BCG Daily Friday 28th August 2015
News
Features
Press clippings
Rated or dated: Blackadder II
The revival of chatter about a new Blackadder series has sent Standard Issue back to the first four. OK, three of them because, well, you know. First up, Hannah Dunleavy looks at the second coming of the English nobleman.
Hannah Dunleavy, Standard Issue, 28th August 2015The Nicholas Parsons system
It had only a brief run at the Pleasance this year, closing on Sunday August 16, but the 15th year of Nicholas Parsons' Happy Hour in the courtyard's Cabaret Bar was only curtailed because the 91-year-old star of the airwaves and the West End stage had other matters on his Edinburgh agenda.
Keith Bruce, The Herald, 28th August 2015Sarah Kendall on why her show is her darkest yet
"My show this year is called A Day In October and it's definitely got a much darker underbelly than anything I've done in the past", says Sarah Kendall.
Sarah Kendall, The Herald, 28th August 2015Fringe Q&As: Tom Neenan
Tom Neenan on Ozzy Osborne and his rider.
The Herald, 28th August 2015Awards and a very offensive act at the Fringe
At yesterday's Grouchy Club the star of the previous show in the room, gentlemanly Peter Michael Marino, gallantly went to kiss our Jewish comedy princess Arlene Greenhouse's hand. Unfortunately, her hand twitched and hit him in the face. Late last night, he was still nursing a bruised lip.
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 28th August 2015Reviewer review: Alun Evans (Scotsgay)
At first it seems that Alun Evans' reviews are not very good. They seem like very matter-of-fact, unexceptional and literal pieces of prose. And then you remember that this is exactly what reviews are supposed to be like, and that you (and probably everyone else) has been ruined by the review-as-self-expression. The creative writing approach to criticism - love me as I demolish this guy - is now so ubiquitous that we notice its absence far more than we're aware of it thrusting its crotch in our faces.
Billy Coconuts, FringePig, 28th August 2015Reviewer review: Dave Coates (The List)
Dave Coates is one of those reviewers who, like a teacher at a long-established school, wants everyone to try their best. And he wants them to be cheerful about it. Jack Barry, for example, "seems self-aware enough that his mis-steps suggest a performer in the middle of a promising learning process". Coates could have added "Will grow into a fine young man".
Edmund Rumania, FringePig, 28th August 2015'I wish Put A Dick In Her Ear was a real song...'
Baba Brinkman chooses his comedy favourties.
Baba Brinkman, Chortle, 28th August 2015Ten cheap places to eat in Edinburgh
Bat-Fan James Wilson-Taylor watches the pennies.
James Wilson-Taylor, Chortle, 28th August 2015My Edinburgh: Gyles Brandreth
Gyles Brandreth began his career as a children's TV show host before going on to become a Conservative MP, starring as a fictionalised version of himself in That Mitchell and Webb Look and often appears in Countdown's Dictionary Corner.
Charlotte Lytton, The Times, 28th August 2015ITV boss refuses to rule out possible Cold Feet revival
Peter Fincham says talks always ongoing regarding relaunches of 'past glories' such as Poldark, and calls scheduling of X Factor and Strictly 'a game' to BBC.
Tara Conlan, The Guardian, 28th August 2015Jack Whitehall lands Hollywood movie role
Jack Whitehall has landed a lead role in Hollywood movie Mother's Day.
Katy Forrester, The Mirror, 28th August 2015Jimmy Carr review
You've got to admire the master of the pithy putdown, someone who can take complete control of an audience of 500 plus without a crack in his persona.
Graham James, Bournemouth Echo, 28th August 2015McIntyre's plans to extend his £5.6million mansion
Michael McIntyre has been blasted by conservation experts over his plans to transform his £5.6 million London mansion. According to a planning application submitted to the local council, McIntyre wants to 'enclose' a first floor terrace at the rear of the six-bedroom home to create a 'larger study area'.
Daily Mail, 28th August 2015Jack Whitehall infographic: everything you need to know
As his sitcom spin-off The Bad Education Movie hits cinemas, we crunch the posh-boy comedian and Fresh Meat star's numbers.
The Guardian, 28th August 2015Industry beats comics in golf showdown
The comedy industry team beat a team of comics in this year's Mackenzie Taylor Memorial Cup, which was played at Edinburgh's Duddingston Golf Club.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 28th August 2015This week's best Edinburgh comedy
Previews of Ivo Graham, Joseph Morpugo and The Pin.
James Kettle, The Guardian, 28th August 2015FringePig: missile warning
Its been a great August for the Mumble this year - but it just wouldn't be the same without vitriolic nobheads FringePig having their annual pop at comedy reviewers.
Mark 'Divine Calvert', The Mumble, 28th August 2015Fringe 2015 - Lights! Camera! Improvise!
The cast of the three night show at The Pleasance have just arrived in Edinburgh in recent days, and The Edinburgh Reporter met with two of them this morning.
Phyllis Stephen, The Edinburgh Reporter, 28th August 2015Hal Cruttenden draws on family life experiences
The comic, who grew up in London, includes stories about his wife and two teenage daughters in his stand-up routine.
John Dingwall, Daily Record, 28th August 2015Interview: Angela Barnes, Come As You Are
A chat with Angela Barnes.
Hannah Whitcombe, Fresh Fringe, 28th August 2015Interview: Patrick Monahan, The Disco Years
A chat with Patrick Monahan.
Hannah Whitcombe, Fresh Fringe, 28th August 2015Danny Baker: People assume I'm hiding some dark secret
While the irrepressibly upbeat presenter's talents have earned him a shelf full of awards, his willingness to speak his mind often lands him in hot water.
Alasdair Glennie, The Guardian, 28th August 2015Thank-you letters to their fringe venues
As the Edinburgh festival staggers to the finishing line, comedians contemplate their cramped but comforting stage homes for the past month.
The Guardian, 28th August 201510 years of Tories allows decent political comedy
Political comedy used be an orthodox, tub-thumping affair. Today, it's a far subtler art, with Nish Kumar, Sheeps, Stewart Lee and Ahir Shah all reinventing the form.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 28th August 2015Your weekend schedule from Punchline x
It's the final weekend of the Edinburgh Fringe! Maybe you've had a long week at work, maybe you're through for the weekend. A lot of our top 10 shows sold out long ago, and some (not all!) of the Foster's Award nominees' shows have been snapped up... so what to see? We've put together a cracker of a schedule of shows that you may still get tickets for if you're quick! (Tickets still available when this article was published)
Punchline UK, 28th August 2015Seven questions with... The Jest
The group are renowned for expertly combining humour with elements of horror and disgust and this has seen them get to the final of the New Acts of the Year Award earlier this year.
Becca Moody, Moody Comedy, 28th August 2015Fringe Q&As: Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho
Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho says her show is like the Iron Lady but with dance...
The Herald, 28th August 2015Fringe Q&As: Ivo Graham
Ivo Graham discusses flags and punchlines...
The Herald, 28th August 2015Fringe Q&As: Charlie Baker
Charlie Baker discusses Rob Roy and why Scotland has "everything"...
The Herald, 28th August 2015Fringe Q&As: Yianni
Yianni discusses playing Countdown against Rachel Riley and Fringe memories...
The Herald, 28th August 2015Fringe Q&As: Kevin Day
Kevin Day talks the history of Edinburgh and Scottish humour...
The Herald, 28th August 2015Fringe Q&As: Angela Barnes
Angela Barnes on her show Come As You Are.
The Herald, 28th August 2015Solo Fringe shows to make you forget monologues
This year's festival has been dominated by one-person shows, but the best ones make you forget you're watching a monologue at all, says Mark Fisher.
Mark Fisher, The Scotsman, 28th August 2015What Would Spock Do? interview
Rachel chats to Sam (Artist) and Jon (Writer & Director) about all things Star Trek. Including toupees, Spock Vs Captain Kirk and their all-time favourite Star Trek moments.
Rachel Male, Black Diamond, 28th August 2015The ape man cometh: Aaaaaaaah! review
It's also a real pleasure seeing so many of 'our lot' working together on a project like this. Proof, if any were needed, that they are a group bound by a shared love of what can best be described as creatively out there. And thank goodness for that!
Mog, The Velvet Onion, 28th August 2015I don't like comedy, but I do love it
With the Edinburgh Fringe coming to a close after another record year live comedy could yet survive crumbling economies and global terrorism. Liam J Stratton shares why he has thrown his life away making people laugh.
Liam J Stratton, Chortle, 28th August 2015The craziness of Lance wins top bribe prize
Welcome to the crazy world of Pete Marino's newest creation Lance, a celebrity obsessed showman and chat show host. Against all the odds Lance, who has just completed his 24 day run at the Edinburgh Fringe with his show Late With Lance at The Counting House has picked up his first ever award for The List's prestigious Bribe of the Week.
The Edinburgh Reporter, 28th August 2015Three to see on 29 Aug
Three recommended shows for Friday at the Edinburgh Festival 2015.
ThreeWeeks, 28th August 2015Piff the Magic Dragon on how a tiny dog helped him
It's been a remarkable year for John van der Put. Better known by the moniker Piff the Magic Dragon, van der Put has gone from relative obscurity to a household name in the US.
Jill Castle, The Herald, 28th August 2015Phil Jerrod on the Fringe, freebies and Batman (Link expired)
Comedian Phil Jerrod answers some quickfire Fringe-related questions and takes us to some strange places inside his head - from cork-lining the #WOWwagon to his thoughts on the best Batman.
Alex Watson, WOW247, 28th August 2015Videos
Podcasts
TV & radio

Sisters
Series 1, Episode 2As the nervous host of a radio phone-in show, Fiona needs Susan's help. But as Fiona's confidence grows, she begins to cause a stir at the station. Has Susan created a monster?

Dead Ringers
Series 15, Episode 3Topical impressions show that offers a satirical take on politics, media and celebrity. Featuring Jon Culshaw, Debra Stephenson, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod and Duncan Wisbey.

Would I Lie To You?
Series 9, Episode 5This week the guests are Clare Balding OBE, Rhod Gilbert, Nick Grimshaw and Rob Delaney.

8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
Series 6 (C4: 7), Episode 16Jimmy Carr hosts a new edition of the panel game, with Sean Lock and Sara Pascoe who take on Jon Richardson and Josh Widdicombe. Susie Dent is joined by Alex Horne & The Horne Section in Dictionary Corner, while Rachel Riley looks after the numbers and letters.

The Last Leg
Series 6, Episode 10Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker are joined by Katherine Ryan.

Mountain Goats
Episode 3 - DogJimmy loses Bill's favourite dog, Tom Jones. Jimmy then loses Bill and the team go on a mountain rescue for one of their own.

Sunny D
Episode 1 - PilotDane needs his salary if he is ever going to break away from his privacy-free home life, but he is desperate to follow his dream. Driven on by personal ambition, the support of his girlfriend Nicola and best friend Sam, today could finally be the day when everything is about to change.