Inside Track
The latest news and insight from the British comedy industry, with many exclusive features for BCG Pro members.
Pro's Inside Track Library is full of timeless insight and advice. Why not find a topic?
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The Stand-Up Tune-Up, No.3: Paul Revill on the art of compering
Many acts may have lost their mojo at the microphone over the last 18 months. So as regular stand-up returns, we're getting advice from the experts. This time: MC Paul Revill talks about how to wrangle a crowd.
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Why bother? Some good (and bad) reasons to be a comedian
If it's such hard work being a comedian, why bother? Good question. There are many good reasons (and some less good reasons) for becoming a comedian...
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My Comedy Career: Ariane Sherine
Ariane Sherine shares with us what she has learnt whilst working as a writer and podcaster. Her honest answers are very interesting to read.
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The Value of Networking?
Writers Ed Amsden and Tom Coles discuss how accurate the adage "it's not what you know, it's who you know" is, when it comes to comedy writing work.
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Join the writers' room for ITV panel show 'Sorry, I Didn't Know'
This opportunity/event has now finished/closed.
TriForce Productions are looking for two new writers to join the writers' room on ITV panel show Sorry, I Didn't Know. All new writers are eligible to apply.
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BCG Pro Sessions video: Lily Williams
This video recording of our BCG Pro Sessions chat with top agent Lily Williams comprehensively discusses the topic of how to get an agent. There's also lots of insight into just what an agent does, how writers can pick up work, and more.
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Writers' Guild Awards open for entries
The entry form for the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 2021 is now available. There are 14 categories, including one for Best Online Comedy.
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Sketch Writing: Top Tips for Your Final Punchline
We break down some top tips on how to produce the perfect punchline to a comedy sketch.
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My Comedy Career: John-Luke Roberts
Comedian John-Luke Roberts - who has just launched a new podcast called Sound Heap - talks about the importance of patience, overcoming disappointment and sticking to your guns.
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The Secret Reviewer #27: Mad, Bad and Dangerous
Every month our clandestine critic reveals the murky truths behind that infamous trade, and live comedy generally. This month: Trawling the depths of comedy's dark side.
Library
Our archive of insight: interviews, advice and materials from those at the top. View all
Stand-up comedians and podcast hosts Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Stuart Goldsmith talk in this hour-long video about growing your podcast audience, how to be a good presenter, monetisation, and more.
Watch
From Grimsby Town videos to Soccer AM and his new singing-at-football series, Lloyd Griffith is now a grizzled veteran of sports presenting - he talks us through that big jump from stand-up.
Read
We asked some full-time comedy writers to list negatives of the job. We caught them on a bad day... they don't hold back as they go through 20 problems that exist within the industry.
ReadInteresting articles from other websites
Funny Women Awards announce sponsors
Sky Studios is on board as the main sponsor, supporting the Stage Award and Comedy Writing Award. NextUp Comedy is sponsoring the Comedy Shorts Award, and heat Magazine & heatworld are media partners for the brand-new Content Creator Award.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st June 2021The athlete's mindset for writers
I can constantly find new ways to improve what I do and how I do it.
The Comedy Loser, 15th June 2021C4 appoints dedicated E4 commissioning editor
Channel 4 has appointed Mel Bezalel as Commissioning Editor for E4, reporting into Head of Youth and Digital, Karl Warner.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 14th June 2021Cambridge Impronauts interview: pre-show and advice
For June we are very excited to be able to go behind the scenes of Cambridge's oldest Improv troupe, the group is a mixture of university students and members of the community. This month we talk to members of the troupe all about how they prepare for shows, stories from the stage and even get to speak to some of the troupes one on one to find out a bit more about them! Today we go behind the scenes of rehearsals and preparing for a show.
Holly, Phoenix Remix, 9th June 2021Research finds comics have different brains from others
Comedians might like to think their brains are wired differently than everybody else's - and now scientific research has proved it.
Chortle, 8th June 2021Latest podcasts
ComComPod: Episode 375 - Jessie Cave
"A drill-sergeant not a perfectionist", Jessie Cave enjoys simultaneous careers as an actress, comic, artist, and performance artist, all of which marry an extraordinary pragmatism with an attitude of artistic...
Sitcom Geeks: Episode 168 - James Has Written A Book, And Why Comedy Writing Is Child's Play
If you thought the Bible was a proper serious tome, prepare to have your viewpoint challenged by James's new book The Gospel According To A Sitcom Writer. Also in this...
ComComPod: Episode 374 - Piff The Magic Dragon (John Van Der Put)
How did a grumpy table magician find a way to turn "being pathetic" into 400 shows a year in his own theatre in Las Vegas? Only Piff The Magic Dragon...
Sitcom Geeks: Episode 167 - Dave Has Made A Novel, James Is Telling A Story
Dave talks about his debut novel Stand Up, Barry Goldman ("funny and fascinating, a lovely tale" Jo Brand) out on 8 June, and he and James discuss sitcom story arcs...
ComComPod: Episode 373 - Greg Jenner
If you thought wrestlers shared some of the tropes of comedians' lives, wait til you hear about historians! Comedy-adjacent public historian, writer of Dead Famous and other superb books, and...