BCG Daily Wednesday 28th January 2015

Stephen Fry reveals that he'd like to start a family

Stephen Fry has revealed he would like to start a family with his husband, Elliott Spencer.

Radio Times review

The tiny band of women who make up the Banbury Intricate Craft Circle Politely Request Women's Suffrage group think it's time to increase their number.

Gung-ho leader Margaret (Jessica Hynes, who created and co-writes Up the Women) has planned a rousing speech aimed at the village's downtrodden women workers. But none of them turns up to hear her rallying cry.

I can see that Up the Women's heart is in the right place, and it means well, but its few laughs are superficial and it feels underpowered. Still, the cast, notably the ever-splendid Judy Parfitt, a star of the memorable 1974 Suffragette drama Shoulder to Shoulder, here playing a mischievously lascivious aristo, has a high old time.

Radio Times review

This series never disappoints. The writing and acting is consistently top-notch and it balances dark comedy with human sorrow as expertly as a finely tuned racing car. In this episode we finally get to hear Andy's story.

The self-appointed head of the Alcoholics Anonymous weekly meetings has studiously kept his private life away from the rest of the group, but when he turns up in a suit -- or two suits as sarcastic Scot Simon keeps pointing out (the jacket and trousers don't match) -- their suspicions are aroused.

It is soon revealed that Andy (Eddie Marsan) is going on a date, his first ever date, after the meeting. And it is down to Simon (John Hannah), of all people, to persuade him not to wimp out.

Stephen Fry denies baby plans

Stephen Fry has denied that he has plans to start a family with new husband Elliott Spencer.

Charlie Brooker interview

Never one to mince his words, Charlie Brooker returns with a new instalment of satirical show Weekly Wipe.

Badman: Trying to prevent radicalisation with humour

In an unlikely partnership, counter-terrorism police have teamed up with Muslim comedian Humza Arshad (aka Badman) in an attempt to prevent British teenagers being radicalised by extremists.

Johnny Vegas and wife expecting first baby

Johnny Vegas and his wife are expecting their first child. The funnyman, who has a son from his first marriage, announced the news via Twitter, posting a picture of the scan and photoshopping a pint of Guinness into the picture.

Laura Aikman joins cast of Bluestone 42

Laura Aikman (The Job Lot) is to star in Bluestone 42. Joining the team later in the run of Series 3, Laura plays new arrival Ellen Best, a high-threat-bomb disposal expert who couldn't be less like the rest of them if she tried.

Work-in-progress - what is it worth?

I personally don't have a problem with comedians taking every opportunity they can to do warm-ups. In fact there is actually something particularly enjoyable about seeing shows in their embryonic form. You might, for instance, see Stewart Lee doing a routine that is destined to evolve into a TV classic, or, even better, get the Daily Mail's knickers in a twist.

Philomena Cunk's favourite TV

The cultural critic and Charlie Brooker's mate on her love of The One Show and why they should make SuperSteptoe And Superson.

Paddy McGuinness announces UK stand-up tour

Paddy McGuinness has announced a new stand-up tour titled Daddy McGuinness.

Douglas Adams managed to predict the internet's future

25 years ago Douglas Adams managed to predict almost everything the internet would become.

The sadly-missed comedy writing genius was no stranger to inventing the future.

In cyberspace everyone can hear you whinge

Jesting About is supporting comedy voices in the North East, not taking advantage of them.

Review, Catastrophe, C4, Episode 2

The brilliant news today that Channel 4 has given the green light to a second series of Catastrophe coincided beautifully with me catching up with the second episode of the first series on 4oD. I was so delighted - by both the news and the second episode - I nearly did a little jig around the room.

Review: Up The Women, BBC Two

The laughs are loud and come thick and fast and are genuine and not canned laughter. To my tin ears they do sound odd though. They don't have the same natural ring, for instance, as the laughs during Count Arthur Strong. Is something different done to them during the edit?