BCG Daily Monday 6th October 2014

Bill Bailey review

It's a rare beast that can please the masses while remaining uncompromisingly intelligent, but the unfailingly affable Bill Bailey is that creature.

Chris Martin interview

Chris Martin hopes those coming to see the new tour realise they are in for a night of comedy rather than music, and the comic says he has a few ambitions for life post-tour.

Graham Norton: My drunken escapades

He has always been open about his love of alcohol. So much so that Graham Norton has dedicated an entire chapter to his drinking antics which once saw him fall asleep against a lamp-post following a night out.

Paul Merton interview

No stranger to tragedy as well as comedy, Paul Merton reflects on how he only learnt of his parents' pride in him after their deaths.

Will Self: Vic & Bob cut my best jokes

Will Self has claimed that Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer cut his best lines from hit BBC quiz show Shooting Stars.

Radio Times review

The toga-clad comedy about three idiotic and hormonal lads in ancient Rome continues with Stylax (Joel Fry) finding a male admirer in the public latrine - and Grumio (Ryan Sampson) getting very sick after fishing out an apple from the same cesspit and eating it. Will Marcus (Tom Rosenthal) pay for a doctor to cure him - or will he pray to the goddess Hygea with the sexy Cynthia? Like it isn't obvious.

A shamelessly rude and puerile TV date that will once again divide viewers between the haters and those like me who have acquired the taste.

The satirical, secretive genius behind Dapper Laughs

A spoof article looking at the man behind Dapper Laughs.

Why Peep Show led one American to love British comedy

I have had a Twitter account - @thejohnfleming - since March 2009 but, honestly, I have never got the hang of it. Nonetheless, people follow me - only 2,026 at the moment, but every little helps. Naomi Rohatyn started to follow me last week. Her profile says: "Wildly unsuccessful comedy writer in LA. Aspiring to become wildly unsuccessful comedy writer in London."

Sarah Millican interview

"When my husband has finished in the bathroom, I go in to powder my shit and the floor is like a leisure centre changing room: all wet and pants. The sinks are swimming."

Jason Cook on his new stand-up show, life after Hebburn

"During Hebburn I slept for three hours a day for three years. It takes its toll on you."

Angela Barnes: the salty stand-up

Championed by the BBC, fellow comedians and her own dad, who inspired her debut show, this rising comic specialises in heartfelt funnies.

Comedians plan to form 'trade union'

Comedians have mooted the idea of forming a union to fight against clubs who hold up their payments.

Liam Williams explains capitalism

Read the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated comic's completely comprehensive guide.

Just Like That! The Tommy Cooper Show review

This avalanche of jokes and magical flubs can be exhausting, and John Hewer wisely employs musical interludes to add variety.

Meet new host Rhod Gilbert

A short interview with Rhod Gilbert.

Sarah Parish talks about W1A

You might think working on a spoof documentary about the BBC would be a bundle of laughs - but according to Sarah Parish, the mood on set at Twenty Twelve sequel W1A was more akin to a dentist's waiting room...

A comedy show about finding your dad

Newcastle's Live Theatre is welcoming back Ian Mclaughlin's debut show, Good Timin', from Wednesday 15 to Saturday 25 October.

Jim Davidson called me a 'gobby woman'

I asked him "you surely can't dislike someone for getting your CV wrong?" But he could and he did. I left the party at that point, as I felt silly, I felt embarrassed.

Learn how to be a stand-up comedian?

Trying to be funny in front of a room full of strangers is nothing to joke about.