BCG Daily Friday 3rd January 2014

Press clippings

Birds of a Feather: TV review

Feathered friends return, but the Essex jokes no longer take off.

Gerard Gilbert, The Independent, 3rd January 2014

Rab C. Nesbitt: political and laugh-out loud funny

The charms of Rab C. Nesbitt (BBC Two) have been hit and miss over the years but special episode Rab In Hoodie found Gregor Fisher at the top of his potty-mouthed game, his string-vested alter ego Rab reinvented as a modern-day twist on folk hero Robin Hood.

Keith Watson, Metro, 3rd January 2014

BOAF back on screens with an aching air of familiarity

Birds Of A Feather's characters might have moved on in their lives - but there was an odd air of deja vu about their return to TV...

Caroline Westbrook, Metro, 3rd January 2014

Fans surprised as return turns out not to be terrible

Linda Robson, Pauline Quirke and Lesley Joseph all returned for tonight's inaugural episode, titled Gimme Shelter, with Matt Willis in the role of Garth - and feedback was positive.

Metro, 3rd January 2014

Kathy Burke keeps the faith in convent school-comedy

O'Malley takes the strictures of the '50s Catholic church and lampoons them mercilessly, from the nuns striking the fear of God into their unworldly charges, to the convent girls themselves, for whom mortal sin battles for space with boys, cigarettes and rock 'n' roll.

Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo, 3rd January 2014

TV review: Birds of a Feather, Benidorm

Reviews of ITV sitcoms Birds of a Feather and Benidorm.

Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail, 3rd January 2014

Last night's TV: Birds of a Feather

After 16 years the sitcom about prisoners' wives returns - but was it so interesting that it needs to be re-explored?

Andrew Billen, The Times, 3rd January 2014

Paddy Lennox to launch new comedy club in Great Dunmow

Bishop's Stortford comic Paddy Lennox is the man behind the venture and he has a cracking line-up in store for the first night.

Natalie Dearman, Herts and Essex Observer, 3rd January 2014

Intact cast chemistry can't disguise terrible satire

"No, when you're poor, it's a choice between food or heat." Had us rolling in the aisles, that one. Inexplicable.

Caroline Frost, The Huffington Post, 3rd January 2014

Birds of a Feather in flying start on ITV

16 years since its last episode on BBC One, Essex-based sitcom proves its enduring appeal by pulling nearly 8 million viewers.

John Plunkett, The Guardian, 3rd January 2014

Bob Mortimer questions Oxbridge bias in comedy

Comedian Bob Mortimer has criticised the amount of prominent Oxbridge alumni in the broadcasting and entertainment industries.

Alice Vincent, The Telegraph, 3rd January 2014

TV preview: House of Fools, BBC Two

I have to say a really enjoyed House of Fools. What it feels like to me is Vic and Bob hitching their trailer to the broad comedy bandwagon of Miranda and Count Arthur Strong. But of course they actually got in first - they've been being childish clots for years with their cartoon knockabout slapstick on their sketch shows and Shooting Stars. There is no frying pan based violence in House of Fools, but Vic does get walloped repeatedly by a large wrench.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 3rd January 2014

Best of 2014: Comedy preview

Previews of Miles Jupp, John Robins, Miranda Hart, Russell Kane, Michael Che and Lee Mack.

Julian Hall, The Independent, 3rd January 2014

BOAF: An old comfy jumper or a breath of fresh air?

Early indications show that this opener was seen by 7.8m/31.9% winning 8.30 slot, but the pessimist in me wonders how many of those millions like me, tuned into see whether ITV had made a smart decision in bringing back this vintage BBC comedy.

The Custard TV, 3rd January 2014

How Birds of a Feather came to fly high on ITV

The creators of the Essex-based sitcom took their pitch for a new series to the BBC but were offered only a Christmas special...

John Plunkett, The Guardian, 3rd January 2014

Episode review: Birds of a Feather - Gimme Shelter

Depending on how you see it, the narrative of 'Gimme Shelter' is either frustrating, or an immediately recognisable return to the classic show.

Andy Hastings, So So Gay, 3rd January 2014

14 things to look forward to in comedy in 2014

Fend off the January blues with 14 of comedy's finest events and shows...

Andrew Mickel, Such Small Portions, 3rd January 2014

Michael Gove blasts 'Blackadder myths'

Left-wing myths about the First World War peddled by Blackadder belittle Britain and clear Germany of blame, Michael Gove says today.

Daily Mail, 3rd January 2014

Birds of a Feather: ITV sitcom in OK return

Admittedly it's not the least promising premise for a sitcom but much of the material is disappointingly dated.

Adam Postans, MSN Entertainment, 3rd January 2014

The tricky job of balancing politics and comedy

So, David Blunkett thinks that Have I Got News For You should be considered as a current affairs show - not a comedy show - so that it gets more rigorously scrutinised. I can't think of a better compliment to pay a satirical programme really.

Julian Hall, The Stage, 3rd January 2014

Videos

TV & radio

3:45pm
30 min

Mark Nelson's Guide To Marriage

Episode 4

The big day is here, but Mark is suffering from pre-wedding jitters. Is he ready? And can Stevie get him to the church on time?

5:30pm
30 min

Dani's Castle

Series 2, Highlights Special - The Cast And The Castle

After helping record one of Gabe's Afternet radio shows, Rich comes up with yet another brilliant idea. An end of series special episode which reveals what life is really like at the Castle. Dani, Rich, Kait and the gang reveal some secrets of life in Bogmoor Castle and introduce some of their favourite moments from the series.