BCG Daily Thursday 16th January 2014

Comedians have 'high levels of psychotic traits'

Comedians have personality types linked with psychosis, like many other creative types, which might explain why they can entertain, researchers claim.

Michael Palin to return to TV drama in BBC1 thriller

Monty Python star will play care home resident who witnesses death in three-part series - his first lead TV role since 1991.

The Kumars, Sky1, review

The return of The Kumars was warm, obvious and occasionally unpredictable, and as such was jolly good fun, says Jake Wallis Simons.

Jim Davidson joint favourite to win Big Brother

He was once the favourite to go home first but Jim Davidson''s grumpy ways have proved a hit with viewers and he's now joint favourite to win Celebrity Big Brother alongside Ollie Locke.

'Im dead tired,' says dad Frank Skinner

Comedian Frank Skinner has opened up about the highs and lows of first-time fatherhood at 56.

Robin Ince: 'I hope I've caused an evolution'

There is a thrilling coterie of comedians - Eddie Izzard, Bill Bailey and Tim Minchin among them - who have a sense of rational, scientific wonder hard-wired into their DNA. But the one most likely to have his head in a pile of books is Robin Ince.

Radio Times review

This show doesn't get any smarter or any less coarse, but its fans would despair if it did. Donald and Jacqueline, the pensionable swingers, get away with some eye-watering innuendo, which is chokingly funny if you like that sort of thing. Tonight, Jacqueline has to step in at short notice for Sticky Vicky, Benidorm's notorious, real-life veteran entertainer. But will Tacky Jacky's "private showing" leave Martin's stag party scarred for life?

Meanwhile, very camp but straight Liam is questioning his masculinity. Adam Gillen, who plays the lovelorn simpleton, is an unsung comedy genius - but then it's always been
the wonderful performances that sell Benidorm.

Radio Times review

Tracey's Chigwell mansion may be considerably bigger than your average Walford terrace but there's just as little privacy. In fact it's so cramped that the two sisters have been ousted from the box room and forced to kip on the sofa together. But sleep is impossible because of all the comings and goings: "Blimey! It's like Bluewater at Christmas," grumbles Sharon when Travis brings his mates home late at night.

However, things briefly improve when Tracey discovers a reason to love her most hated daytime TV show Cash in the Attic. The laughs are sparse, although you may smirk at the response to Dorien's question, "Where is my Verbena?"

Radio Times review

Mental health issues are no laughing matter. Or are they? Julia Sutherland talks to four more funny people - Australian comedian Felicity Ward, actress Keara Murphy, performer Juliet Burton and comedy guru John Lloyd - about their experiences of depression, anxiety, psychosis and eating disorders.

While these chats are quite straight-faced, they are interspersed with clips of Ward, Murphy and Burton performing in Edinburgh, each using their bleakest moments to raise laughs.

My favourite line is from Ward who likens admitting you're seeing a therapist to saying you've just bought a slave - people are happy you're getting help, but there's still a stigma attached. Murphy's amateur radio ham from a remote corner of Scotland is an oddball delight, with some homespun advice on coping with depression.

Burton's charming tales of fulfilling her childhood dreams by stalking Prince Harry soon descend into an attempt to recreate the experience of psychosis, while Lloyd asserts it's essential to laugh at mental health issues and reveals that it was creating QI that helped raise him from a deep depression.

Part of a Changing Minds season on mental health, this manages to be both funny and informative - which is no mean feat.

John Kearns/Liam Williams review

A new wave of talent is crashing on comedy's shore.

Neil Morrissey talks about Amanda Holden affair

Neil Morrissey has opened up about the affair he had with Amanda Holden.

John Kearns - review

Kearns's comic armoury of distracted pauses, eccentric antics and daydreamer philosophy starts brilliantly before tailing off.

Psychosis may be in comedy, but it's not in the genes

The study of comedians' mental health gives weight to an underreported idea - that nurture, not nature, determines adult behaviour.

Is OFAH bar falling the greatest pratfall scene ever?

It is the Only Fools and Horses bar scene from 1989 which stands out above all others and that is not only because of Jason's physicality. The pratfall is only component of the scene. Jason may get the glory but the ensuing moments are beautifully timed by Lloyd-Pack.

Russell Brand announces £500k Comic Relief fund

Russell Brand announces £500,000 funding to help people stay drug and alcohol free.

Video: John Kearns interview

Sara Shulman interviews John Kearns about winning the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award 'Best Newcomer' award 2013, writing material, gigging all around the UK and lots more.

The Kumars return and entertain on Sky1

This can be great fun if the guests enter into the spirit of things, but it can also make the comedy feel uneasy as the celebs don't always appear sure how to behave (occasionally trampling scripted jokes, etc.)

Audio: Steve Coogan reacts to Philomena Oscar nods

He is best known for his comedic roles but Steve Coogan's serious side has been acknowledged by the Academy Awards. Coogan's movie Philomena has received four Oscar nominations.

Jim Davidson in 'Frank Carson dressing-room' row

Celebrity Big Brother might have had its fair share of rows - but none quite as bizarre as the latest conflict between Jim Davidson and Linda Nolan. Thursday night's show saw the pair at loggerheads over an apparent incident in the dressing-room of late Irish comic Frank Carson.

Comic prone to psychosis? It is more complex than that

Research published on Friday suggests that many comedians display signs of psychosis. This may well be a generalisation of what is a complex, diverse and little understood field - and by that, I mean comedy.

BFI's feast of fun shows British satire in rude health

Next weekend a new exhibition at the BFI Southbank will make the case that British satire is in rude health.