BCG Daily Wednesday 29th July 2020

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Press clippings

New BBC comedy podcast Wheel Of Misfortune announced

Wheel Of Misfortune is a new comedy podcast launching on BBC Sounds on Tuesday 4 August, presented by comedians and friends Alison Spittle and Fern Brady.

BBC, 29th July 2020

Michael Palin & Olivia Colman to star in The Simpsons

What roles they will play are largely under wraps, but Colman will be a femme fatale.

Chortle, 29th July 2020

Venues: No normal reopening until November, at least

Hopes that the live comedy scene could make a relatively brisk return to normality have been dashed by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden. Yesterday, details of how organisations could apply for a slice of the previously announced £1.57billion emergency arts bailout were announced - which will be open to the comedy sector.

Chortle, 29th July 2020

Hold The Sunset. Phil (John Cleese). Copyright: BBC

John Cleese attacks 'ignorant' critics

"Instead of having 'critics' who can't themselves direct, write, act, sing, dance or claim any other kind of expertise, would we not get superior commentary from people who can? Why should artistic criticism from untalented people be preferred to that of outstandingly talented ones," he questioned, suggesting that performers were "less envious than critics", who are "astonishingly ignorant about process".

Isobel Lewis, The Independent, 29th July 2020

Funny Women Awards 2019. Image shows from L to R: Teresa Burns, Samantha Lyden, Lydia Rynne, Sian Davies, Lynne Parker, Laura Smyth, Charlie George, Hannah Brackenbury

How comedy can have the last laugh

We can't erase the unfortunate and recent history of racism in comedy. We can't excuse it either. The best thing we can do is ensure the future of comedy won't be racist. Instead of believing any amount of education (which I encourage) means we get a pass, we must do this by populating all tiers of comedy with a diverse array of talented people. Only then can we all have the last laugh.

Kate Stone, Funny Women, 29th July 2020

Fleabag. Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge). Copyright: Two Brothers Pictures

Fleabag was great, but BAFTA needs to recognise others

Another BAFTA trophy for Phoebe Waller-Bridge would feel like an accessory. For anyone else, it could shape their future.

Beth Webb, NME, 29th July 2020

Line-up for 1st virtual Fringe show revealed

Scottish comedy stars Daniel Sloss, Fern Brady and Craig Hill are to appear in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe's first virtual variety show.

Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 29th July 2020

Vault Festival London postpones until 2022

Vault Festival London have made the difficult but necessary decision to postpone the next full, live version of Vault Festival until 2022.

Douglas Mayo, BritishTheatre.com, 29th July 2020

Paul Vickers. Copyright: Steve Ullathorne

Fringe: is stand-up comedy doomed to fail online?

Can stand-up ever work as well on a laptop screen as it does in front of a live audience in a hot, sweaty Edinburgh basement? Kate Copstick asks some Fringe veterans.

Kate Copstick, The Scotsman, 29th July 2020

Dawn French Live: 30 Million Minutes. Dawn French

Dawn French to release new novel Because Of You

Michael Joseph is publishing the first novel from Dawn French in five years, called Because Of You, this October.

Katherine Cowdrey, The Bookseller, 29th July 2020

The Real McCoy. Image shows from L to R: Curtis Walker, Ishmael Thomas. Copyright: BBC

The surprise return of The Real McCoy

Three sharp-suited black men in bow ties walk into the British National Party headquarters, eager to join the racist outfit. But first they must answer some questions. So began one sketch from The Real McCoy, the groundbreaking BBC show that, 30 years ago, brought a black British perspective to TV.

Stuart Jeffries, The Guardian, 29th July 2020