British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Tuesday 20th July 2021

News

Press clippings

John Le Mesurier

The story of Joan Le Mesurier's love triangle

Married to one of television's best-known actors - John Le Mesurier, the beloved Sergeant Wilson of Dad's Army - Joan caused a scandal when she plunged into an affair with her husband's closest friend and Britain's most famous comic, Tony Hancock.

Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail, 20th July 2021
Andrew Lawrence

Chesham Comedy Club on the Andrew Lawrence saga

A comedy club in Chesham that cancelled Andrew Lawrence's set following their racist tweets has opened up on the feedback they received.

James Richings, Bucks Free Press, 20th July 2021
Sara Barron

Sara Barron announces new tour

Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee and star of Live At The Apollo Sara Barron will embark on her first ever tour of the UK with 30 performances of her acclaimed show Enemies Closer.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th July 2021
Chewing Gum. Tracey Gordon (Michaela Coel). Copyright: Retort

How sitcoms got less white, less male, and funnier

In the Nineties, British sitcoms hit a dead end. Now, they're where our most exciting and original TV happens.

Tom Nicholson, Esquire, 20th July 2021
James Cary

Climbing the sitcom script mountain

In the last post, we established that writing a spec pilot script is really hard. Why? Because you're trying to do two very hard things at the same time, from a standing start.

James Cary, Sitcom Geek, 20th July 2021
Alan Carr Yap, Yap, Yap!. Alan Carr. Copyright: Open Mike Productions

Alan Carr announces new UK tour

Alan Carr is back on the road with a brand-new stand-up show Regional Trinket.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th July 2021
Deborah Frances-White

Acts announced for online Shedinburgh Festival

Performers include Harry Hill, Mark Thomas, Sikisa, Helen Bauer, Joe Thomas, Rachel Fairburn, The Guilty Feminist and Gary McNair.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th July 2021
John Bishop In Conversation With.... John Bishop. Copyright: Lola Entertainment

John Bishop in car crash

John Bishop was in a shock car crash after he swerved to avoid another vehicle in his Range Rover.

Shan Ally, The Sun, 20th July 2021
R.I.P - Rest In Peace

Joan Le Mesurier obituary

To the wider public Joan Le Mesurier, who has died aged 90, was known for her marriage to the actor John Le Mesurier and her affair with his friend the comedian Tony Hancock. Those relationships were the subject of TV films, books and endless newspaper articles, but they never defined her. Far from being the femme fatale depicted by those who didn't know her, Joan was a woman of limitless wit, generosity and humour.

Mark Olden, The Guardian, 20th July 2021
Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais speaks out against C4's potential sale

"For almost 40 years, Channel 4 has been a launch pad for new ideas and new talent," he wrote on Twitter. "It's been able to do that because of its remit and not-for-profit structure and it would be a real shame if that was destroyed by selling off the channel."

Damian Jones, NME, 20th July 2021
This Country. Kerry Mucklowe (Daisy May Cooper). Copyright: BBC

Daisy May Cooper dumps her husband

She is said to have grown "tired" of her two-year marriage amid the pressure of lockdown.

Ellie Henman, The Sun, 20th July 2021
Graham Linehan. Copyright: Shaun Webb

Graham Linehan joins Women Won't Wheesht protest

Comedy writer Graham Linehan has joined protesters in Scotland campaigning against proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act.

Sara Paciaroni, The Herald, 20th July 2021
Stan Laurel's Glasgow. Stan Laurel

Mural of Stan Laurel brightens Bishop Auckland

A striking mural of Stan Laurel has appeared on wall in a neglected part of a County Durham town - a walk away from where the comedy legend went to school.

Gavin Engelbrecht, The Northern Echo, 20th July 2021

Videos

TV & radio

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC 5pm
30 min
Lagging. Sol (Yoni Bronks). Copyright: BBC

Lagging

Series 1, Episode 1 - Night At The Mall

It's launch night for a brand new game and TEAM SMoRCLe decide to head to the mall and wait for its release.

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
Simon Evans Goes To Market. Simon Evans. Copyright: BBC

Simon Evans Goes To Market

Series 6, Episode 1 - The Super Rich

Simon is joined by Robert Watts, compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List to take a look at the lives and influence of the Super Rich.

Radio 4 11pm
30 min
Fortunately... With Fi And Jane. Image shows from L to R: Fi Glover, Jane Garvey

Fortunately... With Fi And Jane

Series 1, Episode 28 - Thorn Birds And Scouse Diasporas, With Winifred Robinson

Fi and Jane speak to Radio 4 presenter Winifred Robinson. The host of You And Yours gets into some Liverpool analysis with her fellow Merseysider Jane (and Fi too).

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