BCG Daily Thursday 4th August 2022

Asim Chaudhry interview

"Rishi Sunak is not representing us. Neither is Priti Patel. They do not have empathy."

Dara O Briain issues scathing response to Andrew Neil who said show 'deserved' to be axed

Fans praised the host for 'absolutely obliterating' the broadcaster with his reply.

Angus Deayton on being sacked from Have I Got News For You

Twenty years since being sacked from Have I Got News For You after a tabloid scandal, the actor and presenter talks truth, ageing and why he'll never write a memoir.

EdFringe talk: Boorish Trumpson

"I love discovering bizarre and inspiring work that defies genre - it feels like it re-inspires and reinvigorates your own creative juices."

Fringe Q&A: Kai Samra on bringing new show Native to the festival

Following a critically acclaimed debut and an Amazon comedy special, award-winning comedian Kai Samra returns to the Fringe with new show Native.

Rhod Gilbert: Comedy tour for Cardiff cancer centre revealed

A stand-up comedy tour will be held in aid of the hospital where Rhod Gilbert is being treated for cancer.

My culture fix: Jo Brand

The comedian lets us in to her cultural life.

Code 404, Sky Comedy, review

Forget Turner and Hooch - Stephen Graham and Daniel Mays are the best buddy cops.

Edinburgh institution gets an earlier start time - and an all-female MC roster

In a major change, the start time has been moved to 11.30pm, 90 minutes earlier than the slot it has traditionally. It will now be done by 1.30am, rather than 5am as in the past. This year's hosts are Thanyia Moore, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Jay Lafferty and Lou Conran.

Interview: Ollie Norton-Smith on Speed Dial at Pleasance Dome

"We try to make theatre as exciting as it possibly can be, telling new stories, or reinventing existing stories to tell them in exciting and dynamic ways, and I hope everyone will come to see Speed Dial, because it is the most joyous comedy thriller."

Grace Campbell: "People used to say all I'd ever be is Alastair Campbell's daughter"

Back for another Edinburgh, the rising comedian is looking at why she was desperate for male validation.

Paul Mayhew-Archer: 'Laughter is one of the things that keeps you going'

Comedy writer and performer Paul Mayhew-Archer, a graduate of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, and someone with first-hand knowledge of Parkinson's, will be returning to the city this month to present Incurable Optimist.

Jon Courtenay shares his Perfect Playlist of comedy favourites

The shows that I didn't enjoy stand out more than all my favourites because they were often ones that my friends would be raving about but just didn't hit home for me.

Why do so many comedians have ADHD? 'It's the perfect job for us!'

Simon Brodkin, Angela Barnes, Colin Hoult and Jenny Bede are tackling their experiences of the condition in new shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. Neurodiversity can be funny, they tell Dominic Maxwell.

Interviews: Aidan Sadler, Baby Lame, Eric Schmalenberger

Aidan Sadler from Tropicana, Baby Lame of Final Baby Girl! and the creator of Blunderland, Eric Schmalenberger, share their thoughts on the value of cabaret

EdFringe talk: Christopher Bliss: Captain Words Eye

"If you're ever bored at the fringe just walk 10 metres in any direction and you won't be bored any more."

EdFringe talk: Ali Brice: I Tried To Be Funny, But You Weren't Looking

"I also learned that I love video calls. Not Zoom. I mean Face-timing or whatever the WhatsApp equivalent is. I hate talking on the phone, it makes me anxious. But I love a video call."

EdFringe talk: Elf Lyons: Raven

"It is one of the most exciting places to spend a month and take risks - especially when seeing all the amazing alternative talent that you might miss on a usual commercial line-up or panel show on TV."

EdFringe talk: Ania Magliano: Absolutely No Worries If Not

"This is my first time doing an hour of stand up! I've been up to the festival before in a variety of other contexts (working as a receptionist, doing a sketch show, doing tech for other shows) but I imagine this will be a pretty different experience."

EdFringe talk: Daniel Muggleton: Oh, More Mr White Guy?

"It's easy to forget to eat during Fringe and things still close relatively early in Edinburgh."

Geoff Rowe shares tips for those adding BSL to comedy shows

It's all a matter of interpretation...

Interview with comedian Jake Lambert

"There's a lot of pressure to do well and it's not always that nice being reviewed and judged constantly. However the flip side of that is when it's going well and when the audiences are lovely it really is a lot of fun."

Coates on Kingsman / Kingsman on Coates

Tessa Coates and Liz Kingsman have performed as two thirds of sketch group Massive Dad. They sit down at an exclusive restaurant to discuss sketch comedy, their Edinburgh resolutions, and what it's like going solo.

What happened to our Britain's Got Talent appearance?

Kev Sutherland, the man behind the Scottish Falsetto Socks, describes his experiences with the ITV talent show.

Emergency Question: What would you invent to make the world a better place?

Edinburgh Fringe comedians answer.

Go and see a trans comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe, while you still can

The fastest way to disprove Liz Truss's paranoid fantasies about transgender people is to come watch one of us do stand-up comedy.

Simon Brodkin on his ADHD diagnosis

The comedian, also known as Lee Nelson, explains how he's had to re-evaluate who he is and what he does after his big news.

Sandi Toksvig writes powerful letter to Archbishop Justin Welby after 'gay sex is a sin' comments

"The lives of LGBT+ people are at stake here," wrote the broadcaster and author.

Interview: Anne Rabbit (Self Service)

The versatile performer tells us about Self Service, her first Fringe show in 36 years.

Teesside company strikes comedy gold after clinching BBC deal

A Hartlepool production company has been chosen to create a raft of new comedy for the BBC.

'People used Mock The Week as a stick to beat BBC,' says Andy Parsons

We caught up with the former Mock The Week team captain in the wake of the show's cancellation.

Norris & Parker: Sirens interview

I spoke to them to find out more about the show and its creators.

Clare Bartholomew: The Anniversary interview

I arranged a chat with Clare ahead of their edfringe run.

Garrett Millerick's Fringe cringe, binge and whinge

Worst thing about Edinburgh? The audience.

Emily Atack looks loved up on date with new Big Brother star boyfriend Liam

Emily Atack put on a loved up display as she headed out with her new boyfriend Liam McGough last night.

The 32-year-old showed how serious things are getting as they went to watch her mum - Kate Robbins - who took to the stage at Crazy Coqs in London.

Edinburgh Fringe interview: rarely asked questions - Michelle Shaughnessy

Canadian comic Michelle Shaughnessy is directed by Fringe Favourite Adam Hills in her debut show at Underbelly.

Fringe performers pitch tents and caravans as rents in the city double

Comics say they are being priced out, with venue directors warning that future of the event is under threat.

Bill Bailey and Lee Mack begin 100-mile charity walk in honour of Sean Lock

Bill Bailey and Lee Mack began a 100-mile charity walk on Wednesday in honour of their 'genuine and loyal' friend Sean Lock after his death from cancer.

Great British Bake Off: The Musical review

This gorgeous confection is an authentic crowd pleaser, and more oven-ready than several shows we've seen in the West End of late. Is it perfect? No, but it's already utterly joyous and with a bit of tweaking could become a bona fide knockout.

Edinburgh Fringe interview: rarely asked questions - Sikisa

Immigration lawyer turned comic Sikisa combines social activism with the wish to have a good time in her show Sikisa: Life of the Party.

No wonder Mock The Week has been axed - the panel show is in terminal decline

In our culturally paranoid era, programmes such as this are becoming an endangered species.

Njambi McGrath interview

My first ever review was horrendous.

It's pure escapism. Garry Starr is an Idiot

"The thing I hear more than anything with my show is: 'That was funny. I'm going to bring my mum.'"

Stars of TikTok make their Fringe debut

After years of disruption, Edinburgh's world-famous Fringe Festival will be back in full swing this year, and social media platform TikTok has decided to get in on the action.

Charmian Hughes interview

"Tomorrow is another day."