BCG Daily Thursday 11th August 2016
Features
Press clippings
The Office - where are they now?
What has happened to the actors who helped to make The Office? We never did hear much from that man Gervais again...
Rupert Hawksley, The Telegraph, 11th August 2016Tom Ballard: Edinburgh Fringe 2016 interview
After a hugely successful debut in 2015 that show him receive a nomination for Best Newcomer, Tom Ballard returns to the Edinburgh Fringe to discuss those collective delusions about our mortality.
Laugh Out London, 11th August 2016Interview: Abridged Dapper Eleven Hour Monochrome Dream
Interview with The Abridged Dapper Eleven Hour Monochrome Dream Show
Laugh Out London, 11th August 2016Seven questions with... Chris Gethard
There is a lot of excitement on the British comedy scene this year regarding Chris Gethard, not least because he is due to be making his Edinburgh Festival debut. He is already a big name in the US, having hosted The Chris Gethard Show since 2011, as well as starring in Parks and Recreation and America's The Office. Chris brings his show Career Suicide to the Fringe, where he proves there can be a funnier side to difficult topics such as alcoholism and depression.
Becca Moody, Moody Comedy, 11th August 2016Comedy... made me a feminist
Standard Issue writers explore when they knew they were feminist. A change of career sounded Juliette Burton's klaxon.
Juliette Burton, Standard Issue, 11th August 2016Sitcom season will bring plenty of criticism & viewers
One-off returns for shows like Are You Being Served?, Porridge, Keeping Up Appearances and Goodnight Sweetheart could lead to big audiences and probably some full series, says Mark Jefferies.
Mark Jefferies, Radio Times, 11th August 2016Fringe Q&As: Danielle Ward
Danielle Ward talks abut her new comedy show, Seventeen.
The Herald, 11th August 2016Laurence Clark: It's fun to laugh at disability
The other week I was asked on a podcast why so many of the disabled comedians around today have cerebral palsy like me. The questioner certainly has a point, with the likes of Josh Blue, Francesca Martinez, Lost Voice Guy and Tim Renkow to name but a few.
Laurence Clark, Chortle, 11th August 2016Tom Allen's unforgettable comedy experiences
My most exotic gig? Aberystwyth.
Chortle, 11th August 2016Mark Smith picks his Perfect Playlist
"Incredibly dark... but with great craft"
Chortle, 11th August 2016Felicity Ward talks mental health and moths (Link expired)
You've got to keep writing jokes until people are comfortable with it!
Pete Carson, WOW247, 11th August 20167 of the best shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
The Edinburgh Fringe festival has been open nearly a week, and with a whopping 50,266 performance, we look at some of the best on offer.
Katharine Stewart, Daily Record, 11th August 2016Luke Norris on his new Edinburgh play 'Growth'
The playright and actor's new play Growth is about a young man who discovers a lump on his testicle and puts off seeing a doctor.
Emily Jupp, The Independent, 11th August 2016+3 interview: Jack Barry: You Don't Know Jack
"I wanted to be in the Cambridge Footlights, but was too think."
Dan Lentell, Edinburgh49, 11th August 2016Interview with Norris & Parker
In the run up to Voice's latest coverage of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, we have dozens of interviews with comedy duo Norris and Parker, who we'll be seeing up there.
Voice Magazine, 11th August 2016Interview with Kate Lucas
In the run up to Voice's latest coverage of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, we have dozens of interviews with performers like Kate Lucas, who we'll be seeing up there.
Voice Magazine, 11th August 2016Interview with Nick Cody
In the run up to Voice's latest coverage of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, we have dozens of interviews with performers like standup comedian Nick Cody, who we'll be seeing up there.
Voice Magazine, 11th August 2016Interview with Helen Duff
In the run up to Voice's latest coverage of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, we have dozens of interviews with performers like Helen Duff, who we'll be seeing up there.
Voice Magazine, 11th August 20165 of the best musical comedy shows to see at the Fringe (Link expired)
Being funny isn't enough for some comedians. Some like to flaunt their musical talent as well as their ability to tickle audiences. Here's our selection of acts who will be marrying comedy and music at this year's Fringe.
Finlay Craig, WOW247, 11th August 2016Comics performing at Live from the Pleasance
Lucy Porter, Tez Ilyas, Michelle Wolf, Tom Ward, Birthday Girls and Ben Hanlin.
Ryan Barrell, The Huffington Post, 11th August 2016Simon Day's doubts over playing Alf Garnett
The Fast Show star Simon Day has admitted he had reservations about filling Warren Mitchell's shoes as bigot Alf Garnett in a new version of classic sitcom Till Death Us Do Part.
BBC News, 11th August 2016Miranda Hart: Olympics questions we all need answers to
From how the horses get to Rio to those teenie, tiny diving towels...
Ellie Walker-Arnott, Radio Times, 11th August 2016Music review: David Brent and Foregone Conclusion
Ricky Gervais's band can be a lot of fun, as long as you never, ever take him seriously.
Nick Levine, The Independent, 11th August 2016Bill Bailey interview
What does the art of comedy and No Man's Sky have in common?
Scott Tailford, What Culture!, 11th August 2016Interview: Adam Rowe - Bittersweet Little Lies
Adam Rowe interview.
Rosie Gillott, Fresh Air, 11th August 2016Punchline Q&A - Andrew Ryan
Interview with Andrew Ryan.
Punchline UK, 11th August 2016Richard Wilson: "I won't vote for Jeremy Corbyn again"
As Victor Meldrew returns to the stage, Richard Wilson discusses the turmoil within his beloved Labour Party and his feelings on Brexit.
The Big Issue, 11th August 2016Seven questions with... Dave Chawner
Dave Chawner is an immediately likeable stand up performer, perhaps due to the unrelenting honesty he presents to audiences at his shows, disarming himself entirely and in turn making himself vulnerable on stage. This openness allows Chawner to explore seemingly taboo topics that happen to be close to his heart, such as the issue of anorexia in men, and his latest Edinburgh show, which explores issues associated with circumcision, sex and relationships.
Becca Moody, Moody Comedy, 11th August 2016Piff the Magic Dragon - from Edinburgh to Las Vegas
"The Edinburgh Fringe and Vegas are like two sides of the same coin. Vegas is a very similar market to Edinburgh. You can gain an audience through the merit of your work."
Natasha Tripney, The Stage, 11th August 2016James Veitch: Edinburgh Fringe 2016 interview
Responsible for the fastest ever TED Talk to reach over two million views in the history of TED, James Veitch returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with more geeky comedy about life, love and enabling Bluetooth.
Laugh Out London, 11th August 2016Five Fringe questions for... Rachel Bridge
Rachel Bridge is performing her one-woman show Ambition at the Gilded Balloon until 29th August. Her sixth book, Ambition: why it's good to want more and how to get it, is out now. Among all this activity, she talked with The Edinburgh Reporter.
Ricky Brown, The Edinburgh Reporter, 11th August 2016Afsaneh Gray: what is Britishness?
Afsaneh Gray's play Octopus, being presented by Fine Mess Theatre and Paper Tiger Productions at Assembly this Festival, explores the notion of 'Britishness', in a dystopian world where those of 'non-indigenous' heritage are set a Britishness test by the state.
Afsaneh Gray, ThreeWeeks, 11th August 2016Three to see on 12 Aug
Three to see at the Edinburgh Festival tomorrow...
ThreeWeeks, 11th August 2016Lou Sanders: sweet mystery
A nonconformist in everything she does, Lou Sanders gives Jay Richardson the tiniest of clues as to how she got that way.
Jay Richardson, Fest Mag, 11th August 201610 of the best kids shows at The Edinburgh Fringe
Taking your kids to The Fringe? We take a look at some of the best entertainment on offer for your little ones.
Mary Palmer, Daily Record, 11th August 2016Jamali Maddix interview
Jamali Maddix talks about his debut solo Fringe show, Chickens Come Home to Roost.
The Herald, 11th August 2016Shazia Mirza interview
Shazia Mirza talks about her show The Kardashians Made Me Do It.
The Herald, 11th August 2016Do strippers dream of techno glitter penguins?
Comedian Nicole Henriksen joins us in the studio to talk about her play Makin it Rain, with music from Elyssa Vulpes.
The List, 11th August 2016David Brent: Life On The Road, review
The film sees Gervais on sparkling form as his most famous comic character, picking up just where we left him; despised by most of his fellow workers and still pursuing his Walter Mitty dream of 'Brentertainment'.
Sean O'Grady, The Independent, 11th August 2016Film: David Brent: Life on the Road
As performed, written and directed by Ricky Gervais, our hero is still office-based (he's a sales rep for a toiletries firm), and still a master of hopeless quips.
Kevin Maher, The Times, 11th August 2016Film review: Life on the Road
In terms of comedy it is in decent working order.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 11th August 2016Rarely asked questions - Diane Spencer
Diane Spencer's last show was partly about how she ended up working with Nancy Dell'Olio. She is a bit smutty and very funny. Spencer that is, not Nancy Dell'Olio. Spencer recently got married so expect that to get a mention in her latest show Seamless. Read this honest interview to find out more and then go and buy a ticket.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 11th August 2016Comedians' shows pulled over unpaid bills
Josh Widdicombe, Jeremy Hardy, Seann Walsh, Shappi Khorsandi and Marcus Brigstocke have all had gigs dropped from the forthcoming programme of Secombe Theatre in Sutton because of the dispute with very little notice. Widdicombe was due to play there only next week. Their agency, Off The Kerb, axed the shows in a row over £3,432 of box office money they say they are owed for another of their clients, Mark Steel, three months ago.
Chortle, 11th August 2016Spoof poster running for best Fringe poster award
The spoof poster advertising Nathan Cassidy's fictional 2017 UK Arena tour is in the running for the Edinburgh Fringe's Best Poster Award.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 11th August 2016Paul McCaffrey: Edinburgh Fringe 2016 interview
Paul McCaffrey interview.
Laugh Out London, 11th August 2016Jenny Collier: Edinburgh Fringe 2016 interview
Jenny Collier interview.
Laugh Out London, 11th August 2016Colin Mochrie on hypnosis, improvisation and shortbread
Colin Mochrie talks about his show Hyprov: Improvisation Under Hypnosis.
The Herald, 11th August 2016Interview: Jamali Addix
Jamali Addix interview.
Rosie Gillott, Fresh Air, 11th August 2016Interview: Asad Mecci - Improv
Asad Mecci interview.
Rosie Gillott, Fresh Air, 11th August 2016Interview: Andy Askins - The Man With No Name
Andy Askins interview.
Rosie Gillott, Fresh Air, 11th August 2016Interview: Eric Lampaert
Eric Lampaert interview.
Rosie Gillott, Fresh Air, 11th August 2016Interview: Njambi McGrath
Njambi McGrath interview.
Rosie Gillott, Fresh Air, 11th August 2016Interview: Hijinx Theatre - Meet Fred
Hijinx Theatre interview.
Rosie Gillott, Fresh Air, 11th August 2016Podcast: Rory O'Hanlon returns
According to Rory, you are where you need to be. PS: It helps if you're at Opium in Edinburgh at 5pm most days in August. PPS: It doesn't help if you're an Irish immigrant living in the UK after the Brexit vote...
Martin Walker, Broadway Baby, 11th August 2016Podcast: Maddy Anholt rents
There ain't nothing going on but the rent. Maddy Anholt's new Edinburgh show explores what it's like when its impossible to get on the property ladder. Co-written and directed by Hardeep Singh Kohli.
Martin Walker, Broadway Baby, 11th August 2016Podcast: Thinking Drinkers
The Thinking Drinkers are Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, a couple of regular guys who've found themselves drinking for a living. Tom explains that there's a bit more to it than that...
Martin Walker, Broadway Baby, 11th August 2016Interview: Bill Bailey
With the nation divided, there's never been a better time for comedians, says Bill Bailey. He talks Brexit, the Labour 'shambles' and his new sitcom with James Mottram.
James Mottram, i Newspaper, 11th August 2016Alistair McGowan on swapping impressions for the piano
When I began working in television in the early 90's, I also began doing my first press interviews. One question kept cropping up : "What is your biggest regret?" And the answer I heard myself give was always the same : "Giving up the piano, after passing my grade two (with merit), aged 9, to play football".
i Newspaper, 11th August 2016James Corden launches third show on American TV
The British late-night host's US domination continues apace with a deal on TBS to turn the Drop the Mic section of his talkshow into a standalone programme.
Brian Moylan, The Guardian, 11th August 2016Is there an American style of standup?
Edinburgh is hosting heaps of US comics including Bill Burr, Ari Shaffir and Mary Lynn Rajskub, star of TV's 24. Do they have much in common?
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 11th August 2016Six great comedy shows to see at the Festival Fringe
Comedy sits at the very heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Allan Crow, Fife Today, 11th August 2016Brexit puts UK comics in the Thick of It at the Fringe
At this year's Fringe festival in Edinburgh, political comedy takes center stage. With recent upheavals in Britain, the country's comedians are scrambling more than usual to keep their material current.
Anna Russell, The Wall Street Journal, 11th August 2016Still a master of hopeless quips
Brent is back! And not a minute too soon.
Kevin Maher, The Times, 11th August 2016A forgotten British comedy with the most brilliant cast (Link expired)
Featuring Oscar-nominated icons, Game Of Thrones favourites and comedy greats, Blackpool and Manchester flick The Parole Officer had quite the acting line-up.
Mark Butler, WOW247, 11th August 2016Late payment
My venue didn't pay me my Box Office take for nine months after the Fringe.
Fringe Whistleblower, 11th August 2016Why your the tech for your show is bad
I did 10-12 hour technical shifts, six days a week, for the whole Fringe.
Fringe Whistleblower, 11th August 2016That's not a venue
We're a band booked for two weeks of gigs in a club-type venue. When we got there, it turned out there was no actual stage, no stage management, no space for a band to set up in that wasn't a route between spaces, a PA that didn't have enough inputs, and a single power supply dangling from the ceiling. We quit.
Fringe Whistleblower, 11th August 2016Videos
TV & radio
Hacker Time
Series 6, Episode 4 - Alison HammondShowbiz reporter Alison Hammond gets flushed in to the Hacker Time studio to star in this episode. More used to mingling with Hollywood A-Listers, how will Alison get on when she is stuck with Hacker and his hopeless crew? There's also another adventure with Admiral Lawnmower and his crew, where they are having trouble with their Sat Nav. Also, Cel Spellman joins Hacker for another song in Lost and Found (...& Lost Again). All that and Accordion George plays Beam My Guest.
Fleabag
Series 1, Episode 4Fleabag and her sister Claire reluctantly visit a female-only, silent retreat, courtesy of their father. Their enforced silence is interrupted, however, by an unusual neighbouring weekend workshop, explosive secrets coming to light, and a surprising connection with an old acquaintance.
Monsignor Quixote
Episode 4Father Quixote and his friend Sancho arrive in Madrid to buy purple socks - and attract the unwelcome attention of the Guardia Civil.
Hank Zipzer
Series 3, Episode 12 - Hank Rocks OutIt's that time of year again - once more Miss Adolf is trying to get victims to sign up for her annual survival camp.
Simon Evans Goes To Market
Series 3, Episode 3 - BirthFrom an economic point of view, should people have children, how many should they have, and when should they have them?