BCG Daily Wednesday 9th September 2020
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Comedy just needs to be funny; nothing more to it
After Tim Davie's comments about left-wing comedy on the BBC there has been a slew of opinions from comedians about what comedy should and shouldn't be. A common theme is the ridiculous notion that it must "punch up" and attack people in authority in order to function as comedy. Punching up is a mantra spoken in reverential whispers by people who cannot accept the existence of laughter beyond their own sensibilities. In my experience people who hold hard and fast rules about comedy tend not to be very funny. The only requirement of comedy is simple: make someone laugh.
Joe Hullait, The Times, 9th September 2020
Simon Evans: No such thing as right-wing comedians
The truth is that the vast majority of comedians are apolitical, borderline-sociopathic narcissists.
The Spectator, 9th September 2020
Lockdown comedy: How coronavirus changed stand-up
For many stand-up comedians performing in front of an audience, seeing their reaction and responding to it is a fundamental part of a gig. But when coronavirus restrictions came in many stand-ups found themselves not only without a live audience but also without a venue. BBC Click's Spencer Kelly finds out more about how comedians kept the jokes flowing.
Spencer Kelly, BBC, 9th September 2020
Muriel trio breaks record with new BBC Three sketch
A new clip from sketch trio Muriel has broken the record for the most views on BBC Three's 'quickies' Facebook and Twitter strand.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 9th September 2020
Stunning portraits of stellar stand-ups
From Ken Dodd and his tickling stick to Nina Conti and her monkey, Guardian photographer Tristram Kenton has snapped a host of superb comedians on stage.
Tristram Kenton, The Guardian, 9th September 2020
Interview: Katherine Ryan
"Landing a man is not the greatest thing that can happen in your life".
Marianka Swain, i Newspaper, 9th September 2020Comedy gigs to continue following latest announcement
While there is not a lot of clarity, as it stands it seems as if gigs can still take place and that these new regulations only apply to social gatherings. So as long as gigs stick to the current performance guidelines they should be able to go ahead.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 9th September 2020
Katherine Ryan is dead right about cancel culture
The comedian denounced it as 'holier-than-thou' and said it 'doesn't offer progress'.
Spiked, 9th September 2020
Review: Phil Ellis Is Trying - Series 3
Phil Ellis is unlikely to ever become embroiled in a debate about the politics of comedians on the BBC. Instead, his returning Radio 4 series Phil Ellis Is Trying offers an almost timelessly absurd type of humour that can only work on radio, unconstrained by reality.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 9th September 2020A Very British Pastime: The Commuting Life
In the week that work commences on HS2 and the UK Government tries to ramp up rhetoric encouraging people to get back to the office, Esyllt Sears finds the absurdity of 'the commute' perfectly encapsulated in a recent article from The Times.
Esyllt Sears, Wales Arts Review, 9th September 2020Videos
Online
Podcasts
TV & radio
9:45am15 min
Ramble Book
Episode 3Comedian and podcaster Adam Buxton explores the connections and disconnections between parents and their children.
10:45am15 min
Prostrate
Episode 3 - My Guide To All Things ProstrateTony is faced with baffling choices in the Land of Prostate.
11:30am30 min
Jack & Millie
Series 2, Episode 2 - A Terrible Hoo-HaJack meets an unwanted old friend, Melvin gets hot under the collar, Delphine makes a French joke and Shirley and Millie get an unexpected buzz.
2:15pm45 min
Trust
Series 1, Episode 3 - A Surgical HeadThe biggest success in Quays Academy Trust is Lodestone Academy. This formerly failing school has been spectacularly turned around by Surgical Head Kayleigh Britton. But when East Salford's financial manager is loaned out to help with the books she uncovers some interesting details.
4:50pm10 min
Go Jetters
Series 3, Episode 40 - Funky Fireflies, Selangor River, MalaysiaA trip to see fireflies becomes a rescue when Xuli and Glitch get stuck in a swamp.
6:30pm30 min
Phil Ellis Is Trying
Series 3, Episode 1 - Billy Bonker And The Cup A Soup FactoryWhen Phil and Johnny discover golden sachets in their Cup A Soup packets, they embark on a fantastical tour of the Cup A Soup factory hosted by reclusive owner Billy Bonker (Mark Lamarr), who is opening the gates for the first time in 40 years.
9pm60 min
Comedy Game Night
Episode 2Joining Liza in her larger than life living room are Ellie Taylor, Luisa Omielan, Sophie Duker, Richard Blackwood, Dev Griffin and John Thomson.
10pm30 min
Two Weeks To Live
Episode 2Kim faces her dad's killer in an epic showdown while Jay tells a disapproving Nicky that he plans to propose to his girlfriend, Beth. As Kim appears battered and bloody from the fight, having learned from Jimmy that the world is not about to end, she confronts Nicky who comes clean with disastrous consequences.
11pm
Woof - Chris Neill
Woof - Honest Mistakes From Home And Abroad, Episode 4 - Parakeet FrenzyChris has an unexpected encounter with a wild bird which puts his friend 's woeful love life into perspective. If you love something - give it a banana?