BCG Daily Sunday 17th July 2016
Press clippings
Rowan Atkinson victim of hoax claiming suicide
Rowan Atkinson has become the victim of a cruel online hoax that claims he has died.
The Sun, 17th July 2016Victoria Wood was denied an OBE four times
Although Victoria Wood thrilled millions of fans with her gentle humour, she was denied an OBE on four separate occasions.
Mail on Sunday, 17th July 2016Review - Josh Widdicombe at Latitude
For a premier-league headliner, the material's more hit and miss than you might hope for; with a little too much treading water between those gems.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 17th July 2016Review: Marcus Brigstocke hosts Prince Fest, Latitude
Marcus Brigstocke is as much a fixture of Latitude as the spray-painted pink sheep. But while it's usually his skills as an opinionated liberal-leftie comedian that are called into play, this year he drew upon a different talent: his previous job as a podium dancer.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 17th July 2016Review - Rob Auton: The Sleep Show, Latitude
It's a bold or foolhardy comedian to use the title The Sleep Show, almost inviting criticism that it'll cause you to nod off. Sadly, that portent has come true with Rob Auton's latest hour, which is so aimless and repetitive for the first 50 minutes that it has a soporific effect. The final act reveals what he was getting at with his musings, but after a languidly unfocussed and over-long journey, especially for an outdoor festival crowd who need little excuse to disengage.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 17th July 2016Review: David O'Doherty at Latitude 2016
David O'Doherty's been starting his tour dates - Latitude included - by faux-boasting how this time next year, he'll be huge. Blowing off gigs like this to perform to tens of thousands, and act like a bigger prick than Kanye. All very ironic, of course, a comic set-up before he acknowledges the niche appeal of a bearded middle-aged Irishman playing a tiny keyboard.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 17th July 2016Review - Jen Kirkman at Latitude
Oh dear. Jen Kirkman is not having an easy time of Latitude.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 17th July 2016Review - Mark Watson at Latitude 2016
Of the 11 Latitude festivals, Mark Watson has appeared at nine of them. And this time he has discovered a new weapon: 'old-school emotional blackmail'.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 17th July 2016Latitude review: Reggie Watts
Did I mention it was excellent? By the end of his show pretty much everyone was converted. People usually get up to walk somewhere else after a Latitude comedy performance. Here they got up to give Watts a standing ovation.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 17th July 2016Latitude review: James Acaster
While the structure might have been altered, there were plenty of new routines here that suggest that Reset will be every bit as strong as his previous Edinburgh shows. he had a neat story about the honey business, a gripe against museum museum rubbers and his impression of a praying mantis definitely deserves an award, even if it is only Best Impersonation of a Praying Mantis.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 17th July 2016Latitude review: Josh Widdicombe
The Devon comic has become pretty ubiquitous on television in the last couple of years and it is easy to see why.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 17th July 2016Michael Brunstrom: Edinburgh Fringe 2016 interview
Michael Brunstrom is one of the few alternative comedy acts on the circuit you can genuinely say is like nobody else. Past shows have seem him perform as a European river and impersonate airports. At this year's Edinburgh Fringe his subject is Constables' picture The Hay Wain, although I imagine he's the only person to have ever combined it with beach balls.
Laugh Out London, 17th July 2016Review - Sarah Millican: Outsider
While the anatomical references are graphic and the poo jokes plentiful, there is also an uplifting theme of embracing flaws and feeling comfortable in your own skin. That's the genius thing about Millican, she picks up on the everyday insecurities and quirks we all have and isn't afraid to share them with eye-popping honesty and four letter swear bombs in a room of 2000 people.
Clare White, The Reviews Hub, 17th July 2016Latitude 2016: David O'Doherty review
David O'Doherty occupies a unique shelf in the vast supermarket of Irish comedy exports.
Fergus Morgan, The Reviews Hub, 17th July 2016Latitude 2016: Luke McQueen review
Some comedians pretend to be completely unprepared, making a virtue of their lack of planning, before going on to deliver an effortless stream of humour that takes an audience with them and easily fills the time they have before their set ends. Some comedians appear completely unprepared because that's what they are. In his appearance at the Shed of Stories, Luke McQueen is so close to the latter, it is hard to believe it can be anything other than intentional.
Andy Moseley, The Reviews Hub, 17th July 2016Latitude 2016: Mark Watson review
As a comedian Mark Watson is not really relevant anymore, and in his Sunday slot at Latitude he resorts to old-school emotional blackmail by having his six-year-old son on stage with him to get audience sympathy and support. These, however, are his words, not this reviewers! Relevant or not, Watson still proves himself to be a great crowd pleaser with a lunchtime slot on Sunday, where just a few years ago he was the Saturday headliner.
Andy Moseley, The Reviews Hub, 17th July 2016Podcast: Jake Yapp 'One in a Million'
Jake Yapp tells Martin Walker about the worst gig of his life - opening for Beyoncé at the World Music Awards. They also discuss Jake's Edinburgh show, the accurately titled, 'Jake Yapp is One in a Million'.
Martin Walker, Broadway Baby, 17th July 2016Latitude 2016: Al Porter review
Perhaps the nearby stall selling Emu's and Cuddles - two 70s TV soft toy puppets - knows something we don't. Anyone watching Al Porter's stand-up in the comedy tent will definitely feel like they have taken a step back in time. If you think of a mash-up of Alan Carr and Frank Carson with a touch of Larry Grayson thrown in for good measure, you would not be far away from the truth.
Andy Moseley, The Reviews Hub, 17th July 2016Latitude 2016: Mark Steel review
His set, a brilliantly funny mix of anecdotes, observational comedy, and socio-political satire, largely focusses on the various eccentricities and irrationalities of British society.
Fergus Morgan, The Reviews Hub, 17th July 2016Latitude 2016: Cardinal Burns and guests review
Sketch based comedy is a dying breed on television, but still an ever popular form on the cabaret scene. The one group that has breached beyond the fringe and into the nation's consciousness over the past couple of years is Cardinal Burns, the brainchild of Seb Cardinal and Dustin Demri-Burns.
Kris Hallett, The Reviews Hub, 17th July 2016Mr Angry of TV comedy severs links with Putin network
Tom Walker, creator of Jonathan Pie, says it's now time to move on from the channel that made his name.
Vanessa Thorpe, The Guardian, 17th July 2016Latitude review: Bill Bailey
Bill Bailey's headline performance was the perfect cure for the post-Brexit glum, writes Matt Reason.
Matt Reason, East Anglian Daily Times, 17th July 20168 questions with Phil Wang
"You need to be arrogant to be a comedian".
The Straits Times, 17th July 2016Mark Watson: comedians should never forget their remit
We're meeting to discuss the comedian's new novel - a mystery, set in Dubai. The man is exactly as he appears on stage: anxious, talkative, slightly hunched, and full of nervous energy.
Chloe Hamilton, i Newspaper, 17th July 2016James Corden interview
"My major ambition is just to stay relevant, to be in the conversation."
Lisa Campbell, The Guardian, 17th July 2016Limmy on taking Daft Wee Stories to Edinburgh Fringe
Brian Limond talks being anti-wedding, why his son has the best stories and what's next ahead of a stint at the Edinburgh festival next month.
Daily Record, 17th July 2016TV & radio

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