BCG Daily Friday 30th January 2015

Why is Nick Clegg going on The Last Leg?

Nick Clegg's turn on The Last Leg tonight is quite unusual. The Liberal Democrat leader has picked up the gauntlet thrown down by the presenters of the topical comedy show two weeks ago.

Radio Times review

Jonathan Ross wades in first with a complaint that many of the people at Radio Times share, the misuse of the word "literally". His argument involves a news story about Britney Spears in which a reporter said, "She's literally on a rollercoaster to hell". As Ross says, if that were true he'd watch her all night.

Other issues are a bit more contentious: Frank Skinner has a surprising response to Michael Vaughan's suggestion that footballer Luis Suárez is wrong to bite his opponents. And, I think for the first time, the icon used for two of comedian Sara Pascoe's pet peeves is almost the same - one just wears a watch.

Radio Times review

As Benidorm goes, this one's a classic. Hoity Joyce takes a tumble in more ways than one and is soon elbowed out by Janey - Crissy Rock returning as the Solana's original scouse manageress. Geoff parades his new Romanian girlfriend, who believes he's a millionaire, while Jacqueline hollers through singing lessons with a cocktail pianist (none other than Bobby Crush).

But the ice in the shaker is Joan Collins, back as Solana CEO Crystal Hennessy-Vass. Unlike her debut last year, she features throughout this episode, interacting with many more characters. She hits it off with Blow & Go double act Kenneth and Liam, and there's a startling pay-off with Geoff (Johnny Vegas). Only in Benidorm!

Radio Times review

If you've missed any of this series, you can catch up in one go with this compilation. Of course, those who are offended by the show's occasionally lavatorial humour should leave the room during the gags about briefcase toilets, the genitals of the beluga whale, the sex lives of ladybirds and so on.

Granted it's not been the wittiest series of QI. So for me the best bits (they're included here and still made me laugh) were the panellists' riotous attempts to rotate their right foot clockwise while drawing the figure six in the air and Stephen Fry's messy science lesson about how to make a lava lamp using effervescent hangover tablets.

Shaun The Sheep: The Movie review

Shaun The Sheep may not generate quite the level of throaty guffaw that Chicken Run and Curse Of The Were-Rabbit in particular managed. Yet it's both charming and quite bananas in pretty much equal measures, retaining a firmly British feel and boasting a queue of moments that already feel quite timeless and wonderful.

Craig Hill interview

Ahead of his trip up north, bekilted comedian Craig Hill discusses where he finds comedy inspiration.

The Ruling Class review

Director Jamie Lloyd is to be congratulated for resisting the temptation to manipulate the play to reflect the current state of "posh" politics.

Why the British government doesn't like Del Strain

"Are you a Scottish National Party supporter now, or still Labour?" I asked Del Strain yesterday. "I'm at the stage now," he told me immediately, "where the rotted corpse of the three or four party system has gone."

Tamsin Greig webchat - post your questions now

The comic actor, currently appearing in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown in the West End, is joining us to answer your questions in a webchat from noon onwards on Tuesday 3 February.

This week's new live comedy

Previews of Count Arthur Strong, Katherine Ryan and the Leicester comedy festival.

My time Jesting About

This week, BBC Newcastle announced it would be launching Jesting About 3. As somebody that played a part in both Jesting About 1 (at the time just called Jesting About) and 2, I feel I'm in a good position to voice my opinions on the scheme. Despite the fact, this very website chose to omit me from their list of past candidates who have gone on to achieve great things! I bloody write for them, the dicks.

Review: Spamalot, Richmond Theatre (on Tour)

The old adage is that "Timing is everything"; this is true, and never truer than in the timing of this joyous and entertaining revival of a musical which seeks to do nothing but properly entertain its audience. Really worth seeing.

Josie Long sitcom pilot given full series

Romance and Adventure was inspired by elements of the comic's 2012 Edinburgh Fringe show of the same name, and follows a successful pilot from last June.

Fury over BBC writer's 'kill Assange' tweet

Supporters of Assange say tweets Thom Phipps posted about him were 'shocking' and 'dangerous' - and make him unfit to write about the issue.

C4 drops sitcom London Irish

The channel told Broadcast that it has no plans to move forward with the series, which ran for six episodes in autumn 2013.

Stephen Fry: 'God is evil, monstrous and stupid'

The presenter, who has shared his atheist beliefs in the past, told RTÉ's Gay Byrne that God would have to be considered "evil", "monstrous" and "stupid" if he existed.

'Rat: Induction' review

The neat comic ideas in this high-concept show are too often bulldozed by showy writing and madcap performances.

Interview: Rarely Asked Questions - Fin Taylor

Comedy Fin Taylor has decided to release his last stand-up show as a free download. He chose to do this in preference to a potential bank balance-breaking London run, but, who knows, maybe he will get a London run out of it.

Major comic stars appear for Organ Care Systems gig

A cast including Rowan Atkinson, Clive Anderson, Harry Enfield, Angus Deayton, Rob Brydon and many others will appear in '100 Hearts' at LSO St Luke's, London on February 10 to raise money for pre-transplant Organ Care Systems. John Lloyd of QI and The Museum of Curiosity will then hold a conversation with Andre Simon, Harefield's charismatic Director of Transplants, who will demonstrate the "heart in a box" Organ Care System in situ.

Nick Clegg proves to be a surprise hit with viewers

It could have been a TV disaster waiting to happen - but Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg certainly didn't disgrace himself during his guest appearance on The Last Leg.

Phoenix Nights: blagger's guide to Peter Kay's hit show

Everything you need to know about the series before the live shows kick off at Manchester Arena.

Simon Amstell interview

"How do I feel about Buzzcocks now?" he says. "I don't think about it too much. And no, I don't watch it."

Kim Noble interview

Kim Noble's first live offering in five years was the most-talked about show at last year's Edinburgh Fringe. As he brings You're Not Alone to London, we speak to the award-winning performer.

Film Review: United We Fall

It's not the hair-dryer treatment, it's "the hair-straightener treatment". This new film by director Gary Sinyor takes a look at the beautiful game in all its wacky glory.