BCG Daily Friday 13th March 2015

The secret of Comic Relief's enduring success

We look at why Red Nose Day is so powerful and how it cuts across generations.

Radio Times review

The last time we saw Mr Bean he was bringing the house down at the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, playing one note of Chariots of Fire. Can he (alongside Ben Miller and Rebecca Front) possibly be as funny for 2015's Comic Relief?

Anyone who's anyone from the world of comedy is on BBC One for this comedy marathon. Dawn French dusts off her dog collar to become the Bishop of Dibley (despite some famous rivals); and David Walliams gets in a right kerfuffle as patronising carer Lou, who appears to have a new charge - Professor Stephen Hawking. Miranda Hart, Stephen Fry, Russell Brand and Cardinal Burns also pop by.

There are stunts, dares and the unmissable sight of Dermot O'Leary dancing his socks off (will he survive this danceathon?).

In between all this hilarity are sobering film clips reminding us what this is really all about: donating money.

Radio Times review

The emotional fallout from Beyoncé-gate is still being felt by Stella and next-door neighbour Michael, but fortunately there are some welcome distractions. Celia's ex-husband Dan turns up, Ben plucks up the courage to talk to Lily (don't get too excited) and there's an inaugural training session for Pontyberry Ladies Football Team.

Stella is the TV equivalent of a comfort blanket, its rich valley of comic characters always consistent. A word now for one who often shines brightest: Aunty Brenda, played with effortless "whatsaname" by Di Botcher. Along with Ruth Jones's epicentral Stella, Brenda holds the little community together with malapropian glue.

James Corden bares his bottom in photoshoot

He's set to become a household name in America as the host of the iconic The Late Late Show in a matter of weeks. And seemingly to give one last cheeky goodbye to his home in the United Kingdom, James Corden stripped off to pretty much nothing in a revealing photoshoot in GQ magazine.

Interview with hypnotist Keith Barry

Professional hypnotist Keith Barry talks about his role in You're Back In The Room.

John Shuttleworth review

It's been 30 years since former pop star Graham Fellows eased into his comfortable slacks and red polo neck and created versatile singer / organist John Shuttleworth. He still makes us laugh and long may that continue.

Patrick Kielty interview

As Patrick Kielty brings his stand-up tour back to Northern Ireland, the comedy star gives one of his most revealing interviews ever. He talks about his marriage to Cat Deeley, and other topics.

Mrs Brown star Brendan O'Carroll talks about his mum

Brendan O'Carroll's stage shows are so successful they generate enough revenue to make a serious dent in the Irish National debt. But in the build up to Mother's Day, how much did the Dubliner's own mother Maureen O'Carroll play in his success?

10 best Comic Relief moments

As Comic Relief returns to raise more money for a good cause, we look back at some of its best moments.

Alan Carr reveals Bieber was rude to Carol Vorderman

When Carol Vorderman appeared on Alan Carr's New Year's Eve Specstacular three years ago, the then-17-year-old teen star Justin Bieber told his bodyguards to remove Carol from his sight.

Lenny Henry honoured for work championing diversity

Lenny Henry will be honoured later at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards for his work championing diversity.

Comedian Al Murray 'too heavy' for parachute jump

Comedian Al Murray, who is standing for parliament in his role as The Pub Landlord, has been forced to cancel a parachute jump because he is too heavy.

Lenny Henry to host Olivier Awards next month

Lenny Henry is to present this year's Olivier Awards at the Royal Opera House.

'How to write a hit charity song' for Comic Relief

Sam Smith and John Legend have got competition for their Comic Relief charity single in the form of Brett Domino.

Phill Jupitus: My family values

The comedian talks about not knowing his biological father and how the job of a parent is to be a safety net.

Gina Yashere interview

The east London-raised standup reflects on life in the US, braving shark-like audiences who can smell fear - and John Cleese's disastrous turn as an MC.

This week's new live comedy

Previews of Birthday Girls, Romesh Ranganathan and Alan Carr.

Fred McAulay reveals how he dropped the "C-bomb" live

Funny man Fred, who presents the final audition of his BBC radio show MacAulay and Co today, survived 18 years on the airwaves without one swearing blooper - until he dropped the "C-bomb" two weeks ago.

Review - Gary Delaney: Purist

"What I like about that joke," says Gary Delaney, "is that people turn to each other and say 'oboe'. Even Derren Brown can't do that."

Pauline McLynn to star in East is East tour

Father Ted actor Pauline McLynn is to star in a touring production of East is East, which originally ran in London as part of Jamie Lloyd's Trafalgar Transformed season.

Fringe rant, Paul Merton, Dirty Girls and more

One thing that increasingly gets up my nose at the Edinburgh Fringe is comedians who do not do stage shows.

Comic Relief: Face the Funny, review

After a week of Clarkson-shaped hysteria, the BBC has given us quite enough melodrama already. Comic Relief felt like precisely the opposite of that endless soap opera: humble and honest in its aims and, for all the glitter and showboating, free of egomania. It was sweet, straightforward fun and will surely have packed viewers off to bed with broad smiles and a feelgood glow.

Jeremy Clarkson hasn't left BBC: he's mentioned in W1A

The controversial Top Gear presenter will be one of the main talking points in the second series of BBC satire W1A due to air next month, although he will not be appearing in person.

TV preview: Raised By Wolves, C4

You probably don't need me to tell you much about Raised By Wolves. Unless you've had your broadband connection cut off recently you will know it's the new sitcom written by Caitlin Moran and her sister Caroline recreating their unconventional childhood on a Wolverhampton council estate. And, of course, you can probably guess that it is very funny.

Jon Ronson interview

Jon Ronson on public shaming, dongle jokes and celebrity lookalike dogs.