BCG Daily Wednesday 14th July 2021

Have claims of the death of comedy been exaggerated?

On Radio 4's Taboo, Kate Copstick invited comedians to debate the impact of cancel culture - and even considered changing her mind.

This Way Up is back with even more meaningful laughs

Following Áine as she reacclimatised to London life, the series showed her reckoning with her reliance on others as well as what the future might hold post-rehab.

OFITG latest show to be hit with woke warning

The episode - titled Love And Death - sees Victor (Richard Wilson) and wife Margaret (Annette Crosbie) go on holiday to Bournemouth. They are told by two guests that there are midgets in the bathroom, but thinking they said midges, Victor bursts in there with bug spray. Instead Victor - whose catchphrase is "I don't believe it", finds two half-naked dwarves, who are part of a theatre show. It is offensive to use the word midget in reference to people with dwarfism.

Aisling Bea is ready to feel better now, please

The This Way Up writer and star on the difficult second series, Love Island as a writing tool and rediscovering stand-up.

HCG to publish two companion titles to Sex Education

Hachette Children's Group will publish two official companion titles to Netflix's Sex Education this autumn, including a non-fiction guide to relationships and a YA novel.

Sacha Baron Cohen wins legal battle with US politician

A US politician has lost his attempt to sue Sacha Baron Cohen after the British comedian used a fake paedophile detector device on him in a TV show. Baron Cohen duped former US Senate candidate Roy Moore into appearing on his 2018 US satirical show Who Is America?

Geoff Norcott: thoughts about the loss of baby daughter

Geoff Norcott, comedian and TV presenter, has shared with Sands his thoughts about his baby daughter Connie, who died seven years ago in July 2014.

This is the first time Geoff has written about his loss and hopes this will help other bereaved men to reach out and find support that's right for them.

Theatre review: The Comeback, Noel Coward Theatre

Comeback is definitely the right word here. This had barely opened in December before it closed due to lockdown. Now, this piece that started out as a modest Edinburgh Fringe show way back in 2018, returns for another short run in a big West End theatre.

Deborah Frances-White on gaslit women leaving UK

Female creatives in Britain such as Gina Yashere and London Hughes are less likely to be allowed to create original dramas and comedies than men. So they are heading off across the Atlantic.

This Way Up review

Created and written by comedian Aisling Bea, it's been compared to hit series Fleabag. But we think you should put all unfair comparisons to the side, and accept this comedy series for what it is - sometimes sweet, sometimes sad, and often funny.

This Way Up series two review

TV so good it's indistinguishable from magic.

This Way Up series two review

An even funnier, kinder and more heartbreaking return.

This Way Up season 2, Channel 4, review

The sibling dynamic has shifted, but Bea and Horgan are still magic.

Ronnie Corbett's Lost Tapes, review

An affectionate tribute that brimmed with love.

Life as Big Keith from The Office

Ewen MacIntosh reflects on his defining role.