BCG Daily Thursday 2nd August 2018
Features
Press clippings
Interview: rarely asked questions - Phil Ellis
Join him for an hour of fun and desperation.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 2nd August 2018Comedy is entirely unsuited to the 'Edinburgh hour'
There is always a lull at 40 minutes, which some comics like Hannah Gadsby try to deal with by being clever.
Andrew Watts, The Spectator, 2nd August 2018John Cleese should stop moaning. Comedy's moved on
Monty Python was once the high benchmark of surrealist humour - but that was 45 years ago.
Fiona Sturges, The Guardian, 2nd August 2018Jen Brister's new show set to hit Edinburgh Festival
Comedian Jen Brister is a mum, the "other" mum. One half of a lesbian couple, she's the non-biological parent of three-year-old twins.
Nan Spowart, The National (Scotland), 2nd August 2018Five minutes with ... Romesh Ranganathan
All rise for Romesh Ranganathan. For the comedian, 40, has pledged to settle the public's drama in new court-room series Judge Romesh. Let's find out more ...
The National (Scotland), 2nd August 2018Sid Singh: American Bot interview
Sid Singh grew up in Silicon Valley and this year he is using his Fringe show to take to task big tech and the people who run these multi-billion dollar companies.
Chris Cooke, ThreeWeeks, 2nd August 2018People can't deal with anything perceived as soft porn
The name Su Pollard evokes a certain time in recent cultural history. As the lowly, lovable chambermaid Peggy Ollerenshaw in sitcom Hi-De-Hi!, she caught the public imagination and for a time in the Eighties she seemed to be the most famous woman in Britain.
She scored a No 2 single with Starting Together and released an album. Elton John was a fan and Freddie Mercury once asked her for an autograph. While at a charity event in the House of Commons, Princess Diana approached her and they started tap dancing.
Ben Lawrence, The Telegraph, 2nd August 2018The Pin pick their Perfect Playlist
'I wish I could have seen the gigs where this routine failed'
The Pin, Chortle, 2nd August 2018Bethany Black: Edinburgh Fringe 2018 interview
Bethany Black interview.
Laugh Out London, 2nd August 2018Steen Raskopoulos: Edinburgh Fringe 2018 interview
Steen Raskopoulos interview.
Laugh Out London, 2nd August 2018Lily Lovett and Patrick Monahan: interview
Lily Lovett and Patrick Monahan interview.
Becca Moody, Moody Comedy, 2nd August 2018Nina Conti interview
The Fringe's number one ventriloquism act threatens to overheat as she takes the collaborative process to staggering new heights.
Brian Donaldson, The List, 2nd August 20185 comedians staging a return to the Fringe
Expect fresh new material from the likes of Fringe veterans Helen Lederer, John Molony and Miles Jupp.
Brian Donaldson, The List, 2nd August 2018Jim Tavaré: 'Just going on stage can help depression'
Returning 90s Fringe star no longer worries about dying in front of an audience after nearly perishing for real last year.
Jay Richardson, The List, 2nd August 2018Non-toxic masculinity in stand-up
Ahead of this year's Edinburgh Fringe, comedians Stephen Bailey, David Correos, Mawaan Rizwan and Joe Sutherland talk about subverting traditional masculinity in stand-up.
Katie Goh, The Skinny, 2nd August 2018Reginald D Hunter: 'I've saved lives on many occasions'
The comedian, 49, on selflessness, why he never panics in a crisis and what he likes about the UK.
Chris Hall, The Guardian, 2nd August 2018The best theatre, dance and kids shows to see
The best shows to see at the Edinburgh Fringe 2018.
Emily Jupp, i Newspaper, 2nd August 2018You have to be joking? William Andrews
William Andrews interview.
Short Com, 2nd August 2018You have to be joking? Ciaran Dowd
Ciaran Dowd interview.
Short Com, 2nd August 2018The theatre, comedy and dance you need to see this year
Head to this year's International Festival and Fringe with our critics' guides to all the best theatre, dance and comedy.
Veronica Lee, Bruce Dessau, Emma Byrne, Evening Standard, 2nd August 2018Ten shows to watch at Edinburgh Fringe Festival
From a drag queen Brexit musical to an immersive ice skating experience.
The Week, 2nd August 2018Who to watch at the Edinburgh Fringe 2018
The stars of the festival reveal their recommendations to guarantee laughs of the belly variety.
The Mirror, 2nd August 2018One in four female comedians has been molested
Chortle survey reveals the extent of violence and harassment in the industry.
Chortle, 2nd August 2018Fringe 2018: the best comedy to see
The best comedy to see.
Alice Jones, i Newspaper, 2nd August 2018How can we make the comedy circuit safer?
Some suggestions from our survey.
Chortle, 2nd August 2018Abuse in comedy: Stand-ups share their stories
Trigger warning as they tell of harrowing experiences.
Chortle, 2nd August 2018Chris McCausland recalls his most memorable gigs
A punter started fighting me to prove I wasn't blind.
Chris McCausland, Chortle, 2nd August 2018What is the weirdest Fringe show you have seen?
'It was just a head slowly appearing then disappearing out of a large bin'
Chortle, 2nd August 2018Review: Cuckoo, BBC Three, series 4, episode 1
All this really needs is a few more laughs.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 2nd August 2018The best shows we saw before the festival started
Reviews from Melbourne and elsewhere.
Chortle, 2nd August 2018Holly Morgan: Edinburgh Fringe 2018 interview
Holly Morgan interview.
Laugh Out London, 2nd August 2018Sisters: interview
In their second Fringe hour, the dystopian world of Sisters makes for hilarious if bleak sketch comedy.
Brian Donaldson, The List, 2nd August 2018Pelican interview
Ahead of their new Fringe show, the sketch trio talk tennis, friendship and Garth Marenghi.
Brian Donaldson, The List, 2nd August 2018+3 interview: James Hancox: Sports for the Unsporty
"I bought a window box. It's probably the most adult thing I've done."
Dan Lentell, Edinburgh49, 2nd August 2018+3 interview: Rory O'Keeffe: The 37th Question
"I got a job writing interactive story apps, which has inspired the style of this year's show."
Dan Lentell, Edinburgh49, 2nd August 2018Spencer Perceval: political assassination world forgot
As the only British prime minister ever to be assassinated it seems remarkable that nobody has heard of Spencer Perceval. Now, 206 years after his killing, comedian and actor Nick Hall tells his story at the Edinburgh Fringe, drawing parallels with the present.
Nick Hall, The Independent, 2nd August 2018My head is a sea of fog
I have rewritten the opening to my show in the last few days and haven't yet had the opportunity to try it out. I used up all my preview shows with what I later decided was an unsatisfactory opening.
Stephen Carlin, FringePig, 2nd August 2018Adam Kay: How to survive your first week as a doctor
Yesterday was Black Wednesday, the alarmingly monikered morning when 6,000 brand new doctors step out on to the wards for the first time.
The Times, 2nd August 2018How the children of comedians are also jokers too
Did you hear the one about the comedian's daughter?
Kate Jackson and Emma Pietras, The Sun, 2nd August 2018Murray Hill is down to replace Scarlett Johansson
Legendary comedian and self-proclaimed Mr Showbiz Murray Hill found himself being suggested for the role thanks to his uncanny likeness to Tex - and he is totally down for it.
Emma Kelly, Metro, 2nd August 2018Podcasts
TV & radio
Cuckoo
Series 4, Episode 1 - Lawyer Of The YearKen has been nominated for Lichfield Lawyer of the Year. Unfortunately, his dastardly work rival Jane has been nominated too. Ken's convinced Jane is going to win, until Lorna thinks of a way to fix it...
Cuckoo
Series 4, Episode 2 - The LicenceKen finds himself suspended from work and tries to engineer a way back in before Lorna finds out.
Cuckoo
Series 4, Episode 3 - Ken's New FriendIt's an episode full of secrets for Ken when he complains about loud new neighbour Lloyd to the police, only to make great friends with him later. Meanwhile, Dale discovers that Ken has been suspended at work. Can Ken hide his snitching from Lloyd? Can he hide his skiving from Lorna?
Cuckoo
Series 4, Episode 4 - TrappedKen wakes up trapped behind a newly built wall in Steve's Bar and is forced to wait it out till help arrives, with only Steve for company. Rachel and Dale grapple with a pregnancy scare while Lorna is surprised to find Dylan's new girlfriend is age-inappropriate - and worse still, an old friend.
Cuckoo
Series 4, Episode 5 - WalkaboutWhen Rachel says she needs more space, Dale takes her at her word and strands her in the Pennines. Ken has only a day to save his job but is forced instead to rescue his daughter - and worst of all, has to ask his son Dylan for help.
Cuckoo
Series 4, Episode 6 - Opening NightIt's the big opening night for All Steve's Pals, with Dale determined to make it the best launch ever and show Rachel he's the kind of serious safe bet she can spend her future with.
Where This Service Will...
Episode 1 - Where This Service Will ConnectFive months after they last met, Suzie turns up unannounced at David's office.
John Bishop In Conversation With...
Series 4, Episode 5 - Brendan ColeJohn is joined by Striclty Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole.
Keith Lemon: Coming In America
Episode 5Keith is in the running for his dream job in America but discovers there's an issue with his work visa. In a bid to secure his future with a US Green Card, Keith takes the plunge and decides to get married.
Sick Note
Series 2, Episode 3 - Stay HydratedDaniel and Dr Glennis set up a meeting with Shank, a drug dealer who's keen to buy Daniel's unused medication. But the meeting is nothing like they expected.
Newsjack Unplugged
Series 1, Episode 9Tez Ilyas hosts the final episode of the series, with help from Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
Sick Note
Series 2, Episode 4 - Braking BadDaniel and his dad give chase when Daniel spots Will_5000 at his office.