BCG Daily Thursday 17th March 2011

The Kumars are set to have a credit crunch return

Comedy chatshow The Kumars at No.42 is set to return - but with a "credit crunch" setting.

Ronni Ancona joins Comic Relief's desert trek in Kenya

My involvement with Comic Relief over the past 10 years has always been in a comedic capacity, but I'd always wanted to visit one of the regions where they spend the money that's raised. I was asked if I'd like to join a group of celebrities trekking 107 kilometres across the Kaisut Desert in Kenya to raise awareness of the urgent eye care needed there and the millions of Africans who are at risk of losing their sight because of preventable and treatable conditions.

Despite his critics, Brendan O'Carroll's comedy's a hit

Brendan O'Carroll is still groggy from sleep. It's mid-morning in Toronto, but teatime here in Glasgow, the city to which the comedian insists he owes his success. Over a crystal-clear line, we share a nostalgia for the crackle of transatlantic static, he explains why BBC1's new hit comedy show, Mrs Brown's Boys, was forged in Scotland's biggest city.

St. Paddy's Day from Craggy Island

With the realization that many across the globe have been celebrating St. Patrick's Day since Saturday, what better way to cap off the festivities than a trip to Craggy Island to spend some quality time with Father Ted Crilly, Father Dougal McGuire, Mrs. Doyle and Father Jack Hackett and his daily simple pleasures routine of sleeping, eating and drinking.

White Van Man: The Journey From Head To Screen

Okay, so this feels weird. After four years work, a silly amount of writing and god knows how many litres of tea, White Van Man is going to be shown on the TV. It doesn't exactly seem real and I'm still not totally convinced it's actually going to happen... and here's why: I had two dreams as a child.

1. To write a TV comedy series and
2. To write an episode of Doctor Who.

Apparently, I've just done 50% of that. Yikes.

Video: Alan Partridge does Comic Relief sketch

Steve Coogan's spoof DJ character releases preview clip of sketch to be shown on Red Nose Day, BBC One.

Worst Red Nose Day sketches ever

They were all in a good cause - but these five embarrassing Red Nose Day sketches leave us with red faces.

Russell Brand to appear on Piers Morgan's Life Stories

Russell Brand is to tell all about his drug addiction, former womanising ways and marriage to Katy Perry when he appears on Piers Morgan's Life Stories this spring.

Lee Evans' private gig for Exeter City Council

Comedian Lee Evans is set to find himself holding an intimate gig for Exeter City Council on April 4th after finding out all of the tickets for his show had been snapped up by its employees before they were put on general sale.

Pegg wants Bonzo Anthem played at his funeral

Funnyman Simon Pegg wants to leave family and friends smiling at his funeral - be wants the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band's novelty anthem The Urban Spaceman played.

QI: Quite interesting facts about New York

A quietly intriguing column from the brains behind QI, the BBC quiz show. This week: QI loves New York.

How Horrible Histories became a huge hit

The CBBC TV version of Horrible Histories has won yet another award. Now the kids' show, which has become cult daytime viewing, is moving to a primetime slot.

Benidorm sees surge in British tourists after ITV show

ITV hit show Benidorm has led to a surge in tourists to the Costa Blanca resort making it a top budget holiday destination.

TV Britcom's skittish foray into film

If British comedians insist on crossing over to the big screen, they need to pay more attention to narrative and character development.