BCG Daily Saturday 12th April 2014

This week's new live comedy

Previews of Jon Richardson, Political Animal and Gary Delaney].

Interesting objects: Tommy Cooper's fez

Sophisticated men with style used to wear a fez as part of their luxury smoking garb. Cooper transformed it into a comedy prop.

James Acaster studies comedy at the Melbourne Town Hall

James Acaster is annoyed with himself for getting into a bit of to-and-fro with a grouchy-looking member of his audience.

Radio Times review

In theory we have a new game show here but in practice, that's overstating it. This is a chance for Rob Brydon to flex his comic muscles as bullying, joshing host. There's a good ten minutes of jokey chit-chat at the start as we meet the celebrity panel ("Emilia Fox... have you ever done a real autopsy?") and then the contestants. The game itself is so barely there that after half an hour (and this really isn't a spoiler) only one point has been scored.

But Brydon's relentless comic energy drives the thing on as he tries to get Simon Callow to tango or has Louis Smith sing a song with James Corden. It's hard to resist smiling in the face of the Brydon hurricane but we could do with more game and less show.

Review: 'Dunderhead' dad Alan Davies delivers

Alan Davies, QI's "much loved dunderhead" and star of detective series Jonathan Creek, was made more than welcome by the Aberdeen crowd on his return to the city.

Julian Clary: The cutting-edge riposte

Sharp of tongue and armed with a cattle prod, British comedian Julian Clary intends to corral more than a few Australian men in his new stage show.

Jennifer Saunders talks about her Bonkers life

Jennifer Saunders is a brilliant writer and queen of the successful double act. On the eve of her visit to Australia, she talks friendship, family, procrastination and her brush with cancer.

ITV biopic focuses on alcoholic side of Tommy Cooper

His fans loved him but a new biopic of the comedian explores his darker side as a violent alcoholic who couldn't choose between his wife and mistress.

Can Edinburgh resurrect Jim Davidson, comedy dinosaur?

A surprise run at the Assembly Rooms this August is a chance for Jim Davidson to fall in with more progressive comedy trends. But will he take it?

Whisky daft performer raises a glass to Scottish comedy

Maybe it's the self deprecating nature of their work, but Scottish comedians are not so keen on standing up for recognition in front of their own peers. The onus fell to comedian and promoter Alan Anderson to stand up for the less heralded in his profession with the launch of the inaugural Scottish Comedy Awards last week.

Richard Curtis reveals he may be getting married

Writer and director Richard Curtis has revealed that he may finally walk down the aisle with his long-term partner Emma Freud.

Preview: The Guess List, BBC1

The fun is in the sparky, spikey script and the chemistry between Brydon and the celebs.

David Walliams: Sue Townsend, my hero

David Walliams on how he was inspired by the writing of Sue Townsend - and why Adrian Mole will live forever.