BCG Daily Friday 13th December 2013

Sarah Solemani: what I learned from Him & Her

As BBC Three's popular sitcom comes to an end, its lead actor reflects on four series of eating chips in bed.

Eddie Izzard: 'Why shouldn't I be mayor of London?'

Everyone loves Eddie Izzard - the surreal humour, the dresses, the multiple marathons. But in a few years' time he is planning to swap global stardom for domestic politics. Can he pull it off?

The Reluctant Vampire, by Eric Morecambe review

Eric Morecambe's children's books about vampires, illustrated by Tony Ross, are being republished.

Eric Morecambe: 10 jokes and one-liners

A selection of jokes from Eric Morecambe.

British Comedy Awards amuses 1.3 million on Channel 4

The British Comedy Awards was down in the ratings from last year, according to overnight figures.

How I turned into comedy establishment's most hated man

The film-maker Chris Atkins descibes his extraordinary legal battle to screen a Panorama exposé of dubious investments from British charities - and the ensuing backlash from celebrities including Lenny Henry, Emma Freud and Duncan Bannatyne.

Viewers call for expletive-laden BCAs to be scrapped

Channel 4 came under fire last night after viewers called for The British Comedy Awards to be scrapped because of persistent bad language and offensive jokes.

Misfits, 5.8 - episode eight

The last ever episode of Misfits wasn't very conclusive; perhaps because creator Howard Overman still has hopes for a feature film to continue the story, which is apparently written and ready to film. Is there an Inbetweeners-sized appetite for it though?

Review: 9 Carols & Lessons For Godless People

After six years comedian Robin Ince has decided to kill off his annual "Christmas celebration for people who like to talk about science rather than God". But he is going out, appropriately, with a big bang.

Comic Relief whistle-blower says press ignored story

The man who uncovered Comic Relief's investment in "bombs, booze and fags" said he tried to tell the national press the same story four years ago.

Jonathan Ross: C4 idiots for cutting Coogan's speech

Host of the awards show slams channel for ending the live broadcast in favour of a Gogglebox repeat.

Ben Miller shows his comic timing in The Duck House

Have I Got News For You and Mock The Week writers Dan Patterson and Colin Swash parody the expenses scandal with aplomb, Alexia Skinitis discovers.

Lunch with the FT: Steve Coogan

The actor-comedian's latest film Philomena has been tipped for Oscars. Over sea bass in Hollywood, he warns that 'your brain rots' in Los Angeles.

Why aren't comedians tackling the Scottish referendum?

Satire is essential for democracy - so why aren't more comedians tackling the referendum debate?

Dave Cohen interview

Dave Cohen has been in the comedy business for 30 years, writing for such shows as Spitting Image and Have I Got News for You.

Do comedians (like MPs) need more life experience?

I recently reviewed Sarah Millican's latest show and noted that her life experience before comedy added value to her observational shtick. It begged the question of whether we should demand that our comedians do more 'living' before they exercise their ultimate chosen profession.

Sarah Solemani: what I learned from Him & Her

As BBC3's popular sitcom comes to an end, its lead actor reflects on four series of eating chips in bed.

Eddie Izzard on going into politics

Everyone loves Eddie Izzard - the surreal humour, the dresses, the multiple marathons. But in a few years' time he is planning to swap global stardom for domestic politics. Can he pull it off?

Heroes and Villains voted best Only Fools episode

We asked, and you voted - now this classic episode will air on G.O.L.D. at the prime time of 6pm on Christmas Day.

The best comedy shows of 2013

Who made our comedy critic laugh hardest this year? Here are our top five stand-up shows of 2013.

Radio Times review

The interestingness goes into overdrive this week. Yes, it's funny too, but there are historical titbits here that will mildly blow your mind, as Stephen Fry dissertates on a kitchen-y theme. We learn about the 18th-century pets bred to be "turnspit dogs" during the week and footwarmers in church on Sunday. We learn about why kleftiko is so called. And we learn something about the phenomenon of the overbite that may be the single most interesting dentistry fact ever shared on TV.

Adding comedic spin to this obscure knowledge are Victoria Wood, Richard Osman and Jason Manford. Osman's speed of wit is as devastating as ever, and listen out for a great Barocca gag and some lovely teasing about turtles.

Radio Times review

If the last act tonight, Terry Alderton, looks familiar, that may be because you've seen him as Bianca's taxi-driving boyfriend in EastEnders. But he was a comedian before he was an actor - and before that he was a goalkeeper for Southend United. He has also presented the National Lottery - it's quite a CV - and his stand-up is resolutely left-field: at one stage he stands on his head and acts out a conversation between his two shoes.

Before Alderton we're on safer ground with host Adam Hills, who does a brilliant job of forming a boy band from members of the audience. He's not always laugh-out-loud funny, but something about Hills' act makes you feel better about life.