BCG Daily Friday 30th May 2025
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Press clippings
Rik Mayall festival pays tribute to 'unique' talent
For an entire generation growing up the 1980s and 1990s, Rik Mayall was one of the most familiar - and fascinating - faces on television.
Gavin Kermack & Phil Mackie, BBC, 30th May 2025
Adam Buxton: 'When my dog Rosie dies my podcast will stop'
The actor and comedian on Adam and Joe, his starry podcast guests and the gruelling process of writing his second memoir.
Fiona Sturges, i Newspaper, 30th May 2025
Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and assault
The broadcaster, comedian and actor appeared at Southwark Crown Court, where he formally denied the five charges for the first time.
Ian Youngs, BBC, 30th May 2025
Paul Sinha forced to give up vital part of career due to health struggle
Sinha ventured into stand-up comedy while working as a junior doctor, yet his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease has made his participation in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival increasingly difficult.
Michael Moran and Lois McCarthy, Wales Online, 30th May 2025
Helen Lederer: "At my age I'm not going to scrimp on my gin and tonics"
The comedian says she is bad with money and needs a financial carer, but still has the garden furniture she splashed out on after Celebrity Big Brother.
The Times, 30th May 2025
11 years on, I'm still mourning comedy legend Rik Mayall
I'm not over it. In fact, over a decade on, I miss Rik's irreverent humour more than ever - but I'm so honoured to be a part of the inaugural Rik Mayall Comedy Festival this weekend.
Angela Pearson, Metro, 30th May 2025
Jesse Armstrong discusses how Chris Langham's 'tragic' exit led to a 'new version' of The Thick Of It
Armstrong and Joanna Scanlan spoke about the fall-out of his sudden departure during a conversation at the 2025 Hay Festival.
Annabel Nugent, The Independent, 30th May 2025
Kate Cheka
A clever, brilliant, and radical comedian who may yet bring about the revolution.
James Walsh, The Reviews Hub, 30th May 2025
Reginald D Hunter prosecuted over 'antisemitic messages'
American stand-up accused of three counts of posting an offensive communication online.
The Telegraph, 30th May 2025
Rhys Darby: "Luckily, no one's given me a full clay model of my nose"
The standup on his encounters with fans, cracking up his co-stars on Flight Of The Conchords and why AI should stay away from art.
Liam Pape, The Guardian, 30th May 2025
John Lloyd: "Rik Mayall was magnificent"
John Lloyd says the whole cast of Blackadder were in awe of Rik Mayall, having also worked with him to create adverts for Nintendo, which have gone on to receive cult status.
BBC, 30th May 2025
Tim Key: "Filming Alan Partridge, I was living in a lot of fear"
The actor and comic poet speaks about his new theatrically released film The Ballad Of Wallis Island, the pressures of acting in Peep Show and Alan Partridge's Mid Morning Matters, and the realisation that made him stop supporting Liverpool FC.
Louis Chilton, The Independent, 30th May 2025
The Ballad Of Wallis Island: one of the funniest films I've ever seen
I've been truly bowled over by one of the most relentlessly funny films I've seen in The Ballad Of Wallis Island.
Tori Bazier, Metro, 30th May 2025The Power Of Parker review
Come for the broad humour, stay for the killer 1990s soundtrack.
Keith Watson, The Telegraph, 30th May 2025Simon Evans: Andrew Lawrence should not be cancelled for Liverpool joke
So Lawrence was already largely persona non grata in polite comedy circles, and was in no danger of getting booked by Hot Water or The Comedy Store anyway. He long ago transformed himself into a sort of comedy cockroach, reviled by the liberal consensus but busily going about his business and able to withstand any nuclear blast that comes his way once in a while. Yet he also finds himself part of a worrying trend, of venues deciding that they cannot afford to be associated with certain kinds of jokes.
Simon Evans, Unherd, 30th May 2025
Ofcom accused of censorship in Carry On free speech row
Regulator urged to update its guidelines to protect classic British comedy from 'culture of fear'.
James Warrington, The Telegraph, 30th May 2025
Mark Steel: 'My son still lives with me. We're pretty good mates'
The comedians Mark and Elliot Steel on the benefits of nepotism, dating Shappi Khorsandi and overcoming cancer.
Nick Duerden, The Times, 30th May 2025Videos
Online
Film
TV & radio
7am10 min
Shaun The Sheep
Series 7, Episode 6 - DoorbellA newly installed doorbell camera records what happens when the Farmer locks himself out.
1:30pm30 min
6:30pm30 min
The News Quiz
Series 117, Episode 7 - Tariff TurmoilAndy Zaltzman is joined by guests Ria Lina, Armando Iannucci, Ian Smith and Cindy Yu. This week they explore Trump's tariff turmoil, the King's Canadian holiday, mixed messages in the Middle East and how the Department of Justice is having trouble finishing its sentences.
9pm30 min
Have I Got News For You
Series 69, Episode 9Roy Wood Jr crossing the pond once again to act as guest host. Guz Khan and Kirsty Wark join the panel.
9:30pm30 min
The Power Of Parker
Series 2, Episode 1 - Out On The RazzThe year is 1992 and Martin's growing debts, the needs of his wife and his mistress have left him at rock bottom. He, Kath and Diane are all trying to get along, with Kath in particular doing her best to play happy families while Diane runs Parker's electrical store with Sandy Copper. The Stockport Trade Awards sees Parker's up for the night's big award, while Martin has to swallow his pride and get a manual job.
10:45pm15 min
Shakedowns In Hyperspace
Episode 5 - Roll Over, Dead Old MeIt's 2034: one female astronaut's desires are unexpectedly ignited as she leaves Earth behind. But will her ardour fall with a return to Earth? Read by Ashleigh Haddad.