BCG Daily Friday 13th August 2021
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The Watch review
Some escapism from all this harsh reality would be welcome, and Sir Terry Pratchett's blissfully silly Discworld characters ought to be the ones to provide it. But BBC America's ill-conceived adaptation, The Watch (BBC2), fails hopelessly.
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail, 13th August 2021
People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan review
Brentford's doziest pirate radio team star in a fish-out-of-water showbiz satire halfway between The Office and Spinal Tap.
Steve Rose, The Guardian, 13th August 2021
People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan review
The first big-screen outing for Kurupt FM is a worthy follow-up to the brilliance of the TV series.
Patrick Cremona, Radio Times, 13th August 2021
People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan interview
"We take credit for Brentford being in the Premier League".
James Mottram, i Newspaper, 13th August 2021
People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan review
A film version of People Just Do Nothing was in the pipeline a while before filming began in 2019. Sensibly and strategically, the show's creators chose to embark on the big screen follow-up when, at the end of the fifth series of the mockumentary sitcom, the Kurupt FM characters went their separate ways.
Francis Nash, The Upcoming, 13th August 2021
Tom Davis interview
From singing Disney songs in drag to Murder In Successville and BBC One's King Gary.
Adam Sweeting, The Arts Desk, 13th August 2021
People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan, review
This film based on the sitcom is uprorarious, but it doesn't quite work as a piece of cinema.
Robbie Collin, The Telegraph, 13th August 2021
The Watch review
A 2* review of the Terry Pratchett adaptation.
Carol Midgley, The Times, 13th August 2021
The Windsors: Endgame review
The Windsors: Endgame has brilliant acting but content that sadly steps over the line (and I'm not even a Royalist). However, for my sins, I did laugh quite a lot during the first half and so it wasn't all bad!
West End Wilma, 13th August 2021
Laura McMahon interview
Laura McMahon is a former winner of the Edinburgh TV Festival's New Talent Award, while as a stand-up has worked with the Soho Theatre. Her first solo show, One Of The Gals, is currently premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Chortle, 13th August 2021
Simon Evans interview
Simon Evans is one of the most established names at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. He's made numerous TV stand-up appearances, is a Radio 4 panel show favourite and creator of the comedy-economics series Simon Evans Goes To Market for the broadcaster.
Chortle, 13th August 2021
Fern Brady on returning to the Edinburgh fringe
The festival is back - and so are stage fright and self-loathing. But this year's event has been small and beautiful.
Fern Brady, The Guardian, 13th August 2021
Tom Mayhew - Fringe online review
The comic riffs on arts careers and money while playing video games and fending off his spirit animal in a likable show.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 13th August 2021
The Day Today is still funny in fake news era
Armando Iannucci and Chris Morris's satire first aired 27 years ago. These days the media is almost too shameless to satirise, but - as the cast reunite - the show's hilarity remains.
Phil Harrison, The Guardian, 13th August 2021
Joe Thomas interview
Joe Thomas hopes his debut stand-up show will help audiences meet the real person beyond his Inbetweeners character - or show he's a little older and wiser, at least.
Ross Crae, The Sunday Post, 13th August 2021
Becky Fury: C*nt! - online Fringe review
This performance is neither slick nor neatly assembled, but Fury is instantly affable, and her explosively expletive monologue does offer some insightful observations and cheeky word play, as well as a meaty fist of genuine laugh out loud moments.
Geoff Mills, ThreeWeeks, 13th August 2021
Stream It Or Skip It: Philly Philly Wang Wang
There's plenty in this hour that ring the familiar bell of comedians grappling with life as they hit their 30s, although there aren't enough comedians with an Asian perspective on the pandemic and our fears toward it, nor comedians willing to tackle what comedians can talk about without falling into the predictable language traps. For those reasons, Wang particularly stands out.
Sean L. McCarthy, Decider, 13th August 2021
Shaparak Khorsandi: I've just got back from the Fringe
The feel of the festival is very much 'the show must go on'. Audiences pack socially distanced venues, and no one dwells too much on the fact that we have been locked away for so long.
Shaparak Khorsandi, The Independent, 13th August 2021Videos
Online
Online
Podcasts
TV & radio
9am23 min
No More Jockeys
Set 4, Episode 11 - Set 4, Game 12Alex and Tim find themselves tied with four victories each. Can either of them reach set point, or can Mark narrow the lead once more?
11:30am30 min
Breaking The News
Series 19, Episode 9Des Clarke breaks the news with Jim Smith, Janey Godley, Stuart Mitchell & Elaine Malcolmson.
11:30am30 min
Ellie Taylor's Safe Space
Series 2, Episode 2 - ExerciseEllie Taylor has never liked exercise and sets out to convince her studio audience they should avoid it too. Before you judge, hear her out! It's a safe space after all...
6:30pm30 min
Party's Over
Series 1, Episode 3 - Parish CouncilHenry meets a local nemesis as he tries to make some home and garden improvements so Christine steps in with a plan.
9:30pm30 min
King Gary
Series 2, Episode 3 - ConquerorsGary and Stuart head off into the woods for an orienteering trip with their boys, Teddy and Ryan.
10pm65 min
The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan
Series 2, Episode 4The RTS award-winning and BAFTA-nominated comedian and actor chews the fat with big-name guests including David Walliams, Becky Hill, Laura Whitmore and Peter Crouch.