BCG Daily Wednesday 4th June 2014

Radio Times review

In theory he's the star of the show, but you sometimes wish we saw more of Matt LeBlanc in Episodes. There's a reason he was one of the highest-paid comic actors in the world: like a tennis pro, he hits the sweet spot of any line or reaction without breaking a sweat.

Here Matt is once again wound up by that bumptious young co-star and starts to feel that his own star is slipping: he's not washed-up, exactly, but neither is he quite the A-lister he once was. Episodes is excellent on these Hollywood status games: a trip to The Tonight Show delivers a dent to the ego (Jay Leno guest-stars as himself). But the best gags revolve around a natural disaster in Peru - and how real-life tragedy plays out in Tinseltown.

Radio Times review

The final chapter of this comforting hug of a programme focuses on the third and final series of Porridge - and its best, according to writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. Also the spin-offs: Going Straight, in which Fletcher returns to civvy street; the 1979 movie (filmed at Chelmsford Prison during refurbishment after a fire); and the US adaptation, which featured a Puerto-Rican Fletch.

Going Straight is regularly dismissed in comedy textbooks as disappointing, but the only series made (in 1978) still attracted 15 million and won a Bafta. And marked an early appearance of Nicholas (Only Fools) Lyndhurst as Fletcher's son Raymond.

Christopher Biggins (Lukewarm), Sam Kelly ("Bunny" Warren) and Tony Osoba (McLaren) express pride at their involvement in co-starring in Porridge. And Kate Beckinsale, only five on the death of her father Richard, who played Godber, says she finds repeats "endlessly consoling and surprising". As do many.

Ross Noble in Leicester filming for Freewheeling

Ross Noble popped up in Leicester yesterday as he filmed for his Freewheeling TV series.

Review: Duty Free

It's almost 30 years since we last saw the Pearces and Cochranes in sunny Marbella. Back then, we watched the two holidaying couples - interrupted by David Pearce and Linda Cochrane's unlikely affair - on the small screen.

Pictures: Sacha Baron Cohen filming Grimsby

Sacha Baron Cohen gets some kicking practice in while portraying a football hooligan on the set of new film Grimsby.

David Jason: 'Only Fools And Horses won't return'

Sir David Jason has suggested that Only Fools and Horses will not return.

Rich Hall returning to BBC Four with new documentary

Titled Rich Hall's California Stars, the show will head out to the West Coast to continue his cultural critique of American people and places.

Impressionist Jon Clegg gets BGT wild card

Impressionist Jon Clegg will be the final act in this weekend's Britain's Got Talent final.

QI: quite interesting things about invasive species

A quietly intriguing column from the brains behind QI, the BBC quiz show. This week: QI is highly invasive.

Die Roten Punkte review

Part White Stripes, part Dresden Dolls with added facial slap, this double act makes for an enjoyably silly hour of good tunes.

Share a photo of your favourite standup comedy venue

Where are the best places to watch comedy - and what is it that makes them so good?

Politicians pulling pints - rated by the Pub Landlord

Political types seem to think that pouring a pint makes them look normal. How deluded can they be? Al Murray, as the Pub Landlord, takes a look.

The Lynn Ruth Miller three minute interview

Lynn Ruth Miller is 80 years old. A decade ago she discharged herself from hospital after being given two weeks to live, and so decided on a career in stand-up comedy. Martin Walker talks to our favourite granny gone wild.