BCG Daily Monday 9th May 2016
News
Features
Press clippings
Susan Calman book review
Sadly, those who most need to read this book probably won't. Susan Calman prefers to call the treatment she has received on social media "bullying" (which is what it is) rather than use the more innocuous term "trolling".
Harry McGrath, The National (Scotland), 9th May 2016Ben Elton talks about Upstart Crow
As Ben Elton gives the Bard the sitcom treatment in Upstart Crow, he argues that Bill suffered from class prejudice then - and is still suffering from it now...
Ben Elton, Radio Times, 9th May 2016Russell Brand to become a father
Russell Brand's friends say he is overjoyed at the prospect of being a dad. His partner Laura Gallacher is 5 months pregnant.
Stephen Jones, The Sun, 9th May 2016Sara Pascoe's Animal - book extract
Sara Pascoe's excellent new book Animal takes us on a tour of the female body. Read an excerpt here AND win signed copies! We're good to you, we are.
Sara Pascoe, Standard Issue, 9th May 2016C4 Comedy Gala, review
Rattling through a conveyor belt of more than twenty comedians, this marathon event had one-liners flying so thick and fast it started to become exhausting, says Bruce Dessau.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 9th May 2016Gilded Balloon Comedy review
Reviews of with Michael Redmond (4 stars), Julia Sutherland (4 stars), Ben Norris (5 stars) and MC Scott Agnew.
yodamo, Mumble Comedy, 9th May 2016Upstart Crow review
Gadzooks! After some high-profile flops in both hemispheres, Ben Elton has rediscovered his mojo... and all it took was a return trip to Elizabethan England.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 9th May 2016What's it like being a female comedian?
I still get asked what it is like to be a female comedian. I think the main difference is one of acoustics.
Dolly Winters, Funny Women, 9th May 2016A look inside Black Mountain Poets
We thought we'd dig into the film a bit deeper...
The Velvet Onion, 9th May 2016Ben Elton's Shakespeare sitcom was not too Bard
Its sitcom format feels lumbering and it has a complacent tendency to rely on David Mitchell's waspish delivery of cod-Shakespearese - but, since it's the poor chap's anniversary, I could give it one more chance next week. Not quite Bard yet, then.
Tim Martin, The Telegraph, 9th May 2016Michaela Coel's BAFTA dress was handmade by her mum
Chewing Gum writer and star Michaela Coel, who picked up her second gong last night at the BAFTAs for female comedy performance, graced the red carpet in an incredible, colourful gown which had been handmade by her mum.
Ellie Walker-Arnott, Radio Times, 9th May 2016Could Ricky Gervais bring back Extras?
Could Ricky Gervais bring back Extras after David Brent's big screen return? Speaking to Digital Spy at the BAFTA TV Awards, Ashley Jensen revealed that she wouldn't need much persuading if Extras was to return in some form.
Digital Spy, 9th May 2016Review: Funmbi Omotayo
Omotayo is good gag writer: some of the material is slightly London centric which may not travel as he tours the country, but the material is funny and thought provoking at the same time. However the main strength of the show lies in Omotayo: he has a warm, friendly demeanour; he isn't shouty, preachy or in-your-face like so many comics. It's a gentle, easy going delivery which certainly is certainly the main strength. With a few more gags and a little less London based material Omotayo could be one of the future stars of the future.
Matt Forrest, The Reviews Hub, 9th May 2016Mimic Men star Cal Halbert has been on BGT before
Britain's Got Talent impressionist Cal Halbert used the same routine to audition for the show five years ago.
The Sun, 9th May 2016A tribute to Victoria Wood
So very sad to hear of the death of Victoria Wood at the comparatively early age of 62.
Brian George, Mature Times, 9th May 2016Videos
TV & radio
Fags, Mags And Bags
Series 6, Episode 4 - CrispquilibriumThe Wall of Crisps is rocked by a political scandal as the placement of bags in the wall of a new range of Scottish political crisps is hotly debated.
Zig And Zag
Episode 11 - Happy CampersZig and Zag join the Junior Woodpeckers to get badges, but end up causing havoc on their maiden camping trip.
The Unbelievable Truth
Series 16, Episode 6Elis James, Reginald D Hunter, Maeve Higgins and David O'Doherty talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as gifts, women, fashion and songs.
Peter Kay's Comedy Shuffle
Series 1, Episode 4In this episode The Ice Cream Man Cometh, Peter has a brief chat with Alan Carr, and Brian Potter and Andy Pipkin sing 500 Miles accompanied by a star studded cast.
Plebs
Series 3, Episode 7 - The New MasterWhen Grumio injures another slave in a fight over a carrot, he is forced to replace him until he recovers. And so he joins a new household where work is taken seriously. Marcus invites Delphine to move in. But can she bond with Stylax?
Very British Problems
Series 2, Episode 1 - SchoolThe show remembers sex education classes, the horror of mouldy PE kits, and how we became a nation of binge drinkers. While Catherine Tate remembers her first kiss, James Corden recalls his extreme pubic hair anxiety.
Upstart Crow
Series 1, Episode 1 - Star Crossed LoversWill struggles to find inspiration for Romeo while having to deal with an angry actor, a very annoying house-guest and his family's not terribly helpful script suggestions.
Don't Make Me Laugh
Series 2, Episode 4James Acaster, Alex Horne, Larry Dean and Nish Kumar try not to make people laugh.