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BCG Daily Thursday 14th December 2017

News

Birds Of A Feather. Image shows from L to R: Sharon Theodopolopodous (Pauline Quirke), Tracey Stubbs (Linda Robson), Dorien Green (Lesley Joseph) Live

Birds Of A Feather linked live show 'Early Birds' planned

The creators of Birds Of A Feather have revealed they're planning a new live show titled Early Birds. Focusing on how the sitcom was developed, it will premiere at the Edinburgh Festival in 2018.

The New Statesman. Alan B'Stard MP (Rik Mayall). Copyright: Alomo Productions / Yorkshire Television TV

Development stalled on The New Statesman spin-off

Work on The B'Stard Legacy, the spin-off from Rik Mayall sitcom The New Statesman, has stalled. Writers Marks & Gran say they are struggling to find a lead actor, plus get a TV channel that would be willing to broadcast the show's "scurrilous filth".

Goodnight Sweetheart. Gary Sparrow (Nicholas Lyndhurst) Live

Goodnight Sweetheart The Musical to launch in 2018

A musical stage version of the sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart will premiere in the autumn of 2018, creators Marks & Gran have revealed.

The League Of Gentlemen. Image shows from L to R: Tubbs (Steve Pemberton), Edward (Reece Shearsmith). Copyright: BBC Live

The League Of Gentlemen to announce 2018 live tour

The stars of The League Of Gentlemen are set to tour the UK in 2018 with a new live show.

Features

Eleanor Morton Live

First Gig, Worst Gig: Eleanor Morton

In this festive edition, ghost-hunting Eleanor Morton talks us through Hogmanay dismay, knife hopes and the case of the missing owl.

Press clippings

The Vicar Of Dibley. Geraldine Grainger (Dawn French). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

The best British Christmas comedy specials

A look at the best Christmas comedies ever.

The Telegraph, 14th December 2017
Thirty Christmases. Image shows from L to R: Jonny Donahoe, Paddy Gervers, Rachel Parris. Copyright: Anna Soderblom

Review: Thirty Christmases at the New Diorama Theatre

The loneliest time of the year: Jonny and the Baptists' Christmas show has brilliant songs and a big heart.

Fergus Moran, Exeunt Magazine, 14th December 2017
Harry & Chris

The Harry & Chris Show 2

There's no denying they make their fans happy with an effortless affability, but those seeking a bit more grit and passion to their comedy might feel a little underwhelmed.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 14th December 2017
Sofie Hagen

Sofie Hagen's new show: is it comedy?

Having explored her depression and anxiety, the Danish comic is tackling childhood trauma. How do stand-ups amuse an audience if even they don't find their subject funny?

Brian Logan, The Guardian, 14th December 2017
Ed Byrne. Copyright: Roslyn Gaunt

Review: Ed Byrne; Spoiler Alert

With oodles of well-crafted material, he uses his cheeky chappie persona to poke fun at the middle classes from the point of view of one who has only recently arrived, so he gets away with it.

Martin Baron, The Latest, 14th December 2017
Thirty Christmases. Image shows from L to R: Jonny Donahoe, Paddy Gervers, Rachel Parris. Copyright: Anna Soderblom

Theatre Review: Thirty Christmases

Thirty Christmases is flawed, but then aren't we all? It certainly puts a different spin on festive theatre.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 14th December 2017
'Allo 'Allo!. Image shows from L to R: Edith Melba Artois (Carmen Silvera), René François Artois (Gorden Kaye), Yvette Carte-Blanche (Vicki Michelle). Copyright: BBC

'Allo 'Allo: Where are they now?

25 years since the wartime sitcom ended... what became of its stars?

Chortle, 14th December 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

TV review: Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas, BBC One

Sub-standard festive frolics from Mrs Brown and her boys (and girls).

Brian Donaldson, The List, 14th December 2017
Vic & Bob's Big Night Out. Image shows from L to R: Bob Mortimer, Vic Reeves. Copyright: BBC

Vic and Bob, interview

'What do modern comedians do? Do they just tell long, rambling stories?'

Alice Jones, i Newspaper, 14th December 2017
The Great Indoors. Stephen Fry. Copyright: CBS

Book review: Mythos, by Stephen Fry

Often when a celebrity - and Fry is unquestionably that - appears as the author of a book on a well-worn or popular subject, you may look for something bland or perfunctory, even suspect the hand of a ghost. This book is different.

Allan Massie, The Scotsman, 14th December 2017

Paddington 2: Review

With comedy and life lessons that are accessible to children all the way through to their great-grandparents, the film provides welcome entertainment from start to finish.

Hazel Needham, The Boar, 14th December 2017

Omid Djalili interview

It was truly an honour to do 110 dates. The producers of the TV show "Undateables" said soon as my tour is over I can come back and do another 110 dates.

Love London Love Culture, 14th December 2017

Videos

French And Saunders. Image shows from L to R: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders TV

300 Years of French and Saunders - Trailer

20 secs

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders celebrate 30 years of their comedy partnership with some brand new sketches alongside some of their greatest hits.

Celebrity Juice. Image shows from L to R: Leigh Francis, Alex James, Ricky Wilson, Holly Willoughby, John Barrowman, Fearne Cotton, Denise Van Outen, Stacey Solomon, Gino D'Acampo TV

Celebrity Juice - Bake Off impressions

23 secs

In the annual Celebrity Juice Lemon Awards, Keith Lemon and actor Adam Booth play Bake Off presenters Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding, accepting their award for Best Double Act.

QI. Image shows from L to R: Alan Davies, Bill Bailey, Sandi Toksvig, Rhod Gilbert, Katherine Ryan. Copyright: TalkbackThames TV

QI - Wound Man

1 mins, 34 secs

The panellists learn about the Wound Man, an illustration which first appeared in European surgical texts in the Middle Ages.

Trigger Happy. Dom Joly Online

Trigger Happy - Pub loo meal

1 mins, 2 secs

A man in a pub is surprised to discover a diner having a meal in the men's loos.

Simon's Cat Online

Simon's Cat - Fireworks

2 mins, 16 secs

An anxious cat tries to hide from the festive celebrations.

Podcasts

Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast. Image shows from L to R: Richard Herring, Simon Brodkin

RHLSTP with Richard Herring: RHLSTP 158 - Simon Brodkin

71 minutes

RHLSTP #158: Simon Brodkin - Vagina Cash Machine. Richard has been belittled by a scaffolder, and is plotting his revenge. Perhaps he should send this week's guest after him, it's...

TV & radio

CBeebies logo. Credit: BBC 5pm
15 min
Little Roy. Copyright: JAM Media

Little Roy

Series 2, Christmas Special - Santa's Little Helper

Roy realises that Christmas is about giving presents as well as getting them - but he doesn't have anything for Maura and Bill!

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
Keep Calman Carry On. Susan Calman. Copyright: BBC

Keep Calman Carry On

Series 2, Episode 2 - Festivals

Susan visits a music festival with Robin Ince.

U&Dave channel logo 8pm
60 min
Ross Noble Off Road. Ross Noble. Copyright: Grain Media

Ross Noble Off Road

Episode 2

Team Noble reach breaking point as they discover what challenges this legendary biking event has hidden up its rather rocky sleeves. Ross is in over his head, and up to his neck in deep and muddy bogs!

ITV3 logo. Credit: ITV 9pm
60 min
Tommy Cooper Forever. Tommy Cooper. Copyright: Shiver Productions

Tommy Cooper Forever

Episode 1

The documentary traces Tommy Cooper's extraordinary journey from South Wales to top of the bill at the Palladium, with the help of family, friends who worked with him and famous fans - a cast list which includes Jennifer Saunders, Simon Callow, Lionel Blair, Anita Harris, Les Dennis and Jerome Flynn.

Sky One logo. Copyright: Sky 10pm
60 min
The Russell Howard Hour. Image shows from L to R: Jamie Oliver, Russell Howard. Copyright: Avalon Television

The Russell Howard Hour

Series 1, Episode 13

Russell talks to chef Jamie Oliver. Stand-up from Ed Gamble.

BBC Two 10pm
30 min
Live At The Apollo. Image shows from L to R: Darren Harriott, Rob Beckett, Jen Brister. Copyright: Open Mike Productions

Live At The Apollo

Series 13, Episode 3 - Rob Beckett, Jen Brister, Darren Harriott

In this episode, the hilarious Rob Beckett is your host as he introduces rising comedy stars Jen Brister and Darren Harriott to the stage.

ITV2 logo. Credit: ITV 10pm
60 min
Celebrity Juice. Image shows from L to R: Leigh Francis, Alex James, Ricky Wilson, Holly Willoughby, John Barrowman, Fearne Cotton, Denise Van Outen, Stacey Solomon, Gino D'Acampo

Celebrity Juice

Series 18, Christmas Special

Keith Lemon is joined by team captains Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton for a special festive edition of the outrageous comedy panel show. Joining the teams tonight are actor John Barrowman, musician Alex James, Loose Women Denise Van Outen and Stacey Solomon, and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson.

Radio 4 11pm
30 min
Andrew Maxwell

Welcome To Wherever You Are

Series 1, Episode 3

Comics in Auckland, Bahrain and New York perform to an audience in London.

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