BCG Daily Friday 2nd May 2014

Sue Townsend's funeral to be held later in Leicester

Hundreds of mourners are expected to turn out for the Leicester funeral of author Sue Townsend.

Godless TV series Rev shows BBC's bias - minister

A free Church of Scotland minister has claimed popular BBC comedy Rev reveals the corporation's "anti-Christian agenda".

Radio Times review

At the beginning of this episode I started to think I might have had enough of comedians trading impressions in Italian beauty spots. By the end, I was completely converted again. The series always hovers on the edge of nothingy, self-indulgent banter, but it always saves itself and delivers terrific belly laughs alongside unexpected little shots of melancholy.

Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are at Pompeii, wearing appalling shorts (Coogan's are those baggy, halfway-between-knee and-ankle ones) and reflecting on the disaster there. By the remains of one victim, in a display case, Rob does his "small man in a box" voice and it feels crass; but then it shades into a lovely illustration of how he struggles to take anything seriously - he's a prisoner of his own comic riffs.

That undertow of sadness only adds to the comedy, which this week covers Humphrey Bogart, Frankie Howerd and, briefly, Ken Bruce.

Radio Times review

There's a trio of mutant superheroes in the studio as the stars of X-Men: Days of Future Past (Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender) take their place on Graham's sofa.

They've all been on the show before but, judging by an online Q&A with them, when they're together there's a lot of laughter, back-slapping and fooling around. Plus the occasional send-up of their rather theatrical co-stars, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen.

Bringing a little femininity to proceedings is Eurovision hopeful Molly, who performs Children of the Universe.

Shappi Khorsandi: Funny side of life as single mother

Shappi Khorsandi talks about life as a single mum and being a woman in comedy.

Still Game live show blocks global superstars

Jack and Victor have booked the 14,000 capacity venue for a 21-gig run at the same time as U2 wanted to play.

Tyger Drew Honey: My parents made millions from porn

His full name is Lindzi James Tyger Drew-Honey - an amalgamation of the names of his parents, who were both involved in the porn industry and, in fact, made a fortune from it.

Machynlleth Comedy Festival special

Previews of Toby, Tom Basden and Benjamin Partridge.

Inquest into Addison Cresswell death finds cocaine use

Top agent Addison Cresswell, who was on anti-anxiety medication, died three days after attending a party where he took Class A drugs, an inquest into his death at St Pancras Coroner's Court was told yesterday.

North-East comedian Eli Woods dies

Woods, who was in his 90s, was born in Stockton and came from a family of entertainers, including Jimmy James and his uncle James Casey.

Peter Sellers: Southend Film Festival screens lost film

Two "lost" films starring actor Peter Sellers have been shown in public for the first time in more than 50 years.

Lenny Henry to appear on stage in Rudy's Rare Records

Actor and comedian to make his first appearance at Birmingham Rep theatre in adaptation of BBC Radio 4 comedy.

London SketchFest 2014, Pappy's, review

On Thursday night, at the Backyard in the unaccountably trendy Bethnal Green, Pappy's got this year's SketchFest - a competitive celebration of that unfairly beleaguered corner of comic endeavour, launched only last year - off to an effervescent start. Or, rather, they kind of did.

BBC comedy? Don't make me laugh

Oddly enough, two of the more heartening comedies on television this year have both aired on the BBC.

David Baddiel's stand-up return - review

David Baddiel knows the appeal of schadenfreude, but although a lot of the show is self-deprecating, he does well to make sure it's never depressing.

Machynlleth Comedy Festival: 4,000 expected

More than 4,000 people are expected to attend a mid Wales comedy festival that attracts some of the biggest names on the stand-up circuit.

The joy of sketch

Sketchfest is back this week for its second year. It's in a new venue - The Backyard Comedy Club in Bethnal Green - and spread across two stages groaning with the weight of a significant portion of UK live sketch talent.

Chris Cox interview

Popular showman Chris Cox is performing at the Udderbelly on the South Bank in London this weekend.

Andrew Maxwell interview

Andrew Maxwell is a chatty man - he talks at speed - but he's both funny and informed.

Danielle Lineker on set of football comedy Kicking Off

Danielle Lineker looked to be having a great time on the set of the comedy, based on two football fans who attempt to kidnap a referee.

The Andrew Maxwell three minute interview

Andrew Maxwell is a chatty man - he talks at speed - but he's both funny and informed. He riffs on the weighty subjects of Scottish Independence, the Irish Potato Famine, sectarianism and his beloved Hibernian Football Club in a highly humorous, passionate manner. Agree or not, he knows what he's talking about. Martin Walker distils his chat with a true satirist.