BCG Daily Tuesday 8th March 2022

Advice from Barry Cryer... The secret of comedy? It's that special K

"You learn a few things. You know which words are funny? Words with a 'K' in it. You didn't know that, did you?"

Libby Purves criticises BBC's 'misguided' move to clean up old shows

Libby Purves, the former BBC Radio 4 Today presenter, has criticised the corporation for editing archived programmes to remove content deemed offensive, arguing that the cuts are "misguided quixotism". The public broadcaster has been editing radio shows including Dad's Army, Steptoe And Son and I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again to remove racially insensitive and politically incorrect jokes, the Times revealed earlier this year.

Graham Norton admits he didn't want to adapt novel Holding himself

Graham Norton is thrilled that his "cosy crime" novel Holding has been adapted into a TV series, though he has admitted that he had no desire to adapt it himself.

Flo & Joan: Sweet Release review

Flo & Joan are undoubtedly the real thing.

Stand-ups share their favourite Glasgow places ahead of comedy festival

Top stand-up comedians have been sharing their favourite Glasgow spots ahead of the city's comedy festival.

How Frayed's Sarah Kendall fell in and out of love with stand-up

Nerves nearly kept her from picking up the mic and then she discovered an industry hostile to women. As her hit TV show returns, the star reflects on the thrill and camaraderie of comedy - and its much-needed change.

Count Arthur Strong: And This Is Me! review

Count Arthur Strong is leaving behind his 'meticulously researched' lectures of old. No more talks on astronomy or Ancient Egypt, instead the befuddled old duffer is talking about 'me and the man behind myself - who is also me'.

Comedy.co.uk's Ian Wolf launches Kickstarter for comedy book about manga

British Comedy Guide's Ian Wolf, who is also a critic of Japanese manga comics, has begun a Kickstarter campaign to fund his first book. "CLAMPdown is a comedic guide to CLAMP, the most famous group of manga (Japanese comic) authors."

Omid Djalili slapped with fine and points after speeding through roadworks

Comedian Omid Djalili has been handed a fine after speeding through roadworks in his luxury silver Lexus.

Djalili, 51, raced through the roadworks on the A14 in Suffolk at 65mph, breaking the temporary speed limit of 50mph.

TV review: The Witchfinder, BBC Two

I've been looking forward to The Witchfinder ever since it was announced. As comedies go you can't get a better pedigree. It is written by Neil and Rob Gibbons, the brothers who write Alan Partridge, and stars Tim Key - Sidekick Simon from Partridge and a million other shows - and Daisy May Cooper from This Country. And I doff my cap to everyone, it's ruddy brilliant.

The Witchfinder review

Expectations are high when you have a cast of comedy nobility, led by Tim Key and Daisy May Cooper, and a script from the writers of Alan Partridge. Yet The WitchfinderDaniel Rigby can't quite deliver on that promise, if not for a want of ambition.

Stephen Fry recalls homophobic attack at football game

"There was this furious face that suddenly loomed right in front of me," says actor.

Jordan Gray interview

She sings naked, had an epiphany chopping wood in Sweden, came out dressed as a cat, is making a sitcom with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and is helping Matt Lucas to be funny. Meet comedy powerhouse Jordan Gray.

Lynda Baron obituary

Lynda Baron, who has died aged 82, was well known to television viewers spanning the generations, but her comforting presence in comedy and children's fare belied her role as a multi-talented grafter who excelled in every discipline.

5 Minutes With Lou Sanders

Lou's been around the block once or twice, having appeared on the likes of Channel 4's Taskmaster and Travel Man, and more recently co-hosting Unforgivable with Mel Giedroyc on Dave. Lou's latest stand-up tour One Word: Wow is on sale now, and we would highly recommend grabbing a ticket to see this world-class comedian live for yourself, to truly appreciate the laughs she has to offer!

The Witchfinder review

A comedy with so much wasted potential it makes you sad.

The Witchfinder review

Some of the finest comedy talents have produced something strangely mediocre.

The Witchfinder, BBC Two, review

Tim Key and Daisy May Cooper are magic.

The Witchfinder is fun but the cauldron doesn't quite bubble

Set in the 17th century, BBC Two's new sitcom boasts a top cast and writers, though there's room on the broom for improvement.

The Witchfinder review

Sorcery, terror and a touch of Alan Partridge.

Live review: I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

Good, not-so-clean, laugh-out-loud ridiculousness is to be had as I'm Sorry, I Haven't A Clue is on tour.

Catherine Bohart review

A real feeling of her recalibrating her sense of self underlies Bohart's often upbeat, borderline breezy talk of getting out of wi-fi contracts, of bottling her emotions, of going home to Ireland to find her disconsolate mother.