BCG Daily Wednesday 18th December 2013

Bad Education Christmas Special, review

Yes, it sent up teachers convinced they're the next Terence Rattigan, with Alfie writing a multi-faith mash-up of Robocop and The Nutcracker. But that was about as satirical as it got. Whitehall's script relied once more on toilet humour and tired, tasteless digs at 'the fat kid', 'the kid in the wheelchair' (who is given Twister for Christmas) and the homeless.

Strictly Come Dancing special sees Rufus Hound bleeding

Rufus Hound's appearance on the festive show reportedly took a turn for the worse when he was accidentally cut open by a plastic fish.

Last Tango in Halifax holds up to 5.8 million on BBC1

Last Tango in Halifax topped Tuesday night's ratings for a second week, according to overnight data.

Adam Hills interview

"I was on an American TV show a couple of years ago and tried to do the mean, snarky comedy that Americans really like," Adam Hills told Digital Spy when we ask him about his new DVD and "unofficial new religion" Happyism. "I bombed really badly because it's not what I'm good at. It was awful, it was a really horrible death on American television because I just tried to be mean about celebrities.

Jim Davidson given go ahead for Celebrity Big Brother

Jim Davidson has been given the go ahead to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house next year after he was forced to pull out of the previous series over an impending investigation.

Festive funnies: Knowing Me, Knowing Yule

Nothing says Christmas more than a giant flaming cracker, the Chief Commissioning Editor of BBC TV being hit in the face with a turkey and Mick Hucknall serenading viewers.

BBC boss Mark Freeland promoted

Mark Freeland, currently Controller of Comedy Production, has been appointed by Danny Cohen, Director of BBC Television, to the newly created position of Controller of Fiction & Entertainment.

Michael McIntyre's Christmas Charity Show, review

Now in its fourth year, Michael McIntyre's seasonal stand-up show is so delightfully exuberant - and packed with good gags - it should surely be televised in future.

Preview: I Can't Sing - featuring Simon Cowell

Featuring a host of characters who may seem oddly familiar, this brand new production looks like it could be something for both X Factor lovers and haters.

Holly Walsh interview

The scribe of BBC Three's Dead Boss has a talent for mining material from personal injury.

Interview: Robert Newman on his New Theory Of Evolution

'There are a lot more excellent and very funny female comics now than ever before.'

Interview: Trevor Noah on his new show, The Racist

"I'm not confrontational... I think we can explore more things if we're not fighting."

Book review: How to Be Averagely Successful At Comedy

So you want to be a comedian? The chances are that if you have landed on my website you are thinking about dipping a toe in the shark-infested waters of comedy. Then take a leaf out of Dave Cohen's book about the industry and his life in it. No, don't just take a leaf, go out and bloody well buy the whole book.

Greg Davies: I stil feel a ludicrously tall, fat man

Man Down star Greg Davies talks self-humiliation, telling people off and delivers a message for Michael Gove.

Interview with the Dykes

They're loud, from Watford and set to shake up the Solana. RT goes on set to meet the four unknown actors heading for sitcom fame.

Radio Times review

The First Dog of the United States is the loveable, if doltish, chocolate labrador Buddy who likes nothing better than to fetch ball for President Bill Clinton. The only fly in the ointment is the seething knot of resentment that is Socks the cat, who's been supplanted by Buddy as the White House pet of choice.

In his deliciously mordant way, Socks bitches about the canine's "dribbling dim-wittedness" and threatens to consume his liver, washed down with a nice chianti. Clearly trying to channel Hannibal Lecter, he sounds more like Katharine Hepburn at her most imperious, which is actually no bad thing. Can Buddy survive as Bill's prized pooch?

This smart two-hander, interspersed with clips of Clinton's "no I didn't, yes I did" farrago over Monica Lewinsky, is a hoot from start to finish.