BCG Daily Friday 17th January 2014

Sacha Baron Cohen's Ali G to return next month on FXX

New clips of Sacha Baron Cohen as Ali G will screen next month on FXX in the US.

Russell Brand: 'Jemima Khan relationship is different'

Russell Brand has spoken openly about his relationship with Jemima Khan. Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, the comedian - who was first linked to Khan in September - said that the relationship is like no other he has ever had.

Radio Times review

The QI arena is buzzing tonight. Sometimes you get the feeling everyone on the panel is simply enjoying themselves and the show's lovely meandering jollity quickly becomes infectious. On the panel we have Radio 4 regular Susan Calman, Sandi Toksvig and Liza Tarbuck, plus an in-form Alan Davies, who breaks into even more of those whimsical little mimes he likes doing than usual - a randy spider, a kayak being surprised by a trawler, and so on.

But there's fascination aplenty too as we learn about the tall tales of cinnamon salesmen, ultra-hot chillies and female weightlifters. Plus the urgent and surreal question: why would German soldiers have abnormally large breasts?

Radio Times review

Snoring partners, downsizing with reluctance and children moving out are subjects sure to strike home with many an adult reader and Pam Ayres delivers her personal views on each of them in the comical way we have come to expect since she won Opportunity Knocks back in 1975.

Joined on stage by Geoffrey Whitehead, in the role of her long-suffering husband Gordon, this is a wryly observed selection of sketches, anecdotes and, of course, poems on what it's like to teeter on the edge of retirement. Although some of the moments are poignant, the majority are good-humoured, even risqué. Ayres obviously believes growing older does not equate with giving up the ghost.

She remains an inspiration to us all.

Hell, no! That's My Show!

Someone's beaten you to the punch with something similar to your ideas. They haven't nicked it. They just got there first. You're angry right now. I get that. Given your rage and disappointment, you will find this show to be inferior, flawed, stupid, badly made and unfunny. All is not lost. Well, it kind of is, but here's the thing. And you'll need to brace yourself because I need to let you in on a secret. Ready?

Roger Lloyd-Pack Only Fools tribute planned by G.O.L.D.

TV channel G.O.L.D is planning a special tribute weekend for the late comedy actor Roger Lloyd-Pack.

Why I love John Kearns's debut show so frigging much

The short way of putting it is: 1. it's really funny, and 2. like any comedy show that really stays with you, it's a whole load more than just funny.

Liam Williams: The Philip Larkin of British Comedy

Liam Williams is the most soulful, daring, intellectually unabashed young comedian in the country.

Loretta Maine interview

New research published this week suggests that comedians have high levels of psychotic personality traits. I caught up with comedy singer-songwriter Loretta Maine, currently on tour in a Wandsworth public toilet, to get her take on the findings.

Lolitics profile

The brains behind Lolitics, Chris Coltrane, tells us which political comedians are worth the effort...

Scientific accuracy and comedy

Comedy about science is becoming increasingly popular, but how important is it to be scientifically accurate when trying to get laughs?

Gallery: The Face of Satire

Photographer Rachel King worked with the artists India Banks and Frode Gjerlow and the illustrator Tom Morgan to create these fabulously inventive portraits of well-loved comedians from Johnny Vegas to Sara Pascoe.

Frank Skinner: My family values

The comedian talks about how his MA in English literature changed him more than becoming famous, and what kind of father he hopes to be for his son.

Punt and Dennis: Ploughing on Regardless, touring

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis's new show is entertaining even if it sometimes feels like old news, says Dominic Cavendish.

Birds of a Feather winning ratings, with just under 6m

Birds of a Feather topped the Thursday night ratings for a third week running, according to overnight figures.

No More Page 3: Russell Brand not what feminism needs

There's plenty to applaud in Brand's political journey - but let's not get too giddy about his support for No More Page 3.

British comedy: Look to melancholy, not psychosis

In order to get closer to the real affinity between joking and moping, it might be wise to abandon the diagnostic categories beloved of psychiatrists.

Search begins for the Welsh comedy talent of tomorrow

As entries open for the 2014 Welsh Unsigned Stand-Up Award, organiser Scott Fitzgerald tells Dave Owens why aspiring comics should take to the stage.

Steve Oram to direct monkey comedy Aaaaaaaah!

Sightseers star and co-writer Steve Oram is to make his directorial debut on comedy Aaaaaaaah!, a film full of "sex and indiscriminate violence" in which actors will play monkeys and talk mostly "gibberish".

A year of comedy gems ahead in 2014

Rev star and poshboy comic Miles Jupp brings us a helping of unashamedly middle-class bemusement and disapproval with his latest tour.