British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Wednesday 8th September 2021

News

Peter Kay Shop

New Peter Kay autobiography and audiobook

Peter Kay has recorded an audiobook of his bestselling first autobiography, The Sound Of Laughter, for the very first time. Including two new chapters, it will be published later this month. The comic has also revealed he has begun work on a third volume, charting his TV career.

Lynn Ruth Miller People

Stand-up Lynn Ruth Miller dies aged 87

Lynn Ruth Miller, the oldest working comic in Britain or her native US, has died at the age of 87. She had been diagnosed with cancer in July.

Burnistoun. Image shows from L to R: Robert Florence, Iain Connell. Copyright: The Comedy Unit Film

Burnistoun set for film return

Burnistoun is set to return, as a film focused on the characters Peter and Scott. Robert Florence and Iain Connell have confirmed to British Comedy Guide they've begun work on a feature-length spin-off of their cult sketch show.

Deirdre O'Kane TV

Comedians film stand-up sets for Sky's The Deirdre O'Kane Show

Tom Allen, Ardal O'Hanlon and Reginald D Hunter are among the comedians appearing on Sky's new stand-up showcase, The Deirdre O'Kane Show.

We Are Lady Parts. Image shows from L to R: Momtaz (Lucie Shorthouse), Bisma (Faith Omole), Amina (Anjana Vasan), Ayesha (Juliette Motamed), Saira (Sarah Kameela Impey). Copyright: Working Title Films TV

Comedies in the running for Edinburgh TV Festival Awards 2021

Bloods, Brassic, Motherland, Starstruck, Trying and We Are Lady Parts are amongst the nominees for the Edinburgh TV Festival Awards 2021.

Max And Paddy's Road To Nowhere. Image shows from L to R: Paddy (Paddy McGuinness), Max (Peter Kay). Copyright: Phil McIntyre Entertainment TV

Max And Paddy to return?

Paddy McGuinness has suggested that Max And Paddy's Road To Nowhere, the Channel 4 sitcom he starred in with Peter Kay, may return. Two Christmas specials have already been written.

Features

Outnumbered. Image shows from L to R: Ben (Daniel Roche), Pete (Hugh Dennis), Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey), Karen (Ramona Marquez), Sue (Claire Skinner). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions Quiz

British Comedy Quiz #170

Tony Hancock, Two Pints Of Lager and Just A Minute... as always, there's a wide range of topics to test you!

Press clippings

The Cleaner. Paul 'Wicky' Wickstead (Greg Davies)

Life according to... Greg Davies

Greg Davies talks about working with a great actress, strangers shouting at him in the street, and cleaning up blood and gore.

Stevie Gallacher, The Sunday Post, 8th September 2021
Only Fools And Horses. Image shows from L to R: Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), Del (David Jason), Grandad (Lennard Pearce). Copyright: BBC

OFAH archive found on 40th anniversary

Hundreds of previously unseen photos taken during the filming of Only Fools And Horses have been unearthed in the BBC Archive.

BBC, 8th September 2021
The Holden Girls: Mandy & Myrtle. Image shows from L to R: Myrtle (Leigh Francis), Amanda Holden

Mandy & Myrtle: 'the worst show ever made'

Viewers are calling comedy 'beyond doubt the worst show ever made'.

The Independent, 8th September 2021
Harry Secombe. Copyright: BBC

Sir Harry Secombe: Treasure trove shared on centenary

One hundred years ago today, entertainer Sir Harry Secombe was welcomed into the world.

BBC, 8th September 2021
Janey Godley

Godley apologises for 'horridly offensive' past tweets

Janey Godley has apologised for "horridly offensive" social media posts after they surfaced online. The comedian said her profession was "no excuse to use disgusting and hurtful words".

Angus Cochrane, The National (Scotland), 8th September 2021
Sex Education. Image shows from L to R: Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa), Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey), Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield). Copyright: Eleven Film

Sex Education Series 3 review

The beloved spunky show is starting to buckle under its own weight.

Emily Baker, i Newspaper, 8th September 2021
Phil Wang

Big Comedy Night review

Laughter proves a powerful medicine for London.

Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 8th September 2021
Paul Chowdhry. Copyright: Avalon Television

New tour for Paul Chowdhry

Paul Chowdhry has announced a new 22-date tour, called Family-Friendly Comedian... although the subtitle explains: no children.

Chortle, 8th September 2021
Roy Chubby Brown

Chubby Brown: Sheffield cancellation backed by council

A council leader has said his authority "wholeheartedly" supports a venue's decision to cancel a show by comedian Roy "Chubby" Brown.

BBC, 8th September 2021
The Holden Girls: Mandy & Myrtle. Image shows from L to R: Myrtle (Leigh Francis), Amanda Holden

The Holden Girls: Mandy & Myrtle review

The whole show seems to have been built around the pun that The Holden Girls sounds a bit like The Golden Girls. Yet the result never even matches that mediocre standard. But you can at least say Holden is consistent. This is just as bad as her BBC comedies Big Top (rating 3.3/10 on IMDB) or Mad About Alice (3.4) - both long-forgotten, and for good reason.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 8th September 2021
Only Fools And Horses. Image shows from L to R: Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), Del (David Jason), Grandad (Lennard Pearce). Copyright: BBC

Only Fools And Horses: does it stand the test of time?

First shown 40 years ago today, the classic sitcom's first episode flirted with some risque humour but at its heart were family and love

Benji Wilson, The Telegraph, 8th September 2021
Lynn Ruth Miller

R.I.P. author/comic Lynn Ruth Miller...

Regular readers will know of the unique, seemingly indefatigable and gloriously multi-talented US comic Lynn Ruth Miller, an occasional and much-admired contributor to this blog.

John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 8th September 2021
Sean Lock. Copyright: Off The Kerb

Sean Lock tribute graffiti appears in Northampton

An tribute to comedian Sean Lock, who tragically died from cancer aged 58, has been spray painted in Northampton town centre.

Will Jefford, Northants Live, 8th September 2021
Scott Agnew

Scott Agnew being treated after heart attack

Scott, from Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, is believed to be in a stable condition but his loved ones have described him as feeling "extremely lucky".

Ryan Carroll, Daily Record, 8th September 2021
Magic Goes Wrong

Magic Goes Wrong review

Magic Goes Wrong delivers all the mayhem and madness you would expect from Mischief Theatre without ever dazzling or pulling any rabbits from hats.

Phil Goodwin, The Reviews Hub, 8th September 2021
Groan Ups. Image shows from L to R: Charlie Russell, Nancy Zamit, Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, Jonathan Sayer

Review: Groan Ups - Sheffield Lyceum

Many laughs are there to be found and an attempt at some tender dramatic storytelling will certainly stoke viewers nostalgic tendencies. A school days jaunt in September may just be the outing for you!

Charlotte Broadbent, The Reviews Hub, 8th September 2021
The Holden Girls: Mandy & Myrtle. Image shows from L to R: Myrtle (Leigh Francis), Amanda Holden

Inside the very secret life of Amanda Holden's 'nan'

He's delighted fans with his slapstick turns as Keith Lemon, but now comedian Leigh Francis is rumoured to have taken on a new role as Amanda Holden's "nan".

Catriona Graffius, The Sun, 8th September 2021

Back To Life doesn't give us what we want - but it's OK

There is so much about Back To Life that is absurd, but its handle on the many-headed, long-tendrilled shape of heartache is intensely recognisable.

Abby Robinson, Digital Spy, 8th September 2021

The scene that made the BBC take OFAH seriously

Batman and Robin; the chandelier; Trigger's broom. The Trotter clan has given us 40 years of unforgettable moments - but one stands out.

Tom Fordy, The Telegraph, 8th September 2021

Videos

Yiannis Vassilakis Online

A Song For Emily

19 secs

A musician has a song for Emily...

The Russell Howard Hour. Image shows from L to R: Iain Stirling, Russell Howard. Copyright: Avalon Television TV

The Russell Howard Hour - The US vs UK News Coverage Of The Taliban

1 mins, 23 secs

Russell has a look at how the US and UK had slightly different approaches when covering the Taliban news...

Virtually Everything. Shaparak Khorsandi. Copyright: Comic Relief Online

Virtually Everything - Shaparak Khorsandi Reveals Royal Obsession

6 mins, 39 secs

Discover how Shaparak might have instead become Dr Khorsandi the vet, and her childhood obsession with The Queen. We also learn why she loves to befriend people at bus stops, how an ex-street dog from Romania keeps her up at night, and how she'd fail miserably at a 24-hour sponsored silence for Comic Relief.

Sex Education. Image shows from L to R: Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa), Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield). Copyright: Eleven Film Online

Sex Education - Series 3 Trailer

2 mins, 39 secs

"We grow older. We grow stronger. We grow together."

Podcasts

Me1 versus Me2 Snooker with Richard Herring. Richard Herring

Me1 vs Me2 Snooker with Richard Herring: ESLOSPS #11

57 minutes

Eraser - It's all hotting up now isn't it and tonight's frames could put the pretty kitty amongst the pigeons or basically crown the champion with 6 frames to play....

RHLSTP with Richard Herring. Image shows from L to R: Tessa Coates, Richard Herring, Stevie Martin

RHLSTP with Richard Herring: RHLSTP 344 - Stevie Martin & Tessa Coates

57 minutes

#344 Send in the Clones - It's season 22 melon-farmers and we're back at The Leicester Square Theatre where we belong and Rich has had no sleep and may not...

TV & radio

Facebook 12pm
9 min
Bad Advice With Olga Koch. Olga Koch

Bad Advice With Olga Koch

Episode 7 - Tia Kofi

Olga Koch is joined by Drag Race UK's own Tia Kofi!!

CITV 5pm
15 min
The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud

The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud

Series 2, Episode 19 - Cheesy Dreams

It's bedtime, and Dave has eaten a cheesecake that was not meant for him - finding himself stuck inside a cheesy dream with the rest of the Spuds, the only way to escape is to admit what he has done and confront his cheesy guilt.

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC 5pm
Almost Never. Image shows from L to R: Harry (Harry Still), Nate (Nathaniel Dass), Oakley (Oakley Orchard). Copyright: Saltbeef TV

Almost Never

Series 3, Episode 9 - Fashion Victims

A fallout between The Wonderland pushes Nate closer than ever towards Sasha's solo offer. Nate and Chloe go on a date, while Tyra organises her first fashion event.

CITV 5:15pm
15 min
The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud

The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud

Series 2, Episode 20 - Krustee Sloth

Anna and Dave are building a toy sloth from the parts given away free with every Bran Cran Krustee cereal box - when finally complete, their toy ends up bigger than Grimsby Heights, and Dave and Anna must find a way to keep it under control.

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
My Teenage Diary. Rufus Hound

My Teenage Diary

Series 10, Episode 4 - Joe Thomas

Rufus Hound's guest is Inbetweeners star Joe Thomas. Joe was a keen cub scout who loved rules and sometimes got his mum to write his diary for him.

Comedy Central 9pm
60 min
Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains. Kiell Smith-Bynoe. Copyright: Rumpus Media

Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains

Series 2, Episode 4

Josh Widdicombe, Clare Balding and Kiell Smith-Bynoe share their most mortifying teenage tales with Rhod Gilbert.

Sky Comedy. Copyright: Sky 10pm
30 min
Code 404. Image shows from L to R: DI John Major (Daniel Mays), Kelly Major (Anna Maxwell Martin)

Code 404

Series 2, Episode 3

Major and Carver are assigned an investigation into reports of a dangerous new drug used in an underground MMA fight ring.

Absolute Radio 11pm
5 min
Shaun Keaveny

Rockanory

Episode 3 - Status Quo And The Kangaroo, Part 3

In the 1970s, in the Australia outback legendary rock combo Status Quo's tour bus hit a kangaroo. What happened next (as they say) will shock you.

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