BCG Daily Sunday 19th April 2015
Press clippings
Rik Mayall's family face huge tax bill due to no will
Comedian Rik Mayall failed to leave a valid will to deal with his £1.2 million estate, which experts say could leave his family with a large inheritance tax bill.
Andrew Young, Mail on Sunday, 19th April 2015Laurel & Hardy fans gather for conference in Sheffield
Spot an unusual number of men wearing fezzes in Sheffield next month... that'll be the national convention of the Laurel and Hardy appreciation society. Sarah Freeman meets the devotees of Stan and Ollie.
Sarah Freeman, The Yorkshire Post, 19th April 2015Victoria Wood: panel shows are all about testosterone
Victoria Wood has said she hates comedy panel shows - comparing them to zoos and saying she'll never go on one.
The Irish Examiner, 19th April 2015Review: Battersea Arts Centre Phoenix Fundraiser, RFH
The fire at Battersea Arts Centre on Friday, March 13 may have been devastating, but you can rely on comedians to find the funny side. Last night's sold out benefit at the Royal Festival Hall kicked off with Stewart Lee, who came on to a live rendition of Burning Down The House played by Kneehigh Theatre's band.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 19th April 2015Interview: Rarely Asked Questions - Aisling Bea
We asked Bea our twelve rarely asked questions.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 19th April 2015Ballot Monkeys: A sitcom in poll position
Ballot Monkeys, a new five-part comedy series that hitches a ride with the party apparatchiks on the general election battle buses, will be shot at the last-possible moment to make sure its satire is absolutely up-to-the-minute. It's an exciting concept that would nevertheless have most writer-directors swinging from the trees with nerves. Not Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin.
James Rampton, The Independent, 19th April 2015Ballot Monkeys, frugal junkies
Perhaps watching a TV series put together by the same team that produced the hilarious Drop the Dead Donkey might remind us that right now most of the main political leaders on TV are behaving like actors with well-rehearsed lines.
Kishwar Desai, The Asian Age, 19th April 2015Father Ted taught the Church how to laugh at itself
Editor of the Irish Catholic, Michael Kelly, said the programme shifted the public's perception.
Michael Kelly, The Irish Journal, 19th April 2015Inside No 9 Review: Cold Comfort
Cold Comfort sees Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith's dark imaginations at full rein, with brilliant technical innovations that help to invoke the story's mundane setting, enhance its narrative themes and draw out the intricate layers of the script.
Dodo's Words, 19th April 2015Simon Amstell on performing in the USA
Westword caught up with Simon Amstell to discuss performing overseas, getting high in Denver and his new hour of comedy, To Be Free.
Byron Graham, Westword, 19th April 2015Teletubbies creator warns of funding crisis
"I worry dramatically that the tradition of good children's programme making in this country has been eroded," said Anne Wood.
John Plunkett, The Guardian, 19th April 2015Videos
TV & radio
Celebrity Squares
Series 2, Episode 1The first show of the new series features presenter and comedian Paddy McGuinness, actress Michelle Keegan, Olympic medal winner Louis Smith MBE, actress and comedian Anna Crilly, chef Gino D'Acampo, comedian Rob Beckett, This Morning's Alison Hammond, and actress and comedian Katy Wix.