BCG Daily Tuesday 5th January 2021

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Features

Press clippings

Would I Lie To You?. Image shows from L to R: David Mitchell, Rob Brydon, Lee Mack. Copyright: Zeppotron

Would I lie to you about the greatest comedy on TV?

It is hard at times like this to hang on to your sense of fun. It can feel, as crisis leads to ray of hope and back again to crisis, as if there is nothing left to laugh about. Thank heavens, then, for Would I Lie To You?, the most consistently funny, consistently joyful television show of the century. Why should I make wild claims for what is, after all, a parlour game, a panel show, a bit of fluff? Because now more than ever we need to seize on to what unites us.

Dominic Maxwell, The Times, 5th January 2021
Here We Go. Image shows from L to R: Sam (Jack Christou), Sue (Alison Steadman), Amy (Freya Parks), Rachel (Katherine Parkinson), Robin (Tom Basden), Paul (Jim Howick). Copyright: BBC Studios

Bringing order to Pandemonium

Mucking in and keeping crew and cast safe were key to our Covid-themed comedy for BBC1, says Tom Jordan.

Broadcast, 5th January 2021
Sex Education. Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey). Copyright: Eleven Film

Emma Mackey interview

'You'd have to be a sociopath to want to be a celebrity'.

Rebecca Nicholson, The Guardian, 5th January 2021
Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith. Copyright: BBC

Transcript: Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith Q&A

A complete, unabridged transcript of the Waterstones online event, Inside No. 9: Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith in Conversation with Robin Ince.

Dodo's Words, 5th January 2021
Jessie Cave

Jessie Cave's two-month-old baby has coronavirus

Jessie Cave has revealed her newborn baby has tested positive for coronavirus.

Jessica Gibb, The Sun, 5th January 2021
Staged. Image shows from L to R: David (David Tennant), Michael (Michael Sheen). Copyright: BBC / Simon Ridgeway

Review: Staged

Back in mid-December when the launch date for the second series of Staged was announced I jokingly tweeted: "So clever of BBC to schedule it to coincide with new lockdown". Little did I know how accurate that tweet would be.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 5th January 2021
James Cary

Habits of highly effective writers #4: Writing part 2

In Part 1, we looked at the motivation for writing, both right and wrong. Here in Part 2, let's look at the business of actually writing. How is going to happen more consistently in 2021?

James Cary, Sitcom Geek, 5th January 2021
Johnny English Strikes Again. Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson). Copyright: Working Title Films

Rowan Atkinson is dead right about cancel culture

The online culture warriors really are the modern equivalent of the medieval mob.

Spiked, 5th January 2021
Chewin' The Fat. Copyright: The Comedy Unit

Kiernan: Chewin' The Fat would be too offensive today

Ford Kiernan says Chewin' The Fat could not be made today as it would be too offensive. The star, 58, fears many risqué sketches in the BBC comedy would be baulked at by modern audiences.

Stuart MacDonald, The Scottish Sun, 5th January 2021
Staged. Image shows from L to R: David (David Tennant), Michael (Michael Sheen). Copyright: BBC / Simon Ridgeway

Review: Staged helps us through another lockdown

Was a second series of Staged needed? I think so.

Erin Zammitt, The Custard TV, 5th January 2021
Staged. Image shows from L to R: David (David Tennant), Michael (Michael Sheen). Copyright: BBC / Simon Ridgeway

Review: Staged Series 2

At eight episodes, it does feel a little that it could have been wrapped up in Episode 7, but it certainly feels if the gang have arrived once more in lockdown to help us get through it.

Paul T Davies, BritishTheatre.com, 5th January 2021
Open All Hours. Image shows from L to R: Granville (David Jason), Albert Arkwright (Ronnie Barker). Copyright: BBC

Netflix eyes up Brit comedy Open All Hours

Netflix has added Open All Hours to its shopping list after fellow Brit comedy classic Only Fools And Horses became a Christmas hit. The streaming giant also has sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart on its wishlist.

Rod McPhee, The Sun, 5th January 2021

TV & radio

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC
8:10am
10 min
Danny & Mick. Image shows from L to R: Danny (Danny Adams), Mick (Mick Potts). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

Danny & Mick

Series 3, Episode 2 - The Statue

Chris Kamara unveils a statue of himself, which looks nothing like him.

Staged. Image shows from L to R: Anna (Anna Lundberg), Michael (Michael Sheen)

Staged

Series 2, Episode 2 - Long Time, No See

After discovering the plan, David and Michael are dismayed to learn news about who will be carrying on without them. The guys are also upset to find out how well Simon is doing without them.

BBC Radio 4 Extra
10:30pm
15 min
Harriet Kemsley

Comedy Catalysts

Series 2, Episode 2 - Jen Brister On French & Saunders

Multi award-winning comic Harriet Kemsley invites her peers to celebrate the trailblazing comedians who inspired them to pick up the mic. This episode features Jen Brister celebrating the groundbreaking partnership of French & Saunders.

Radio 4
11pm
30 min
Sheep. Copyright: BBC

The News From Nowhere

Rob Wilfort leads the cast in a sketch show that dissects the reality of modern country life, drilling a few holes in the metropolitan view of rural society on the way.

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