Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 27th July 2020 |
There's been a lot of praise on social media for our Comedy Chronicles article about Rodney Bewes and James Bolam. Missed out so far? You'll find it in the features section below.
Latest comedy news
Jewish comedians boycott social media for 48 hours
A number of writers and comedians are boycotting social media for 48 hours in a drive to get Twitter and Instagram to change their rules around how they deal with anti-Semitism. The move follows music star Wiley's widely-condemned posts.
Al Murray to publish spoof history book
Al Murray has written a history textbook parody that will be published in October, a spiritual update for 1930's 1066 And All That.
Rose Matafeo gets a second series of her BBC sitcom Starstruck
A second series of Rose Matafeo's new BBC Three sitcom, Starstruck, is being written. Filming could take place back-to-back with Series 1 from this autumn.
Jonathan Ross to present ITV comedy showcase series
Jonathan Ross' Comedy Club, coming soon to ITV, will see the presenter showcasing four up-and-coming comedians in each half-hour episode.
Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston abandon plans for care home sitcom
Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston have abandoned plans to reunite for a Royle Family spin-off set in a care home.
Matt Forde to publish Politically Homeless book
Comedian Matt Forde has written Politically Homeless. Focusing on the current state of politics, it's described as "part memoir, part behind-the-scenes insider view".
Cast revealed for Diane Morgan's sitcom Mandy
Sean Lock will be amongst the guest stars appearing in Mandy, Diane Morgan's new comedy series.
BBC orders new stand-up series to support grassroots comedy
BBC Presents: Stand Up For Live Comedy will be filmed this summer, to support grassroots comedy talent in light of the significant impact Covid-19 has had on the stand-up comedy industry.
Features
Comedy Chronicles: Strained Relationships - Bewes & Bolam
In the first of a new sub-series of Comedy Chronicles articles looking at the truth behind notoriously strained relationships between comedy stars, Graham McCann sets the record straight on the infamous falling out between Likely Lads icons Rodney Bewes and James Bolam.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Scott Bennett
From shed shows to bright lights with Engelbert and Brydon: Scott Bennett gives us a potted history.
British Comedy Quiz #111
How well do you remember the products that Peter Kay has advertised? No, not John Smith's...
Random 8: Thanyia Moore
Moore, Moore, Moore - Thanyia tackled the eight-question test before taking on the NextUp Comedy Fest at the weekend.
BCG Pro
If you're interested in comedy writing, our BCG Pro competition to find the best up-and-coming sketch writers ends this week, so do get involved now.
Podcasts
History expert Greg Jenner is on Richard Herring's podcast. There's lots of other laughs to hear in our Podcasts area too, including days of Worst Writer stories, and lots of panel show fun.
TV listings
QI
It's not until Thursday we get anything new this week. In the penultimate QI of the run, Sandi Toksvig, Stephen K Amos, Susan Calman, Lou Sanders and Alan Davies arrive on screens to talk 'rest and recreation'.
There She Goes
Picking up Rosie from school, Si is told that the staff have noticed some bruising on her sides and legs that can only have happened over the weekend.
In The Long Run
It's Valentine's turn to have Mama stay and, true to form, he shows her a good time. However she's concerned about his lifestyle and takes it upon herself to help him find that special someone to settle down with.
Tudur's TV Flashback
Tudur Owen sets out on a quest to discover the meaning of art in the latest episode of his archive-clips show for BBC Wales. It's a trip into a world of giant inflatables, edible sculptures and flying doughnuts.
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
A new series of the much-loved words and numbers game begins, and it should provide great relief after the stresses of lockdown. Sean Lock and Kerry Godliman take on Jon Richardson and Joe Wilkinson. Mr Swallow, aka Nick Mohammed, is in Dictionary Corner.
For a complete list of broadcasts, including TV repeats and radio comedy, see our full schedule.
Shop
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One Way To DenmarkA heartwarming crime comedy from the award winning team behind Hinterland. Herb's (Rafe Spall) life is a mess. He's lost his welfare, can't hold a job, can't talk to his son, has a neighbour who won't shut up and a diet that consists mainly of cheap beer and mushy peas. It's no way to live and he knows it. After discovering Danish convicts live a luxurious life he could only dream of, Herb decides to travels across Europe with one crazy goal: to get himself arrested and sent to a Danish prison where the beds are warm and the water is hot. But after meeting a local barmaid and a lovable stray dog who won't leave his side, Herb begins to realise that prison may not be his only chance to get the life he hoped for. |
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Britannia HospitalThe concluding instalment in Lindsay Anderson's Mick Travis trilogy, following If.... and O Lucky Man!, Britannia Hospital finds the filmmaker casting a sourly satirical eye over Thatcher's Britain. With a phenomenal cast at his disposal - everyone from Alan Bates (Georgy Girl) and Joan Plowright (Time Without Pity) to Robin Askwith (Confessions Of A Window Cleaner) and Mark Hamill (Star Wars) to Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) reprising the role of Travis - Anderson trains his sights on royalty, trade unions, the media, and scientific research in typically uncompromising fashion. This world-premiere Blu-ray release is packed with extra features, making this a definitive release of the cult, visceral satire. |
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The Consultants - The Complete Series 1-4All four series of the award-winning BBC Radio 4 sketch show. Welcome to The Consultants' lifestyle presentation conference and comedy show - listen and learn as they present their 1,000-point plan of action, complete with shouting, songs and plenty of silliness. In these 21 episodes, the team ponder how to revamp tea to make it more dangerous and exciting, wonder why so many men went to 'mow a meadow', practise the dark arts with a lightly tossed salad and make latex representations of a spaniel with the help of children's entertainer Jeremy Lion. |
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Code 404 - Series 1John Major had it all: wife, best friend, glittering career in the police force... when his cover was blown and he met an untimely death. One year later, he's back - part AI and better than ever... or so he'd like to believe. Full of glitches, he's got to track down the person who shot him, prove himself as a cop so as not to get shut down, save his marriage and his friendship with his partner to boot. Daniel Mays and Stephen Graham star in this new, laugh-out-loud Sky One sitcom. It'll be back for a second series (expected to air next year), and is one we definitely recommend you catch up on. |
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The Secret WorldAll four series of the BBC Radio 4 comedy impressions show following the imagined private lives of the rich and powerful. The Secret World is an impressions show with a difference - it shines a light on the imaginary alternative lives of famous folk. Each episode takes place over one day, with stories unfolding and overlapping from morning to night. In these 22 episodes, we hear about the bizarre habits of celebrities from Lady Gaga to Keith Harris and Orville. Al Pacino reveals his alternative life as a balloon twister, Barack Obama becomes a Pearly King; Professor Brian Cox finds himself stalked by various women, including The Queen; and the Archbishop of Canterbury tries Tweeting for the first time - with disastrous results. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
The Room Next Door
As you may have seen on the news, Donald Trump has taken a memory test... Michael Spicer is here with his latest sketch.
Ladies, Have We Progressed? 1920s - 2020s
A satirical sketch comparing the women the 1920s and 2020s, looking at the moral relativism of politics, sport, beauty ideals and dating habits.
Truth Seekers
Here's the trailer for Truth Seekers, the supernatural comedy drama series featuring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, which is coming to Amazon this autumn. We have some new first-look images too.
Bill Gates rap
Bill Gates spits the truth about COVID-19, vaccines, and every conspiracy out there, laying down some sick bars in this comedy parody rap song from Chris Turner.
When you need urgent advice from YouTube
Susan Harrison says: "Ever needed quick advice from YouTube but had to skip ahead because the YouTuber is waffling on and taking ages getting to the point? Me too."
Dragony Aunts - Mutya Buena
Sugababes star Mutya Buena is helped through dating dilemmas with some quick fire speed dating, in the latest episode of this Comedy Central series.
Corona Love Ballad
Some thoughts and revelations Emma Saunders had in lockdown.
Naomi Narrative - Covid 19 testing
The testing for Covid 19 antibodies can be confusing - have you had the virus or haven't you?
How to communicate with your lover
Jazz Emu says: "My relationship therapist said I needed to communicate what I'm thinking more. This should get things moving."
Spotlight
Dad's Army
This sitcom needs little introduction: a genuine icon of British television, it remains enduringly popular to this date. Friday will mark the 52nd anniversary of its broadcast debut, and with the final three missing episodes having been recreated last year by Gold (utilising co-writer/producer/director David Croft's original camera scripts) this year represents a first in the ability to rewatch the brilliant comedy series from start to finish. If they're not already on your shelves, you really should get the original series box set and the three remakes now. Don't forget the original 1971 feature-film too!
Thanks for reading
Matthew Mclane has won the latest BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition on the topic of hospitals:
I went to the hospital the other day and all the staff were linking arms and singing Auld Lang Syne. Turns out it was the Burns unit.
Before we sign off this week, we wondered if we could pick your brains? We're exploring the possibility of running an online comedy festival and would love your input, via this very short survey.
British Comedy Guide
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