BCG Daily Wednesday 14th July 2021

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Press clippings

Taboo. Kate Copstick. Copyright: ABsoLuTeLy Productions

Have claims of the death of comedy been exaggerated?

On Radio 4's Taboo, Kate Copstick invited comedians to debate the impact of cancel culture - and even considered changing her mind.

Charlotte Runcie, The Telegraph, 14th July 2021
This Way Up. Image shows from L to R: Aine (Aisling Bea), Shona (Sharon Horgan). Copyright: Merman

This Way Up is back with even more meaningful laughs

Following Áine as she reacclimatised to London life, the series showed her reckoning with her reliance on others as well as what the future might hold post-rehab.

Alicia Lansom, Refinery 29, 14th July 2021
One Foot In The Grave. Image shows from L to R: Margaret Meldrew (Annette Crosbie), Victor Meldrew (Richard Wilson). Copyright: BBC

OFITG latest show to be hit with woke warning

The episode - titled Love And Death - sees Victor (Richard Wilson) and wife Margaret (Annette Crosbie) go on holiday to Bournemouth. They are told by two guests that there are midgets in the bathroom, but thinking they said midges, Victor bursts in there with bug spray. Instead Victor - whose catchphrase is "I don't believe it", finds two half-naked dwarves, who are part of a theatre show. It is offensive to use the word midget in reference to people with dwarfism.

Fay Leyfield, The Sun, 14th July 2021
This Way Up. Aine (Aisling Bea). Copyright: Merman

Aisling Bea is ready to feel better now, please

The This Way Up writer and star on the difficult second series, Love Island as a writing tool and rediscovering stand-up.

Tom Nicholson, Esquire, 14th July 2021
Sex Education. Image shows from L to R: Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa), Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey), Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield). Copyright: Eleven Film

HCG to publish two companion titles to Sex Education

Hachette Children's Group will publish two official companion titles to Netflix's Sex Education this autumn, including a non-fiction guide to relationships and a YA novel.

Tamsin Hackett, The Bookseller, 14th July 2021
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen)

Sacha Baron Cohen wins legal battle with US politician

A US politician has lost his attempt to sue Sacha Baron Cohen after the British comedian used a fake paedophile detector device on him in a TV show. Baron Cohen duped former US Senate candidate Roy Moore into appearing on his 2018 US satirical show Who Is America?

BBC, 14th July 2021
Geoff Norcott

Geoff Norcott: thoughts about the loss of baby daughter

Geoff Norcott, comedian and TV presenter, has shared with Sands his thoughts about his baby daughter Connie, who died seven years ago in July 2014.

This is the first time Geoff has written about his loss and hopes this will help other bereaved men to reach out and find support that's right for them.

Geoff Norcott, Sands, 14th July 2021
The Comeback. Image shows from L to R: Ben Ashenden, Alexander Owen, The Pin. Copyright: Oliver Ross / Feast Creative

Theatre review: The Comeback, Noel Coward Theatre

Comeback is definitely the right word here. This had barely opened in December before it closed due to lockdown. Now, this piece that started out as a modest Edinburgh Fringe show way back in 2018, returns for another short run in a big West End theatre.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 14th July 2021
Deborah Frances-White

Deborah Frances-White on gaslit women leaving UK

Female creatives in Britain such as Gina Yashere and London Hughes are less likely to be allowed to create original dramas and comedies than men. So they are heading off across the Atlantic.

Deborah Frances-White, The Guardian, 14th July 2021
This Way Up. Aine (Aisling Bea). Copyright: Merman

This Way Up review

Created and written by comedian Aisling Bea, it's been compared to hit series Fleabag. But we think you should put all unfair comparisons to the side, and accept this comedy series for what it is - sometimes sweet, sometimes sad, and often funny.

Helen Fear, Entertainment Daily, 14th July 2021
This Way Up. Aine (Aisling Bea). Copyright: Merman

This Way Up series two review

TV so good it's indistinguishable from magic.

Lucy Mangan, The Guardian, 14th July 2021
This Way Up. Aine (Aisling Bea). Copyright: Merman

This Way Up series two review

An even funnier, kinder and more heartbreaking return.

Isobel Lewis, The Independent, 14th July 2021
This Way Up. Aine (Aisling Bea). Copyright: Merman

This Way Up season 2, Channel 4, review

The sibling dynamic has shifted, but Bea and Horgan are still magic.

Rachael Sigee, i Newspaper, 14th July 2021

Ronnie Corbett's Lost Tapes, review

An affectionate tribute that brimmed with love.

Anita Singh, The Telegraph, 14th July 2021

Life as Big Keith from The Office

Ewen MacIntosh reflects on his defining role.

Sean Cole, Vice.com, 14th July 2021

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

Almost Never. Image shows from L to R: Harry (Harry Still), Nate (Nathaniel Dass), Oakley (Oakley Orchard). Copyright: Saltbeef TV

Almost Never

Series 3, Episode 1 - The Intern

Nate has to decide between Sasha and The Wonderland, while GHF are in turmoil.

Radio 4
6:30pm
30 min
Unite. Image shows from L to R: Gideon (Ivo Graham), Tony (Mark Steel), Imogen (Claire Skinner), Ashley (Elliot Steel)

Unite

Series 1, Episode 4 - The Wedding

On the day before Tony and Imogen's wedding, Gideon is adding the finishing touches to his "masterpiece" of a speech (four months in the making), Ashley needs to try and complete his driving test before the ceremony, Tony is struggling to pay an overdue car fine and Imogen's mum takes her to a spa hotel to relax, but instead tries to convince her she's marrying the wrong man.

This Way Up. Image shows from L to R: Aine (Aisling Bea), Shona (Sharon Horgan). Copyright: Merman

This Way Up

Series 2, Episode 1

With her student Etienne heading to Paris, Aine's excitement mounts as she prepares for a big date with his father, Richard.

Radio 4
11pm
15 min
Heidi Regan

Heidi Regan: No Worries

Episode 3

Heidi is keen to put her worries into perspective.

Radio 4
11:15pm
15 min
The Skewer

The Skewer

Series 4, Episode 7

The week - Boris The Gambler, and England's footballers meet Thanos.

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