BCG Daily Thursday 12th May 2016
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Review: Upstart Crow
While I didn't feel a hankering to watch more, and there weren't many laugh-out-loud moments, Upstart Crow deserves some time to find its feet. The cast are good, the concept has potential, and Ben Elton's on surer ground than The Wright Way debacle of 2013.
Dan Owen, Dan's Media Digest, 12th May 2016A selection of 12 comedians with blue plaques in London
Here's our guide to the 12 comics with blue plaques in London.
Chortle, 12th May 2016Cunk on Shakespeare was gloriously funny
It takes intelligence to act this stupid. The script was stuffed with malapropisms and witty wordplay. Cunk's implacable idiocy was thrillingly iconoclastic. Mainly, though, it was very silly and gloriously funny.
Michael Hogan, The Telegraph, 12th May 2016The documentary Russell Brand doesn't want you to see
Russell Brand gave renowned documentarian Ondi Timoner full access to his spiritual quest. Then he turned his back on her.
Matt Wilstein, The Daily Beast, 12th May 2016Loving Ben Elton's new Shakespeare sitcom
There's no way of saying this without shredding the last vestiges of my critical credibility, but this new Ben Elton comedy series, Upstart Crow (BBC2, Mondays), about William Shakespeare: I'm loving it and think it's really, really funny.
James Delingpole, The Spectator, 12th May 2016Lenny Henry: my three-point plan for BBC reform
While I don't want politicians meddling with the BBC, I do want change within the corporation to better reflect the diversity of 21st-century Britain.
Lenny Henry, The Guardian, 12th May 2016Great Yorkshire Fringe returns in July
Comedians already confirmed include Henning Wehn, Tony Law and Simon Munnery. Richard Herring will pick his favourite routines from his 12 previous shows and cram them into 60 minutes. He also brings his award-winning podcast to York. Star of The Chase on ITV1, Paul Sinha returns to stand up comedy after a 4-year break with Postcards From The Z-List. Other big hitters include Jerry Sadowitz, Glenn Wool, Tom Stade and Sammy J and Randy.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 12th May 2016Live review: Amused Moose Laugh Off Final 2016
The Amused Moose Laugh Off Final has a pretty good track record at discovering future stars. Previous winners include Sarah Millican and Jack Whitehall. Everyone has their say in the vote - from audience members to industry representatives. The balcony at the Hippodrome was crammed with agents, journalists and movers and shakers. Interestingly we weren't asked to pick the best act, we were asked to pick the one we thought would be a star. A subtle difference to me, but let's leave that aside for now. Or maybe not.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 12th May 20165 minutes with: Javone Prince
'Everyone thinks I'm a comic but I trained as a straight actor'
Emily Cole, What's On Stage, 12th May 2016Bridget Christie interview (Link expired)
Award-winning comic Bridget Christie speaks about feminism, how a chaotic childhood shaped her style, and the art of turning serious issues into side-splitting stand-up.
Marissa Burgess, WOW247, 12th May 20165 inspired pieces of Monty Python art (Link expired)
Working closely with the Monty Python team and a group of UK and international artists, independent initiative Colour+Noun are bringing a fun exhibition of Monty Python inspired artwork to Leeds later this month.
WOW247, 12th May 2016Sheridan Smith pulls out of Funny Girl due to stress
Sheridan Smith is to miss up to a month of performances as Fanny Brice in her West End show Funny Girl due to stress and exhaustion.
Hannah Ellis-Petersen, The Guardian, 12th May 2016Carl Hutchinson: Learning The Ropes - review
Hutchinson always looks comfortable on stage, but this isn't a show full of laugh-a-minute gags as he delivers his show as an affectionate, humorous and self-deprecating tribute to the world of wrestling which, despite the subject matter (or more probably because of sticking with what he knows) produces a cleverly written and intelligent comedy piece.
Iain Sykes, The Reviews Hub, 12th May 2016Rob Dumbrell: Life In Progress - The Warren, review
There may be a sadness behind Dumbrell's story but it is delivered with such warmth, wit and charm that we laugh with him in the face of life's absurdities. There's not many comics that can combine tales of anti-depressant pills, earwigs and sharks but life is anything if not varied, in a caravan or not.
Glen Pearce, The Reviews Hub, 12th May 2016Armando Iannucci about 'The Armando Iannucci Shows'
I spoke to Armando about CGI, Hugh, performing in front of a room full of unimpressed children, life, and also death.
Joel Golby, Vice.com, 12th May 2016'What the f*** did I just watch?' Bizarre clip from old British children's TV show confuses Twitter after going viral (completely baffling US viewers)
A bizarre clip from an old BBC One children's show has resurfaced online and left many people baffled. The clip from Stupid! shows a young boy with a 'devil finger' who feels an urge to poke everyone he sees.
Phoebe Jackson-Edwards, Daily Mail, 12th May 2016TV & radio
4:30pm30 min
4 O'Clock Club
Series 5, Episode 12 - FlowerAn incredibly rare flower is discovered on the football pitch - but how long will it survive with the 4 O'Clock Club about?
4:30pm15 min
Counterfeit Cat
Episode 1 - Bin JuiceMax recounts the tale of how he and Gark became internationally famous.
4:45pm15 min
Counterfeit Cat
Episode 2 - Where Do All The Cat Toys Go?Max loses his favourite toy leading to him and Gark being engulfed in a rip in space time.
6pm10 min
Zig And Zag
Episode 14 - It's Sherlucky DayZig and Zag become detectives to solve the case of the missing invisible cat of Burb Street.
10pm60 min
Celebrity Juice
Series 15, Episode 9Joining the panel this week are Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood, TV royalty Eamonn Holmes and comedian Chris Ramsey.
10:30pm30 min
The Increasingly Poor Decisions Of Todd Margaret
Series 3, Episode 5 - The Poor Decisions Of Todd Margaret Part 2Todd lands in the hospital and crashes a car into Alice's restaurant. He tries to get back to Portland before his dream comes to completion.
10:50pm30 min
@elevenish
Episode 9Jamie Demetriou seeks out insults on the street; Jack Carroll pitches some new shows; Ivo Graham talks about Leicester City Football Club; and the team have their own take on YouTube pranksters.
11pm30 min
52 First Impressions With David Quantick
Series 2, Episode 2Including stories about Ronnie Barker, Mel Brooks and Lemmy.