BCG Daily Thursday 7th January 2021
News
Features
Press clippings
Robert Webb interview
'The doctor said my heart was about to fail. That got my attention'.
Stuart Heritage, The Guardian, 7th January 2021Simon Minty on the worries of undermining the disabled
"I feared becoming a comedian might undermine the image of disabled people". But Simon Minty says humour shows pride and confidence.
Simon Minty, Chortle, 7th January 2021Norton left BBC Radio partly to avoid high earners list
Graham Norton has admitted that a "bonus" of leaving BBC Radio is that he will no longer appear on the broadcaster's annual list of their highest-paid stars.
Ellie Harrison, The Independent, 7th January 2021Izzard & Kelly fight back tears in emotional interview
Eddie Izzard became emotional today when she praised Lorraine Kelly for supporting her over the years.
Mary Gallagher, The Sun, 7th January 2021Fringe pioneer Jim Haynes dies at 87
Jim Haynes, one of the founding fathers of the Edinburgh Fringe, has died in Paris at the age of 87. The impresario was a pioneer of the permissive 1960s, champion of the avant-garde, and co-founder of Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre.
Chortle, 7th January 2021Live comedy industry urges government to insure events
Key players in the comedy industry have called on the government to insure the biggest festivals for 2021 so planning can get under way. The Live Comedy Association, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and Brighton Komedia are among the signatories to a letter to Rishi Sunak asking to underwrite the risk of planning for this year's events.
Chortle, 7th January 2021Why Mr Bean and Borat are ready to retire
Rowan Atkinson and Sacha Baron Cohen are killing off two of comedy's most indelible characters. They've picked the perfect time.
Stuart Heritage, The Guardian, 7th January 2021Habits of highly effective writers #6: finishing
Two people are chatting. 'I'm writing a novel,' says one, whereupon the other says: 'Yes, neither am I.' (Peter Cook)
James Cary, Sitcom Geek, 7th January 2021Pay rise for BBC screenwriters
Writers on BBC TV shows are to receive a 1% rise on minimum rates, thanks to the work of WGGB negotiators. The changes are effective from 17 December 2020.
Writers' Guild of Great Britain, 7th January 2021Rosie Ramsey announces birth of second child
Podcaster and author Rosie Ramsey has announced the birth of her new baby with a cute snap on social media.
Debra Fox, The Shields Gazette, 7th January 2021Why I won't be wishing Mr Bean a happy birthday
Forget the tweed-jacketed clown - the funniest Rowan Atkinson show of recent years doesn't actually have Atkinson in it.
Tristram Fane Saunders, The Telegraph, 7th January 2021London Zoo rejects Gervais's wish to be fed to lions
The straight-talking comedian recently shocked fans by saying he wanted to be fed to the lions at London Zoo after his death in order to "give something back" to the animal kingdom. But sadly, Ricky's generous donation has been refused by the 193-year-old animal park - because they say he wouldn't make a particularly appetising meal.
Andy Halls, The Sun, 7th January 2021Get to know London Hughes
British comedian London Hughes is popping up all over Netflix, most recently in the Nic Cage-hosted History of Swear Words and her own comedy special.
Aaron Pruner, Thrillist, 7th January 2021Videos
Podcasts
TV & radio
Danny & Mick
Series 3, Episode 4 - Dog SittingDanny and Mick have to hide a dog in the leisure centre without Sharon seeing.
Elephant In The Room
Series 2, Episode 1Sarah Millican's hit panel show returns, using surveys to discover who is the most Average Jolene and who is the most Maverick Matilda. This week's sparkling panel features Susan Calman, Shazia Mirza, Kirsten O'Brien and Nick Mohammed.
QI
Series R, Episode 14 - R AnimalsSandi Toksvig asks questions on animals beginning with the letter R, with Tom Allen, Ed Gamble, Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Alan Davies trying to come up with interesting answers - while avoiding the most obvious ones.
The Big Fat Quiz Of Everything
Episode 1 - The Big Fat Quiz Of Everything 2021Quizmaster extraordinaire Jimmy Carr is joined by a panel of celebrity quizzers including Rob Beckett & Roisin Conaty, Nish Kumar & Katherine Ryan and Oti Mabuse & Rob Brydon as they go head to head to see who knows the most about, well, everything.
Scot Squad
Series 6, Episode 1The Chief is keen to make amends for a slip of the tongue and keeps digging deeper as his extended apology lasts for ever. The traffic cops make a big noise to salute the key workers, while the rural officers handle a massive marrow bust-up at the horticultural show.
Comedy Catalysts
Series 2, Episode 4 - Shazia Mirza On Richard PryorMulti award-winning comic Harriet Kemsley invites her peers to celebrate the trailblazing comedians who inspired them to pick up the mic. In this episode Shazia Mirza talks about her hero Richard Pryor.
...At The Stand
Fred At The Stand 3, Episode 1Performed in front of a virtual audience, Fred MacAulay is joined by Welsh over-sharer Priya Hall; the comedian best known for her fantasy marriage to Jurgen Klopp, Laura Lexx; more cracking observations and brilliant characterisations from Geordie Carl Hutchinson; and one of the country's most gifted natural comics, Seann Walsh.