British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Tuesday 30th September 2014

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Features

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Press clippings

QI: meet the people who know it all - before Fry does

It's Christmas 2014. Stephen Fry, the host of QI, wears three tasteful poinsettia flowers on his lapel. On set, glittery snowmen flank the panel. Behind the scenes Carrie Fisher, a guest panelist, feeds her dog Gary a stuffing ball from the turkey buffet. Well, it's not actually Christmas -- it's summer 2014 and ice-cream weather outside.

Alex Hardy, The Times, 30th September 2014

Hail the Pajama Men: the Velvet Underground of comedy

Without being a household name, or even having a TV show, this double-act have influenced an entire generation of comics.

Brian Logan, The Guardian, 30th September 2014

Radio Times review

It's sports day at Abbey Grove School and fearsome South African PE teacher Preet (a brilliant Harry Peacock) returns to make Alfie's life a total misery. All the running and jumping enables Jack Whitehall to show what a good physical comedian he is, as Alfie gets pummelled and pursued by the amorous, psychotic newcomer. There's the additional embarrassment of having his Dad (Harry Enfield) on hand.

This is predictable and silly comedy, but there's a charm and warmth at its heart (especially in Alfie's solicitousness towards his students) that carries the day. The boy's an idiot, but at least he's a nice, funny one.

Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 30th September 2014

Rhod Gilbert gets warm reception as new Buzzcocks host

After five series of guests in the hot seat, Never Mind The Buzzcocks finally has a permanent host again - and it seems he's gone down pretty well.

Daniella Graham, Metro, 30th September 2014

At last, a spot of good news for satirists

The liberation of copyright for parody and satire was conveyed beautifully by the BBC interviewing a man wearing a cassette tape on his head.

Ally Fogg, The Guardian, 30th September 2014

Comedy criticism: Where did it all go wrong

Spencer Brown on the over-intellectualising of stand-up.

Spencer Brown, Chortle, 30th September 2014

Dapper Laughs On The Pull - review

The terrifying aim is to create more men like the titular geezer himself; a vain, sleazy pick-up guy who sees women as little more than 'gash' or 'vadge'.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 30th September 2014

The top ten comedy shows this month

There's an overwhelming number of comedy shows to choose from in London. Our advice? Buy tickets to any of the ten shows we recommend and you'll have a cracking time.

Time Out, 30th September 2014

BBC rapped over Florence Nightingale sketch

The BBC Trust has criticised Horrible Histories for giving the impression that Florence Nightingale was racist.

BBC News, 30th September 2014

TV preview: Detectorists, BBC4

The tone is so understated it is almost hard to call this a comedy, but in the first scene-setting episode one can see the makings of a lively comic narrative.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 30th September 2014

TV preview: The Revolution Will Be Televised, BBC3

So what do you do when you've mercilessly mocked Britain's most famous politicians and their security teams have probably got pictures of you as their smartphone screensavers? Pretty obvious really. You do what Sacha Baron Cohen did when Ali G's pranks made him too recognisable over here and head to the USA.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 30th September 2014

Toast of London Series 2 - spoiler free review

As Matt Berry's Steven Toast prepares to return to Channel 4 for another slice of the absurdist luvvie caper, we take a sneak peak of what is in store...

Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 30th September 2014

Gervais releases studio version of David Brent song

In preparation for his new film Life on the Road, The Office creator has released a studio recording of "Slough" - his very particular tribute to his home town...

Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 30th September 2014

Tony Jones interview

The Detectorists star Toby Jones, 48, talks betrayal, guilt - and what happened when he met Bruce Springsteen.

Jane Graham, The Big Issue, 30th September 2014

QI could open a school to encourage playful learning

The creator of QI, the hit BBC trivia show, has said that the show could one day open a school to spread its playful learning philosophy into education.

Alex Hardy, The Times, 30th September 2014

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
Lewis Macleod Is Not Himself. Lewis Macleod. Copyright: BBC

Lewis Macleod Is Not Himself

Episode 3

Impression-based sketch show that looks behind the scenes at the life and work of star impressionist Lewis Macleod.

Sky Living logo. Copyright: Sky 9pm
60 min
Mount Pleasant. Image shows from L to R: Dan Johnson (Daniel Ryan), Lisa Johnson (Sally Lindsay). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

Mount Pleasant

Series 4, Episode 3

In Bradley's absence, Greg visits Tanya's home under the pretence of fitting a new kitchen.

U&Dave channel logo 10pm
60 min
Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish. Dave Gorman

Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish

Series 2, Episode 4 - Poogle

The award-winning comic opines on life's little oddities, including micro-chipped cats, over-familiarity in coffee shops, self-driving cars, QR codes and cybersquatting.

BBC Three 10pm
30 min
Bad Education. Image shows left to right: Miss Gulliver (Sarah Solemani), Cleopatra (Weruche Opia), Rem Dogg (Jack Binstead), Chantelle (Nikki Runeckles), Stephen (Layton Williams), Alfie (Jack Whitehall), Grayson (Jack Bence), Jing (Kae Alexander), Joe (Ethan Lawrence), Fraser (Mathew Horne)

Bad Education

Series 3, Episode 3 - Sports Day

It's Abbey Grove sports day. Fraser has hired the most inappropriate new sports teacher to oversee events - Preet.

Radio 4 11pm
30 min
Kevin Eldon Will See You Now. Kevin Eldon

Kevin Eldon Will See You Now

Series 2, Episode 3 - Escarpments

If you've ever been abducted by an alien, had an idea for a novelty tea towel or simply love escarpments, then this is the show for you. It's also the show for you if you don't have any of the afore-mentioned qualifications.

Comedy Central Midnight
30 min
The Alternative Comedy Experience. Image shows from L to R: Josie Long, David Kay, Stewart Lee, Henning Wehn, Simon Munnery, Paul Sinha, Phil Nichol, Tony Law, Paul Foot. Copyright: Comedy Central

The Alternative Comedy Experience

Series 2, Episode 12 - Charity

Uncharitable comedian Henning Wehn is joined tonight by Stephen Carlin, Josie Long, science geek Helen Arney and quiz show supremo Paul Sinha. With interviews from the charitable comedian Stewart Lee.

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