Praise of the pratfall: why slapstick can be high art

Any surprise at Buster Keaton's painstaking preparation hints, I think, at a widespread misconception. Namely, that physical comedy - despite having its roots in the 16th-century Commedia dell'arte and being, at its best, the finest and funniest kind of comedy full stop - is somehow inherently inferior to the more obviously "clever" verbal kind; that it is, as the Edinburgh Fringe favourite Adam Riches suggests, someone "just pratting about and being a fool".

Statues of movie stars will fill Leicester Square

Life-sized statues of Mary Poppins, Mr Bean, Batman and Gene Kelly will appear in Leicester Square from late February, as part of a star-studded new centrepiece for London's famous cinematic quarter.

12 Days of Christmas Specials 7: The Thin Blue Line

I think that The Thin Blue Line has become somewhat forgotten in recent years, and that's just not right. It really is a classic sitcom, so why not remind yourself by enjoying this Christmas Special. And a word to Gold - please repeat this show!

Not the Nine O'Clock News at 40

The BBC sketch show not only kick-started 'alternative comedy' and some of the most influential careers in British comedy, writes Gerard Gilbert, but also the second great age of TV satire.

Blackadder could return for one off special

Richard Curtis is "always hoping" there will be a Blackadder return in a TV or stage special.

Four Weddings sequel: All you need to know

It launched the careers of stars like Hugh Grant, and inspired a slew of romantic comedies.

Now, 25 years after its release, most of the original cast of Four Weddings and a Funeral have reunited for a short sequel to be shown during Friday's Comic Relief telethon on BBC One.

One Red Nose Day and a Wedding review

Twenty-five years after the release of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Richard Curtis's well-intentioned short sequel for Comic Relief gave rise to no laughs but some genuine pathos.

Rowan Atkinson to take a year off from acting

Rowan Atkinson is to take a year off from acting to look after his youngest daughter while his girlfriend Louise Ford focuses on her acting career.