BCG Daily Thursday 8th May 2014

Film review: Frank

Frank is unlikely to appeal to everyone's tastes; Abrahamson and Ronson's fictionalised version of an already unusual musical icon is a tale full of quirks and eccentricities. It's likely to be dismissed by many as being too twee or pretentious. However it's a film that has been lovingly put together and deals with it's darker themes in a tender and surprisingly true to life manner. It's let down by a third act which falls flat in places, but ultimately it's a film which is full of heart and full of humour.

Radio Times review

Time spent with these characters pays off in this, the fourth episode of Chris Addison and Simon Blackwell's comedy and the most assured yet. We feel as if we're on the journey with Matt (Addison) and Meg (the terrific Jo Joyner) as they attempt to move on from her affair, the latest stumbling block being that Ian, her boss and former lover, has a new (hot, young) girlfriend.

Meg insists she's not jealous, a heavyweight lie that the show quite accurately portrays as part of a workable, even enviable relationship. Another way in which Matt and Meg become real is their sense of humour: there are two moments here where they make each other laugh. Sitcoms almost never allow that to happen, but it's like the curtains have opened and sunlight's streamed in.

Waiting for Godot: Samuel Beckett with baseball caps

The Samuel Beckett estate is notoriously fussy about how his plays are presented, but it has allowed comedians Tom Stourton and Tom Palmer - aka sketch comedy act Totally Tom - to revitalise Waiting for Godot for a new generation.

Review: Frank

"There are points where you're unsure whether to laugh or cry."

Seasoned sitcom writers no. 2 - Pete Sinclair

I first met Pete Sinclair in about 2002, when we were both writing episodes of the largely forgotten, temporarily loved (and critically disliked) My Hero. This was not the first sitcom Pete had worked on. He'd created two of his own and went on to co-write four series of the much loved, critically-acclaimed Lead Balloon. Even AA Gill liked it, and he hates everything.

Russell Brand accepts damages from The Sun on Sunday

UK comedian Russell Brand accepts libel damages over Sun on Sunday claims that he cheated on girlfriend Jemima Khan.

New £40m Charlie Chaplin museum planned in Switzerland

A new £40m (60 million Swiss franc) museum at the former home in Switzerland of cinema legend Charlie Chaplin is to open in 2016.

Preview: Episodes, BBC2

So it's good to see Episodes back, but also perplexing.

Book review: Charlie Chaplin by Peter Ackroyd

A haunting biography captures the brilliance and the blemishes of a comic who fought his way from poverty to worldwide fame.

Frank review - engrossing, tender breakdown

Michael Fassbender's chops remain hidden during most of this beguiling tragicomic fable inspired by Jon Ronson's memoir about indie enigma Frank Sidebottom.

Frank, film review

The film isn't as funny as might have been expected and the final-reel revelations risk undermining its mystique.

Frank - film review

If it's a comedy, it's a dark one.

Review: Woman in Mind

Alan Ayckbourn's Woman in Mind is a consistently funny play dealing with the anxieties and missed opportunities middle-age brings.

Michelle Collins to appear in The Glass Supper

Michelle Collins is to star in a new play by Martyn Hesford at the Hampstead Theatre this summer.

Nico Yearwood interview

Nico Yearwood is originally from Barbados, but is now based in London.