BCG Daily Monday 27th July 2020

News

Press clippings

Semi-Detached. Stuart (Lee Mack). Copyright: Happy Tramp Productions

Semi-Detatched review

The 20-minute pilot first aired 18 months ago but resurfaced last night to herald a full series, launching in early August. It's hilarious, and very welcome as a new outlet for Lee Mack's comic genius.

Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail, 27th July 2020
Red Dwarf. Image shows from L to R: Cat (Danny John-Jules), Rimmer (Chris Barrie), Lister (Craig Charles), Kryten (Robert Llewellyn). Copyright: UKTV

Red Dwarf creator Doug Naylor teases more to come

There's a willingness from UKTV and the producers to make more episodes.

Patrick McLennan, Radio Times, 27th July 2020
Matt Richardson

Fridays Unlocked review

A comedy gig where people brought their own brie.

Dominic Maxwell, The Times, 27th July 2020
How To Build A Girl. Johanna Morrigan (Beanie Feldstein)

Film review: How To Build A Girl, Amazon Prime

Channel 4 decided to stop making Caitlin Moran's semi-autobiographical sitcom Raised By Wolves after two series, but maybe if they had carried on it might have turned out something like this.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 27th July 2020
Image shows from L to R: Joel Morris, Jason Hazeley. Copyright: Simon Harries

Our new favourite podcast: Rule Of Three

A look at the podcast where comics talk about what they find funny.

Barry Didcock, The Herald, 27th July 2020
Tom Basden

Tim Key and Tom Basden turn up the heat on curry night

Alan Partridge's Sidekick Simon takes it out on his own hapless wingman - but Enya's repeated interruptions slow the flow.

Brian Logan, The Guardian, 27th July 2020
Fawlty Towers. Image shows from L to R: Manuel (Andrew Sachs), Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), Sybil Fawlty (Prunella Scales), Polly (Connie Booth). Copyright: BBC

What's the optimum number of series for a sitcom?

We try to pinpoint the TV comedy sweet spot, where 'sharp and consistent' has yet to become 'laboured and cliched'.

Ellen E. Jones, The Guardian, 27th July 2020
Carl Hutchinson

Carl Hutchinson on creating comedy during lockdown

The funniest thing looking back was when my manager called me up to check how I was, I had to hang the phone up on him because I didn't want him to hear me cry. Please know that this isn't a pity party or anything, I just want to let you know how I honestly felt at the time.

Carl Hutchinson, Narc Magazine, 27th July 2020
Taskmaster. Image shows from L to R: Greg Davies, Alex Horne. Copyright: Avalon Television

Taskmaster now filming: how covid will change series 10

The new series of Taskmaster is currently filming and still set to air on Channel 4 in October. Alex Horne and Greg Davies tell Den of Geek what will be different this time around...

Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 27th July 2020
Round The Horne. Copyright: BBC

Round The Horne repeat 'broke BBC standards'

A 52-year-old episode of radio comedy Round The Horne has broken current BBC standards because of its potentially racist stereotypes, the broadcaster's complaints department has ruled. The episode, from 1967, featured white stars such as Hugh Paddick and Betty Marsden mimicking black characters in an extended parody of the 1950 movie Young Man With A Horn. However, in its newly released findings, the unit stopped short of a ban because of Round The Horne's status as a comedy classic, with the show recently voted best radio comedy of all time.

Chortle, 27th July 2020
Emily Atack

Emily Atack reveals worries for stand-up after covid-19

"I think stand-up comedy is so important, especially in these kinds of times, you have to kind of laugh in the face of adversity and try and do everything you can to make you happy and live comedy is such a huge part of that."

Kim Novak, Metro, 27th July 2020
Still Game. Image shows from L to R: Victor McDade (Greg Hemphill), Jack Jarvis (Ford Kiernan)

Scotland's 20 greatest TV shows of all-time

Featuring 1. Still Game; 2. Bob Servant; 3. Chewin' The Fat; 4. Rab C. Nesbitt; 5. Scotch And Wry; 6. Scot Squad; 7. Limmy's Show!; 8. Two Doors Down; 9. Absolutely; 10. Taggart.

Matthew Elder, The Scotsman, 27th July 2020

Hate is hate. Our outrage against antisemitism should be no different

I wanted to show solidarity with the other Jewish people and our allies who are staging this protest because one of our learned strengths is to mobilise in times of threat.

Rachel Creeger, The Independent, 27th July 2020

Videos

TV & radio

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC
7:15am
10 min
Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed!. Copyright: Beano Studios

Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed!

Series 2, Episode 11 - We Want To Break Free

Dennis is exasperated to find that he can't land himself in detention.

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC
5:25pm
30 min
Horrible Histories. Richard David-Caine

Horrible Histories

Series 8, Special - Fantastic Firsts Special

A special show featuring some of history's greatest firsts.

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