BCG Daily Friday 20th October 2017
Press clippings
Preview - QI: Series O
Oh yes, it's time once again observe some obscure facts as the world's cleverest quiz is back on the box.
Ian Wolf, On The Box, 20th October 2017Danger Mouse and Duckula star in animation exhibition
Show at Waterside arts centre in Sale explores work of Cosgrove Hall, one of Britain's most successful studios.
Helen Pidd, The Guardian, 20th October 2017Labour of Love, Noel Coward Theatre WC1 review
The joyful thing about James Graham is that for all the playwright's youth, diamond wit and forensic insight, there is a deep humankindliness in his work.
theatreCat, 20th October 2017Armando Iannucci talks Alan Partridge & Malcolm Tucker
The state of UK politics means there is no need for The Thick of It, and the US political scene is so absurd currently that it would be "beyond sitcom territory" to produce Veep, said the satirist who founded both programmes.
Ellie Price, BBC, 20th October 2017Red Dwarf XII episode 3 review: Timewave
We'd go so far as to say it's the worst since the Dave era began with Back To Earth.
Mark Harrison, Den Of Geek, 20th October 2017Jimmy Carr interview
Jimmy Carr is looking forward to bring his distinctive brand of comedy to a wider New Zealand audience in January.
James Croot, Stuff.co.nz, 20th October 2017The Death of Stalin is easily the comedy of the year
This delightfully silly movie is an intelligent, hilarious circus crammed full of the finest people cinema has to offer.
James East, The Sun, 20th October 2017Kerry Godliman, Touring review
She's canny on the differences between "girl" friendships" and "bloke" friendships (or indeed man flu and woman flu), and the idiocy of the trend for adult colouring books; she also throws in some emoji jokes for good measure. This is standard fare for comics, but Godliman, nicely foul-mouthed when she wants to be, is caustic when required.
Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 20th October 2017Jason Byrne interview
The Irish comedian shares his thoughts on flowers, Full Metal Jacket and fire extinguishers.
Brian Donaldson, The List, 20th October 2017Tim Key, Megadate, review: a feat of comic strength
To watch him is like sitting by a body of water that occasionally delivers up a little treat at your feet.
Paul Fleckney, i Newspaper, 20th October 2017Harry Hill interview
"I always thought my act was mainstream but I was considered a weird cult"
Alice Jones, i Newspaper, 20th October 2017Phil Wang: Kinabalu review
His memorable nerdy laugh, third person character development and quick delivery of x-rated lube jokes made this hilarious comedian all the more funny.
Abby Kwantes, The Latest, 20th October 2017Nick Helm review
The man is brutal, but by AC/DC he's talented with it.
Victoria Nangle, The Latest, 20th October 2017John Morton on ending W1A
This current series of the BBC comedy about itself is almost certainly going to be the last - and the writer has his heart set on a very different project next.
Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 20th October 2017Andrew Lawrence interview
Andrew Lawrence is known for dividing opinions; having come under fire for his many controversial comments on social media - slating feminists, 'leftists' and, most recently, remarking on the allegations surrounding film producer Harvey Weinstein.
The Express and Star, 20th October 2017The Death of Stalin review - dictatorship as high farce
There is just enough of this brutality to keep the film honest. Iannucci's point that dictatorships have an inherent, ghastly absurdity is made by an elderly doctor running with puffing slowness for his life, as much as by the hesitantly half-raised hands at Politburo meetings requiring unanimity. Actual quantities of laughter are diluted by the difficult satiric point, but the acting and the farce's whirring clockwork occupy you anyway.
Nick Hasted, The Arts Desk, 20th October 2017The Death of Stalin: Can we really laugh at tyranny?
Despite recent efforts of restitution in Russia, Josef Stalin is widely considered to be one of history's greatest monsters.
Yahoo, 20th October 2017Alan Partridge vs Malcolm Tucker: what we learned
We can't do this unmissable conversation justice in just a few sentences. You'll read extracts below, yes, and some other media has picked up points it elsewhere. But the only way to truly enjoy this glorious verbal grudge match between the two great British treasures, of course, is to buy The Big Issue.
The Big Issue, 20th October 2017TV Review: Porridge, Episode 3
It's easy to knock this Porridge 2.0 with a stream of Ronnie-rolling-in-his-grave tweets. I know, I've probably posted a few myself. But - and I know it's a big but - if you can erase the memory of Ronnie Barker and judge this on its own merits as a populist prison comedy, this is not too bad.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th October 2017Mark Gatiss interview
I feel terribly pessimistic about the future of humankind.
Chloe Hamilton, i Newspaper, 20th October 2017Shappi Khorsandi on Michael Hann's Sean Hughes article
We all clean out our friends' cupboards sometimes. I myself have occasionally been bagged up by friends and taken down to the charity shop. But was this really the time?
Shappi Khorsandi, The Independent, 20th October 2017The League of Gentlemen have just finished filming
The League of Gentlemen returns to BBC2 this Christmas.
Ellie Harrison, Radio Times, 20th October 2017Rhod Gilbert: 'The funniest heckle: "Will you be long?"
The Apprentice: You're Fired host and comic on the things that make him laugh the most.
Harriet Gibsone, The Guardian, 20th October 2017Greg McHugh opens up on anxiety battle
Gary Tank Commander star Greg McHugh has revealed how he turned to a therapist after suffering from anxiety.
The Scotsman, 20th October 2017Armando Iannucci interview
The writer of the much-anticipated movie about the aftermath of the Soviet dictator's death says he has had a positive reaction from Russia.
Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 20th October 2017The Death of Stalin: who were the key figures?
As the title suggests The Death of Stalin, takes place during the power struggle that followed the 'Man of Steel's' death.
Finlay Greig, i Newspaper, 20th October 2017Review: Young Frankenstein
Yes, it's silly. Yes, it's slight. Yes, it has no message to deliver. But, boy, it's joyous!
Stephen Griffin, Islington Tribune, 20th October 2017TV Review: Red Dwarf XII Episode 2
Despite the many strengths of the comedic themes, the characters could have been fresher at times.
Simon Wiedemann, Howl Sanctuary, 20th October 2017The Death of Stalin review
Armando Iannucci's film uses visual grandeur to heighten the petty, scabrous humour.
Ryan Gibley, The New Statesman, 20th October 2017An oral history of the horror-comedy zombie classic
Edgar Wright's rom-zom-com is a bloodstained love letter to the undead genre. Now the film's cast and creators relive this slice of fried cinematic gold.
Clark Collis, Entertainment Weekly, 20th October 2017Videos
Online
Online
TV & radio
10:45am15 min
Sarah Millican: How To Be Champion
Episode 5 - Recipe For My Very Favourite CakeSarah shares her recipe for her favourite cake - also known as a rescue plan for old, dead bananas.
11:30am30 min
Big Problems With Helen Keen
Series 2, Episode 1 - FoodNatural resources are dwindling. How can we make sure everyone is fed? Can science help? Will the future be meals in a pill? Professional science amateur Helen Keen investigates.
1:30pm30 min
Breaking The News
Series 8, Episode 1Topical comedy with guests Geoff Norcott, Catriona Shearer, Raymond Mearns and Elaine Malcolmson.
6:30pm30 min
The News Quiz
Series 94, Episode 7Miles Jupp is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Desiree Burch, Jeremy Hardy and Suzi Ruffell to hash out the week's news. This week the panellists will be discussing the implications of a Brexit 'no deal' scenario, the FA's racism inquiry and Storm Ophelia.
6:30pm30 min
The Harri-Parris' Radio Show
Series 3, Episode 2 - Vote For MeWhen there's a vacancy on the village committee, Anni and Ifan become rivals in the election. Deiniol decides he's born to be a political spin doctor and proceeds to cause havoc for both campaigns.
9pm60 min
Cold Feet
Series 7, Episode 7When a threat is made towards David's daughters, he takes matters into his own hands. Although in no position to do so, Adam offers Pete some relationship advice - with disastrous consequences.
9pm30 min
Have I Got News For You
Series 54, Episode 3Ian Hislop and Paul Merton are joined by guest host Martin Clunes and panellists Jon Richardson and Kirsty Wark.
9:30pm30 min
Porridge
Episode 3 - The MinderFletch gets on the wrong side of a mysterious new inmate. And to make matters worse he gets a present he wasn't expecting - he's inherited Scudds as a minder.
10pm30 min
QI
Series O, Episode 1 - OlogiesIn the first episode of the 'O' series, Sandi Toksvig sets out in search of 'Ologies' and 'Odoxies' - and finds out how an amusement arcade helped to win the Cold War, meets a lizard with three eyes, and much else besides. The guests are Bill Bailey, Phill Jupitus and Claudia Winkleman.
10pm60 min
The Last Leg
Series 12, Episode 4In this show the team are joined by Jonnie Peacock, Oti Mabuse, James Acaster and Kasabian, who also perform live in the studio.
10:35pm45 min
The Graham Norton Show
Series 22, Episode 4 - Hillary Clinton, Jeff Goldblum, Gerard Butler, Jack Whitehall, Gregory PorterHillary Clinton talks about What Happened and reveals how she tried to get out of Trump's inauguration ceremony, Jeff Goldblum talks about his new movie, Gerard Butler says his motorbike accident was pretty hefty, Jack Whitehall jokes about being an action hero and Gregory Porter performs live in the studio.