BCG Daily Thursday 15th February 2018
Features
Press clippings
Reviews: Damned and Bliss
Jo Brand and Morwenna Banks's sitcom is scathing and subtle as it makes unfunny subjects hilarious. Plus: playing bigamy for laughs in Bliss.
Tim Dowling, The Guardian, 15th February 2018Why Gunmen of the Apocalypse is a comedy classic
It may seem hard to believe, but cult TV favourite Red Dwarf celebrates its 30th anniversary today.
Mark Butler, i Newspaper, 15th February 2018Red Dwarf: 10 of the sitcom's funniest moments
Thirty years to the day that it first aired on BBC Two (Feb 15), here's a look back at ten of the funniest moments from the much-loved sci-fi comedy that is Red Dwarf.
Jon O'Brien, Metro, 15th February 2018Mark Thomas: Showtime from the Frontline review
Comedy with teeth, balls and heart from Mark Thomas.
Claire Wood, The Wee Review, 15th February 2018Arts Q&A: What really annoys comedian Mark Thomas?
Jenny Lee puts performers and artists on the spot about what really matters to them. This week, comedian Mark Thomasp.
Mark Thomas, The Irish News, 15th February 201812 things you never knew about Red Dwarf
Can you imagine Hugh Laurie and Alan Rickman as Lister and Rimmer?
Emma Dibdin, Digital Spy, 15th February 2018Review: The Importance of Being Earnest
Oscar Wilde's perennial acerbic comedy is perfection and The Original Theatre Company's touring production allows the wonderfully scathing observations and witticisms to shine.
Karen Bussell, British Theatre Guide, 15th February 2018Review: Bliss
When I heard that American comedian David Cross was writing a comedy starring Stephen Mangan as an Englishman with two families who do not know about each other I assumed that one family would be in America, one in the UK. Maybe the budget didn't stretch that far. On the other hand there is plenty of additional tension as both families live in Bristol.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 15th February 2018Comedy Store, Saturday Night Live & being a stripper
Kim Kinnie died last weekend. The Chortle comedy website described him as a "Svengali of alternative comedy... the long-serving gatekeeper of the Comedy Store (in London) and a 'spiritual godfather' to many stand-ups in the early days of alternative comedy... Kinnie started out as a choreographer and stage manager of the Gargoyle Club, the Soho strip club where The Comedy Store began in 1979".
This blog's occasional Canadian correspondent Anna Smith used to work at the Gargoyle Club - she now lives on a boat in Vancouver - so I asked her if she remembered him. This was her reply.
Anna Smith, John Fleming's Blog, 15th February 2018TV review, Damned, C4
Are sexual abuse and sex trafficking suitable subjects for comedy? My gut instinct would say no but the first episode of the second series of social worker comedy Damned somehow managed to incorporate these subjects and make serious points along with succesful jokes. The writers - Jo Brand, Morwenna Banks and Will Smith - and the cast - deserve full credit for going where few programmes fear to tread. Imagine Ken Loach collaborating with Ricky Gervais.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 15th February 2018Screaming with Laughter - Interview with Hatty Ashdown
If youre a new parent or your BFF now has a small baby in tow but you still want your comedy fix, then you should head down to Screaming with Laughter every third Saturday of the month - it's a lunchtime comedy club specially designed for new parents who can bring their babies with them. Screaming with Laughter at the Poplar Union is run by Hatty Ashdown, comedian, writer, radio presenter and mum, our editor Kate Stone managed to grab a chat with Hatty to talk about comedy, parenting and how becoming a mother or father can affect your career...
Kate Stone, Funny Women, 15th February 2018Before Spaced: Bailey, Wright & Pegg's forgotten comedy
Next week sees the 20th anniversary of Is it Bill Bailey?, a short-lived BBC Two comedy combining Bailey's stand-up routines, pop songs parodies and some genuinely funny sketches. Sketches that helped give a hint of where Wright and Pegg's careers would go in future.
Alex Nelson, i Newspaper, 15th February 2018Showtime From The Frontline, Traverse Theatre, review
Have you heard the one about the left-wing, English comedian who went to a refugee camp in the Palestinian Occupied Territories and set up a comedy club? Mark Thomas, Faisal Abualheja and Alaa Shehada have.
Mark Brown, The Telegraph, 15th February 2018Damned, Channel 4, review
Jo Brand and Alan Davies create tragi-comedy at its best.
Elisa Bray, i Newspaper, 15th February 2018Bliss, a comedy about bigamy that wants it both ways
Stephen Mangan's character used to be indecisive but now he's not so sure.
Peter Crawley, The Irish Times, 15th February 2018Find Me Funny - Shortlist Announced
Following an open call via our website at the beginning of the year we're delighted to announce the shortlisted writers for Find Me Funny. From just under 350 submissions (349 to be exact!) 8 scripts have been carefully chosen and are now being considered by a judging panel.
BBC, 15th February 2018Review - Bill Bailey, Larks in Transit
'And that's why Nicky Minaj didn't sample a puffin'
Paul Fleckney, London Is Funny, 15th February 2018Review: Tiger - Neatly intelligent comedy
Joe Corrigall's garrulous Tiger is a fascinatingly layered presence whose own behaviour masks his own tragedy.
Ian Foster, There Ought To Be Clowns, 15th February 2018Why Red Dwarf is the most British sitcom ever made
The first episode of Red Dwarf aired 30 years ago today. There are longer-running sitcoms, more universally beloved sitcoms and certainly more consistent sitcoms, but is there a more British sitcom than Red Dwarf?
Mike Rampton, ShortList, 15th February 2018Review: Showtime from the Frontline review
Mark Thomas's latest production proves to be one of the wittiest and most heartfelt shows to tour to the Traverse.
Thom Dibdin, All Edinburgh Theatre, 15th February 2018Showtime from the Frontline review
Thomas relishes the fact that authoritarian regimes hate being laughed at.
Edinburgh Guide, 15th February 2018Meet Rachel Parris: The Mash Report's viral star
Even if you don't know her name (and you should), you might recognise Rachel Parris from her viral videos.
Hannah Mylrea Hemmings, NME, 15th February 201830 years of Red Dwarf: The Best Episodes
Today marks the 30th anniversary of one of Britain's best loved sitcoms. Classic sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf first hit our screens way back in 1988.
Jess Phillips, The National Student, 15th February 2018Kate Fox: Is it because I'm Northern?
Kate Fox exposes a geographical bias in the comedy world.
Chortle, 15th February 2018Hold The Sunset review
In truth, it's not rip-roaringly, gut-bustingly, eye-wateringly funny. But it is rather lovely. It's wry, and gentle, and old fashioned. It is warm and affectionate and optimistic.
Benjie Goodhart, Saga Magazine, 15th February 2018TV & radio
The Young Offenders
Series 1, Episode 3After the disastrous encounter at the Walsh family barbecue, Conor and Jock have one last chance to make Linda and Siobhán fall for them.
Millie Inbetween
Series 4, Episode 8 - Best Actress Goes To...There is family drama as Leo is cast as Juliet and Lauren as the Friar. The girls realise they need to help Leo find his inner Juliet. Mike's building a go-kart, but needs Fran's help.
Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed!
Series 1, Episode 23 - Pig Trouble In Little BeanotownMore adventures with Dennis and Gnasher in Beanotown.
The Mash Report
Series 1, Episode 9Rachel Parris talks about Jacob Rees-Mogg, and Geoff Norcott returns to address problems with the current Labour party.
Newsjack
Series 18, Episode 2This week we order some eggs, campaign for lent and visit White Planet. With Anglea Barnes, Jon Pointing, Emma Sidi and Raphael Wakefield.