BCG Daily Friday 23rd May 2014

Going for an English all over again

Goodness Gracious Me, back after 13 years, is topical all right. The characters want to join UKIP.

Radio Times review

It's been a while since lovably awkward pair Ted and Ralph appeared on our screens, but this isn't quite the new dawn it might seem. As die-hard Fast Show fans will know, Charlie Higson, Paul Whitehouse et al revived the characters for an online-only lager-sponsored series (cheers, Foster's) that started in 2011. Here, those sketches are broadcast for the first time on actual TV to celebrate the show's 20th anniversary.

So there's another chance to see Rowley Birkin QC burble his way through an incomprehensible anecdote (which can only end one way) and we pay a fresh visit to Jazz Club ("Nnnice!") to see an over-the-hill crooner. Best of all, for those who fondly remember generic cop show Inspector Monkfish, John Actor is back, this time as "a tough uncompromising butler".

Radio Times review

Amazingly, it's 50 years since Mary Poppins wafted in to number 17 Cherry Tree Lane for the Disney version of PL Travers's novel. So, although guest Julie Andrews isn't likely to arrive clutching a carpet bag and a parrot-headed brolly, she'll probably chat a little about one of her best-loved film roles.

Perching next to her on the Norton sofa are Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, stars of action comedy film 22 Jump Street. And, no doubt making everybody "Happy" and wearing an oversized hat, is Pharrell Williams who performs Marilyn Monroe.

Radio Times review

In the past decade Nick Frost has gone from being Simon Pegg's bumbling sidekick to a Hollywood film star in his own right. So it's a treat to have him back on the small screen in a comedy written especially for him by Curb Your Enthusiasm director/producer Robert B Weide.

Set in 1969 in buttoned-up Watford, Mr Sloane is about a chap so hapless he can't even succeed at his own suicide. In the opening scene he tries to hang himself but crashes to the floor, bringing half the ceiling with him. He's lost his job, his wife and is prone to rose-tinted daydreams at odds with horn-rimmed reality.

Although this first episode is short on belly laughs, it goes down as easily as a glass of Babycham thanks to a tip-top cast (including Olivia Colman as estranged spouse) and its deliciously drab setting.

Richard Herring interview

"It's finding the right tone and way of doing these things... people get very upset about comedy and people joking about stuff but don't get upset if it's a 'serious point', backed up with religion or anything else."

Why you must watch Nick Frost in Mr Sloane

It's a pitch perfect piece of TV, telling its bittersweet story with wit and warmth and deft psychological insight.

This week's new comedy

Previews of Sara Pascoe, Cardinal Burns and Howard Read

Al Murray: My family values

The comedian talks about his father's 'omnicompetence' when he was growing up, and his mum's incredible energy.

Mark Grist review - rogue teacher recounts rap battles

Grist's tale of his rapid rise from English teacher to YouTube phenomenon is a great mix of playful verse and self-examination.

Mr Sloane episode 1 review: Meet Mr Sloane

Does new sixties-set Sky Atlantic comedy, Mr Sloane, have more to offer than a winning central performance by Nick Frost?

Opinion: Saying the wrong thing

I try to steer clear of comedians partly because I don't want to become friends with them in case it clouds my critical judgement, but to be honest it's mainly because I worry that I might put my Larry David-shaped foot in it when I open my mouth.

News: Balham comedy festival line-up announced

The 2014 Balham Comedy Festival, running from July 11-19, has announced its line-up. Among the names confirmed are Susan Calman, Paul Daniels, Robert Newman, Phill Jupitus, Reginald D. Hunter, Tim Vine, Stephen K Amos, Marcus Brigstocke, Milton Jones, Shappi Khorsandi, Mark Steel, Richard Herring, Jeremy Hardy, Susan Calman, Kevin Day, Gary Delaney, Kerry Godliman, Tony Law, and Fred MacAulay with more performers to be announced.

Nick Grimshaw's Sweat The Small Stuff: day in the life

It's brash it's silly and like the rest of the shows on BBC Three, it's 'heading online'.

Mr Sloane, Sky Atlantic, review: 'gently amusing'

In other hands Sloane might have been just a loser, but in Frost's he was a loser we were rooting for from the outset.

13 reasons to adore Nick Frost, in GIFs

From Spaced to Hot Fuzz and new Sky Atlantic show Mr Sloane, Nick Frost is a legend.

Johnny Vegas at the Hay Festival

Michael Pennington says his comic alter ego helped him get over his traumatic childhood experiences at seminary school.

Stand & Deliver comedy magazine interview

Why are Ian Wylie and Danielle Gilbert making a comedy magazines when history is full of dearly-departed comedy launches?