BCG Daily Tuesday 22nd July 2014

Zoe Lyons interview

Mustard Cutter is Zoe's new show full of her trademark high energy, brilliantly observed routines and sharply written material. Her growing fan base has come to love her warm and physically animated performances.

Colleen Ballinger interview

International YouTube sensation Miranda Sings is bringing you a hilarious show filled with comedy, hit songs, magic tricks, dramatic readings of hate mail and never before seen videos! The quirky superstar has over 60 million views on YouTube and has performed her one-woman show to sold-out crowds all over the world.

Abigoliah Schamaun interview

Nothing quite beats sitting and listening to a comedian who doesn't know the meaning of the words 'self censoring' and Schamaun doesn't hold back. The New York comic returns to the Gilded Balloon with some new, juicy and delightfully saucy tales where nothing is off limits.

Julian McCullough interview

Julian is a nationally touring American comedian who was most recently seen as Whitney Cummings' co-star on E!'s Love You Mean It. In 2011 he won the New York's Funniest competition and filmed his half hour Comedy Central Presents stand-up special. Julian has performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Conan and This American Life and regularly appears on Chelsea Lately (America's Masterpiece Theatre).

Thünderbards interview

Last year Glenn and Matt, Thünderbards, brought their debut show to the fringe which seemed to go down quite well. Not only was it a hit the pair got were in the running for the New Act of the Year. 2014 sees the duo After giving up on conventional sketch writing, the boys are free to pursue their real interest: time-travel.

Alex Edelman interview

Recent graduate Alex Edelman brings his debut show to Edinburgh all the way from New York. Already getting some members of the press all hot under their collars for his 'natural comic timing'.

Nish Kumar interview

The Times have labelled Kumar, Nish to you and your friends and that Aunt who keeps going on about when she was a girl in the war, as a comedian on the up. And if you've heard him on BBC Radio 4 or seen him at The Alternative Comedy Experience you will know why he's been getting rave reviews.

John Robins interview

tNC have been an ardent fan of John Robins for many years since the early days of witnessing his brilliant brand of comedy making him one of the hottest comics on the UK circuit.

Fin Taylor interview

Aged 23, Fin has supported the likes of Glenn Wool and Russell Howard on tour and warmed-up for TV shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

Eric Davis interview

After interviewing Eric last year I was still unaware of what to expect from his show (it's a rule I have never to read up on what the show is about before seeing it). On the walk to his Red Bastard show Eric passed me and passed me a flyer for his show, on telling him I was coming to see it already he snatched the flyer out my hand and told me to 'fuck off then'.

Umbilical Brothers interview

Laced with mature themes, violence, frequent course language... and time permitting, face-painting! Your inner child will never be the same again.

Kitty Cointreau interview

With guests such as Red Bastard and Patrick Monahan already lined up this really is not a show you want to miss!

Axis of Awesome interview

Viva La Vida Loca Las Vegas - the Axis of Awesome return to Edinburgh Fringe with a brand newshow (also featuring your favourite song from the internet). After 4 official sold-out seasons at the Edinburgh Fringe, get ready to once again enjoy Jordan, Lee, etc do their musical comedy thing that's reached over 90 million people on YouTube.

Dixey interview

This is what Edinburgh Fringe is all about and Assembly Roxy is going to become alive with turns from the stunning Stage Door Johnnies, satirical lothario Russell Bruner, and the godfather of boylesque, Tigger! with special guests Zoe Jones and Tamzen.

Wendy Wason interview

Wendy has seen the future and it ain't pretty. The future of the NHS, that is. Her husband was a resident in a Los Angeles hospital. What most people fear, Wendy drank in. With her unique sense of fun and ability to laugh at the ridiculous, she reports back. In this hilarious tale, she takes us on a tour of the premises, the people and problems she encountered.

Stephen Bailey interview

Now this is just wonderful! Sharp and sassy, Stephen Bailey makes his highly anticipated Edinburgh solo debut. This is a warm and funny show about finding the one, breaking up, handling it with dignity (or lack thereof) and getting back out there, just like Katy Perry with a world tour (but on a budget).

Juliette Burton interview

After her sold-out smash last year Juliette Burton is back. There was something of a delightful revelation last year with a show so honest and positive it left her audiences with long held smiles, truly unmissable and thought-provoking performer.

Stuart Black interview

The path of life is full of crossroads. How does anyone make the right moral choice these days? This is a fusion of stand-up comedy, poetic language and storytelling. Stylish and hilarious. Shocking and eloquent.

Harvey, Garvey and The Kane interview

Attention grabbing opener! Brief description of performers involved: Stephen Harvey, Marcus Garvey, Gareth Kane - followed by promise of sketch originality, hilarity and something else to complete the universal rule of three. Finish off with slightly petulant remark to prove how clever you are.

Jason Cook interview

Always welcoming, never bullying, the self-deprecating Geordie idiot has found himself in situations he never dreamed of. Come and see how he's mucked them all up this time.

Lloyd Griffith interview

After his stint supporting the lovely Rob Beckett on his sold out UK tour, angelic-voiced Lloyd Griffith comes to Edfringe to performs his sexy debut show. Really brilliant jokes and some truly incredible singing from this choirboy turned comedian and heartthrob. Songs. Jokes. A sexy man. Bring your family.

Stuart Goldsmith interview

After his stint supporting the lovely Rob Beckett on his sold out UK tour, angelic-voiced Lloyd Griffith comes to Edfringe to performs his sexy debut show. Really brilliant jokes and some truly incredible singing from this choirboy turned comedian and heartthrob. Songs. Jokes. A sexy man. Bring your family.

Ed Hamell interview

Ed premieres his new show The Happiest Man in the World, dealing with man's spiritual development faced head-on with modern day woes like economics, politics, divorce, child-rearing, the continued devastation of the environment and a plague of unprecedented proportions commonly referred to as the cellphone.

Frank Sent Me interview

Written by Julian Poidevin and directed by Peter Darney, the team behind the acclaimed Kindness (BBC Radio), Frank Sent Me started life in a new writing competition at the Soho Theatre, London - going on to win. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival marks the world premiere.

BEASTS interview

Seeing the show at Brighton Fringe was, to say the least, a much needed comedy boost! The trio have put together one of this years best sketch comedy shows you're likely going to see...and there are moments in Solo that will have you wetting yourself.

Rhys Nicholson interview

Having played at international festivals and to sold out audiences Nicholson wont hold back, and his return also introduces an inflatable Llama and is sure to delight those of you who like a little bit more from their stand up.

Shazia Mirza

Are words really dangerous? Can they hurt, offend and even kill you? What happens when you think you're being hilarious and other people just think you are causing anarchy? Can a laugh save the day? What happens when you meet people who have no sense of humour at all, and no joke or situation can salvage these people from misery.

Shellshock! interview

Using the audience's suggestions to set the scene, the characters or the situation, the performers take a random series of ideas and transform it into side-splitting comedy. We've got a few trade secrets up our sleeves too - prepare to be amazed at the performers' daring as they play improvised comedy games such as Bucket of Death, Mousetraps and the eponymous Shellshock!​

Laurence Owen interview

2014 Musical Comedy Awards finalist Laurence Owen sings troublesome songs of lust and bad manners. Boundaries will be pushed. Preconceptions will be challenged. Will anyone emerge unscathed?

Madame Magenta interview

Character comic and 2013 New Act of the Year finalist Lindsay Sharman brings a boisterous examination of a world built on lies. 'Utterly delightful and funny.'

The Nualas interview

In a world where pop stars think nothing of singing in their underwear, The Nualas buck the trend by sporting shiny yet surprisingly affordable frocks. With self-penned songs, scintillating harmony and provocative chat about current stuff, they've wowed audiences everywhere.

Kevin Bridges sacrifices comedy for Commonwealth

This stage show, Kevin Bridges Live at the Commonwealth (BBC One), announces from curtain up that it'll be a fusion of comedy and Commonwealth even though, as he points out, Glasgow hasn't done so well with the wealth part recently, but we're still great at being common.

Radio Times review

Analysing comedy, according to the cliché, is like dissecting a frog: no one laughs and the frog dies. One thing that distinguishes comedians from television critics is that they are above using clichés. Another is that they can talk about the craft with authority, and make it funny, too.

This episode of the excellent stand-up showcase gets into the nitty-gritty of how comedy works: compering, writing new jokes, getting over "the fear" and trying to make strangers laugh. From Susan Calman's sparkly enthusiasm to Josie Long's awsh-gosh awkwardness to Kevin Eldon's utter mania, each has their own technique. The material is brilliant, but so too are Stewart Lee's backstage interviews. Keep watching through the credits for the answer to whether you should drink before stepping on stage.

Tributes to King of Black Country comedy, Tommy Mundon

The irony was not lost on Tommy Mundon when he was forced to retire after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. After a five-year battle with this most cruel of illnesses, the king of Black Country comedy has died, four months after celebrating his 80th birthday.

Dave Twentyman interview

After 10 years as a top performer, what next for the affable Dave Twentyman?

Interview with Josephine Lacey

An interview with Josephine Lacey.

Interview with Croft & Pearce

An interview with double-act Croft & Pearce.

Interview with Hayley Ellis

An interview with comedian Hayley Ellis.

Interview with Twins

An interview with the double-act Twins.

Six controversial comedy shows at the Fringe

In the maze that is the Edinburgh Fringe, sometimes the best plan for an act is to simply think up a controversial title in order to sell tickets.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014 interview: Paco Erhard

'A lady called me "the worst German ever". Which was funny as, historically, I do have competition'

Edinburgh Fringe 2014 interview: Yacine Belhousse

'My major inspiration comes from Monty Python. And of course, Eddie Izzard as far as stand-up is concerned'

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014 interview: Igor Meerson

'If you say "My wife left me because I drank all her perfume" in Russia, no one will know that you are joking'

Edinburgh Fringe 2014 interview: Tobias Persson

'I'll be discussing life, death, money, love, marriage. Though I might have the inevitable knob gag'

Alternative comedy forerunner Andy de la Tour

The comedian will be ending a 20 year absence by appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014.

Interview: Daniel Kitson-endorsed comic Tom Shillue

'What I'm trying to do for this show is take many little stories and weave them together and try to make a bigger tale'

Interview: Andrew Doyle

'Stand-up's another form of theatre, people just tend to forget that you're playing a character'

Interview: Jessie Cave & Emer Kenny on friendship

True friendship is 'being able to cry in front of them for no reason. Or emoticons.'

Interview: Clive Anderson vs rising improv stars

BattleActs, Austentatious and more quiz the Whose Line is it Anyway? host.

Interview: comedian Josh Ladgrove

The Aussie satirist is bringing his blasphemous show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014.

Interview: comedian Camilla Cleese comes to Edinburgh

'Six-foot blonde, slightly resembles John Cleese but not that much, thank God'

Fringe 2014 interview: comedian Lucy Beaumont

'Johnny Vegas bigged me up and you need someone like that... There are not enough mentors in the arts'

Bridget Christie interview

The comedian explains why she's sticking with feminism on her return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014.

Interview: Adam Riches

The comedian's character-based shows feature a lot of audience participation, so be warned.

Interviews with comedians being in plays

'It's harder if you're a stand-up to do a play. It's harder to put down that instinct for "please like me"'

How to write an Edinburgh Fringe press release

Below are Lewis Schaffer's (so far) two press releases for his upcoming Edinburgh Fringe comedy show Success Is Not An Option.

US IT Crowd would have been most successful show ever

Joel McHale, the star of Community and The Soup explains how his cancelled version of The IT Crowd could have heralded an age of intergalactic peace.

The Josh Ladgrove three minute interview

Ever wanted to heckle Jesus Christ? Maybe just ask him a little question? Well now's your chance. Award-winning Australian Josh Ladgrove brings his improvised performance to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where you, under the watchful eyes of God, get to heckle his son.

The Will Franken three minute interview

Critically acclaimed surrealistic character comedian of myriad personalities unveils his latest rapid fire absurdist assault on the fragilities of human identity, platitudes of postmodern sanctimony, and presupposition of collective reality. Martin Walker emailed Will Franken some questions. This is the complete and unedited response.

The Julian McCullough three minute interview

Julian McCullough is a nationally-touring American comedian who was most recently seen as Whitney Cummings' co-star on E!'s Love You Mean It. In 2011 he won the New York's Funniest competition and filmed his half hour Comedy Central Presents stand-up special. Now he's making his debut appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Kieran Hodgson three minute interview

Fresh from appearances on Jonathan Creek and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, character comedian Kieran Hodgson returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a brand new hour exploring his formative experiences on an unforgettable school trip where he truly learnt the meaning of croissants.

The Lloyd Griffith three minute interview

Fresh from supporting Rob Beckett on his sold out UK tour, angelic-voiced Lloyd Griffith performs his debut show at the Edinburgh Festival fringe. We can expect some 'really brilliant jokes' and some 'truly incredible singing' from this choirboy turned comedian and 'heartthrob'.

The Luke Toulson three minute interview

In 2005 Luke Toulson was nominated for the Perrier Best Newcomer Award as half of Toulson & Harvey. In 2007, after a switch to stand-up, he won the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year Final. In 2013 his Edinburgh Festival Fringe solo show was selected as one of the Top 10 Comedy Shows by Amused Moose. Martin Walker asks about Luke's 2014 offering.

The Mark Dolan three minute interview

Are you fed up with corrupt politicians, bloody wars and those long queues at Primark? Mark Dolan gets it sorted in his new show for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, unveiling his 'revolutionary' manifesto for a better world...

The Mark Simmons three minute interview

Last time he was in Edinburgh Mark Simmons got mugged. Good news: they got put away. Bad news: they're probably out now and his stupid face is plastered all over town saying where he'll be and when. Please why not come to his Edinburgh Festival Fringe show - they're less likely to attack in a crowd.

Tom Basden interview

As Holes opens in London, the playwright talks about the loneliness of standup, his affection for his characters and having a plane-crash comedy open at the time of a real air disaster.

Ten internet stars

Ten Fringe acts who became famous online.

Fringe Q&As: Axis of Awesome

In the second of our new series, Axis of Awesome tell us about their Fringe show, craziest on stage experience and what makes them laugh.

Publicising a new comedy club & write an press release

At the weekend, I went to see Pull The Other One club owners Martin and Vivienne Soan. Their daughters appeared to be wearing lampshades. This sounds rather odd but actually looked rather trendy.

Edinburgh Fringe preview: Wild Car Kitty

TPR caught up with Wild Card Kitty to talk about her new show.

Edinburgh Fringe preview: Jonny Awsum

TPR chats with Jonny Awsum about his first solo Fringe show.

Edinburgh Fringe preview: Charlie O'Connor

Fringe newcomer Charlie O'Connor gives us the lowdown on his first trip to the Fringe.

New impressions feature in Dead Ringers revival

The impressions show will return to Radio 4 with the new Doctor and Sherlock up for ridicule alongside the residents of Downton Abbey.

White male comics have a head start in this race

Ola on how the industry marginalises comedians when punters don't.

Latitude Review: Simon Amstell

Amstell's set was a shortened version of the show he will be touring in the autumn. It’s painfully funny, but, boy, does he plough a furrow to death.

Latitude review: Angela Barnes

Angela Barnes is making being a single, childless thirty-something hilarious.

Latitude review: Aisling Bea

Aisling Bea is the victim of hate crime. Or so she feels, as an Irish woman having been booked to perform on an afternoon of twenty-something degree heat.

Latitude review: Eric Lampaert

The beauty of Lampeart’s act is the shambling impulsiveness of it all; when you’re as naturally funny as he is, it really doesn’t matter whether he’s on topic or not.

Interview: Nancy Dell'Olio on her Fringe debut (Link expired)

From pioneering WAG to Strictly dancer, Nancy Dell'Olio is always centre stage. But in her Fringe debut she promises to go beyond the glitz, writes Janet Christie.