BCG Daily Tuesday 24th March 2015

League duo open door to Inside No 9

League of Gentleman and Psychoville duo Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton are looking relaxed ahead of the second series of their dark comedy Inside No 9.

Raised by Wolves episode 2, TV review

Caitlin Moran's sitcom has got joie de vivre to spare.

James Corden's 'Late Late Show' debut gets thumbs up

Even James Corden didn't have high hopes ahead of his eagerly anticipated US TV presenting debut on The Late Late Show, but it appears he had nothing to worry about after the first show got the thumbs up from viewers and those notoriously hard-to-please US TV critics.

James Corden on US TV review: witty, inspired...

Though unknown in America, James Corden tore down talkshow conventions and performed admirably, especially in a retrospective of Tom Hanks's career.

Les Dennis wants to head back to stand-up

Coronation Street star Les Dennis has revealed that he would love to make a return to stand-up comedy.

Review: Suzi Ruffell & Romesh Ranganathan, Southsea

Of all the comedy shows I've been to, and that's a lot, I can't honestly recall an occasion when I have laughed so much.

Radio Times review

Paul Whitehouse and David Cummings's funny, moving and meaningful comedy about Esther Coles's community psychiatric nurse Liz allows some flashes of optimism in a most unexpected quarter this week: morbidly obese Graham appears to have found a girlfriend.

Of course everything remains trying for poor Liz in an episode that considers the scarcity of resources for the vital service she provides. We also meet a soldier with post-traumatic stress in scenes that are incredibly affecting - but also eerily plausible.

The techniques Liz uses are based on actual remedies and approaches that are being used right now.

Tommy Tiernan on fame, fortune, family and controversy

"Ireland is - and I mean this in the most positive sense - we're peasants," says Tommy Tiernan. "Even rich people in Ireland are peasants - rich peasants - and you can tell this from how they spend their money."

Richard Curtis interview

Notting Hill director fears he helped gentrify London.

John Robins picks his fantasy comedy night

Most comics just pick Richard Pryor and Bill Hicks and be done with it. Not Robins. Read on!

Charlie Brooker: why tug our forelocks to Richard III?

For somebody who did less for Britain than, say, Olly Murs, we're making a dreadful fuss of our late monarch.

Comedy Q&A: Ellie Taylor

An interview with stand-up Ellie Taylor.

Video: the comedians who invade your personal space

What would you do if somebody in the street came to you and touched your beard, took off your hat or even handcuffed you? How would you react?

More to the point, how would you react when you found out they were videoing the whole encounter, to post for other people to laugh at?

A new generation of YouTubers are taking comedy to the extreme by invading people's personal space during street pranks.

But while some think strangers can handle it, others believe everyone has the right to walk down the street unmolested.

Ash Atalla: my career journey

The Roughcut founder Ash Atalla gave an insight into how he broke into TV and revealed The Office may never have been made if his maths ability was better.

James Corden's TV show could learn from Simon Amstell

Corden's US TV debut is a success, but the mutual back-slappery of such chatshows is almost unwatchable - all the more so when the hosts are comedians.

Noel Fielding helps Amused Moose comedy club launch

Like the Centre Pompidou and roadkill, new material comedy nights are fun because you get to see all the guts on the outside. Comedians have to test out new jokes somewhere and yesterday the Amused Moose comedy club chose to inaugurate its cosy new venue above the Arts Theatre near Leicester Square with a packed night -- 12 comics including surrealist superstar Noel Fielding -- offering up freshly-minted gags for a lively and (mostly) sympathetic young crowd.

Les Dennis: It would be nice to get back to stand-up

Coronation Street star and comedian Les Dennis says he'd love the chance to return to his comedy roots.

Mike & Bernie Winters: from city market to TV stardom

They were loved by millions. After Morecambe and Wise these boys were the top double act in the land... and to think were once selling clothes on Norwich Market.

Inside No. 9 - La Couchette preview

It is not just the dramatic elements that work, but also the comedy. Anyone familiar with Shearsmith and Pemberton's work will already be familiar with their dark comic tone.

TV review: Ross Noble: Freewheeling, Dave

Every comedian gets the TV series they deserve. Grumpy stand-ups get sitcoms in which they play grumpy versions of themselves. Snappy stand-ups get shiny floor comedies. And so master improvisor Ross Noble, who goes onstage not really knowing what is going to happen, gets Freewheeling, literally a comedy roadshow - he hits the tarmac on his motorbike in search of fun, with fans on Twitter pointing him in various unexpected directions.

Mrs. Brown's Boys: How Now Mrs Brown Cow, review

'I've seen a couple of these touring vehicles now and this is by far the lamest of the bunch, a case of milking the whole thing to within an inch of its life', says Dominic Cavendish.

The day I met Caitlin Moran

I squealed in Morrisons when the confirmation came through I'd be interviewing Caitlin Moran on my radio show.

Dylan Moran interview

Dylan Moran, creator and star of cult favourite Black Books, film actor, writer and stand-up comedian, is in town with his new show Off The Hook.