BCG Daily Monday 13th January 2014

New act of the month: Katherine Tanney

Katherine Tanney is an up-and-coming comedian from Newcastle, who tells self-deprecating stories with a cynical edge. A regular at John Scott's Sod The Tories at The Stand, and a recent contributor to the venue's charity book, Tanney got into comedy through a stand-up course ran by Scott and Vladimir McTavish. She's our New Act of the Month for January.

Opinion: Star-spotting top trumps

The tiny but well-located Soho Theatre has become a destination venue for great comedy in recent years, but clearly a destination venue if you want to indulge in some tacky Hello-style star spotting as well.

Sell-out nights at fun fest previews in Leicester

Two sell-out audiences have set up a potentially record-breaking 21st Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival next month.

Mark Steel: The general secretary of British comedy

Alan Varley salutes his comedian of 2013, Mark Steel.

Review: comedy, Jason Byrne, Vicar Street, Dublin

There isn't anything didactic or any tut-tutting in Byrne's set. He doesn't engage in sneering at a new generation, but playfully chides them for more or less getting what they want, which involves ice-cream and Smarties rather than leftover offal and scraps from the butcher.

Radio Times review

It's the familiar buddy-comedy dynamic: two contrasting characters are reluctantly thrust together by circumstance. Initially, they can't stand each other, but as the frost thaws a semblance of a relationship starts to bloom. In this case it's slobby, boozy Andy (Nick Helm) and his sickly, smart-arse nephew Errol - the kind of kid who says things like "I hate cartoons, they give me a headache".

In this opener, Andy is suicidal after being dumped by his girlfriend, but it's hard to find sympathy for him as he blunders about lying through his teeth, hitting the bottle while driving and trying to repair his rather unconvincing relationship with his ex. It's not particularly subtle, but Errol is a great little character and the unexpected musical interludes provide a satisfying injection of quirkiness.

Podcast: John Kearns interview

John Kearns is one of the most exciting, creative and remarkable comedians on the circuit.

Opinion: What's in a name?

Comedy sketch group Lebensmüde has changed its name to Lazy Susan. I don't know exactly why.

Bruce Dessau's titter feed

In the first of a new column, comedy critic Bruce Dessau reports on upcoming gigs.

Mr Bean could soon be broadcast in North Korea

BBC Worldwide is in discussions with North Korea's state-run TV channel about screening Mr Bean, as well as other shows including The Teletubbies, Top Gear and Doctor Who. However, classic comedy Dad's Army is understood to have been ruled out because it deals with the subject of war.

Cold Feet will not be returning says star Fay Ripley

The cast of the classic millennium drama series have finally called time on attempts to revive it, says its star Fay Ripley.

Bob Servant's guide to the idependence referendum

Dundee's man of the people answers the vital questions about Scotland's vote for independence.

Video: Vic Reeves on laughing when he shouldn't

Vic Reeves is interviewed on BBC Breakfast.

Incoming: Nick Hodder picks his audiences by default

This week we hear from Nick Hodder, who is tagged as a Moses of comedy and is competing in the New Act of the Year show later this month.

What Sarah Millican will (& won't) be watching in 2014

EastEnders, Downton Abbey, The Wire - which shows make the cut for 2014? Sarah Millican shares her telly promises for the year...

In praise of ... Mark Gatiss

National treasure status can surely not be far away for the writer of Sherlock and star of The League of Gentlemen.

Frank Skinner: I turned down Benefits Street voiceover

Comedian says he didn't want to be involved in a programme that criticised his native Birmingham.

Paul Sinha interview

Paul Sinha says "I'm not the kind of comic who'll go on stage and slag off the Tories".