British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Thursday 19th August 2021

Features

BCG Pro

Press clippings

Kurupting The Industry: The People Just Do Nothing Story. Allan Mustafa. Copyright: Roughcut Television

Allan Mustafa: 'Everything I did, I failed at'

As the beloved BBC pirate radio series leaps onto the big screen, its co-creator talks about his David Brent obsession, his journey from wayward teen to Bafta-winning telly phenomenon and why Kurupt FM's American version never worked out...

Louis Chilton, The Independent, 19th August 2021
Taskmaster. Rhod Gilbert. Copyright: Avalon Television

Rhod Gilbert lands his first major acting role

Rhod Gilbert has landed his first major acting role, playing Nye Bevan, the Welsh socialist minister who masterminded the NHS. He takes the role in a new audio drama, Getting Better, which is set in 1948, when the health service was being formed.

Chortle, 19th August 2021
Karen Koren

Show may be reduced but it still goes on - Karen Koren

It's the second week of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It may not be the same as the last Fringe in 2019, but there are live shows on and there are audiences coming to see them.

Karen Koren, Edinburgh Evening News, 19th August 2021
The Russell Howard Hour. Russell Howard. Copyright: Avalon Television

Russell Howard on cancel culture not existing in comedy

"There's no battle between the woke and the traditional".

Sharon Lougher, Metro, 19th August 2021
Katharyn Henson

Katharyn Henson on her wild year and love of the Fringe

Thought you had a tumultuous pandemic? Wait till you read this!

Chortle, 19th August 2021
People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan. Image shows from L to R: Decoy (Daniel Sylvester Woolford), DJ Beats (Hugo Chegwin), Steves (Steve Stamp), MC Grindah (Allan Mustafa), Chabuddy G (Asim Chaudhry). Copyright: Roughcut Television

People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan review

Fails to deliver on its eastern promise.

Damon Smith, The Irish News, 19th August 2021
Dave Cohen

How to build a sitcom in eight weeks

Since lockdown I've been running a series of courses designed to help you speed from nought to first draft. To write a sitcom in eight weeks flat.

Dave Cohen, Dave Cohen's Blog, 19th August 2021
Sean Lock. Copyright: Off The Kerb

Sean Lock was a master of his craft

His stand-up routines were fast-paced and inquisitive about the ever-changing world, and Sean was just the right side of edgy with outrageous remarks that never held an ounce of malice.

Laura Denby, Radio Times, 19th August 2021
Rachel E Thorn

Q&A with Fringe performer Rachel E Thorn

"Making people literally yelp with laughter is just magical"

Chortle, 19th August 2021
Rob Auton

Live review: Rob Auton - The Time Show

Funny, charming and with moments of unexpected warmth, The Time Show isn't at all a bad way to spend 60 of your precious minutes.

Harry Alexander, Comedy To Watch, 19th August 2021
Jon Culshaw

Review: Dead Ringers Live - London Wonderground

The show may start hesitantly, but that soon fades, and by the time Dead Ringers has filled its hour, comes a reminder of why, 21 years after the series' first creation, it remains a source of great comedy.

Scott Matthewman, The Reviews Hub, 19th August 2021
Michael Barrymore

Suspect in Barrymore pool case released without charge

A man arrested on suspicion of the murder and indecent assault of Stuart Lubbock at the home of entertainer Michael Barrymore has been released without charge. Mr Lubbock, 31, was found unconscious in the comedian and TV presenter's pool in Roydon, Essex, in March 2001 following a party.

BBC, 19th August 2021
Joe Lycett's Got Your Back. Joe Lycett

Joe Lycett's Got Your Back review

This retro-style magazine show is only occasionally diverting but it does contain some intriguing investigative nuggets.

Anita Singh, The Telegraph, 19th August 2021
15 Storeys High. Vince Clark (Sean Lock). Copyright: BBC

15 Storeys High, the sitcom gem tossed away by the BBC

The late comic's minor-key masterpiece was his 'obsession', says his co-writer. Yet it was shunted off-screen by a Bill Oddie badger watch.

Tom Fordy, The Telegraph, 19th August 2021
Sean Lock. Copyright: Off The Kerb

Sean Lock remembered by Aussie performer Matthew Hardee

The British comedian Sean Lock died of cancer on Monday, aged 58. I remember him in the 1990s as highly intelligent, a very very funny stand-up and, most of all, a kind man unspoilt by any discernible ego. I don't think he changed when he became successful. Here, Australian performer Matthew Hardy pays tribute to Sean...

Matthew Hardy, John Fleming's Blog, 19th August 2021
Sean Lock. Copyright: Off The Kerb

Sean Lock was sitting on £3million fortune when he died

Sean Lock had filed his accounts just last month which revealed that he was sitting on over £3.8million prior to his death, which was confirmed by his agent on Wednesday,

Will Stone, Daily Star, 19th August 2021

Billy Connolly Lego figures to be sold for charity

Buchanan Galleries has unveiled a collection of custom-made mini-figures of Billy Connolly, using real Lego pieces, all in the name of charity.

The National (Scotland), 19th August 2021

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

Radio 4 2:15pm
30 min
Cyril Nri

Angst!

Episode 4 - Poster Girl

A third-generation Londoner of Caribbean heritage is forced to take part in a virtual reality game in order to win the ultimate prize - British citizenship. Victory lies within her grasp - all she has to do is complete the levels. Simple, right? Unless there's more to the game than meets the eye.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 8pm
60 min
Joe Lycett's Got Your Back. Image shows from L to R: Sophie Duker, Joe Lycett

Joe Lycett's Got Your Back

Series 3, Episode 1

The comedian returns to investigate consumer rights and fight for justice. In this first edition of a new run, guest AJ Odudu shares her tips for how to be a good complainer and helps Joe as he takes on the massive issue of plastic waste. Plus, comedian Sophie Duker investigates rat-run traffic fines and regular contributor Mark Silcox pits Coke against Pepsi in the ultimate scientific test.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 9pm
60 min
Billy Crystal

Comedy Legends

Series 4, Episode 3 - Billy Crystal

Barry Cryer pays tribute to comedian and actor Billy Crystal, whose films include When Harry Met Sally, Throw Momma From The Train and City Slickers.

ITV2 logo. Credit: ITV 10:05pm
30 min
Buffering. Instructor Rick (Joel Dommett). Copyright: Avalon Television

Buffering

Series 1, Episode 4

Iain meets up with an old friend and accidentally ends up in a throuple. Plus, Ashley attends a boxercise class with Thalia and inexplicably invites Robbie.

BBC Scotland channel. Copyright: BBC 10:30pm
30 min
Edinburgh Unlocked. Mark Nelson

Edinburgh Unlocked

Series 1, Episode 1

Kirsty Wark talks to The Scummy Mummies, Mark Nelson meets Shaparak Khorsandi and highlights some of the best Fringe shows available to watch online; Jamie MacDonald meets Amelia Gann and Rosco McClelland makes some weird recommendations. Rachel Jackson seeks the best of the Fringe as a single girl.

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