BCG Daily Friday 13th January 2017

News

Press clippings

Room 101. Frank Skinner. Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Preview - Room 101

Frank Skinner returns for a sixth series of the Orwellian comedy where guests try to get rid of their pet hates forever.

Ian Wolf, On The Box, 13th January 2017
James Corden

James Corden joins cast of Ocean's Eight

Fans of James Corden, who has become extremely popular across the pond, were very excited to find out that he will be starring in Ocean's Eight.

Helena Horton, The Telegraph, 13th January 2017
Chewing Gum. Tracey Gordon (Michaela Coel). Copyright: Retort

Chewing Gum deserves our attention - review

If life were a sitcom, the scenario would happen in a corner shop just after you've accidentally scrawled pen on your forehead, as happens in the opening episode of series two of the cult hit Chewing Gum (E4).

Catherine Gee, The Telegraph, 13th January 2017
Not Going Out. Image shows from L to R: Lee (Lee Mack), Lucy (Sally Bretton). Copyright: Avalon Television / Arlo Productions

Lee Mack not surprised if comics came from broken homes

Not Going Out returns for its eighth series this month, which makes the will-they-won't-they tale of a feckless man's passion for his landlady the longest-running BBC sitcom still on air.

Nick Curtis, The Telegraph, 13th January 2017
Chewing Gum. Tracey Gordon (Michaela Coel). Copyright: Retort

Chewing Gum review

A slice of working-class urban life is shoved rudely, and gloriously, in your face.

Sam Wollaston, The Guardian, 13th January 2017
Not Going Out. Image shows from L to R: Lee (Lee Mack), Lucy (Sally Bretton). Copyright: Avalon Television / Arlo Productions

Interview: Lee Mack on Not Going Out

Lee Mack confesses he's reached the age where he can usually be found beavering away in his garden shed. But you won't find him, like a lot of men approaching 50, repotting the begonias or pretending to tinker with the lawn mower. Mack's shed is where he spends hours writing the BBC1 sitcom Not Going Out, which returns on Friday for its eighth series in ten years.

Graham Wray, Radio Times, 13th January 2017
Nick Mohammed

Mr Swallow - Houdini, review

A cult hit from Edinburgh Fringe makes its way to London and it's split-your-sides hilarious, says Bruce Dessau.

Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 13th January 2017
John Fleming

Why the Counting House is now free from ballooning fees

"My understanding," I said to Alex Petty, "is that the bar did not take as much money under the Gilded Balloon at last year's Fringe as it had at previous Fringes under the Free Festival. And the Gilded Balloon did not take as much money from the shows as they expected."

John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 13th January 2017
Not Going Out. Image shows from L to R: Lee (Lee Mack), Lucy (Sally Bretton). Copyright: Avalon Television / Arlo Productions

Not Going Out series 8 preview

Not Going Out isn't the sort of emotive, appointment-to-view comedy that so many artistically motivated comics are making. But the rarity of being a light sitcom that's dependably funny thanks to script and character - not the dated, grating extravagance of the likes of Citizen Khan or Mrs Brown's Boys - is quite the achievement. No wonder it's future is assured. The day Not Going Out is not going out on TV is a long way off.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 13th January 2017
Mrs. Brown's Boys. Image shows from L to R: Buster Brady (Danny O'Carroll), Grandad Brown (Dermot O'Neill), Dino Doyle (Gary Hollywood), Rory Brown (Rory Cowan), Cathy Brown (Jennifer Gibney), Mark Brown (Pat Shields), Betty Brown (Amanda Woods), Winnie McGoogan (Eilish O'Carroll), Dermot Brown (Paddy Houlihan), Agnes Brown (Brendan O'Carroll), Maria Nicholson / Brown (Fiona O'Carroll). Copyright: BBC / BocPix

Mrs Brown & Outnumbered among big iPlayer shows on Xmas

The most watched shows on the BBC iPlayer of Christmas were EastEnders, Mrs. Brown's Boys and Outnumbered. Last Tango in Halifax made the top 20.

Sarah Doran, Radio Times, 13th January 2017
Only Fools And Horses. Image shows from L to R: Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), Del (David Jason), Grandad (Lennard Pearce). Copyright: BBC

Only Fools among most watched Netflix shows on Xmas Day

Classic BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses is still one of the most popular TV shows on Christmas Day - thanks to Netflix and Gold.

Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 13th January 2017
Not Going Out. Image shows from L to R: Lee (Lee Mack), Lucy (Sally Bretton). Copyright: Avalon Television / Arlo Productions

Preview - Not Going Out

I've always enjoyed Not Going Out - probably because I like Lee Mack, so the return of the series was met with trumpets and fanfare at Chez Hargreaves. But that was before I realised that the new series includes kids.

Gareth Hargreaves, On The Box, 13th January 2017
Nath Valvo

Nath Valvo review

The outre comedian, who was shortlisted for the best newcomer award at Edinburgh, is an engaging host as he reflects on adolescence and family life.

Brian Logan, The Guardian, 13th January 2017
Omid Djalili

Omid Djalili interview

From Derek & Clive to Harry Hill, the comedian and actor reveals the things that make him laugh the most.

Rachel Aroesti, The Guardian, 13th January 2017

Omid Djalili named patron of Polka Theatre

Actor and comedian Omid Djalili has been made a patron of children's theatre Polka.

Georgia Snow, The Stage, 13th January 2017

Not Going Out: the family sitcom?

Whilst I didn't find much to enjoy/laugh about in these opening episodes you can never count out Not Going Out. It had faced adversity many a time and coming bouncing back and at time when BBC comedy mainly consists of Still Open All Hours, Citizen Khan and Mrs. Brown's Boys perhaps I should just shut up and enjoy it.

Luke, The Custard TV, 13th January 2017

Review: Uncle, BBC3, episode 2

This is just a quick heads up to remind people to watch the third series of Uncle, which looks like it is going to build to a nice - or maybe not so nice? - romantic finale in a few weeks.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 13th January 2017

13 comedy gigs in 13 days using only public transport

Paul Richards will be completing the first run of his tour in 13 days. Will public transport be kind to him? Or will he be late for his own show?

Lottie Evans, Somerset Live, 13th January 2017

Satire is meant to offend

What a spineless decision by Sky Arts to give in to the Michael Jackson mob.

Rupert Hawksley, The Telegraph, 13th January 2017

Videos

TV & radio

Radio 4
11:30am
30 min
All Those Women. Image shows from L to R: Hetty (Marcia Warren), Maggie (Lesley Manville), Emily (Lucy Hutchinson), Jen (Sinead Matthews). Copyright: BBC

All Those Women

Series 2, Episode 3

An unexpected death leads all four of the family to consider what is really important, as well as giving David a chance to spend some quality time (of sorts) with Maggie, much to Hetty's disapproval.

BBC Radio Scotland
1:30pm
30 min
Jail Mates. Image shows from L to R: Gerry (Gary Little), Jenny (Julia Sutherland). Copyright: Dabster Productions

Jail Mates

Episode 1 - The Phone Call

Romance is blossoming between Jenny and Gerry, who are both opening up to each other about their past lives. Stag do's and hen parties aren't quite the fun they used to be, as international crises are narrowly avoided in Poland and wedding plans might be cancelled after a confession about a wild night out in Soho. Things are hotting up between the jail mates, but will they take their relationship to the next level?

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC
5:30pm
30 min
The Dog Ate My Homework. Iain Stirling. Copyright: BBC

The Dog Ate My Homework

Series 4, Episode 7

Iain Stirling is joined by child team captains Luca and Amara and special guests Lauren Layfield, Matthew Crosby, Dan Wright and Marlon Davis, who battle it out in a series of rounds and challenges.

Radio 4
6:30pm
30 min
The News Quiz. Andy Zaltzman

The News Quiz

Series 92, Episode 2

Mark Steel, Michael Deacon, Zoe Lyons and Katy Brand accompany Miles Jupp in his weekly dissection of the news headlines.

Room 101. Image shows from L to R: Rylan Clark-Neal, Frank Skinner, Nigel Havers, Catherine Tate. Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Room 101

Series 6, Episode 1 - Catherine Tate, Rylan Clark-Neal, Nigel Havers

Comedian Catherine Tate, actor Nigel Havers and TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal try to send hipster restaurants, set up-paparazzi shoots and Jeremy Corbyn into the Orwellian chamber.

Not Going Out. Image shows from L to R: Lucy (Sally Bretton), Lee (Lee Mack)

Not Going Out

Series 8, Episode 1 - Romance

Viewers last saw Lee and Lucy as a newlywed couple just having their first baby. Fast-forward seven years and baby Charlie now has five year-old twin siblings, Benji and Molly.

8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Jimmy Carr. Copyright: ITV Studios / Zeppotron

8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown

Series 11 (Channel 4: Series 12), Episode 1

Jimmy Carr hosts a new edition of the panel game with Sean Lock and Stephen Mangan, who take on Noel Fielding and Fay Ripley. The Brett Domino Trio are in with Susie Dent, while Rachel Riley looks after the numbers and letters.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC
10:35pm
60 min
The Graham Norton Show. Graham Norton. Credit: So Television, Christopher Baines

The Graham Norton Show

Series 20, Episode 13 - Ben Affleck, Sienna Miller, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, Gregory Porter

Hollywood's hottest double act Emily Stone and Ryan Gosling talk about La La Land, Ben Affleck chats about his brother Casey, Sienna Miller talks about receiving a rather backhanded compliment, and Gregory Porter performs live in the studio.

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