BCG Daily Thursday 22nd October 2015

Press clippings

Charlie Higson interview

As Jekyll & Hyde arrives on ITV, we chatted to creator, comedian and novelist Charlie Higson about kids' horror, VFX budgets and more...

Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 22nd October 2015

Preview: Richard Gadd puts the pun into punk

With Waiting For Gaddot he's gone over that edge. No-one takes dodgy wordplay quite so far -- or crunchy, blood-spattered slapstick -- or po-mo multimedia madness.

Stuart Black, Londonist, 22nd October 2015

Stephen Merchant to guest star in Big Bang Theory

Stephen Merchant has booked a guest role on an upcoming episode of the CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory.

Hollywood Reporter, 22nd October 2015

Filmmaker says Russell Brand is 'walking contradiction'

Brand: A Second Coming documentary maker Ondi Timoner has described her subject Russell Brand as a "walking contradiction" and a "self-destructive" person.

Contact Music, 22nd October 2015

When Russell Howard met his Newsbeat lookalike

Newsbeat management thought it would be "hilarious" to send me to catch up with Russell Howard. Why? Well, because they think I look like him.

Ben Mundy, BBC News, 22nd October 2015

Russell Howard on the biggest news stories of 2015

Russell Howard's Good News has just returned to BBC Two, but in its absence from our screens he missed out on the chance to comment on Greece going broke, Fifa getting busted, Jeremy Corbyn rising to power and David Cameron's piggate. We took it upon ourselves to rectify that.

David Renshaw, NME, 22nd October 2015

Ahir Shah, comedy review

At times, this feels closer to a TED talk than a stand-up gig.

Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 22nd October 2015

Sofie Hagen review

The old theatre critic's cliche is 'steal a ticket to see this show'.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 22nd October 2015

Dawn French on writing sex scenes and novels

The Vicar of Dibley star has written a comedy romp, According To Yes, about an English nanny and her adventures in New York.

Jonathan Prynn, Evening Standard, 22nd October 2015

Fred MacAulay review

His comedy expertise, despite the small crowd, was there to see. But there were few belly laughs, aside from the reason why Donald Trump keeps two golf courses in Scotland executed with a brilliant mime.

Duncan Hill, Brighton Argus, 22nd October 2015

Ruth Davidson MSP 'nervous' of HIGNFY appearance

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives has admitted she is 'terrified' at the prospect of appearing on the long-running show alongside team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, guest host Michael Sheen - who once portrayed ex-Labour prime minister Tony Blair - and comedian Jon Richardson.

The Scotsman, 22nd October 2015

Review: Fred Macaulay

It's a thoroughly pleasant 60 minutes - cut down for the Brighton Comedy Festival from the two 45-minute halves he usually performs on tour - with a decent handful of good jokes. But ultimately Twenty Fifteen doesn't have the drive to feel like it's a substantial, or essential, night out.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 22nd October 2015

Playhouse defends handling of Kevin Bridges hecklers

The operators of the Edinburgh Playhouse have defended their handling of audiences at a series of shows by Kevin Bridges which were marred by heckling.

Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 22nd October 2015

Good News: a minute with Russell Howard

It's not all bad news. The comedian and news-lover picks his best moments and memories from (nearly) 10 series of daft and heartwarming reporting in Russell Howard's Good News.

Russell Howard, BBC Blogs, 22nd October 2015

Joseph Morpurgo's inventive world of mash-up comedy (Link expired)

Fresh from a dazzling Edinburgh show that we declared "unpredictable, uproarious, enlightening and enlivening", Joseph Morprurgo is one of the most acclaimed, innovative comedians on the circuit right now. He spoke to Jay Richardson about the power of vinyl, his former life behind the scenes of a beloved panel show, and his distinctive 'found material' approach to stand-up.

Jay Richardson, WOW247, 22nd October 2015

Alan Davies: 'Am I clever or totally stupid'

It's easy to see why comedian Alan Davies thinks other people have an ulterior motive when it comes to asking him questions, even when I ask for his thoughts on Middlesbrough Town Hall as a venue.

Viv Hardwick, The Northern Echo, 22nd October 2015

Russell Howard has no plans to bring Good News to USA

Russell told Digital Spy that while he would "never say never" to the idea, he thinks there already too many great stars doing brilliant work over there, including his friend and fellow Brit John Oliver.

Tom Eames, Digital Spy, 22nd October 2015

Scot Squad creator on how police helped script

Writer Joe Hullait, the man behind the BBC Scotland series, was collared by rozzers keen to give him the inside track on serving for the under-fire force.

Paul English, Daily Record, 22nd October 2015

Brand: A Second Coming review

In Ondi Timoner's documentary portrait, comedian/political agitator Russell Brand emerges as unembarrassable, uninterruptible and impervious to mockery.

Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 22nd October 2015

MP tricked by Brass Eye to analyse drugs policy

David Amess, a Conservative MP who was famously tricked into condemning a made up drug called "Cake" has been put in charge of scrutinising the Government's new drugs policy.

Jon Stone, The Independent, 22nd October 2015

Ricky Wilson thought he was kicked off Bring the Noise

Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson heard singers Nicole Scherzinger and Tinie Tempah had been lined up for Sky 1's new music panel show and thought his role had gone...

Emma Daly, Radio Times, 22nd October 2015

The Adam Buxton Podcast review

Adam Buxton's knack of finding humour in everyday situations comes to the fore on a pleasant stroll to the pub with an old friend.

Hannah Verdier, The Guardian, 22nd October 2015

Horrible Histories leads BAFTA Children's nominations

Horrible Histories could be heading to success at this year's British Academy Children's Awards after being nominated in three categories.

Harry Fletcher, Digital Spy, 22nd October 2015

Toast of London series three is packed

Matt Berry's comedy hit returns to Channel 4 next month - and Ben Dowell got a sneak peek as some recognisable faces pop up.

Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 22nd October 2015

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

4:30pm
30 min

Hank Zipzer

Series 2, Episode 11 - Hank's New School

After yet another bad parents' evening, Stan is determined to get Hank a good education - at another school. Desperate not to leave Frankie, Ashley and Mr Rock behind, Hank is forced to do the unthinkable and fight to stay at Westbrook Academy. Mr Rock, on the other hand, finds an old friend's offer for a life away from Westbrook extremely tempting.

6:30pm
30 min

The Brig Society

Series 3, Episode 6 - GCSE

Marcus has just 30 minutes to retake his GCSEs. During the show he sits a genuine GCSE exam set by the producer in an attempt to get the bottom of grade Inflation and also the class.

9pm
60 min

The Almost Impossible Gameshow

Series 1, Episode 4

Another episode of the game show in which 50 members of the public compete - with almost no chance of winning at all.

9pm
60 min

Bring The Noise

Episode 1

Ricky Wilson hosts a new and fun-filled music and comedy show. Captains Tinie Tempah and Nicole Scherzinger welcome David Tennant and Martin Kemp to their teams.

9pm
30 min

Drifters

Series 3, Episode 1 - Roomies

Mark wants to move out of the flat, which is great because Meg wants Bunny to move in. But who's going to get the big bedroom? Bunny has got a part in a play but she absolutely hates her co-star. And after some trouble at home, Laura and Gary set out to search for a new flat together.

10pm
50 min

Celebrity Juice

Series 14, Episode 7

Joey Essex takes over from Holly this week, with guests Ella Eyre, BRIT award-winning singer James Morrison, Xtra Factor presenter Rochelle Humes and X Factor's Caroline Flack.