BCG Daily Thursday 2nd September 2021
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Press clippings
Simon Amstell interview
How the comedian is peeling away the layers of shame.
Paul Glynn, BBC, 2nd September 2021
Geoff Norcott on Mash, comedy and moral certainty
Geoff Norcott on The Mash Report, right-wing comedy and the farce of moral certainty.
Geoff Norcott, The Telegraph, 2nd September 2021
Resurrecting the great British sitcom
British sitcoms, which once formed the heart of our television schedules, are on life support. Yes, there is the occasional special - a Comedy Playhouse, or a Mrs. Brown's Boys at Christmas - but for the most part, sitcoms, in the traditional sense, have largely disappeared. The main broadcasters still say they want to make comedy, but the emphasis across the industry is on single camera pieces. These tend to focus on smaller, more personalised stories - usually writer-performer led - which rarely offer either the longevity or the laughs of more traditional efforts.
Tim Dawson, The Critic, 2nd September 2021
Oliver Double seeks comics' thoughts for book
The Cambridge Companion To Stand-Up Comedy is going to feature 16 chapters written by academics from around the world. As the book's editor, he wants to make sure that comedians' own voices and opinions are represented in it.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 2nd September 2021
UK Kids Comedy Festival 2022 announced
The NHS and the UK Kids' Comedy Festival 2022 are out to prove that laughter is the best medicine for the mental health and wellbeing of young people.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 2nd September 2021
Are present-day politicians too absurd to parody?
As a new series begins, Matt Chorley meets the creators - and puppets.
Matt Chorley, The Times, 2nd September 2021
Greg Davies: Political correctness hasn't ruined comedy
Speaking during a recent Q&A, the Taskmaster star was questioned if political correctness has killed comedy. The comic wasn't so sure as he replied: "No, I don't think so. It depends. This is a debate we can have. It depends very much on your definition of political correctness, doesn't it? But my feeling is, my interpretation of political correctness is just avoiding saying things that are clearly awful."
Fay Watson, The Daily Express, 2nd September 2021
Why the BBC almost changed Dad's Army's title
Dad's Army is an iconic British comedy series that is still beloved to this day, but the show almost had a very different title.
Christian Abbott, The Daily Express, 2nd September 2021
Asa Butterfield interview
'Nobody wants Sex Education to keep going until we're greying'.
Jimi Famurewa, Evening Standard, 2nd September 2021
Mortimer & Whitehouse: most uplifting half hour
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing was the most beautiful and uplifting half hour of the week.
Ian Hyland, The Mirror, 2nd September 2021
Where did it all go wrong for Don Estelle?
Forty years ago, the BBC sitcom It Ain't Half Hot Mum was axed by 'blinkered, nose-bag accountants'. One of its stars would never recover.
Martin Chilton, The Telegraph, 2nd September 2021Face It explores life with a visible difference
We spoke to Miranda Walker, the writer of Face It, and Crystal Marshall, who stars in the piece, about creating the show and representation on screen.
Changing Faces, 2nd September 2021Videos
Online
Film
TV & radio
6am15 min
Face It
Episode 1 - AbbeyAmbitious Abbey is hell-bent on holding back the years and landing a promotion...with some help from Muhammad Ali. But how far will she go for the win?
6am16 min
Face It
Episode 2 - LeonieStraight-talking Leonie is confident her acquired visual difference won't stand in her way. So why does her treatment when she wears a mask move Leonie to tears?
9:45am15 min
Sunshine And Laughter
Episode 4Morecambe and Wise are a success with their new show and now the producer wants to book a musical celebrity for one of the most successful sketches of their career.
6:30pm30 min
Dr Phil's Bedside Manner
Episode 2Dr Phil Hammond visits and performs for the staff and patients at Birmingham City Hospital.
8pm60 min
Joe Lycett's Got Your Back
Series 3, Episode 3Joe is joined by celebrity guest Lorraine Kelly to take on dodgy puppy dealers, and goes on a special mission in Wales to make British wool cool again with the help of some celebrity pals. Rosie Jones investigates faux fur being sold by online retailers and Mark Silcox puts the Whopper and the Big Mac head-to-head in his test lab.
9pm60 min
Comedy Legends
Series 4, Episode 5 - Goldie HawnBarry Cryer reflects on the career of Goldie Hawn who rose to fame on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In before going on to star in Cactus Flower and win an Oscar for her role.
9pm60 min
A League Of Their Own
Series 16, Episode 3Romesh is joined by Micah Richards, Maisie Adam, Josh Taylor and Katarina Johnson-Thompson for another round of Olympic-sized challenges. There's a Danger Sit Up challenge awaiting the teams, they play Higher or Lower with some sporting Cameo messages, and two of the panel must face the Leap of Faith in the final round.
10pm30 min
Buffering
Series 1, Episode 6Iain screen tests for a prime time dating show with Vicky Pattison. Ashley attempts to shut the door on her relationship with Robbie, before Greg's return. Meanwhile Rosie tries to convince Iain and Olivia to finally open up to each other.
10pm60 min
Late Night Mash
Series 1, Episode 1Nish Kumar addresses the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, and Geoff Norcott looks at modern youth. Rachel Parris reports some viewer feedback on the new-look show.
10pm60 min
The Last Leg
The Last Leg Of Tokyo 2020, Episode 10Comedian Ellie Taylor and Paralympic hero Ellie Robinson join the team in the studio, whilst Kerry Godliman joins the boys for some diving.