BCG Daily Sunday 29th June 2014

No more silly walks from John Cleese at the O2

The public's love for "silly walks" does not appear to be shared by its chief protagonist.

7 of Edina Monsoon's best falls

We're mad for Absolutely Fabulous this month. We've featured its best guest stars, Edina and Patsy's best put downs and even Bubble's finest moments, but there's one more countdown that we need in our lives - Edina Monsoon's best falls, be they under the influence of drugs, alcohol or, well, anything else she can lay her Laquoixed hands upon.

Monty Python were The Beatles

They were the surreal comedy troupe who took television by storm, made millions howl with laughter at their bizarre sketches and inspired a new generation of alternative humour. And now, thanks to this special film, fans of Monty Python can go behind the scenes as they prepare for their farewell reunion shows in London.

Fringe favourites star at new Glasgow comedy festival

Eight acts will travel west for the Magners Summer Comedy shows, which take place on two dates at the newly refurbished Kelvingrove Bandstand in the city's west end.

Why the reunion gig will be vintage Monty Python

Monty Python are back - which is great news for fans of surreal comedy and TV nostalgia, but, you might think, not such good news for lovers of something completely different. After all, the sketches are so well known that fans can parrot them word for word. What can possibly be new about a legendary 1970s comedy that was last revived more than 30 years ago?

Radio Times review

Over the years the Flying Circus and their completely different style of humour have been pored over like a dead parrot, but this particular Pythonic probe is a different beast altogether...

The reverence in which the gang are still held 31 years after their last film, and 40 years after the TV series, is reflected by their forthcoming reunion shows selling out quicker than you can say "albatross".

Of course, the gang hasn't been the full Monty since 1989, when Graham Chapman went to join the choir invisibule. But "Gray" will make his presence felt in the shows via hand-picked clips.

Alan Yentob pursues the remaining Pythons as they pursue their individual projects, and as they come together for rehearsals. The fun comes from guessing which sketches will make the final cut. Will this be the right room for an Argument - "I've told you once" - or will the Four Yorkshiremen still be competing in onedownmanship? ("We were evicted from our hole in the ground"). The latter routine might lend itself to a more reflective interpretation now, with lines such as "I was happier then when I had nothin'." I wonder if the Pythons were, too...

Jim Davidson interview

The comedian opens up about women, drugs, drink, bigotry, sexism, politics, and Operation Yewtree - and how it stole a year of his life.

Did Les Dawson's love life cost him an OBE?

He was one of the nation's best-loved comics - but although Les Dawson was shortlisted twice for an OBE, he was snubbed both times.

Duty Free: A gem of comic theatre without any crudity

Eric Chappell's Last of the Duty Free, playing in Eastbourne this week, is a real family affair.

Jasper Carrott: We must stop Birmingham ghettos

The comedian has called on ethnic minorities to put city and country before community - before it is too late.

Interview with Robbie Ormrod

Robbie Ormrod talks about comedy.

James Buckley says laddish days are over

James Buckley, 26, is no longer even able to handle a few beers at the pub with his mates but the father-of-two loved making The Inbetweeners 2 movie in Australia.

Edinburgh Fringe preview: Eric Lampaert

A little bit Paul Foot, a tiny bit Noel Fielding. He looks like a wasted Russell Brand and delivers an amiably quirky view of life.

Scale of Python death insurance quotes revealed

Monty Python comic Eric Idle has revealed that the death insurance quotes for the reunion shows were so high that the OAP comedy group suggested doing a deal - offering the audiences their money back if not one but TWO Pythons die!

Glastonbury 2014: 10 questions for Jeremy Hardy

The comedian says he's having a much better festival than he did in 1985.

Plans for Mrs Brown spin-off show based at hairdressers

Gary Hollywood will be the mainstay of a spin-off comedy set inside Wash & Blow, the fictional hair salon in Mrs Brown's Boys. Writer Brendan O'Carroll will also star as shop owner Mario while Rory Cowan will continue as Dino's husband Rory Brown.

Graham Norton missed Radio 2 show

Presenter Graham Norton left his Radio 2 colleagues in the lurch yesterday when he was "unwell overnight".

Glastonbury 2014: 10 questions for Josie Long

The comedian talks politics, music, mud, and the benefits of bombing at the festival.

Review: Imagine...Monty Python

The best moment was probably seeing pictures of the elaborate sets which looked tantalising. For the first time, I felt excited about seeing the show.

Edinburgh Fringe preview: Russell Kane

"The stupid face, the silly hair, the bracelets, what a repulsive man, take him away and smother him". Well that's what someone commented in the Evening Standard when I reviewed Russell Kane's show Smallness at the Queen Elizabeth Hall earlier this year. I, on the other hand, rather like Kane.

TV review: Imagine... Monty Python

Python nuts will be miffed that an entire hour passed before there was any real reference to Graham Chapman, but it was heart-warming to see the team plan to include him in the stage show by inserting clips of him saying, 'Stop that! This is silly!'

Interview with Katerina Vrana

I've been doing stand-up since early 2009 so just over 5 years. Before that I used to do sketch comedy and comedy improvisation.