Weekly Newsletter |
Monday 28th September 2020 |
We've almost two dozen stories to share with you this week (many of them exclusive), but first a reminder about our virtual comedy festival, which starts online this very evening...
Laughter Lounge
Our online comedy festival starts tonight! There'll be two shows every night until Sunday evening. We begin with a Q&A with Mark Watson at 7pm and then stand-up from Tom Allen at 9pm. Every show will be streamed live and be interactive, so do get involved in the fun. You'll also be helping to support the comedy circuit and BCG. A festival pass gains you access to all the shows, and you get FREE BEER and a year's access to all NextUp's stand-up specials too. Find out more
Latest comedy news
Elizabeth Day writing TV comedy based on How To Fail
Author, journalist and podcaster Elizabeth Day is adapting her memoir-manifesto How To Fail, itself based on a podcast, into a TV comedy.
Dave resumes work on Richard Ayoade pilot
Dave is resuming work on piloting a new comedy hosted by Richard Ayoade, delayed by coronavirus.
David Walliams to make two more After Ever After specials
David Walliams will star in two more episodes of After Ever After, his format looking at what happens after well-known fairy tales end. The next stories will focus on Jack & The Beanstalk and Hansel & Gretel.
Tez Ilyas announces debut book
Tez Ilyas is to publish his first book. The comedian has written The Secret Diary Of A British Muslim Aged 13¾, which will be released in April 2021.
Cast revealed for 'What A Carve Up!' online show
Stephen Fry, Rebecca Front, Derek Jacobi and Griff Rhys Jones are amongst the cast making a new online version of satirical novel What A Carve Up!.
thortful launches BCG birthday card range
Winners of the thortful and BCG Pro birthday card caption competition have been announced, with a new card range launched ahead of the time of year with the highest density of birth dates.
BBC reverses decision on hosting James Veitch's Radio 4 show
The BBC has reversed its decision to continue hosting James Veitch's Contractual Obligation on BBC Sounds, after the stand-up comic was accused of multiple rapes and sexual assaults in the US.
Animated kids' comedy Scream Street gets Series 2
Stop-motion animated comedy Scream Street will return to CBBC for a second series, five years after the first aired.
Jason Isaacs amongst the cast joining Sex Education Series 3
Jason Isaacs, Jemima Kirke and Dua Saleh are joining the cast of Netflix comedy drama Sex Education, which is due to return for a third series in 2021.
Alan Partridge statue erected in Norwich
A temporary statue of Alan Partridge has been erected outside a shopping centre in Norwich.
London Hughes to record Netflix special
London Hughes is to release a Netflix special of To Catch A D*ck in time for Christmas and is already writing a follow-up show, she has revealed.
The Ladykillers returning to cinema & Blu-ray
Iconic black comedy The Ladykillers will return to cinemas in October 2020 with a new 4K remaster. A feature-packed, limited edition UHD Blu-ray box set is also available to order.
Radio 4 to broadcast Nicholas Parsons tribute evening
Radio 4 will pay tribute to Just A Minute host Nicholas Parsons with an evening of programming on Saturday 10th October.
Comedy stars take part in Who Do You Think You Are?
Ruth Jones, David Walliams and Liz Carr will feature in the new series of genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are?, coming to BBC One in October.
Stewart Lee sings on folk album
Stewart Lee's spoken words and vocals will feature on improvising violinist's Laura Cannell's These Feral Lands Volume I folk album.
Scottish Comedy Awards 2020 results
The results of the Scottish Comedy Awards 2020 have been announced. The winners included Jim Smith, Mark Nelson, Amelia Bayler, Rosco McClelland, Paul McDaniel, MC Hammersmith, Frankie Boyle, Ashley Storrie, Jojo Sutherland and Janey Godley.
Comedy Central orders Channel Hopping With Jon Richardson
Channel Hopping With Jon Richardson is coming to Comedy Central. The topical six-part series will see the comedian present a weekly digest of TV clips.
Sara Pascoe to host Comedy Central series Guessable
Sara Pascoe will host Guessable, a new format for Comedy Central. The series will also feature John Kearns, Alan Davies and Darren Harriott as regulars.
Writer George Jeffrie dies
George Jeffrie, a prolific comedy writer whose credits include co-creating Channel 4 sitcom The Windsors, has died.
Izzy Askwith wins Funny Women Awards 2020 competition
Izzy Askwith has picked up this year's Funny Women Stage Award. Eryn Tett and Mary O'Connell were the runners-up.
Filming begins on paramedic comedy Bloods
Production is underway on Bloods, the Sky comedy series starring Samson Kayo and Jane Horrocks as a pair of mismatched paramedics.
Gina Yashere to publish her autobiography
Gina Yashere has written a memoir. Cack-Handed - which traces her life from growing up as a child of Nigerian parents in London to becoming a comedy star in America - will be published in 2021.
Daniel Sloss delays book after falling out of love with America
Daniel Sloss has delayed publication of his book Everyone You Hate Is Going To Die, because he's fallen out of love with America and needs to rewrite it.
Features
30 Years of Have I Got News For You
As Have I Got News For You celebrates its 30th anniversary, Ian Hislop and Paul Merton reflect on some of the highlights from the 500+ episodes.
First Gig, Worst Gig: Meryl O'Rourke
She's now writing spicy gags for Frankie Boyle's New World Order, but why was Meryl O'Rourke once booed from a chip shop?
British Comedy Quiz #120
There were 120 episodes of My Family made, and the sitcom has just celebrated its 20th anniversary. Do you remember the name of the character who only appeared in the first series? That's one of the questions in this quiz.
Random 8: Alison Thea-Skot
She's nasty in Sky's I Hate Suzie and natters knowledgeably at our Laughter Lounge festival, this week on NextUp - but why does Alison Thea-Skot still owe a debt to the seed dealers?
BCG Pro
The Opportunities Hub area of our website for those who make comedy continues to grow, so if you're looking for your next creative endevour, or looking to partner with someone, do check it out.
Podcasts
The topical show where Richard Herring is joined by ventriloquist dummies continues, meanwhile Sindhu Vee is on RHLSTP. There's a new episode of Sitcom Geeks out too.
TV listings
Ghosts
After a particularly heavy night partying, Alison and Mike wake to find the house in disarray. With the clock ticking until a potentially crucial business partner comes to view the venue, and with very sore heads, the couple attempt a mass clean-up of the debris from the night before.
Comedy Game Night
Joining Liza, Guz and Sue are Googlebox queen Scarlett Moffatt, Made In Chelsea's Ollie Locke, comedians Sally Phillips, Dane Baptiste and Sindhu Vee, and West End star Kara Tointon.
Two Weeks To Live
Episode 5. Before Kim has a moment to cope with the fallout of her mother's deception, Brooks and Thompson's plan to use Jay to track them down backfires.
A League Of Their Own
Romesh is joined by Mo Gilligan, hockey player Sam Quek, footballer Jesse Lingard, and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. Meanwhile, Freddie and Jamie take the time to slip off for a quick round of golf.
The Russell Howard Hour
This week Kevin Bridges will take on the Your Questions segment, and Jessica Brown Findlay joins Russell for a chat.
Frankie Boyle's New World Order
Miles Jupp, Jamali Maddix and Kiri Pritchard-McLean will be amongst the comedians this week attempting to help Frankie Boyle make sense of what is going on.
Have I Got News For You
Damian Lewis hosts as the satirical quiz returns for its 60th series. Journalist Katy Balls and comedian Chris McCausland join regular team leaders Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, as the show returns to a studio format (no more Zoom, phew).
Limmy's Other Stuff
A final TV special from Brian Limond, in which the Scottish sketch comedy star introduces a chronological compilation of his non-TV material, from his early pre-YouTube sketches to his Vines, right up to his present day livestreaming.
The Graham Norton Show
Graham Norton is back in the studio, but the red sofa is replaced by socially distanced chairs. Dolly Parton, Rupert Everett, Lolly Adefope, Riz Ahmed and Sara Pascoe are those scheduled to appear, with Roisin Murphy performing
Stand Up For Live Comedy
Episode 2 goes up on iPlayer on Friday, with Paddy Raff hosting from Belfast. Rachel Fairburn, Mary O'Connell and Shane Todd are the acts. The first episode - hosted by Jayde Adams - is on BBC One tonight at 10:45pm.
Spitting Image
The iconic, uncompromising, fast-turnaround and uniquely British satirical take on global events is back, after a break of more than two decades. You'll need streaming service BritBox to see it (but a free trial is available). To get a sense of what is coming up, see the trailer in our video section.
Jonathan Ross' Comedy Club
Huge Davies, Sikisa and Rosie Jones are amongst the acts performing this week. Katherine Ryan will be the special guest trying out some new material.
For a complete list of TV and radio broadcasts, including repeats, see our full schedule.
Shop
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Douglas Adams - The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide To The GalaxyA phenomenon across all formats, this paperback omnibus contains the complete Hitchhiker's Guide trilogy in five parts, charting the whole of Arthur Dent's odyssey through space and time. Collected together in this omnibus marking the series' 42nd anniversary are the five titles that comprise Douglas Adams's wildly popular and wholly remarkable comedy science fiction 'trilogy', plus a bonus short story, Young Zaphod Plays It Safe, and a special undeleted scene. |
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Romesh Ranganathan - As Good As It Gets: Life Lessons From A Reluctant AdultConfronted by the realities of adulthood, Romesh Ranganathan must face an uncomfortable truth: this is not quite how he imagined it. Watching his friends descend into middle age, his waistline thicken and his finances dwindle to fund his family's middle class aspirations, Romesh reflects on the demands of daily life and the challenges of adulting in the modern world. As he reluctantly concludes that he is indeed a grown man, Rom wrestles with the greater questions that threaten his being: Could I save my family in a crisis? Do I possess the skills to assemble flatpack furniture? Am I too old for streetwear? Is it alright to parent my kids through the medium of Fortnite? Is celibacy the secret to a passionate marriage? |
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Second Holmes - Six BBC Radio Full-Cast AdventuresIt is the 1980s and Stamford Holmes is still living in the shadow of his famous grandfather. Languidly living on Sherlock's fortune, he reluctantly agrees to do some work as a consulting detective - if only to provide 'Doctor' Watson with material for the Sunday papers. Watson, on the other hand, brings all the bumbling enthusiasm he can muster to their new cases, forever aping and quoting both their grandfathers - and wielding a magnifying glass. The complete comedy series starring Peter Egan, first aired in 1983. |
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Trouble BrewingOne of the successful run of pre-war Ealing comedies that secured George Formby's enduring popularity with the British public, Trouble Brewing sees everyone's favourite gawp turn amateur detective when he's swindled out of his racing winnings. Co-starring Googie Withers, Gus McNaughton, Martita Hunt and Ronald Shiner, it is presented here as a high definition remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio. Feeble George, a newspaper compositor with delusions of being a detective, wins big at the races. But when he changes his three tenners down to more manageable fivers he's slipped counterfeit notes. |
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QI Elves - Funny You Should Ask: Your Questions AnsweredThe QI Elves are the clever clogs behind the hit panel show QI. Every Wednesday the Elves appear on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show's 'Why Workshop' where they answer the ponderings and wonderings of Radio 2's most inquisitive listeners. Funny You Should Ask features the QI Elves' answers to questions on topics ranging from goosebumps to grapefruit, pizza to pirates and everything in-between. Generously sprinkled with extra facts from the Elves, this is "essential reading" for the incurably curious. |
For more, see our full list of new releases and items coming soon.
Comedy videos
Foodfarms Advert
A gloriously bonkers spoof advert from Mash Report star Greig Johnson. What are you having for your tea? Head to Foodfarms.
Jon Courtenay on Britain's Got Talent semi-final
Musical comedian Jon Courtenay has made it through to the Britain's Got Talent final. Here is his semi-final performance from the weekend's show.
100 Reasons To Hate... Books
Ian Smith has 100 Reasons why books are a big problem. It's some impressive ranting.
Truth Seekers - Trailer
The trailer for the new comedy starring Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, coming to Amazon Prime 30th October. A group of part-time paranormal investigators team up to uncover a deadly conspiracy...
Meat On A Stick infomercial
An infomercial for a top, top product called Meat on a Stick. Problem is, the presenter is a bit more concerned with explaining the virtues of the stick than the meat bit.
I hid a camera in a parcel and then posted it
To find out what a postman's day is like, Adrian Gray hid a camera in a parcel. There's a brilliant pay-off at the end so do keep watching!
When Zoom really lets you down
Connection problems on Zoom can cause real issues. It's the latest spot-on sketch from The Pin. If you missed our interview with them, it's worth a read.
Spitting Image trailer
A look at some of the sketches that have already been filmed for the new series of the puppet-based topical sketch show.
Storytime With Silcox
A new web series in which deadpan comedian Mark Silcox updates Aesop's Fables for 2020.
Spotlight
Lemon La Vida Loca
Created by and starring Leigh Francis and comic actor Laura Aikman, came this spoof reality show following Keith Lemon and his girlfriend, Rosie. Airing way back in 2012/13, two series were produced about the hit comedy character's home life, both of which are available on DVD. Back to today, and the 24th series of panel show Celebrity Juice is due to begin on the same channel, ITV2, next month.
Thanks for reading
Matthew Mclane has won the latest BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition on the topic of fashion:
My nan asked me if I'd like her to put on Cardi B the other day but I told her the one she was wearing was fine.
We hope to see you online tonight for our Laughter Lounge festival, and head to our website tomorrow to read a great new interview with Brian Blessed.
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
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