British Comedy Guide
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BCG Daily Tuesday 8th March 2022

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Barry Cryer

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?"

Craig Brown, Daily Mail, 8th March 2022
Dad's Army. Image shows from L to R: Private Godfrey (Arnold Ridley), Lance Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn), Private Walker (James Beck), Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), Private Frazer (John Laurie), Sergeant Wilson (John Le Mesurier), Private Pike (Ian Lavender)

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.

Jamie Grierson, The Guardian, 8th March 2022
Holding. PJ Collins (Conleth Hill)

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.

Nicola Methven, The Mirror, 8th March 2022
Flo & Joan

Flo & Joan: Sweet Release review

Flo & Joan are undoubtedly the real thing.

Jane Darcy, The Reviews Hub, 8th March 2022
Whyte & Mackay Glasgow International Comedy Festival 14 - 31 March 2019

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.

Jamie Callaghan, Glasgow World, 8th March 2022
Frayed. Image shows left to right: Tess Burbeck (Maggie Ireland-Jones), Rufus (Robert Webb), Sammy Burbeck (Sarah Kendall), Fiona (Diane Morgan), Jean Cooper (Kerry Armstrong). Credit: Merman, Sky

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.

Brian Logan, The Guardian, 8th March 2022
Steve Delaney

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'.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 8th March 2022
Ian Wolf

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."

Andrew Osmond, Anime News Network, 8th March 2022
Omid Djalili - Hopeful: The Autobiography. Omid Djalili. Copyright: BBC

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.

Emma James, The Sun, 8th March 2022
The Witchfinder. Image shows from L to R: Gideon Bannister (Tim Key), Thomasine Gooch (Daisy May Cooper)

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.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 8th March 2022
The Witchfinder. Image shows from L to R: Gideon Bannister (Tim Key), Thomasine Gooch (Daisy May Cooper)

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.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 8th March 2022
Kingdom. Peter Kingdom (Stephen Fry). Copyright: Sprout Pictures / Parallel Film & Television Productions

Stephen Fry recalls homophobic attack at football game

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

Ellie Harrison, The Independent, 8th March 2022
Jordan Gray

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.

Rachael Healy, The Guardian, 8th March 2022
Still Open All Hours. Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (Lynda Baron). Copyright: BBC

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.

Toby Hadoke, The Guardian, 8th March 2022
Lou Sanders. Copyright: Avalon Television

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!

See Tickets Blog, 8th March 2022
The Witchfinder. Image shows from L to R: Gideon Bannister (Tim Key), Thomasine Gooch (Daisy May Cooper)

The Witchfinder review

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

Lucy Mangan, The Guardian, 8th March 2022
The Witchfinder. Image shows from L to R: Gideon Bannister (Tim Key), Thomasine Gooch (Daisy May Cooper)

The Witchfinder review

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

Sean O'Grady, The Independent, 8th March 2022
The Witchfinder. Image shows from L to R: Gideon Bannister (Tim Key), Thomasine Gooch (Daisy May Cooper)

The Witchfinder, BBC Two, review

Tim Key and Daisy May Cooper are magic.

Lauren O'Neill, i Newspaper, 8th March 2022
The Witchfinder. Image shows from L to R: Gideon Bannister (Tim Key), Thomasine Gooch (Daisy May Cooper)

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.

Anita Singh, The Telegraph, 8th March 2022
The Witchfinder. Image shows from L to R: Gideon Bannister (Tim Key), Thomasine Gooch (Daisy May Cooper)

The Witchfinder review

Sorcery, terror and a touch of Alan Partridge.

James Jackson, The Times, 8th March 2022
Jack Dee

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.

Karen Bussell, British Theatre Guide, 8th March 2022
Catherine Bohart

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.

Dominic Maxwell, The Times, 8th March 2022

Videos

TV & radio

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
Simon Rich

The World Of Simon Rich

Series 3, Episode 1

American screenwriter and short story author Simon Rich brings some of his enchanting, absurd and funny stories to Radio 4. The series begins with a story of parenting pirates.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 9pm
50 min
This Is Going To Hurt. Adam (Ben Whishaw)

This Is Going To Hurt

Episode 5

It's the day of Adam's engagement party, but his work stress is becoming increasingly overwhelming. Shruti tries a new tack, but doesn't get the outcome she hoped.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 9:50pm
10 min
Cheaters. Image shows left to right: Damien (Adam Ayadi), Fola (Susan Wokoma)

Cheaters

Series 1, Episode 13

Still trying to patch-up his marriage with Fola, Zack goes to pick up his Dad from the airport, only to be faced with some devastating news. Meanwhile Josh and Esther decide to fast-forward their wedding plans and begin to organise their joint stag and hen do...

U&Dave channel logo 10pm
60 min
Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable. Image shows from L to R: Alan Davies, Lou Sanders, Sally Phillips, Mel Giedroyc, Ria Lina

Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable

Series 2, Episode 5

Mel and Lou are joined by actor Sally Phillips, comedian Alan Davies and stand-up Ria Lina. Sally reveals the best way to get back at a horrible boss, Alan tells all about his court appearance and we find out why you should never leave your kids with Ria.

BBC Two 10pm
30 min
The Witchfinder. Image shows from L to R: Gideon Bannister (Tim Key), Thomasine Gooch (Daisy May Cooper)

The Witchfinder

Episode 1

A failing witchfinder arrives in an East Anglian village in search of work. Desperate for the wealth and fame a big trial could bring, all he finds is an uncouth local woman accused of killing a pig. While he makes the most of this trivial case, an opportunity presents itself that could change his fortunes forever.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 10:35pm
10 min
Cheaters. Image shows left to right: Fola (Susan Wokoma), Damien (Adam Ayadi)

Cheaters

Series 1, Episode 14

Josh bumps into Zack and learns that his father has died, but as Fola has temporarily moved out she doesn't know. As Zack heads off to the funeral, Josh makes a decision and calls Fola...Will she make it to the funeral in time?

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 10:45pm
10 min
Cheaters

Cheaters

Series 1, Episode 15

While out on their joint stag and hen do, Esther discovers a secret that threatens her relationship and Josh is forced to make a confession. Meanwhile after bonding at the funeral, Zack and Fola's relationship seems to be back on track...

Radio 4 11pm
30 min
Fortunately... With Fi And Jane. Image shows from L to R: Fi Glover, Jane Garvey

Fortunately... With Fi And Jane

Series 2, Episode 10 - Belgian Sheets And Swirling Flip Flops, With Michelle Ogundehin

Fi and Jane are joined by top designer Michelle Ogundehin. The interiors guru, presenter and author gives Fi and Jane the lowdown on Interior Design Masters and working with the show's host Alan Carr.

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