BCG Daily Thursday 18th September 2014

Radio Times review

Families can be the toughest critics. As Can't Tell... returns for a third series, Grandma Caton is still waiting for award-winning comedian Nathan to get a proper job. This stand-up/sitcom is an odd beast. A hybrid of Seinfeld and Simon Amstell's Grandma's House, it cuts between the West Indian comic's stand-up routines and the domestic squabbles that inspire them.

It's more "endearing" than "laugh-out-loud funny", but Can't Tell... remains a refreshing counterpoint to the rest of Radio 4's comedy output: Caton wryly describes his presence on the station as "a bit like 50 Cent making an appearance on Midsomer Murders."

Meera Syal to star in Broadchurch series 2

Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars writer and actress joins David Tennant, Olivia Colman and the cast of the much-awaited new series of the ITV drama.

Lee Mack show prompts angry mum to demand age limit

A mum wants age restrictions brought in for comedian Lee Mack's shows after she took her 14-year-old daughter to see him at The Hawth and his warm-up act started cracking jokes about paedophilia.

Vikki Stone wants to be 'the Lady Gaga of comedy'

The Royal Academy of Music graduate and former musicals actress really is a one-woman band, with the show encompassing around 20 varied instruments from an egg shaker to a bassoon, and cello to clarinet.

Dan Mitchell: Can epilepsy fuel creativity?

I have found unforeseen bonuses. That shake-up of the mind, that brainstorm (yes, I'm co-opting the term) often gives me strange ideas, vivid images, words connected bizarrely.

Chris Dangerfield: serious heroin problem & a new drug

It is no secret that comedian Chris Dangerfield has a heroin problem. He has talked about it on stage. When I met him yesterday, he was sweating a lot and he had just broken up with his girlfriend.

Rory Bremner: satire's died & audiences are distracted

Rory Bremner laments the death of satire, saying television viewers are "distracted" by the "bread and circus" of The Great British Bake Off and Tumble.

Jongleurs nearly ruined my honeymoon

John Scott has credited Chortle with helping save his honeymoon at the last minute - after we intervened in a dispute over unpaid fees from club chain Jongleurs.

Line up for Women In Comedy Festival 2014 revealed

Running in Greater Manchester from Saturday 11 until Sunday 26 October the 2014 Women in Comedy Festival features more than 80 shows across an incredible 16 venues. The festival is full to the brim with female comedic talent with over 125 acts confirmed including big names such as Jo Caulfield, Zoe Lyons, Janey Godley, Luisa Omielan, Felicity Ward, Jo Neary, Barbara Nice, Kate Smurthwaite, Tanyalee Davis, Dana Alexander and Jo Enright.

Surviving the only 'No' show at the Edinburgh Fringe

Throughout the month I sensed voter fatigue after the nearly two year campaign.

Misfits movie has been shelved

Misfits will likely not receive a movie spinoff, according to cast member Antonia Thomas.

Scotland in a Day, TV review

You've heard the British nations compared to a divorcing couple, but you haven't this pop cultural twist: "The wife's sister's smashed us in the face with a handbag and when that happens, I tell you, it's time to get out of the lift."

Review: Comedy Knights Fresh Comedian Of 2014

Reviews of Don Tran, Alasdair Beckett-King, Matt Smith, Farrell MacKenzie, Dom Lister, Alexis Wieroniey, Dave Green, Joe Sutherland, Jacob Hawley, Philip Simon and Daryl Perry.