BCG Daily Thursday 12th March 2020

Press clippings

Breeders. Image shows from L to R: Ally (Daisy Haggard), Paul (Martin Freeman). Copyright: Avalon Television

Daisy Haggard interview

'You don't see people swearing at their kids on TV'.

Ed Cumming, The Independent, 12th March 2020
Yes, Prime Minister. Image shows from L to R: Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne), James Hacker (Paul Eddington), Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds). Copyright: BBC

Sitcom scene seemingly predicts PM's virus reaction

A scene from British sitcom Yes, Prime Minister has gone viral for predicting Boris Johnson's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Jacob Stolworthy, The Independent, 12th March 2020
Adam Kay

Adam Kay moves to Orion in seven-figure deal

Orion has acquired two books by Adam Kay in a "substantial" seven-figure deal, tempting the former doctor turned comedian away from Picador, the imprint that published his bestselling debut, This is Going to Hurt.

Katherine Cowdrey, The Bookseller, 12th March 2020
BBC Audio Drama Awards 2015. Marcus Brigstocke. Copyright: BBC

Altitude Comedy Festival 2020 cancelled

The Altitude Comedy Festival, which was due to take place in Mayrhofen in Austria at the end of March, has been cancelled.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 12th March 2020
Dara O Briain

Line up for Bristol Comedy Garden revealed

This year's Bristol Comedy Garden returns to Queen Square (June 3rd-7th) for a ninth edition of the South West's biggest comedy festival.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 12th March 2020
Catherine Cohen

Catherine Cohen postpones shows due to coronavirus

In light of upcoming travel restrictions between the US and Europe caused by COVID-19, Catherine's remaining dates in London will be rescheduled until later in the year.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 12th March 2020
The Russell Howard Hour. Russell Howard. Copyright: Avalon Television

Russell Howard's European tour dates pulled

Russell Howard has announced the cancellation of almost the entrire European leg of his world tour because of coronavirus.

Chortle, 12th March 2020
Breeders. Image shows from L to R: Ally (Daisy Haggard), Paul (Martin Freeman). Copyright: Avalon Television

Breeders review

Martin Freeman is the perennially good-natured screen everyman. But in the new Sky comedy Breeders, which he co-created, his character Paul is forced to concede: "I'm not a nice man."

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 12th March 2020
BBC New Comedy Award. Donald Alexander. Copyright: BBC

Interviews: Chloe Petts, Donald Alexander & Tom Mayhew

With Glasgow Comedy Festival kicking off this month, we speak to Chloe Petts, Donald Alexander and Tom Mayhew to explore what constitutes alternative today.

Jay Richardson, The List, 12th March 2020
Adam Kay

Adam Kay postpones live show performances over virus

Adam Kay has revealed he is postponing upcoming performances of his show This is Going to Hurt, based on his bestselling memoir, because of coronavirus concerns.

Benedicte Page, The Bookseller, 12th March 2020
Edinburgh Fringe mailing list

Scottish Covid-19 measures raises fears about Fringe

The measures announced by Nicola Sturgeon to tackle Covid-19 may add to concerns about this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The Scottish First Minister has advised that mass gatherings of over 500 attendees should be cancelled from next week.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 12th March 2020
Daniel Sloss

Daniel Sloss writes his first book

Daniel Sloss has written his first book. It is called Everyone You Hate is Going to Die: And Other Comforting Thoughts on Family, Friends, Sex, Love and More Things That Ruin Your Life.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 12th March 2020
Iain Stirling

Iain Stirling postpones gigs

"I'm a bit under the weather and while I'd usually be very happy to soldier on, with the current situation me and my team think it's correct to take the precautionary measure of postponing my gig in London tonight, as well as my dates next week in Bristol and Brighton."

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 12th March 2020
Hitmen. Image shows from L to R: Fran (Sue Perkins), Jamie (Mel Giedroyc). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

Mel and Sue interview

The comedy duo on moving on from The Great British Bake Off to play assassins in Hitmen.

Stephen Armstrong, The Times, 12th March 2020
Breeders. Image shows from L to R: Ally (Daisy Haggard), Paul (Martin Freeman). Copyright: Avalon Television

Breeders, review

There's a top notch team of writers behind these middle-class Macbeths, but the humour never quite rings true.

Sean O'Grady, The Independent, 12th March 2020
Breeders. Image shows from L to R: Ally (Daisy Haggard), Paul (Martin Freeman). Copyright: Avalon Television

Breeders review - I'm a parent ... get me out of here!

Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard star as a stressed out, permanently disappointed couple in a new comedy that ought to come complete with tranquillisers and birth control.

Lucy Mangan, The Guardian, 12th March 2020
Breeders. Image shows from L to R: Ally (Daisy Haggard), Paul (Martin Freeman). Copyright: Avalon Television

Breeders, review

Martin Freeman's sweary parenting comedy may be sharp, but it's unlikeable and cruel.

Anita Singh, The Telegraph, 12th March 2020
Elf Lyons. Copyright: Andy Hollingworth

Live review: Elf Lyons & Helen Duff - Unlikely Darlings

This is an impulsive, playful and deeply intelligent show.

Tim Harding, Comedy To Watch, 12th March 2020
Breeders. Image shows from L to R: Ally (Daisy Haggard), Paul (Martin Freeman). Copyright: Avalon Television

Breeders episodes 1 and 2 review

Simon Blackwell and Chris Addison's funny, frank new parenting comedy is taboo-breaking and part of a growing trend.

Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 12th March 2020

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

Meet The Richardsons

Meet The Richardsons

Series 1, Episode 3

Jon takes a yoga lesson and seeks revenge on the driver who cut him up, whilst Lucy goes out on the town in London with TV's Alan Carr. It gets very messy.

BBC Radio 4 Extra
10:30pm
30 min
Newsjack. Copyright: BBC

Newsjack

Series 22, Episode 5

Kiri Pritchard-McLean is in Manchester, with the help of Tom Burgess, Tayo Cousins and Kath Hughes. This week, a group of Dutch women are trying to change their name from Corona, the cast of Corrie self-isolate, and a look at how 1984 inspired someone to spy on everyone.

Radio 4
11pm
30 min
Gruff Rhys

Resist Phoney Encores!

Episode 1

Gruff Rhys will attempt to understand crowd behaviour in order to free the audience from the tyranny of the artist, and free all people from all leaders.

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