BCG Daily Monday 19th May 2014

Booker Prize satire wins Wodehouse comic fiction prize

A satire of the Booker Prize by Edward St Aubyn has won its own award - The Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction. Lost for Words was written, as critics have noted, after St Aubyn's novel, At Last, was overlooked by Booker judges.

Paul Merton: Drunks have turned me off stand-up comedy

Comedian Paul Merton has turned his back on stand-up comedy for good because drunken hecklers have ruined the atmosphere of the genre which made him famous.

Radio Times review

If ever a programme needed no introduction it's this venerable panel game, which has been on air for nearly 47 years and here begins a 69th series.

The secret of its success? A deceptively simple concept that requires razor-sharp skill to execute. Debutante Vanessa Feltz does well enough to suggest she'll be back. She's up against Julian Clary. "It is the most difficult game in the world", the stalwart confirms. "To play it makes your brain hurt."

Limmy opens up about depression

In September last year, Scottish comedian Limmy came off a course of antidepressants.

One Man, Two Guvnors tour interview

A hit comedy is coming to the Midlands featuring three soap stars. Roz Laws catches Shaun Williamson, Emma Barton and Jasmyn Banks in rehearsals.

Ricky Tomlinson to be given Freedom of Liverpool

Ricky Tomlinson is to be awarded the Freedom of Liverpool, it has been announced.

Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon to host live Q&A in cinemas

Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are to host a live Q&A at cinemas across the UK on Wednesday after a feature-length screening of their BBC comedy series, The Trip To Italy.

TV Preview: Mr Sloane

Robert B Weide's script neatly captures the tedium of office life and the banter required to keep one sane. It is particularly good on the little details.

James Corden expecting second child with wife

Telly star James Corden is expecting his second child with his charity worker wife Julia.

Sarah Lancashire on Last Tango in Halifax 3

A shell-shocked Sarah Lancashire picked up her very first Bafta gong last night for her role in Last Tango in Halifax.

James Bennison interview

I have been doing comedy for about four and a half years but four of those years were as part of a musical comedy double act called Slap & Giggle.

Eddie Izzard in trilingual comedy tribute

Comedian and Europhile Eddie Izzard is to perform his latest comedy show in three different languages to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Return to lonely town: Episodes on BBC2

Given the absence of jokes, tension, consequence - and the presence of Matt LeBlanc - what is there to keep the audience of Episodes on its side?

Jim Holland interview

Jim Holland is a polite comedy maverick who brings intelligent wit, conversational delivery and two-tone shoes to the Brighton and Edinburgh Fringes.

The Jim Holland three minute interview

Jim Holland is a polite comedy maverick who brings intelligent wit, conversational delivery and two-tone shoes to the Brighton and Edinburgh Fringes. Martin Walker joins him for a spot of Shoegazing.