BCG Daily Wednesday 9th July 2014

Jess Thom: comedy at its most unpredictable

There's no telling what will come out of Jess Thom's mouth on stage. That's the joy of having Tourette's, she says.

The Bob Slayer three minute interview

According to his website, Bob Slayer is the founder and trickster behind Heroes of Fringe, the Comedy Collective which promotes Bob & Miss Behave's Bookshop. He has appeared at Edinburgh Fringe every year since 2008. Martin Walker caught up with him to ask about Heroes and his own show, IndieRound with Bob Slayer & Tim FitzHigham.

Cambridge Comedy Festival special: Russell Kane

Interview with Russell Kane about his forthcoming performance at the Cambrdige Comedy Festival.

Radio Times review

Plot twists! Mad monologues! Laugh-out-loud moments! Once again, Episodes builds up a head of comic steam just in time for… the end of a series. It's as if the writers work back from the finale and use previous instalments to fill in gaps. Fair enough if you're writing, say, a conspiracy thriller, but odd with a sitcom, where you need to fire zingers each week.

All the same, it's a joy to see Tamsin Greig given some comic red meat for a change. Moaning and snarking has become Beverly's default mode, from which Greig can work wonders, but now things kick up a gear. Her and Sean's script is suddenly the hottest thing in Hollywood, but Beverly doesn't care. She wants out. Cue a lovely, farcical climax with a furious routine from Beverly about Hollywood power games, using a china teacup as a prop.

It's not the only set piece of the episode. Elsewhere crazy network boss Castor lays into the TV business from another angle, in a public implosion that ends with the memorable sign-off, "How about that, my zombies?!"

Tickets on sale for Billy Connolly's Perth gig

Billy Connolly will bring his High Horse Tour to Perth Concert Hall on Wednesday, October 1 for one night only.

The Dan Fardell three minute interview

This Edinburgh Festival Fringe why not watch two men as they try to recapture their long lost youthful idealism by mocking their own lives and the lives of others. Martin Walker meets one of the two, stand-up comedian, Dan Fardell.

Line-up for Magners Greenwich Comedy Festival revealed

American comedian Rich Hall, ventriloquist Nina Conti and satirist Mark Thomas are among the acts who will perform at this year's event, which will take place at the National Maritime Museum on September 24-28.

Five questions for Guilt & Shame

Guilt & Shame is the creation of comedy duo Gabriel Bisset-Smith and Rob Cawsey. They return to the Fringe with their taboo humour in tow to follow up last year's hit, Addicted To Everything. Here they give Giggle Beats readers an insight into what to expect from them in Edinburgh...

Edinburgh 2015 Fringe preview: Brett Goldstein

I've had a soft spot for Brett Goldstein ever since I first reviewed him at a stand-up gig and he had to deal with one of the most difficult audiences I've ever seen, which included a drooling devil dog and a potty-mouthed old lady.

Review: Brendon Burns, Soho Theatre

It's wryly amusing that early on in Brendon Burns' latest show he has a pop at the notion of comedians' comedians and Stewart Lee - "he invented the pause".

Best sketch and character comedy at the 2014 Fringe

Having covered the best stand-up comedy shows and the best free comedy shows at the Fringe this year, it's now time for some sketch and character comedy recommendations.

The Tony Roberts three minute interview

Tony Roberts: Card Magic, debuted at the Adelaide Fringe in 2013 to critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences. Later that year the show made its UK debut at the Edinburgh International Magic Festival. In 2014, Tony brings the show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Paul Vickers three minute interview

This year, Paul Vickers returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with his cabaret creation, Mr Twonkey, in Twonkey's Private Restaurant. In a piece that contains no spoilers, Martin Walker talks to Paul about making people laugh.

The Annie McGrath three minute interview

Annie McGarth is performing at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe with her twin, Jack Barry. Having spoken to Jack already we thought it was only fair to get Annie's side of things. So Martin Walker emailed a short set of questions - and received the following answers.

The Daniel Cainer three minute interview

According to his website, Daniel Cainer is a songwriter, producer, broadcaster and composer. As a result he has written lots of music for TV, radio and advertising. He currently has a one-man show of stories in song, Jewish Chronicles, which has been touring in the UK and the US. Now he makes a return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Cormac Friel three minute interview

At 6'3", Friel is probably the world's tallest man with small man syndrome. Why? Is it because the average arthritic pensioner could outbench him? Is it the result of sibling rivalry? Is it his determination to be seen as the masculine one in his relationships with men? Find out at his 2014 Edinburgh Fringe show, Alpha Fail.

The James Cook three minute interview

This is an interview with James Cook, the stand-up comedian. As he explains on his website, he shouldn't be confused with the explorer, the bass player in the Arctic Monkeys, a character off of Skins, the BBC Scotland correspondent, the Australian Rules footballer, the boxer, the square in Middlesbrough...

The Dan Nightingale three minute interview

According to the Fringe programme, the international comedian, Lancastrian socialite and circuit legend Dan Nightingale is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe for another festival frolic. Martin Walker asks the questions.

The Alison Spittle three minute interview

In the prequel to 2015's runaway Edinburgh Festival Fringe hit, I'm Ready Now, Alison Spittle comes to town looking for an agent. If you're an agent, promoter or reviewer, then this is the show for you. Audience members are welcome too. Martin Walker hears her pitch.

Max Dickins on his new show

"Johnny Depp and I have a lot in common. We're both scintillatingly good looking, former lovers of Kate Moss, and obsessed with Groupon."

I want to tell you a story

Matt Price on the rise of the storytelling genre.

What will happen in series 4 of Matt LeBlanc comedy?

As Sean and Beverley finally flee LA in the series three finale, it looks as if something might drag them back for a fourth season...

Penelope Cruz joins Sacha Baron Cohen in 'Grimsby'

Penelope Cruz is in final negotiations to join Sacha Baron Cohen in Grimsby, Sony's spy comedy being directed by Louis Leterrier.

Meet 'wobbly' comedian who's redefining 'normal'

Francesca Martinez may well be 'wobbly' but she would very, very likely kick your ass given even half a chance...

Gavin Webster set for Edinburgh Fringe & Newcastle show

Anarchic funnyman Gavin Webster has prepared yet another provocative show for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which is sure to have the cultural comedy cognoscenti, celebrity circus and the common collective questioning their sanity.

Fringe fresh: Sarah Campbell

Ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (1-25 August), we quizzed some of the hottest performers on the bill. This is what Sarah Campbell had to say.