BCG Daily Wednesday 4th April 2018

So female politicians don't want to host HIGNFY?

The implication that women are too cowardly to host the quiz show is ridiculous - they're busy in a ceaseless battle against trivialisation.

TV review, Cunk on Britain (BBC2)

A brilliant puncturing of television histories.

Cunk on Britain review

The success of Cunk as a character is not thanks to her general persona as an ill-informed pundit, but her bizarre turns of phrase.

Cunk on Britain, episode 1 review

Diane Morgan delivers her lines with a face so straight you could use it as a spirit level.

Cunk on Britain review

Giving Cunk more space could have been a risk, but her bloody-minded daftness leaves you wanting more.

Cunk on Britain review

It wasn't clear whether the experts were in on the joke, suspected a wind-up or were just too buried in their stones and bones. I know what I'd put my money on though and that's because Cunk doesn't hit the right notes. The very name Philomena Cunk is a clue that someone is just taking the mickey.

TV review: Last Laugh In Vegas, ITV1

Michael Caine used to say that in his world you don't retire, the phone just stops ringing. Well it never seems to stop ringing for old celebrities being offered shows these days.

Podcast of the week: Evil Genius with Russell Kane

Essentially a comedic alternative to Radio 4's Great Lives, the show delivers its verdict on figures like Albert Einstein and John Lennon.

The trans-gressions of Ricky Gervais

Humanity's Caitlyn Jenner jokes are the least of this sub-par show's problems.

Simon Munnery: Renegade Plumber review

Many people would think that a comedy show revolving around a haphazard explanation of the invention of a heating system for a tent would be boring. And in the hands of many, they'd be right. But somehow, Munnery makes it work in the most endearing and effortless way.

Eddie Izzard: comic, transgender activist, politician

As accusations of anti-Semitism plague the British Labour Party and its leader, Jeremy Corbyn, the party has a prominent new voice as it tries to steady the ship: a comedian better known for his whimsical stand-up shows and appearances in Hollywood movies.

BFI to hold all-day Spike Milligan celebration

The British Film Institute on London's South Bank is to devote a whole day to the work of comedy legend Spike Milligan, marking a century since his birth.

Ali G vs Trump - and other inspired spoof interviews

Fifteen years ago, when Donald Trump was merely a business tycoon and not the most controversial US president since Nixon, he found himself face to face with Sacha Baron Cohen's cult comedy alter-ego: aspiring UK rapper Ali G. Now that Diane Morgan's Philomena Cunk is currently rekindling the trend for spoof interviews, we look back at one of the best.

Geoff Norcott: Roseanne shows UK needs a Tory sitcom

Last week, America's TV executives got the biggest shock of their lives. The first episode of Roseanne, a revival of sitcom last seen on screens in 1997, and starring a lead actress who supports Donald Trump both in real life and on screen, was a huge hit.

My comedy writing career - Benjamin Partridge

Benjamin Partridge on his comedy writing.

The best Cunk on Britain jokes

Comedy genius Diane Morgan's incredible eye-rolling creation came out with some killer lines - here they are...

Left-wing - not gender - bias is ruining a hit BBC show

If you think women aren't able to cope on TV comedy panel shows, then have I got news for you: you're wrong.

And so is Conservative MP Nadine Dorries, who has turned down all requests to appear on the BBC panel show Have I Got News For You since her one and only appearance in 2012 because, she claims, it is "too vicious" for most female guests.

Alison Rowat's TV week

Blackstone was a hoot and a half. As for John Gordon Sinclair, it should be the law that he is cast in every BBC Scotland comedy.

Jack Spring, 21, set to see film premiere in Hollywood

Dad John Spring, 55, said: "We're very proud of Jack, it takes a lot of effort to not only make a film but to raise funding and persuade others to get involved."

Good Sex Bad Sex podcast

Surviving the dry patch with Maddy Anholt.

The language of comedy

Michael Monkhouse on why only English jokes are funny.