BCG Daily Thursday 23rd January 2014

Brendan O'Carrol: I want to write another series

Mrs Brown's Boys will "definitely" return for another series, star and creator Brendan O'Carroll has said.

Simon Farnaby: Mighty Boosh showed me how to make TV

Simon Farnaby, 40, was in The Mighty Boosh and Horrible Histories. He returns as a tortoise-loving neighbour in the new series of E4's Midnight Beast.

Radio Times review

As one character remarks about the titular comedy group: "These idiots look like they understand teenagers. I bet they even know how to twerk." One wonders if a similar conversation happened in the E4 offices when they commissioned a second series of this musical sitcom.

Appropriately for a trio most famous for a 2009 parody video (TiK ToK by Ke$ha, remember?), this first episode is filled with references to outdated memes and fads. As the boys try to arrange a birthday party for a teenage girl, they realise they're not quite young enough for the yoof.

Not that the humour's got any more mature. The songs largely miss the mark, but it all builds to a pleasingly crude final gag. Strictly not for grown-ups.

Radio Times review

A pensioner expires under the hairdryer in Blow 'n' Go, leaving Kenneth and Liam in a pickle. Drippy Martin wakes up after the stag do in bed with (he believes) a teenage girl. Donald and Jacqueline, cavorting in lycra and anti-grav boots, take on the lads, Michael and Tiger, in a beach-volleyball contest. And Tonya Dyke (magnificent Hannah Waddingham) resorts to Abba at the karaoke to get the better of oily Mateo.

Sounds a riot, doesn't it? But apart from the odd racy line, Benidorm is creaking like an old banger in need of lubrication. The Garveys (Steve Pemberton, Siobhan Finneran and Sheila Reid - all of them a gift to any writer) deserve better material.

Alistair Barrie's fantasy comedy night

One of the circuit's classiest stand-ups and a Comedy Store favourite, Alistair Barrie curates his dream gig, including Steve Martin, Mick Ferry and some Ben Elton-baiting...

Tommy Tiernan - review

Tiernan's sermon paints a reactionary picture of Ireland, but his comic timing and affection for the country wields a hypnotic force.

Opinion: The wrong kind of audience participation

Tommy Tiernan had one of those people in last night at the Soho Theatre. You know, the ones who insist on interrupting your seamless routine and think that they are helping you out.

Is O'Carroll writing sequel to Mrs Brown's Boy's movie?

The creator and star of the BBC sitcom - who won the best comedy prize at last night's National Television Awards - drops hints of a follow-up to his upcoming film...

Just the Tonic announces more Edinburgh Fringe venues

Edinburgh Fringe comedy promoters Just the Tonic are adding two more venues to their roster this year.

'My name is Ava Vidal and I'm a psychotic comedian'

Comedians are outraged at a study suggesting they possess psychotic traits. But stand-up comic Ava Vidal, a self-confessed psycho, isn't the least bit offended. You have to be psychotic - especially as a woman - or you'll get eaten alive out there, she says.

Birds of a Feather: episode 4, ITV, review

Watching Birds of a Feather (ITV) last night was rather like being sucked back into the Eighties, which is not surprising, as it originated there.

Benidorm: series 6 episode 4, ITV, review

The ITV sitcom Benidorm grows more grotesque and preposterous with each passing year, says Terry Ramsey.

Cultural life: David Baddiel

The comedian on his favourite music, film, comedy and books.

Episode review: Birds of a Feather - Hearts for sale

'Hearts for Sale' is probably the weakest of the rebooted Birds of a Feather episodes to date, but by continuing to concentrate on the three core ladies with only minimal disruption from Matt McBusted and a woman doing the world's least convincing Kath and Kim impression, it still manages to be entirely entertaining - warm and nostalgic without being naff. We still can't believe that we've been able to return to the world's uncoolest, most cool sitcom. Thanks ITV.

Review: Charley's Aunt

A nineteenth century play might not immediately spring to mind as your first choice for a comedy night out, but the People's Theatre's production of the drawing room farce Charley's Aunt comes as a breath of fresh, chortle-filled air for Newcastle's comedy fans.

Meet the cast of The Midnight Beast: E4's dirty Glee

The idea for comedy music group The Midnight Beast - comprised of Stefan Abingdon, Drew Wakely and Ashley Horne - first started life in a kebab shop.

Writing TV episode outlines

Research, reflect and be adventurous, who says you can't be big, bold and challenging! Keep writing...

Outnumbered Series 5 Episode 1 review

The high standard that Outnumbered has set remains and, despite the use of the word "typical" earlier in this review, the sitcom continues to entertain stoutly throughout with its astute observations and wonderful performances.

Video: The Trip to Italy with Coogan and Brydon

One of the more eagerly awaited films at the Sundance Film Festival has been The Trip to Italy - a sequel to Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon's 2010 adventures.