BCG Daily Monday 21st December 2020
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Press clippings
Fringe commits to become climate change trailblazer
The organisers of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe have vowed to turn the event into a trailblazer in tackling the climate crisis.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 21st December 2020
Ghosts Christmas special will warm your heart
Mike from Ghosts, aka Kiell Smith-Bynoe, takes Den of Geek behind the scenes on the sitcom's terrific Christmas episode...
Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 21st December 2020
The 10 funniest comedy shows of 2020
There wasn't a lot to laugh about as venues closed and gigs were cancelled. But stand-ups still delivered silly, edgy and heartfelt gags. Our critic picks his favourite new material.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 21st December 2020
Taskmaster podcast to return in 2021
After reaching 1.5 million downloads with its debut series, the official Taskmaster podcast is set to launch a second series in the new year hosted by Series 9 Taskmaster Champion Ed Gamble.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st December 2020
The secret to The Goes Wrong Show's success
The Mischief Theatre Company has a flourishing stage and TV franchise, with a second Christmas special on the way. The trio discuss how difficult it is making mistakes go right.
Ammar Kalia, The Guardian, 21st December 2020
Linehan claims talk on cancel culture was cancelled
The Father Ted creator, who has repeatedly attracted controversy for posting transphobic comments online, was earlier this month asked to speak at the University of Oxford's Union on the topic: "This house would cancel cancel culture" which the Union posed was "the boycott of the 21st century". However, Linehan's original invitation was reportedly rescinded last Wednesday (16 December), with the Union claiming that the event could not go ahead due to "logistical difficulties", but that they "very much hope to accommodate him in the future".
Isobel Lewis, The Independent, 21st December 2020
Christmas books: Inside No. 9 The Scripts Series 1 - 3
It's worth noting that the scripts here are the shooting scripts. Some lines had to be cut when episodes overran so you get the treat of reading words that never appeared on screen. There is even a different ending to 'Diddle Diddle Dumpling' which was never broadcast.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st December 2020
London Hughes interview
For as long as British comedian London Hughes can remember, she's wanted to be on television.
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 21st December 2020
Richard Osman to leave Banijay
Presenter and producer to exit after long association with Endemol companies.
Max Goldbart, Broadcast, 21st December 2020
Campaign to make Stewart Lee song 1st No. 1 of 2021
Music group Asian Dub Foundation have hatched a plan to make their single, Comin' Over Here, featuring a guest appearance from Stewart Lee, the UK's first No.1 single of 2021 - the moment the reality of Brexit might really hit home.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st December 2020
Christmas books: The Problem with Men, Richard Herring
One can imagine academics spending years to come to pretty much the same conclusion without being anywhere near as funny.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st December 2020
TV preview: Mock The Week Christmas special
You can be sure to get some much needed laughs from the Mock The Week episode airing on Monday night.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st December 2020
Dance schools expect to see Bill Bailey effect
Strictly winner and comedian, 55, hopes he will be inspiration to 'self-conscious blokes of my vintage'.
Mark Brown, The Guardian, 21st December 2020
Upstart Crow, review: Is Covid comedy a plagued format?
Despite some good topical gags, the smug tone made this Ben Elton farce a tiresome turkey.
Anita Singh, The Telegraph, 21st December 2020
James Acaster is an audacious king of comedy
Two years on, the Kettering comic's show Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999 remains personal, painful and electrifying. What will he do next?
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 21st December 2020
Upstart Crow, Lockdown Christmas 1603, BBC2, review
The two-hander lacked the usual rollicking ensemble and was based on a single joke.
Barbara Speed, i Newspaper, 21st December 2020Videos
Videos
TV
Film
TV & radio
1:30pm30 min
Saddled
Series 2, Episode 4 - The Pancake Day SeparationMark's attempts to help Sue find a new job are viewed suspiciously by Dawn.
6:30pm30 min
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
Series 74, Episode 2 - Lockdown Recording 2A special lockdown recording of the programme features Marcus Brigstocke, Rachel Parris, Miles Jupp, Rory Bremner, Jo Brand and Andy Hamilton with Jack Dee in the chair.
6:30pm30 min
The Musical Life Of...
Series 2, Episode 4 - Catherine Zeta-JonesStephanie Siadatan is Catherine Zeta-Jones in the musical version of her life story. Alongside Michael Douglas (Mike Bubbins) she charts CZJ's journey from Swansea to Hollywood.
8:50pm10 min
The Vicar Of Dibley
The Vicar Of Dibley In Lockdown, Episode 3The winner of the Dibley mask competition is announced, Hugo sets a new record, and Christmas comes close.
9pm30 min
Upstart Crow
Christmas Special - Tomorrow & Tomorrow & Tomorrow: Lockdown Christmas 1603The plague has hit London and as Christmas approaches Will and Kate are in wave fifteen of state-enforced home confinement together in Will's London lodgings...
9pm165 min
Twelfth Night
Tamsin Greig stars as Malvolia in a twist on Shakespeare's classic comedy of mistaken identity staged at the National Theatre.
9pm60 min
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
Christmas Special 2020Jimmy Carr hosts a festive-themed edition of the words and numbers game, with Rachel Riley and Susie Dent. Jon Richardson and Sarah Millican face off against Sean Lock and David Mitchell. David O'Doherty joins Susie in Dictionary Corner.
9pm90 min
The Secret Life Of... David Jason: A Tribute
Sue Johnston narrates a look at the life and career of the actor, the star of Only Fools And Horses, The Darling Buds Of May, A Touch Of Frost and Open All Hours. The programme examines his early stage career and hear what his fellow thespians thought of him, and there are clips of him in long-forgotten shows, quirky TV adverts and his very first movie. Featuring interviews with industry insiders and former castmates, including Tessa Peake-Joneswho played his long-suffering on-screen wife Raquel in Only Fools And Horses.
10pm30 min
Mock The Week
Series 19, Christmas SpecialHost Dara O Briain, regular panellist Hugh Dennis and many of the comedians who have appeared this year mark the end of 2020 with a special show looking back on the year's events, along with unseen material, out-takes and all the usual fun.
10:30pm30 min
Raiders Of The Lost Archive
End Of Year Specials, Christmas SpecialJaney Godley and a team of comedians delve deep into the BBC Scotland archives to dig out some special festive clips, for which they provide new voiceovers.
11pm30 min
Short Stuff
Christmas Special - Short Stuff Christmas SpecialSanjeev Kohli presents a special festive compilation of some of the best of online comedy from Short Stuff and BBC Scotland's The Social.