BCG Daily Friday 11th September 2020

News

Features

Press clippings

The News Quiz. Image shows from L to R: Nish Kumar, Angela Barnes, Andy Zaltzman

Andy Zaltzman: Impartiality is difficult in comedy

Last week the BBC's new director-general, Tim Davie, used his introductory speech to stress the importance of impartiality - prompting articles asking whether the corporation's comedy was impartial enough. Zaltzman's response is characteristically thoughtful and level-headed. "Impartiality is a difficult thing in comedy, because I don't know how you define it. In a sense, what is being sought is a balance of partialities. You can't have all the comedy being neutral - you need to balance the opposing views." That balance is "clearly needed", he says - and he's working hard to make sure The News Quiz has "a balance of pundits - politically, geographically" (though he can't yet confirm who will appear in future episodes).

Tristram Fane Saunders, The Telegraph, 11th September 2020

The Duchess. Katherine (Katherine Ryan). Copyright: Netflix

The Duchess, Netflix review

Katherine Ryan's determination to shock quickly wears thin.

Michael Hogan, The Telegraph, 11th September 2020

The Duchess is one for the middle class mums

The Duchess feel more like a mashup of millennial favourites rather than a truly original comedy.

Alicia Lansom, Refinery 29, 11th September 2020

The Duchess, Netflix review

Whenever Katherine enters the frame, she lights it on fire.

Euan Franklin, Culture Whisper, 11th September 2020

Juliette Burton. Copyright: Steve Ullathorne

Comedians indoors getting creative: part 26

This week includes new output from Juliette Burton.

Funny Women, 11th September 2020

Kiri Pritchard-Mclean interview

Kiri Pritchard-Mclean isn't afraid to find humour in a difficult subject.

Metro, 11th September 2020

The Duchess review

Maybe it will take a second series to emphasise what is so obviously great about this comedy, and to exorcise what so obviously isn't.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 11th September 2020

Damned. Al Kavanagh (Alan Davies). Copyright: What Larks Productions

Just Ignore Him by Alan Davies review

In his fiercely honest memoir, the actor and comedian confronts the painful bereavement and abuse he endured as a child.

Fiona Sturges, The Guardian, 11th September 2020

This Country. Image shows from L to R: Kerry Mucklowe (Daisy May Cooper), Lee 'Kurtan' Mucklowe (Charlie Cooper). Copyright: BBC

Daisy May Cooper names baby after Michael Sleggs

The actor and writer - who will appear in the next series of Taskmaster - has called her newborn Jack Michael Weston. His middle name in honour of Sleggs, who died of heart failure in July last year at the age of just 33.

Chortle, 11th September 2020

The Duchess. Image shows from L to R: Olive (Katy Byrne), Katherine (Katherine Ryan). Copyright: Netflix

The Duchess review

The comic deftly plays an uber-bitch single mother in this semi-autobiographical Netflix series - though there is little nuance behind the unapologetic laughs.

Lucy Mangan, The Guardian, 11th September 2020

Shaparak Khorsandi. Copyright: Heathcliff O'Malley

Shappi Khorsandi on online and live comedy

Virtual gigs are very different. Leaving my pyjama bottoms on during a show is no match for the buzz of walking into the club or the theatre.

Shappi Khorsandi, The Independent, 11th September 2020

Gavin & Stacey. Image shows from L to R: Nessa (Ruth Jones), Gavin (Mathew Horne), Stacey (Joanna Page), Smithy (James Corden). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions

Gavin & Stacey fans face agonising 10-year wait

Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones has warned fans they face an agonising 10-year wait for Series 4.

Jill Robinson, The Sun, 11th September 2020

Katherine Ryan interview

The Duchess is a sitcom for families with 'funny Shapes'.

Eleanor Stanford, The New York Times, 11th September 2020

Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast. Jonathan Ross

Jonathan Ross on his ITV Comedy Club

"I was growing increasingly concerned, as lockdown carried on and theatres and comedy clubs weren't re-opening, that young comedians had nowhere to work, so weren't earning any money."

Victoria Wilson, What's On TV, 11th September 2020

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

9am
25 min

No More Jockeys

Set 1, Episode 14 - Set 1, Game 14

Set point: Horne. Alex has six victories, Mark has five and Tim still remains on two. Will Horne finally win the first set of No More Jockeys?

9:45am
15 min

Ramble Book

Episode 5

Comedian and podcaster Adam Buxton explores the final days of his father's life with tenderness, insight and wit.

10:45am
15 min

Prostrate

Episode 5 - Start Making Sense

At the moment of truth - and with Lenny's help - will Tony's life finally start making sense?

11:30am
30 min

Mr Muzak

Series 2, Episode 3 - Just Say No

Pav has booked Nigel and Rachel as the headline act at the Letchington Arts Festival. Or so he claims. While Stan attempts to find a disguise to enable him to attend without fear of being spotted, Nigel is left wrestling with his growing feelings for Rachel, the challenge of writing original material for the gig and his unfortunate physical reaction to camping. A reaction for which festival organiser Allegra has the perfect herbal remedy.