BCG Daily Thursday 7th October 2021
News
Press clippings
Jimmy Carr: Comedy made my whole life better
Jimmy Carr might be one of the UK's best-loved comedians, but he is also well aware that many people will most remember him for the controversy surrounding his tax affairs almost a decade ago.
Steven McIntosh, BBC, 7th October 2021Sophie Willan: BBC 'faffing' over Alma Series 2
Sophie Willan has accused the BBC of 'faffing' over whether to order a second series of hit comedy Alma's Not Normal.
Chortle, 7th October 2021Noel James to host new quiz on BBC Radio Cymru
For Welsh Learners Week, comedian Noel James will be presenting a new quiz called Cystadleu-IAITH every lunchtime Monday-Friday on BBC Radio Cymru.
BBC, 7th October 2021Jon Courtenay: What's It All About? review
Jon Courtenay won Britain's Got Talent last year. You surely know that if you bought tickets to his tour - but if you didn't you certainly will afterwards.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 7th October 2021Jonathan Pie: Fake News (The Corona Remix) review
The intensity of his rage, so impotent against the weight of society and establishment, has an intrinsic dark humour of its own.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 7th October 2021Njambi McGrath: Accidental Coconut review
McGrath is smart and sardonic about the after-effects of British imperialism in Africa - even if she's just skimming the surface.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 7th October 2021Meet 2021 Funny Womem Shorts Award winner Ada Player
We caught up with Ada to talk about winning, her comedy short and the importance of collaborating.
Funny Women, 7th October 2021Mark Watson: lessons I learned performing online
I performed one show on Microsoft Teams in which only one of the 50-strong audience was visible on screen; I did 45 minutes of stand-up to this one man's face, like someone doing a gig stuck in a lift.
Mark Watson, The Independent, 7th October 2021Jack Whitehall becomes Britain's best paid star
Jack Whitehall has overtaken Bradley Walsh to become Britain's best paid star.
His total assets of £14.6million last year also beat The Chase host's £12.5million, Companies House records show.
Clemmie Moodie, The Sun, 7th October 2021Jimmy Carr: Sean Lock's death left me ill for weeks
Jimmy Carr was so grief-stricken by the death of his friend Sean Lock that he became ill.
The comic worked with Sean for more than 15 years, including over 250 episodes of Channel 4 panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats and its Countdown spin-off.
Rod McPhee, The Sun, 7th October 2021Robert Webb reveals near-fatal secret health battle
For the past two weeks comic Robert Webb has entertained audiences with his energetic dances on Strictly - but last year he could barely walk after having emergency surgery to save his life.
Robert, 49, best known for co-starring with David Mitchell in cult sitcom Peep Show, learned he had a congenital heart defect made worse by a ten-year battle with the bottle.
Rod McPhee, The Sun, 7th October 2021Videos
Podcasts
TV & radio
The Attendant
Episode 1 - FrankensteinAlex is desperate to find someone to share his life with, but too scared to do anything about it. A film obsessive, he works the night shift at an isolated petrol station on the outskirts of a two-bit town. Awkward, and with no real friends to speak of, he confides in his only 'colleague' - a smiley-faced vacuum cleaner named Keith, whose voice only Alex can hear.
Joe Lycett's Got Your Back
Series 3, Episode 8Jo Brand joins Joe as he goes on a mission to make Britain's beaches more eco-friendly by banning cheap polystyrene bodyboards. Plus, comedian Joanne McNally investigates diet fads and the team explores online shopping fraud loopholes. As usual, tech specialist Mark Silcox offers support to the host's quests.
A League Of Their Own
Series 16, Episode 8Featuring Rugby Union star Joe Marler, presenter Kelly Somers, comedian Joel Dommett, professional gadabouts David Walliams and Jonathan Ross, and - to make sure he's doing his job properly - Romesh's mum Shanthi Ranganathan. This week the teams take part in a pillow fight, have a go on a pop cycle, and play a game of Danger Dodgeball.
Comedy Legends
Series 4, Episode 10 - Tim AllenBarry Cryer pays tribute to actor and comedian Tim Allen, who rose to fame in US sitcom Home Improvement and provides the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story films.
Taskmaster
Series 12, Episode 3 - The End Of The FranchiseThe perfect Taskmaster contestant should be as versatile as an egg, able to turn their hand to anything from construction to choreography. This is the contestant that Greg Davies dreams of, yet instead, in this episode, he gets Victoria Coren Mitchell drawing an exploding cat, Alan Davies hurting himself with a rubber band and Desiree Burch doing something inexplicable when faced with sand. Alex Horne provides statistical analysis.
Late Night Mash
Series 1, Episode 6Rosie Jones returns to the show to discuss diversity on screen. The show also comments on space exploration, Nish gives his take on the Conservative Party Conference, and a business leader sets out his offer to employees.
Union Jack Radio Comedy Club
Episode 1This first episode will include comedy from Paul McCaffrey, who has recently appeared on major UK tours; Nina Gilligan, who's often described as a bolshier Mrs Merton; and Aaron Simmonds, a former BBC New Comedy Award finalist and winner of Jewish Comedian of the Year.
The Russell Howard Hour
Series 5, Episode 5Tonight Russell welcomes Alma's Not Normal star Sophie Willan and further reflects on petrol problems. There's stand-up from Andrew Bird and Andrew Steele talks about ageing.
The Scotts
Series 1, Episode 5Vincent and Vonny prepare to reaffirm their marriage vows in characteristic over-the-top style. Vonny's dress looks gorgeous. Vincent's emerging from an ornamental swan.
The Emily Atack Show
Series 2, Episode 1 - HolidaysEmily Atack returns for a second series and in the opening episode reflects on holiday dilemmas, from packing to snogging, the deep horror of destination weddings, and camping.
Drop The Dead Panda
Evelyn Mok and Ken Cheng star in a sketch show with an all writing and acting cast of East Asian talent.
Rockanory
Episode 20 - Trying To Get Blood Out Of A Stone, Part 4Did Keith Richards have all of his blood replaced in a secret clinic high in the Swiss mountains? Sounds plausible, right?