Comedy's Rite of Passage

Edinburgh has launched stand-up greats, from Dudley Moore to Mark Watson.

Recent BBC4 repeats of Michael Parkinson's interviews with Peter Cook reminded us that Cook was a rarity: a skilled satirist who was louche, profoundly funny and charismatic.

His diminutive long-time comic partner, "cuddly" Dudley Moore, often fell into the shadow (sometimes literally) of his friend and colleague during their years in 1960s revue Beyond the Fringe and their subsequent TV series, until Moore quite unexpectedly became a huge star in the films 10 and Arthur.

Unforgettable hears from his ex-wife Brogan Lane about his life in Hollywood and how he coped with fame, and from friend Rena Fruchter, who helped Moore through his final, cruel illness until his death in 2002.

The Unforgettable Dudley Moore, ITV1, review

Bernadette McNulty reviews The Unforgettable Dudley Moore, ITV1's profile of the much-loved comedian and actor.

A tribute to the late, great Dudley Moore, perhaps best known in the UK for his hallowed Pete and Dud double act with Peter Cook, but a considerable Hollywood star in his own right, not least for the comedy hits 10 and Arthur. Here friends, family, ex-wives and partners (he was married and divorced four times) celebrate his life, talents and achievements.

35 years of Derek and Clive

2011 is a stale time for comedy. The ideas are tired and nothing seems to be pushing the limits. Seems like a good time to pay our respects to Peter Cook and Dudley Moore's wonderful collection of comedic filth...

Watching this series's parade of classic comedy clips, chosen by comedians of today, confirms the theory that some people just have funny bones. It wouldn't matter if Tommy Cooper were clipping his toenails or performing the elaborately shambolic glass bottle trick from 1974 that is replayed here tonight: the fez-wearing comedian induces guffaws just because of who he is. Similarly, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore go wildly off-script in their "Pete and Dud" sketch in the art gallery and start giggling, but they're naturally funny together, as Phill Jupitus and Rhod Gilbert attest here. Funny comes in many packages, and while the American stand-up Joan Rivers, chosen by Graham Norton and Jo Brand as a favourite, is well-known for her shock tactics, her outrageous quips about growing old on The Graham Norton Show appeared to take even Norton aback at the time. Other treats featured are the University Challenge scene from The Young Ones in 1984, co-starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry, and the bit in the Monty Python film Life of Brian in which Graham Chapman's Brian Cohen exhorts his followers to think for themselves. It may be a clip show and most of the clips are more than familiar, but it surely contains more laughs per minute than any of the newer comedies on television tonight.

Arthur: so bad it could end Brand's Hollywood career

Review of new movie Arthur: Dudley Moore's Arthur was a lovable idiot. Russell Brand's is a narcissistic know-all in a remake so bad it could end his Hollywood career.

Russell Brand takes on Arthur remake

Comedian turned actor Russell Brand can currently be seen as Arthur, the drunken New York playboy made famous by Dudley Moore in his 1981 romantic comedy.

Video: Russell Brand on 'Arthur' remake

Talking Movies has been speaking to comedian-turned-actor Russell Brand, who has taken on the role Dudley Moore made famous 30 years ago in a remake of the romantic comedy classic Arthur.

Can this new version, which also stars Dame Helen Mirren, match the much-loved original?

10 reasons Dudley Moore is better than Russell Brand

Russell Brand might be about to star in a remake of Arthur, but the lissom lothario will always stand in the 'Sex Thimble's' shadow.