter
'Well knackered innit': Jason Manford can't hide his fatigue as he shares first picture of newborn daughter.
Daily Mail, 19th January 2015Catastrophe review: An enjoyably rude romcom
Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan's script still somehow manages to find the romance in their situation. Which is why none of it really qualifies as a "catastrophe". They're both nice people, they both want a baby, now they've got a baby. So, really, what's all the whinging about?
Ellen E Jones, The Independent, 19th January 2015Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan on Catastrophe
If you take an Irish woman, an American man, add some attraction and minus a condom, the result is a Catastrophe.
Frances Taylor, Digital Spy, 19th January 2015Catastrophe review: 'promising'
It may be coarse in places but, with more sentiment, Catastrophe may just work.
Benji Wilson, The Telegraph, 19th January 2015Why C4's new comedy is anything but a 'Catastrophe'
The six-part comedy focuses on two strangers who have several one night stand that lead to an unplanned, unexpected and perhaps unwanted pregnancy. This forms the basis of a truly enjoyable, and honestly laugh out loud comedy.
Luke, The Custard TV, 19th January 2015Satire should reform and inform... not rile
"The freedom to laugh at others' values and beliefs seems a hard price to pay with your life for..."
John Bird, The Big Issue, 19th January 2015How John Cleese got his accidental start in comedy
Known for his work in Monty Python, on Fawlty Towers and in various movies, comedian and writer John Cleese was originally on a path to becoming a lawyer before finding himself "accidentally" in a comedy troupe. Jeffrey Brown talks with the British performer about early influences, advice for young comedians and his new memoir, So, Anyway.
Jeffrey Brown, PBS, 19th January 2015Catastrophe, Channel 4 review
Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney have created a sitcom for grown-ups to fall in love with.
Barney Harsent, The Arts Desk, 19th January 2015The evolution of Josie Long
The eternally optimistic stand-up's new show is totally different from her previous offerings. We talk to the award-winning comic about her ever-evolving stand-up.
Ben Williams, Time Out, 19th January 2015TV & radio
9:30am30 min
Britain Versus The World
Episode 5Zoe Lyons joins Hal Cruttenden while the captain of the Rest of the World - captained by Henning Wehn - features Canadian stand-up Tony Law.
11:30am30 min
The Best Laid Plans
Episode 3 - Would Like To MeetSmallbone and the gang hold a speed dating event to raise money for the church roof. Will Smallbone find true love or, perhaps inevitably, make a complete hash of it?
4:30pm30 min
The Infinite Monkey Cage
Series 11, Episode 1 - Deception
5:15pm15 min
Gigglebiz
Series 4, Episode 11Professor Muddles puts a custard pie in his own face, dancer Enrico Paso Doble is distracted by a dirty window and Keith Fitt tries to break a three-legged race world record.
6:30pm30 min
The Unbelievable Truth
Series 14, Episode 4Ed Byrne, Holly Walsh, Richard Osman and Henning Wehn talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as Ancient Egypt, ice, rubbish and British food.
10pm30 min
Backchat
Series 2, Episode 3Join Jack Whitehall and his father, Michael, for a jam-packed edition of their comedy chat show. Filling the sofa this week are supergroup McBusted, and star of Pointless, Richard Osman.
10pm30 min
Drunk History
Series 1, Episode 2Tom Rosenthal talks The Great Fire of London, Andrew Maxwell on graverobbers Burke and Hare, and Rob Beckett on Queen Victoria's unwanted cheese.
10pm35 min
Catastrophe
Series 1, Episode 1Scorching chemistry, instant pregnancy, and genuine disaster provide the foundation for the relationship between Sharon ('an extraordinarily good-smelling woman') and Rob ('a sturdy love-maker').