BCG Daily Monday 18th May 2015
News
Press clippings
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!
What's On TV, 18th May 2015Eddie 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.
Page Six, 18th May 2015Radio 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.
Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 18th May 2015Angela 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.
Angela Barnes, Standard Issue, 18th May 2015Backstage natter
Susan Calman, Holly Walsh and Jessica Fostekew talk backstage at a comedy gig.
Hannah Dunleavy, Standard Issue, 18th May 2015Channel 4's Comedy Gala 2015 review
The bill featured over 20 stamina-testing acts. Another one could have been the last straw.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 18th May 2015Review: 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.
Ian McNeal, Teesside Gazette, 18th May 2015First look at Life On The Road
Britain's favourite middle manager is back...as a travelling salesman.
Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 18th May 2015The 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...
Martin Cabble-Reid, Beyond The Joke, 18th May 2015Behind 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.
Chris Turner, The Huffington Post, 18th May 2015Naomi 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.
Naomi Hefter, The Huffington Post, 18th May 2015Chortle student semi-finals to be streamed live
The semi-finals of this year's Chortle Student Comedy Award are to be streamed via Periscope.
Chortle, 18th May 2015Big four venues launch Fringe programmes
The Pleasance, Underbelly, Gilded Balloon and Assembly bring out their programmes from 2015.
David Kettle, The List, 18th May 2015How 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.
James Cary, Sitcom Geek, 18th May 2015Alexander 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.
Caroline Carpenter, The Bookseller, 18th May 2015Review: 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.
Stewart Pringle, Exeunt Magazine, 18th May 2015Mark 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.
David Crawford, Radio Times, 18th May 2015Videos
TV & radio
On The Rocks
Series 2, Episode 2 - AdventureBen tries to prove to Morwenna-May that he is a man of action.
Just A Minute
Series 72, Episode 1Nicholas Parsons hosts the popular panel game. Paul Merton, Tim Rice, Lisa Tarbuck and Graham Norton attempt to talk without deviation, hesitation or repetition on such diverse topics as English sparkling wine and crow's feet.
Virtually Famous
Series 2, Episode 6Seann Walsh and Chris Stark face questions and outrageous challenges alongside their celebrity guests Joey Essex and Hollyoaks actor James Sutton, plus comedians Katherine Ryan and Chris Ramsey.
Episodes
Series 4, Episode 2Matt learns that his financial situation is even more dire than he thought. To make matters worse, his ex-wife's upcoming marriage - which would save him millions in alimony - is suddenly on shaky ground.