BCG Daily Thursday 16th April 2015

Newzoids: no Spitting Image but step in right direction

ITV's satirical puppetry show lacks the heart and bite of its prestigious predecessor, but at least manages the feat of feeling fresh.

John Kearns: Shtick in Melbourne

The audience, always leaning forward to figure out what is going on through the layered complexities of his soul-searching, are mostly won over, initial reservations dissolving as they buy into his unconventionally endearing wit.

Noel Fielding review

To be an idea inside Noel Fielding's head must feel like being a ball in a pinball game, never knowing where you will be flicked, what you will hit or bounce off, whether you will light up the game or dribble into oblivion.

Radio Times review

More warped brilliance from the minds of Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, Cold Comfort is set at a branch of Comfort Support Line as volunteer Andy (Pemberton) starts his first day listening to tales of woe from random callers. It unfolds almost entirely via footage from a fixed camera in booth nine, with other CCTV angles, increasingly important, displayed split-screen on the side. Jane Horrocks plays the snarky Liz, sitting in the booth behind, while Shearsmith is their uptight overseer.

As the calls get bleaker and Andy's sympathetic nature is sorely tested, any real helpline volunteers watching this episode may well wince, but it remains gripping throughout. And there's a creepy pay-off.

Fresh Meat stars spotted filming in Manchester

Filming has been taking place across Manchester for the last three weeks although it looks like the cast chose the wrong day to film outside as they stood huddled together in matching puffa jackets worn over their graduation gowns in an attempt to keep warm.

The art of making faces: 'Mr Bean' turns 25

Bumbling Mr Bean, a character created by actor Rowan Atkinson, still provides the laughs more than two decades on.

Paul Abbott: I don't write for shock value

Paul Abbott has been speaking ahead of his return to Channel 4 next month with new Manchester-based police comedy No Offence.

Is it still safe for Catholics to laugh at Father Ted?

Twenty years after it first aired, the clerical sitcom remains one of Britain's best-loved TV shows - yet Catholics remain split over how relentlessly it pokes fun at the Church.

Review: The Producers

It's outrageous, politically incorrect and probably offensive to residents of several countries but the stage musical version of Mel Brooks' comedy movie The Producers is a jaw-aching laugh-a-minute, irreverent and often barmy two-and-a-half hours of perfect entertainment.

TV Review: The Delivery Man

ITV in Funny Sitcom Shock. That's the verdict on The Delivery Man, which hit the ground running last night.

Comedy's role in a general election

There's little in this campaign's comedy roster to suggest comedians will forcefully express any opinions about politicians - which is a missed opportunity.

Jason Manford has stepped in to save comedy night

Comedy Club The Hyena will move from the venue on Leazes Park Road to The Terrace Bar at St James' Park to create a new night with Manford.

Viewers bemusedly react to porny sounding series

Yesterday, Netflix emailed a whole bunch of people with what some might think an hysterically funny (others, not so much) suggestion for their viewing pleasure -- a little show called Scrotal Recall.

Review: Inside No. 9, Cold Comfort

We're treated to a new perspective for this week's Inside No. 9, as we watch its grimly funny yarn spin out through security footage.

Victoria Wood on the prospects of finding love

The 61-year-old dinnerladies star - who split from magician husband Geoffrey Durham, aka The Great Soprendo, in 2002 is currently single.

Sacha Baron Cohen too funny to play Freddie Mercury

Queen star Roger Taylor says there's no way Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen can play the band's late front man Freddie Mercury in an upcoming biopic because the star is "too funny".

Will Smith's novel "Mainlander" optioned for TV

Mainlander by British comedian Will Smith has been optioned for television by See-Saw Films.

John Oliver in Time's 100 most influential people 2015

The comedic agent of change. Oliver is the only British comedian on the list.

Episodes, BBC2

When Wimbledon Studios went into receivership just before shooting began on Episodes' fourth series, producer Debs Pisani had her work cut out keeping the production on track.

Bethan Roberts interview

Reigning Welsh Unsigned Stand-Up Award winner Bethan Roberts has added another gong to her burgeoning trophy cabinet after winning the Bath Comedy Festival New Act of the Year 2015 final.

How to get your first film made

Two first-time directors talk through the simple process of making their debut film.

ITV's Newzoids did a distressingly bad job at satirising modern Britain

Most of today's reviews make the point that Spitting Image also suffered from a poor first episode, which may be true. But your first episode is your opening gambit, it's what makes people decide whether to press "series link" on their Sky remotes. This isn't Game of Thrones; it's not going to "take a while to get going", it's a rubbish pseudo-satire show with skits that last less than one minute.