BCG Daily Thursday 25th February 2016
Press clippings
Archive interview: John Lloyd on Spitting Image
25 February 1984: The producer of a new satirical puppet show promises 'impertinent' humour to question the high and mighty.
Colin Shearman, The Guardian, 25th February 2016Gilded Balloon venue's deal excretes on Fringe spirit
We hope to stage the annual Malcolm Hardee Comedy Awards Show this year, as usual, on the final Friday of the Edinburgh Fringe - 26th August - but not in its normal venue of the Counting House Ballroom. This is because, today, The Gilded Balloon (a pay-to-enter venue) has 'poached' The Counting House venue(s) - including the Pear Tree and Blind Poet - from the Laughing Horse Free Festival and so we are looking for a new venue in which to host both the increasingly prestigious (but now homeless) Malcolm Hardee Comedy Awards and for the daily Grouchy Club.
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 25th February 2016Eddie Izzard to run for Labour's NEC
The comedian and actor will seek a place on the party's ruling executive.
Stephen Bush, The New Statesman, 25th February 2016Interview: rarely asked questions - Sarah Callaghan
I was going to say that Sarah Callaghan is one of comedy's best kept secrets, but she isn't really that much of a secret. In 2015 she was nominated for the Malcolm Hardee 'Act Most Likely To Make A Million Quid' award and she has also been a finalist in the Funny Women and Leicester Square Theatre New Act Competitions.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 25th February 2016Review: Grimsby
Bad taste spy spoof from writer-star Sacha Baron Cohen, with Mark Strong.
Katherine McLaughlin, The List, 25th February 2016Paddy McGuinness review
Overall, an enjoyable and funny evening despite the full-on toilet humour.
Donna Kelly, The Reviews Hub, 25th February 2016Cinemagoers react to local comedy Grimsby
Film fans flocked to Cleethorpes' Parkway Cinema last night to catch one of the first screenings of Grimsby.
The Grimsby Telegraph, 25th February 2016The science of comedy
Where does humour and laughter come from in the brain? It's a good question, but not one that has a simple answer.
Dean Burnett, Chortle, 25th February 2016Bill' set for U.S. event cinema release via Fathom
BBC Worldwide North America and Fathom Events are partnering to commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death with the U.S. theatrical release of origins comedy, Bill.
Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 25th February 2016Nick Hiscott sets up comedy club in Pontllanfraith
Nick Hiscott, 32, of Blackwood, will launch the Pont Comedy Club at Pontllanfraith RFC, realising his dream of bringing a comedy scene to the area.
Chris Binding, South Wales Argus, 25th February 2016Sacha Baron Cohen says FBI kept a file on him
Sacha Baron Cohen has revealed that the FBI showed an interest in him and his team during the filming of the movie Borat, and went as far as to go looking for him in his hotel.
James Hendicott, NME, 25th February 2016Grimsby feels amateurish & it despises its own audience
What makes Grimsby an especially steep falling-off after Baron Cohen's last three movies is the sense that no one really cared whether it came off or not; the whole enterprise has a "will-this-do?" quality.
Ryan Gilbey, The New Statesman, 25th February 2016Grimsby -- film review: 'Like a terrible accident'
I did laugh once; twice; even two and a half times. The Fifa gag is good. (Shan't spoil.) So is the mid-movie slapstick, gross-out and gonzo, involving Nobby, his brother (Mark Strong) and some copulating elephants. As surprise comic pachyderm packages go -- let's just say it goes. Elsewhere, if you have hair, prepare to tear it now.
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times, 25th February 2016Grimsby review
Sacha Baron Cohen's latest comic creation is his most unapologetically grotesque - and least amusing - to date.
David Jenkins, Little White Lies, 25th February 2016Grimsby: gleefully pushes the limits of bad taste (Link expired)
Comedy genius Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Bruno, Ali G Indahouse) may just have created a whole new genre with his latest film Grimsby, a gross-out action comedy that gleefully pushes the limits of bad taste humour, achieving almost sublimely surreal results in the process.
Matthew Turner, WOW247, 25th February 2016Tommy Cooper to be given blue plaque
Tommy Cooper is to be honoured with a blue plaque at his West London home.
Chortle, 25th February 2016Not Going Out could return as a "family sitcom"
Lee Mack's long-running BBC One show could continue in a new guise, reveals star Sally Bretton: "Watch this space"
Ellie Walker-Arnott, Radio Times, 25th February 2016Sacha Baron Cohen: I'm 23% gay
Sacha Baron Cohen reckons he is 23 per cent gay, despite being married with three kids to Hollywood actress Isla Fisher. And the star, who also created camp fashionista Bruno, thinks all men have homosexual leanings.
Ally Farrell, The Sun, 25th February 2016Northerners shouldn't be angry at Grimsby
Why Sacha Baron Cohen's crass working class stereotypes are just the latest assault in the south's war on the north of England.
Rose George, The Telegraph, 25th February 2016Podcasts
TV & radio
7:25am15 min
Danger Mouse
Series 1, Episode 25 - Megahurtz AttacksDanger Mouse's attempts to boost Penfold's confidence backfire when it leads to a ferocious games monster escaping into the real world.
4pm15 min
Mr Bean
Series 2, Episode 43 - The RobotBean buys a robot to clean his flat, but it ends up trashing half the town!
4:30pm30 min
4 O'Clock Club
Series 5, Episode 1 - LeavingNero discovers that he might have to leave Elmsmere Manor forever.
6:30pm30 min
12 Sketches In A London House
Episode 4 - GuestroomTimmy just wants to get a good night's sleep and be fresh for the next day. Though sadly not everyone feels the same way... Night time, is party time!
8pm30 min
Room 101
Series 5, Episode 6 - Claudia Winkleman, John Humphrys, Russell KaneStrictly presenter Claudia Winkleman, Mastermind host John Humphrys and comedian Russell Kane try to get rid of skiing, summer, and audiences that are always whooping.
8:30pm30 min
Birds Of A Feather
Series 12, Episode 8 - Forever YoungSharon and Tracey suspect that Dorien is fast approaching "The Big Seven-0", and decide that, whether she likes it or not, the event calls for celebration.
9pm60 min
A League Of Their Own
Series 10, Episode 8Singer and presenter Nicole Scherzinger, The Mighty Boosh funnyman Noel Fielding and England rugby union star James Haskell join the regulars.
9pm60 min
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
Series 8 (C4: 9), Episode 1Sean Lock and Vic Reeves go up against Jon Richardson and Aisling Bea. David O'Doherty joins Countdown's resident lexicographer Susie Dent.
9pm30 min
Behold The Monkey
Comedy based on the true story of a cleaner who restored a church fresco in Spain and became an overnight global internet sensation.
10pm60 min
The Football's On
Series 3, Episode 11Ian Stone returns for more football chat, with special guest Clive Anderson.
10pm30 min
The Keith Lemon Sketch Show
Series 2, Episode 4This week, Fearne Cotton presents The Keith Lemon Sketch Show: The Gossip, and Denzil Rowe sculpts pop star Marvin Humes. Meanwhile, it's fashion week at the Kardsahians' caravan site, and Apple reveal their latest technological leap: a sock.
10:30pm30 min
Newsjack
Series 14, Episode 3Nish Kumar is joined this week by Lolly Adefope, Gemma Arrowsmith and Thomas Nelstrop. This week they cover Iain Duncan Smith's scaremongering during the EU referendum, Canada making environmentally-friendly ammunition, and the effects of the editor of The Archers moving to EastEnders.
11pm30 min
Talking To Strangers
Episode 4Featuring a deluded restaurant owner, a tour around a school and a relaxation class.