BCG Daily Friday 27th December 2013
News
TV
Press clippings
Ian McKellen: acting, accents, Damian Lewis & his voice
The Hobbit/ actor thinks he overacted for Vicious's live studio audience and sympathises with gay A-listers who won't come out.
Susanna Lazarus, Radio Times, 27th December 2013Radio Times review
As you'd expect from the creators of Peep Show, this university comedy is a cut above - and the third series was the slickest to date. Jack Whitehall was born to play JP, the show's fabulously self-centred posho (he'd prefer "ledge"). Plain-speaking punk Vod - surely the coolest character on TV - revealed her vulnerable side when her mother came to stay, making her badly behaved daughter look like a herbal-tea-quaffing nun. Also vying for the best gags was resident oddball Howard who fell head over heels for their new housemate, culminating in the most delectably awkward first date in the history of awkward first dates.
Radio Times, 27th December 2013Radio Times review
Were you part of the club? Kevin Eldon's sketch show was a huge favourite among comedy nerds, and among the nation's top performers, most of whom had a guest role in it. But, dispiritingly when good new sketch shows are so hard to come by, nobody tuned in to see Eldon lovingly turning the format inside-out. He brought his impeccable timing and faint air of menace to a pile of brilliant, weird ideas, led by him imagining Hitler talking with the voice of Beatles producer George Martin: "Where did it all go wrong? I'm sure you've heard a lot of people say it was when the Japanese became involved..."
Radio Times, 27th December 2013Radio Times review
The scope widened in series two of the Bafta-winning romantic drama, with as much screen time devoted to family strife as to pensionable lovers Alan and Celia's late-blooming courtship. Not that this is in any way a problem - in fact we now care just as much for the younger adults as we do for the recently reunited sweethearts. The key is the wit and wisdom that runs through Sally Wainwright's scripts, all subtly performed by such stars as Sarah Lancashire and the peerless Nicola Walker, the latter of whom was a picture of anguish for most of the run.
Radio Times, 27th December 2013Comedy producer Allan McKeown loses cancer battle
Allan McKeown, who helped create a string of British TV hits such as Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Birds of a Feather, died in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve after battling prostate cancer.
BBC News, 27th December 2013Still Open All Hours review
Still Open All Hours wasn't quite the car crash I anticipated but neither was it the triumphant return to form that I think Roy Clarke and David Jason imagined it to be.
UK TV Reviewer, 27th December 2013David Blunkett calls for satirical TV to be regulated
Satirical shows such as Have I Got News For You which mock politicians should be reclassified as "current affairs" and face tougher scrutiny from libel lawyers, David Blunkett has suggested.
Adam Sherwin, The Independent, 27th December 2013Raised By Wolves: Just what comedy is howling out for
It might not be your cup of tea. You might find its politics too transparent. But regardless, you cannot deny that we've not seen anything like Raised by Wolves before. And, with fingers crossed for a future full series, let's hope we ain't seen nothing yet.
Jennie Pritchard, Leeds Student, 27th December 2013Radio Times review
Did anyone expect Toast of London to get a second series? Not only was Matt Berry's rumbling, randy thespian a ratings wallflower (under half a million viewers), but it was so creatively out-there, it made Man Down look like Terry and June. A Nigerian girlfriend whose plastic surgery has left her looking like Bruce Forsyth? A punch-up on a nuclear submarine? A demented beak-keeper (not a bee-keeper, a beak-keeper)? No other show would even attempt any of these, but they all delivered huge, left-field laughs and earnt Toast a big cult following. Roll on series two.
Radio Times, 27th December 2013Vicious: Christmas special, ITV, review
There was something tremendously likeable about Vicious. You just wanted it to be edgier, crisper and funnier than it actually was. Last night's Christmas special offered nothing but more of the same.
Gerard O'Donovan, The Telegraph, 27th December 2013The Birds are back!
15 years on, Linda Robson, Pauline Quirke and Lesley Joseph reveal why the time is ripe for a revival.
Jane Fryer, Daily Mail, 27th December 2013John Bishop: Comedy helped get me through depression
Comedian John Bishop played Santa at Alder Hey children's hospital.
Jade Wright, Liverpool Echo, 27th December 2013Videos
TV
TV
TV
TV & radio
7:55am15 min
Bottom Knocker Street
Episode 49 - Street Of DreamsA popular quiz show comes to Bottom Knocker Street. Can a quiz show make all of your dreams come true?
7:55am20 min
DNN
Series 1, Highlights SpecialBob Roberts and Felicity Bond are in the DNN gallery to look back at some of their favourite moments from DNN's first series of hilarious headline news.
8:10am15 min
Bottom Knocker Street
Episode 50 - Cowdrey's ReplacementWhen Cowdrey suffers a blow to the head, Councillor Sally Dervish from Lowest Mintworth is brought in as a replacement.
1:25pm30 min
Open All Hours: A Celebration
Documentary examining the enduring appeal of sitcom classic Open All Hours, and going behind the scenes of new special Still Open All Hours.
3:45pm30 min
Mark Nelson's Guide To Marriage
Episode 3The wedding is in one week, but first Mark has to survive his stag night. He is - quite rightly - concerned about Stevie's plans for him.
6:15pm15 min
15 Minute Musical
Series 8, Episode 4 - Heaven Knows I'm Middle-Aged NowMorrissey looks for a new musical collaborator. Can Bowie, McCartney or Gaga help?
6:30pm30 min
Chain Reaction
Series 9, Episode 1 - Terry Christian interviews Kevin BridgesManchester's very own Terry Christian talks to Scotland's newest comedy superstar Kevin Bridges.
9pm35 min
Vicious
Series 1, Christmas SpecialFreddie and Stuart have invited all of their friends to the flat for a traditional Christmas dinner. But a secret threatens to break up the whole group.
9pm60 min
The Spa
Christmas Special - Strangers In The NightIt's New Year's Eve and staff are hoping to be dismissed early. There's no such luck, unfortunately, due to a freak snow storm.