BCG Daily Thursday 2nd April 2015

Learning man has a funny turn

After helping to educate people for 15 years, Gerald Strother now wants to make them laugh.

Interview: Steve Coogan is happyish

For all his renown in the UK, the 49-year-old Steve Coogan has yet to find international stardom.

Radio Times review

If you're wondering why we're not billing this as a comedy, that's because there's almost nothing funny in the latest tale. Instead, it's an utterly superb piece of drama, imbued with an increasing sense of dread - with the almost unguessable sting in the tail that this series delivers so well.

Little should be said about the plot other than that The 12 Days of Christine is set in flat No 9 of a tower block and it begins with a woman dressed as a nun and a man in fireman gear tumbling onto a settee after copping off at a fancy dress party. Hunky Tom Riley is Adam and Sheridan Smith gives another multi-faceted, stunning performance as the troubled Christine. Sitcom legend Michele Dotrice plays her mum.

Writers Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith pop up in minor but telling roles. And Pemberton deploys Con te partiro on the soundtrack, as he once did in Benidorm - but with devastating effect.

Katie Mulgrew wins Liverpool Hope Playwriting Prize

Comedian Katie Mulgrew has been crowned the first winner of the Liverpool Hope Playwriting Prize.

Dylan Moran review

Moran shows off his highly quotable brand of crackpot lyricism in routines about midlife travails, hipster scorn and feeling like a 'jelly baby with money'

Russell Brand p***ed off with Tom Cruise & Scientology

Russell Brand and Tom Cruise may have publicly bonded during their 2012 movie Rock of Ages, but the comedian has revealed he was left feeling somewhat snubbed by the A-lister. Brand was speaking about Cruise's famous devotion to Scientology on a recent audioBoom podcast when he admitted: "They didn't want me in their religion."

Lee Nelson: I've got what it takes to be prime minister

Comedian Simon Brodkin was born in Camden, but his most famous character, the unruly, football-obsessed Lee Nelson, is a South Londoner through and through. As a new Lee Nelson tour kicks off, he caught up with Alex Bellotti to talk football, politics and life in London.

Opinion: comedy goes back in time for titters

Full-length comedy shows used to be the showbiz equivalent of the May fly. They did their runs in Edinburgh, London and then on tour, and then they were gone forever. The comedians moved on to their next project. These days that is no longer the case. As well as everyone releasing shows on DVD or download there seems to be a growing trend for reviving shows onstage.

Babylon box set review

With Peep Show creators Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong on board, this comedy-drama makes serious points about police PR cock-ups - and it's really funny, too.

Al Murray sues Nigel Farage

Al Murray is suing Nigel Farage. Lawyers have been called to the bar after the UKIP leader accused the Landlord of breaking strict election rules by spending too much cash on his campaign.

Inside No 9: the best thing I've seen all year

Bravo to every single person involved in this incredible show.

'Charlie Chaplin seduced me when I was just 15'

Charlie Chaplin's divorce papers lay bare the film star's 'cruel and inhumane' treatment of his teenage bride during their short-lived marriage.

One of the best pieces of television for years

Sheridan Smith stars in one of the best pieces of television for years.

Introducing a new character

How do you introduce a new character into your sitcom? Quickly. That would be my advice.

Inside No. 9, BBC Two, review: 'sadly beautiful'

I haven't been a fan of all of them - often they're too arch for their own good. But last night Inside No. 9 pitched for something deeper - genuine poignancy - and in just half an hour it achieved it.

A lazy effort, even on its own terms

Chris Bouchard's cockney crime caper plays like a runner-up in a film-school competition to make a Guy Ritchie parody.