BCG Daily Monday 6th April 2015

Review: motormouth Mark Watson's flaws are fabulous

Bristol-born Mark Watson's neuroticism is central to his stage persona. Relaying his insecurities at breakneck speed, his voice cracks comically under the strain.

Interview: Josie Long finds love in a fun climate

Josie Long jumps with recognition when I tell her about my friend who, when alone in his open-plan kitchen, pretends to be a TV chef performing for an imaginary audience in the lounge.

Radio Times review

Fearsome Mum Della (Rebekah Staton) wants her girls to socialise so they are carted off to a party where the drunk host falls unconscious, Germaine has to watch her beloved (and awful) Lee Rhind get off with sexy cousin Cathy and bookish Aretha finds a soul-mate.

Della (who is quickly emerging as the star character) also meets her match in the form of hunky Michael. Maybe she's drawn to the fact he employs precisely the high-flown patter that, while not exactly dialogue in any real sense, is certainly a unique and ubiquitous signature in Caitlin and Caz Moran's bold and witty comedy.

Radio Times review

Only Sue Perkins could imply that former Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis is a sizzling dominatrix behind that sweet-natured exterior and get the whole audience -- and Ellis herself -- on side. Perkins is the perfect host for this canny combination of real moral dilemmas and sharp, unscripted responses to the problems laid before the panel of guests.

Here, for example, the comedian Sarah Millican has to decide what to do if the DJ at her sister's wedding made deeply offensive, sexist remarks to her before the party got started. Millican's first question is "Why am I at the party half-an-hour before everyone else?"

And so the laughter begins -- and continues.

Sanjeev Kohli: Scotland's only Gaelic-speaking Asian

Still Game's Sanjeev Kohli could have a new career - as Scotland's only Gaelic-speaking Asian comedian.

Online review: Matt Berry Does...The Boat Race

It's one of those things where you go "this is so brilliant why didn't they do it earlier?".

Review - John Kearns: Shtick

With unprecedented back-to-back 'Best Newcomer' and 'Best Comedy Show' awards from Edinburgh, it's fair to say that UK comic John Kearns comes to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival under the weight of great expectations. Fortunately for Kearns, and the Melbourne crowds, he is more than ready to live up to them.

#constituencysongs: Comedy on the campaign trail

It seems even over the Easter break the election isn't far from some people's minds, with a new game emerging on Twitter, where using #constituencysongs song titles are being rewritten to include, you guessed it, constituencies.

Interview: Gina Yashere ahead of Playhouse show

With Gina Yashere now blazing a trail across America, where she has been based for three years, it is hard to believe that the razor sharp comedienne had never planned a career on stage.

Ricky Gervais movie to get Netflix premiere

Ricky Gervais' new contemporary comedy film Special Correspondents is to premiere worldwide on Netflix next year, the streaming service announced Monday.

Inside No. 9 - The 12 Days of Christine review

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith's The 12 Days of Christine was revelatory, even for them.

New act of the month: Sammy Dobson

Sammy Tinkerbell (no, really...) Dobson is a 28-year-old comedian from Newcastle upon Tyne. She started stand-up in 2013 as part of a Comic Relief fundraiser to get people who had never done stand-up before to perform and raise money for charity at the same time.

Jesse Armstrong on his first novel

After co-scripting two major comedy hits, Jesse Armstrong thought he'd find writing a novel liberating. But going solo was a mixed bag of freedom and fear.

Charlie Brooker on the leaders' debates

What sort of person can't decide who to vote for, but can rate how much they like whatever they're hearing out of five, and wants to sit there tapping a button accordingly?

Elaine C Smith & Hardeep Singh Kohli to host SNP gig

Comedians Elaine C Smith and Hardeep Singh Kohli will be joining Edinburgh East SNP later this month to raise funds for Tommy Sheppard's Westminster electoral campaign.

Alistair McGowan to star as Jimmy Savile in Fringe play

'People are ready' for a Jimmy Savile play, says writer Jonathan Maitland.

You, Me & Them series 2 is funnier and more dramatic

Gold's first original sitcom You, Me & Them is both funnier and more dramatic in its second series, star Anthony Head has promised.