BCG Daily Wednesday 1st October 2014

Female comics enjoy surge in popularity

Box office receipts for female stand-up comedians in the UK now account for 14% of all sales, up from just 2% in 2009, according to a new Ticketmaster report.

Radio Times review

The adult storybook series continues a strong season with this second tranche of tales. Ben Miller is up first, reading Alexander Kirk's Man's Best Friend, a decidedly weird yarn about a Victorian gent (hilariously acted out by the always brilliant Kevin Eldon) who transplants the brain of his much-loved dog into the body of a beautiful woman.

Then comes Sue Perkins doing Melissa Bubnic's Return to Sender, a modern tale of a shophaholic called Daisy who meets a kindred spirit - but with disastrous results.

These stories are oddly moral as well as decidedly wacky, and fans will not be disappointed. There is also a Bake Off line inserted into Perkins's story that ices this particular cake very nicely indeed.

Mackenzie Crook: 'I've had to learn to speak up'

Mackenzie Crook talks about Detectorists, his affectionate BBC Four sitcom which salutes the male hobby.

Detectorists: The treasure hunters digging up a fortune

A new BBC comedy revolving around the bizarre world of metal detecting starts tomorrow and has already divided the nation's enthusiasts.

Billy Connolly review

Older, frailer but Big Yin is still a maestro. The show is not the work of a man with a diminished sense of humour - it's classic Connolly, culled from a 50-year career.

Scrotal Recall: don't be put off by the title

Underneath its laddish title is a new comedy with a surprising amount of heart.

Greg McHugh set to fly to LA to discuss remake

Greg McHugh will fly out to Los Angeles this month for meetings with top industry figures to discuss a remake of Gary: Tank Commander for an American network audience.

Simon Munnery: A clever show... pity about the awkward

At the beginning, Munnery ironically claimed that because of its screen-based nature the show was "stadium-ready", but the small audience hurt the atmosphere and Munnery seemed a little thrown by it.

Millie Inbetween shows 'family can come in all shapes'

This comedy series about about a girl whose parents have just split up aims to explore difficult issues - and cross over to adults.

Stars in Andy Murray sketch for Stand Up To Cancer

The former Wimbledon champion will show his funny side in a Stand Up To Cancer spoof where he oversees auditions for roles in the film of his life with Richard Ayoade, Gordon Ramsay, Michael Sheen, Rory McIlroy, Sir Terry Wogan, Pharrell Williams, Britney Spears and many more taking part.

Sue Perkins adds Bake Off joke in Crackanory

Perkins gives a spirited reading of Melissa Bubnic's Return to Sender - a modern story of shopaholic Daisy who meets a kindred spirit called Zara but with disastrous results. But there is also a line neatly inserted into the tale about The Great British Bake Off that ices this particular cake very nicely indeed.

Stephen Fry: What a conceited coke head

Stephen Fry's latest book reads (amid the crass name-dropping) like a love letter to a class A drug. Why is such a talented man such a lout?

Cast rehearse Neville's Island

Rehearsal photos have been released for the upcoming West End transfer of Tim Firth's comedy. Leading the cast of Angus Jackson's production are Adrian Edmondson, who is reprising his performance as Gordon from the original run in Chichester, Miles Jupp, Neil Morrissey and Robert Webb.

Katherine Ryan interview: "Celebrity is a religion now"

With spots on Mock the Week and Live at the Apollo, you've almost certainly seen Canadian-turned-Brit Katherine Ryan on your TV in the last few years.

Britain's female comedians have never had it so good

The number of people buying tickets has increased by 700 per cent since 2009. But stand-up Natalie Haynes explains why it's still a tough gig.

York's alternative comedy solution

A new comedy club is to open its doors in York later this month.

Billy Connolly review - Big Yin is still a maestro

The show is not the work of a man with a diminished sense of humour - it's classic Connolly, culled from a 50-year career.

Den Of Geek book club: Silent Comedy by Paul Merton

This month's non-fiction film choice in the Den Of Geek book club is Paul Merton's Silent Comedy.

What we know about the new Dad's Army movie

Other recognisable British thespianss being lined up for parts include Richard Wilson, playing another member of the Home Guard, and roles have also been set aside for Michael Gambon and John Hurt.

Toast's not going stale

Matt Berry says he wants to keep making Toast Of London - as he's got plenty of ideas that haven't been used yet.

20 odd comedy facts courtesy of QI

The latest QI book - 1,441 Facts To Knock You Sideways - is packed full of off-the-wall information. Here were present 20 of the snippets related (even if loosely) to the world of comedy contained therein...