BCG Daily Wednesday 3rd February 2021

Leicester Comedy Festival is the tonic we need now

Tom Allen, Al Murray, Zoe Lyons and Ed Byrne are among the comedians taking part.

Comedy podcasts round-up 3

No fewer than three comics launch podcasts related to the one thing we can't do - travel.

Review - Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable series 1 episode 1

There is the makings of a good show here, the idea is a decent one and allows the guests to tell stories that you might not hear in your average chat / panel show. But to have any chance of being consistently watchable it would require the titular Giedroyc to be jettisoned and Lou Sanders replaced as the host, and the guests to give stories which haven't been rehearsed to death, along with them being as good and as game as Norton was. As it is this is something which is probably worth waiting for Dave to put the best bits up on youtube rather than sitting through an entire episode and having to witness a fair few painfully dull tales, that or only watch the episodes where the guests are people you're extremely fond of.

Eddie Izzard and Andi Osho join new Netflix drama

Eddie Izzard and Andi Osho have joined the cast of new Netflix drama Stay Close from mystery writer Harlan Coben.

Remembering Captain Tom Moore on Blankety Blank

Captain Tom's role as a contestant on the show in 1983 is arguably the closest he came to fame prior to his fundraising campaign last year.

Chair of Edinburgh Fringe Society Board to step down

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has announced that Professor Sir Timothy O'Shea will step down from his role as Chair of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Board of Directors on 30 March 2021.

Eddie Izzard on people's reaction to her pronouns

'If you're miffed about my pronouns - relax, sit down, and have a cup of tea'.

Creating even better sitcom characters

You need to be creating characters that will run for multiple seasons so the way you set them up is crucial.

Sacha Baron Cohen ties Golden Globes record

While there were several double Golden Globe nominations this year for actors and actresses, Sacha Baron Cohen is in rare form earning three noms, tying with Helen Mirren and Jamie Foxx for the most ever by a performer in one year at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association ceremony.

Review - How Did The Gig Go?

Review of a choose-your-own adventure book by comedian Dave Longley.

Ricky Tomlinson trying to overturn conviction

Trade unionists attempting to overturn convictions in a 47-year-long campaign have told the Court of Appeal they were victims of an establishment plot. The 14-strong group, including actor Ricky Tomlinson, say police destroyed evidence, and shadowy security chiefs prejudiced their trial.

Fringe organisers push back deadline for shows

Venues, promoters and producers will be allowed to book in shows just a few weeks before the festival is staged in August - if the Scottish Government give the green light for live events to return this summer.

Katherine Ryan on marrying her teenage crush

She's TV's new comedy queen and is set for Celebrity Bake Off. Now, Katherine Ryan tells the impossibly romantic story of how she married her teen crush . . . 20 years on.

Michelle Keegan's Brassic character gets in a fight

Michelle Keegan's Brassic character shows her fiery side as she gets into a rowdy fight on a boozy hen do.

The 33-year-old's alter ego Erin Croft takes a thumping as she tries to grab a set of keys off a drunk man who wants to drive his car after a night out.

Simon Pegg banned from driving after speeding

Actor Simon Pegg has been banned from driving after being caught doing 63mph in a 40mph zone in his Mercedes electric hybrid.

The Shaun Of The Dead star, 50, was clocked on a North London dual carriageway in January last year, got a fourth speeding ticket in three years.

Gemma Arrowsmith interview

I knew I wanted to write comedy since I first saw Fawlty Towers when I was ten.