British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Monday 3rd February 2014

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Features

Press clippings

Stephen Fry & Ardal O'Hanlon lend voices to kids show

QI host Stephen Fry is voicing a character in forthcoming series Driftwood Bay, playing the aristocratic deer Lord Stag. Also in the series to be screened on Nick Jr is Ardal O'Hanlon - famed for his role as Father Dougal in Channel 4 comedy Father Ted - and Annette Crosbie from One Foot In The Grave.

Belfast Telegraph, 3rd February 2014

Inside No. 9: cult heroes Shearsmith & Pemberton return

"I think it is a hard sell for people," Shearsmith says of the format. "There's this idea that you don't build an audience with an anthology - every week, you've got to start again and if you don't like the first one [you see] you might not watch again. That's the fear! But I think the appeal is the absolute excitement of not knowing what you're going to get."

Morgan Jeffrey, Digital Spy, 3rd February 2014

Radio Times review

Miles Jupp's pointedly witty comedy is soon to transfer to the televisual medium, with BBC Four planning to show a series in spring, but for now it returns to the airwaves in its original aural incarnation. So savour your mental images of food writer Damien Trench's collection of coffee-making utensils and gadgets, before they are shrunk to a single espresso machine to fit within the confines of a TV screen.

As we join Damien at the start of series three, he's still got the builder Mr Mullaney working on his kitchen extension but there is good news - he's just been nominated for a Melvyn award for his TV series Poets and Their Palates, in the category Best Factual Programming in a Historical Context for a Digital Channel. Naturally his sworn nemesis - though Damien would claim there's absolutely no enmity between them - Ray Jarrow will be presenting the award.

Jupp's comic creation is a pompous melange of condescending pretensions, thwarted ambitions and self-delusion - a kindred spirit to one of the greatest sitcom asses, Dr Frasier Crane. I can think of no higher praise.

David Crawford, Radio Times, 3rd February 2014

David Baddiel interview

David Baddiel's first solo stand-up show in 15 years is an open, honest examination of life in the public eye. He tells Time Out about the highs and lows of being famous.

Ben Williams, Time Out, 3rd February 2014

Video: The internet interviews... Frank Skinner

West Bromwich's comedy superstar Frank Skinner is currently back on stage for the first time in seven years. So, given the opportunity to have a quick chat with the 57-year-old stand-up, we asked him the five most Googled questions about himself.

Time Out, 3rd February 2014

Opinion: How not to run a benefit gig

The Station in Killingworth was rammed and noisy as I attempted to find the door for the function room where the gig was to held. Only it wasn't. It was to be in the pub. In the pub, full of people, with telly's on and everything. With the jukebox on. And the PA was broken. And the people, enjoying their Saturday night out, drinking away Newcastle's three - nil defeat to Sunderland.

Steve Drayton, Giggle Beats, 3rd February 2014

Mark Heap & Robert Webb take over Jeeves and Wooster

Green Wing and Peep Show stars will replace Stephen Mangan and Matthew Macfadyen in Perfect Nonsense from April.

Matt Trueman, The Guardian, 3rd February 2014

Bing bong: Details of Cabin Pressue finale recording

Hello! I'm very happy to announce that we now have a recording date for the final episode of Cabin Pressure. It will be at 7pm on Sunday the 23rd February, at the RADA Studios in London.

John Finnemore, John Finnemore's Blog, 3rd February 2014

Chuckle Brothers appear at Dave Lee Travis trial

One of the Chuckle Brothers told the trial of former DJ Dave Lee Travis he was "completely surprised" to hear claims he assaulted a woman at a pantomime they were starring in. He denies 13 indecent assaults and one sexual assault in alleged incidents.

ITV News, 3rd February 2014

Stephen K Amos: the new Brucie?

Is Stephen K Amos what primetime TV is waiting for? He certainly thinks so. Brian Logan meets the standup and sitcom writer as he goes on tour.

Brian Logan, The Guardian, 3rd February 2014

The week in comedy - feat. Bill Hicks, Bridget Christie

Looking ahead to the week's chuckle forecast, plus, the return of Red Bastard ...

London Is Funny, 3rd February 2014

Inside No. 9 preview

The way Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton write means that you don't need a whole series to get to know and love the characters, as you get to know them pretty well in the half hour episode and there's something quite nice about seeing a snapshot of their life.

Elliot Gonzalez, I Talk Telly, 3rd February 2014

Videos

TV & radio

Radio 4 11:30am
30 min
In And Out Of The Kitchen. Damien Trench (Miles Jupp). Copyright: BBC

In And Out Of The Kitchen

Series 3, Episode 1 - The Awards

Damien discovers his TV series has been nominated for an award and is also tasked with writing a column for a new gentleman's magazine. Meanwhile, Anthony auditions for a play.

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC 3:50pm
7 min
Shaun The Sheep. Copyright: Aardman Animations / BBC

Shaun The Sheep

Series 4, Episode 1 - Cones

The flock hear the enticing tunes of an ice cream van approaching and quickly hatch a plan to divert it into their field. While the driver seeks help, the flock have great fun with an endless supply of ice cream - but will they be able to cover their tracks before they're discovered?

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
The Unbelievable Truth. David Mitchell. Copyright: BBC / Random Entertainment

The Unbelievable Truth

Series 12, Episode 6

Henning Wehn, Graeme Garden, Jeremy Hardy and Victoria Coren Mitchell talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as the British, beetles, the clergy and novels.

BBC Three 10pm
30 min
Uncle. Image shows from L to R: Tiffany (Jorja Rutherford), Errol (Elliot Speller-Gillott). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions

Uncle

Series 1, Episode 4 - Favourites

Errol's paternal grandmother is hosting a family luncheon and Sam ropes Andy into coming along for moral support.

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