BCG Daily Wednesday 20th May 2020
News
Features
BCG Pro
Press clippings
Edinburgh Fringe facing insolvency due to coronavirus
Coronavirus has left the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society facing insolvency. The body, which effectively runs the world's largest arts festival, said the cancellation of this year event has left it with a shortfall. And unlike other festivals across Britain, it isn't being helped by the UK Government - despite more than half of all shows coming from England.
Andrew Learmonth, The National (Scotland), 20th May 2020TV review: Billy and Us
Whisper it, but Scotland's favourite son might not be Oor Wullie. It may be another William - namely Billy Connolly.
Stevie Gallacher, The Sunday Post, 20th May 2020Radio comedy reviews
New radio comedy is often disappointing. So welcome back Down The Line - the phone-in show with a twist. Also a look at Cabin Pressure which has started a repeat run, and comedy documentary What's Funny About...
Charlotte Runcie, The Telegraph, 20th May 2020Armstrong and Miller revive their Timeghost podcast
Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller have reunited to relaunch a comedy podcast.The pair have not collaborated on a major project for more than a decade.
Chortle, 20th May 2020Book review: Alternative Comedy
When I saw that Oliver Double's new book about Alternative Comedy was £75 I assumed it was a massive doorstep tome that the post person would never be able to carry. So I was surprised when (than you Bloomsbury Press Office) a relatively thin 200-ish page hardback dropped through my letterbox.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th May 2020I've never seen ... Notting Hill
Having long avoided romcoms, I shrugged off my gendered preconceptions and gave this love story a chance.
Charles Bramesco, The Guardian, 20th May 2020Stand-up & accessibility during pandemic & beyond
Performing comedy without a live-audience is hard. I won't underplay that. When we perform live, we get instant feedback. We modify our script according to audience participation. With Funny Women, we have the added benefit to meet a lovely supportive community. With the coronavirus induced shutdown, we are isolated from this support group. For new comedians, like me, it is doubly hard. We do not have a pre-existing relationship we can lean on.
Priyangee Guha, Funny Women, 20th May 2020Ardal O'Hanlon writes a new novel
Ardal O'Hanlon is writing a new book - 22 years after his last.
Chortle, 20th May 2020What's The Matter With Tony Slattery? review
This story of what happened to Tony Slattery, 35 years after he set screens alight with his dazzling displays of mercurial comedy talent is not always an easy watch, but it is a compelling one.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 20th May 2020Simon Pegg: why Hot Fuzz 2 probably won't happen
"I'm probably too old now."
Justin Harp, Digital Spy, 20th May 2020Videos
Podcasts
TV & radio
Michael Frayn's Magic Mobile
Episode 2Comedic monologues and dialogues from the mind of Michael Frayn, featuring racy promos of the newest versions of a Jane Austen classic, and a young TV personality presenting a reminder of old-school viewing.
Go Jetters
Series 3, Episode 30 - Mud Volcano, AzerbaijanLars and Glitch's plan to power their new machine with methane gas has explosive results!
Quanderhorn
Quanderhorn 2, Episode 4 - I Didn't Say It Was Well CloakedThe crew are trained in Martianosity to infiltrate the Mothership, with variable success. Meanwhile, the Professor works on a bomb-melting ray.
Code 404
Series 1, Episode 4The pressure is on with Major and Carver's latest assignment; protecting Chalmers, the head of the A.I. Ethics Committee. Success could secure Major's future, whereas failing to do so could seal his fate. Meanwhile, feeling stung by Kelly's rejection, Carver contemplates a transfer to Scotland. But when Kelly asks him to stay, he's filled with renewed hope.
What's Funny About...
Series 1, Episode 2 - The Thick Of ItPeter Fincham and Jon Plowman talk to Armando Iannucci and Rebecca Front about the satirical sitcom. Was Nicola Murray just a nice (if hapless) person, thrust into a nest of political vipers, or was she just as bad as the rest of them? Who came up with the line "about as much use as a marzipan dildo"? And who was Malcolm Tucker really based on (it's probably not who you think).
Where To, Mate?
Series 1, Episode 2 - "...you're coming in, you're coming out..."Bernie picks up Milton again and they discuss the merits of cosmic ordering, Ben tries to help a lad come out to his dad, and Saj takes a dog for a poo.