BCG Daily Wednesday 30th April 2014

Ashbourne Festival - comedy night line-up

This year's Ashbourne Festival Comedy Night has a stellar line-up, with Jo Caulfield, Matt Richardson and Paul Tonkinson.

Radio Times review

The breakout comedy hit of 2012 returns, switching from E4 to C4. Those who remember series one sketches such as the projectile-vomiting cops and the zombies who liked to eat unusual parts of the carcass might wonder if the big channel would tone Seb Cardinal and Dustin Demri-Burns down.

There's nothing too shocking in the new series opener, and there'll be more focus on longer sketches with returning characters this year, but what counts is the feel, the tone. Cardinal Burns has a sexy physicality and an air of unpredictability that's in thrilling contrast to most sketch shows' carefully weighted observations.

They're given full rein here in the tales of two parodically direct office flirts, and a pair of Turkish minicab drivers starring in a Professionals-style erotic caper. At their best, the duo provoke not a polite titter, but a sudden guttural roar.

Cardinal Burns can do honed gems, too, though: sketch of the week features a brilliantly cruel Mark Cousins parody, earnestly interviewing a bog-standard office temp as if he were a megastar.

Radio Times review

It might be set in a care home, but Ricky Gervais's mockumentary is often cringingly lewd and crude, largely courtesy of potty-mouthed Kev. This week he has a job interview so swaps his habitual tracksuit and can of Special Brew for a dead man's tie and 12-step programme - and somehow manages to look more disreputable than ever. The highlight - briefly recalling the brilliance of The Office - has to be the shambolic interview: you almost feel sorry for Kev.

Meanwhile, long-suffering manager Hannah discovers everyone knows every last unedifying detail about her attempts to procreate, and Derek teaches a smug financier a few life lessons.

Radio Times review

Isy Suttie made her mark as devoted girlfriend Dobby in Peep Show on Channel 4. Now radio is helping to establish her as the latest in a long line of female monologuists stretching back to Ruth Draper and Joyce Grenfell.

Her good-natured observational comedy dissects romantic relationships - her own and other people's - and in the first episode of her new series she recalls her time as a classroom assistant, when a dinner lady and a teacher, both married to other people, were drawn to each other.

It comes as no surprise to read that Suttie is an admirer of Victoria Wood. Now that Wood's comic performances are rare, Suttie, like her idol a comedian and a singer/songwriter, could fill the gap.

Cardinal Burns: the comedy duo shaking up TV sketch

They wear prosthetic penises as noses and turn Banksy into a suburban dullard. Brian Logan meets Cardinal Burns, the comedy duo bringing cinema values to the TV sketch show.

Comedy writing tips for newcomers

Always have a spare script, say the recent recipients of a new comedy award - and remember, few jokes are uncuttable.

Danny O'Brien interview

Danny O'Brien chats to The Irish Post during this year's London Irish Comedy Festival, which runs until June 14 at The London Irish Centre in Camden.

Cardinal Burns interview

Digital Spy met the duo at a pub in North London to talk about going mainstream, having genitals stuck to their faces and what's so good about bad gigs...

London Sketchfest 2014: The Awkward Silence

Ralph Jones, Vyvyan Almond and Alex Fox talk about The Awkward Silence.

QI: Why exactly does jelly wobble?

It began as a meaty dessert made of calves' feet and shares the same electrical rhythms as the human brain. Courtesy of the QIp.c[ team, it's everything you ever wanted to know about... jelly.

Katherine Ryan review

Katherine Ryan explores celebrity, sex and single motherhood in a flamboyant, sharp-tongued routine.

The 15 best comedy books of all time

From Bridget Jones to Three Men in a Boat - are these the funniest books ever?

The best comedy podcasts

Pete Naughton's regularly updated selection of the best comedy podcasts, including Eddie Izzard, Frank Skinner and Richard Herring.

Stephen Fry is the new President of Hay Festival

Stephen Fry has succeeded the late Eric Hobsbawm as the President of the Hay Festival.

Opinion: Why I hate sketch comedy

Well, of course I don't hate sketch comedy. But, heck, it's a crowded market out there, I've got to get you to click on the link somehow. So now I've got your attention I'll explain and expand. Sketch comedy is probably my least favourite form of comedy.

Over To Bill review

What little comedy there is comes from Onion bumbling and getting into more trouble as he lies - badly - to dig his way out of it. The trope is as familiar as the setting, even if Naylor tries to make a clumsy joke out of the cliche.

Cardinal Burns TV review

This inspired comedy has grown up a little on its transfer from E4 to Channel 4 - but not much. It's still enjoyably puerile.

Cardinal Burns, Channel 4, review: 'a rare treat'

This first episode made me laugh out loud several times. The funniest bit of all? A send-up of pretentious arty talk shows, such as Inside the Actors' Studio, but featuring an ordinary shop assistant as the guest - and hosted by a pseud called Maris Piper.

Cardinal Burns, Channel 4

A move from E4, where sketch duo Cardinal Burns's debut series was shown, to Channel 4 is a significant jump. A bigger budget (one presumes), a broader target demographic and the confidence of your employers should act as a fillip to performers; on the evidence of last night's opener to their second series, that confidence was well placed.

Scottish Comedy Awards: Taking comedy seriously?

The first annual Scottish Comedy Awards were held in an unassuming space in the basement of the Blythswood Hotel on Monday 31 March in Glasgow. Who knew?

Russell Brand: the next Charlie Chapin?

Charlie Chaplin's daughter, Game of Thrones and The Crimson Field actress Oona Chapman says that the controversial British comedian and actor has almost everything it takes to be the next screen legend... almost.

Comedians get ready for Machynlleth Comedy Festival

Final preparations are being made for the popular event at various venues around the town which runs throughout the Bank Holiday weekend.

London Sketchfest 2014: zazU

An interview with comedy group zazU.

London Sketchfest 2014: Gein's Family Giftshop

Kath Hughes, Ed Easton, James Meehan and Kiri Pritchard-Mclean are Gein's Family Giftshop.

London Sketchfest 2014: the Goose is loose

We're hearing from Adam Drake and Ben Rowse: one-man-on-stage, one-behind-the-scenes solo/double act Goose.

London Sketchfest 2014: Mixed Doubles

Right now we're hearing from recent Sketchorama signees, Mixed Doubles.

Cardinal Burns on the "funk odyssey" of Series 2

Comedy really is the new rock 'n roll when it's by Seb Cardinal and Dustin Demri-Burns. We talk to the duo as their raucous sketch show moves to C4.

TV review: Cardinal Burns

It's a celebration of bravado over brainpower.

Foil Arms & Hog interview

Foil Arms and Hog chat to The Irish Post ahead of this Saturday's London Irish Comedy Festival Edinburgh Preview season.

The Reunion on Radio 4 with Four Weddings team...

Four Weddings succeeds where its hundreds of imitators have failed, because it is a romantic comedy about those two things: romance and comedy.

Praising at the altar of Rev

Why does a religious sitcom work so well for atheists? Rev is most definitely a sitcom about a vicar, and isn't afraid to get into matters of prayer and the Bible. Somehow, it presents a nuanced view of faith while still being funny.

Playing My Part: How I participated Trans Comedy Award

The audience's reaction was remarkable. It was an extraordinary experience to sit in a studio with 200+ people, many of whom were industry professionals and BBC Controllers, and watch a show that elicited such laughs, such gasps of delight, dismay and (spoiler alert) ultimately joy.