BCG Daily Monday 18th May 2015

Video: Ricky Tomlinson interview

The Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson revealed he recently received a prank phone call from a certain eminent aristocrat, Downton Abbey's Lord Grantham!

Eddie Izzard making people laugh across the globe

Cross-dressing comic Eddie Izzard floated on a Cannes yacht Saturday before jetting off to Fargo, N.D., for a gig.

Radio Times review

Matt LeBlanc has money problems and, knowing Matt as we do, he is pretty ruthless when he's in a hole. This episode sees the former Friends star's ghastly alter ego encourage his ex-wife to marry her inappropriate boyfriend (the alimony's a bit steep) and face the dreaded possibility of selling his vineyard. He may even have to let his beach cleaner go. Meanwhile, the entire LA TV industry seems to be after the new script written by Brit exiles Sean (Stephen Mangan) and Beverly (Tamsin Greig), who have somehow found their way back to La La Land.

Much of this is beautifully observed and achingly funny; and it was a good decision by writers Jeffrey Klarik and David Crane to call time on the bedhopping-fuelled rows between the three protagonists and create more moments for the sublimely talented LeBlanc, Mangan and Greig to riff off each other in the same scene. After four series it remains a pleasure, even if the usually excellent writing does strike the odd lazy, duff note.

Angela Barnes: Letter to a past me

From teen with low self-esteem to professional stand-up, Angela Barnes has learned a lot in the last few years, not least about poor haircuts.

Backstage natter

Susan Calman, Holly Walsh and Jessica Fostekew talk backstage at a comedy gig.

Channel 4's Comedy Gala 2015 review

The bill featured over 20 stamina-testing acts. Another one could have been the last straw.

Review: Katherine Ryan

Her acerbic wit can provide a welcome change to the blokey, observational humour peddled by her male colleagues. It's this sharpness, and a keen eye for the absurdities of popular culture, that forms the basis for her well-received set at Middlesbrough Town Hall's crypt.

First look at Life On The Road

Britain's favourite middle manager is back...as a travelling salesman.

The pros and cons of comics going on BGT

Following yesterday's opinion piece on Lorraine Bowen's appearance on Britian's Got Talent I was contacted by another performer, Martin Cabble-Reid. a.k.a. Kevin Cruise, who also went from the live circuit to Britain's Got Talent, reaching the semi-finals in 2010. Cabble-Reid's cautionary story below suggests that if you are already a circuit performer going on BGT will change your career direction forever and that you may not be able to go back to your old life even if you want to...

Behind the Scenes of an Fringe Comedy Show: Part II

The story so far - a café in West Australia, Chris about to start writing his new show. Enter, the Notes section of his phone.

Naomi Hefter: May 1983

Edinburgh festival is creeping upon us. Which venue are you at? How many weeks are you there for? Have you done your flyers, your posters, your promotion, and your press release? Comedians are talking about this just as much as everyone has been talking about Ed Miliband's strange plasticine face. I on the other hand had decided on Camden festival this year. A smaller fringe but no less exciting. I've heard some wonderful things about the Camden fringe comedy festival.

Chortle student semi-finals to be streamed live

The semi-finals of this year's Chortle Student Comedy Award are to be streamed via Periscope.

Big four venues launch Fringe programmes

The Pleasance, Underbelly, Gilded Balloon and Assembly bring out their programmes from 2015.

How to make a bad sitcom

You watch a sitcom. It's bad. You ask how it happened. Surely they realised? How did the producer deliver the show to the channel and not know they've delivered a stinker? Here are some responses.

Alexander McCall Smith bags comic fiction prize

Alexander McCall Smith has won this year's Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party, published by Birlinn imprint Polygon.

Review: The Beautiful Cosmos of Ivor Cutler

As well as being terrific work from Vanishing Point, The Beautiful Cosmos of Ivor Cutler is also a timely reminder, as Rufus Norris takes the reins proper of our own National Theatre, of how playful and ambitious the National Theatre of Scotland has proven (and continues) to be.

Mark Steel: Chipping Norton is full of lovely people

As his award-winning Radio 4 show returns, the comedian reveals why he's as rude as possible and meets a pool-playing dog.