British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Monday 13th September 2021

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Press clippings

Olga Koch

Olga Koch, Soho Theatre review

Personal, political and playful.

Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 13th September 2021
Alma's Not Normal. Alma Nuthall (Sophie Willan)

Sophie Willan interview

The comedian won a Bafta for the pilot of Alma's Not Normal. Now, as a full series arrives on BBC Two, she talks to Isobel Lewis about the way trauma undermines social mobility, and wanting care-experienced people to feel seen in her show.

Isobel Lewis, The Independent, 13th September 2021
The Holden Girls: Mandy & Myrtle. Image shows from L to R: Myrtle (Leigh Francis), Amanda Holden

Leigh Francis: the laugh excluder who cannot be stopped

The latest offering from Britain's least funny comedian is too much for Ed Cumming. In his latest column, he explores the bewildering truth of Francis' enduring career.

Ed Cumming, The Independent, 13th 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

Netflix's teen drama remains cringingly honest and engagingly heartfelt.

Fiona Sturges, The Independent, 13th September 2021
Lynne Parker

Why it's TIME'S UP on abuse

I set up Funny Women with the intention of creating a safe space for women in comedy and over the last (almost) 20 years I have been saddened by continuing reports of abuse, both mental and physical, from within our industry. What's worse is that many of the victims were told not to tell anybody or talk about it because 'nobody would believe them'. This kind of coercion is fundamental to abuse of all kinds across society so 'times up' on letting the perpetrators get away with it.

Lynne Parker, Funny Women, 13th September 2021

LA-based British actress & comic Tanya Fear missing

British actress, and recently stand-up comedian, Tanya Fear has been reported missing in Los Angeles.

BBC, 13th September 2021
Vikki Stone

Vikki Stone writes debut panto

Musician and comedian Vikki Stone has written her debut panto, a version of Aladdin.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 13th September 2021
Sam Nicoresti

Sam Nicoresti picks his comedy favourites

Sam Nicoresti - a member of the Weirdo's comedy collective and former winner the So You Think You're Funny new act competition - brings his latest show, UFO, to the Soho Theatre later this month. Here he shares his Perfect Playlist of comedy favourites.

Chortle, 13th September 2021
Rich Hall

Rich Hall review

There were tunes, songs, dances and laughter aplenty as a musical touch took over the Stourbridge Comedy Festival.

James Vukmirovic, The Express and Star, 13th September 2021
British As Folk. Image shows from L to R: Fern Brady, Ivo Graham, Darren Harriott. Copyright: STV Productions

British As Folk review

As a trip into corners of the UK that are often overlooked by the media - next week the trio's Mystery Machine rolls up to South Wales - it proves is am amiable, and very watchable, affair.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 13th September 2021
Tanya Fear

LA-based British actress & comic Tanya Fear found

British actress-turned-comedian Tanya Fear has been found in Los Angeles after being reported missing last week.

BBC, 13th September 2021
Alma's Not Normal. Alma Nuthall (Sophie Willan)

Alma's Not Normal, review

Sophie Willan turns trauma into comedy gold.

Michael Hogan, The Telegraph, 13th September 2021
Alma's Not Normal. Alma Nuthall (Sophie Willan)

Alma's Not Normal, BBC2, review

Sophie Willan's comedy is a joyful portrait of the North we rarely see on TV.

Emily Baker, i Newspaper, 13th September 2021
The Russell Howard Hour. Russell Howard. Copyright: Avalon Television

Russell Howard interview

'When your friends realise you're using material on them, it's really awful'.

Tom Ough, The Telegraph, 13th September 2021
Back To Life. Miranda (Daisy Haggard). Copyright: Two Brothers Pictures

Back To Life Series 2 review

Sympathy isn't easily offered to anyone in Back To Life.

Steve Greene, IndieWire, 13th September 2021
After Life. Tony (Ricky Gervais). Copyright: Derek Productions

Ricky Gervais interview

As his hit show After Life nears its finale, Ricky Gervais talks goodbyes, dogs and dark humour.

Susannah Butter, Evening Standard, 13th September 2021

Simon Pegg: I won't direct alcohol adverts

The actor and writer on comedic advertising, K-pop, zombies and more as he signs with RSA Films.

Alexandra Jardine, AdAge, 13th September 2021

East is East review

It is impressive how well Ayub Khan Din's family comedy East Is East has weathered the time. This production celebrates the 25th anniversary of the play's premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and yet it feels just as fresh today.

Diane Parkes, What's On Stage, 13th September 2021

Lyric Hammersmith's Aladdin pantomime cast announced

Casting and creatives have been revealed for the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre's annual pantomime, this year being Aladdin, which opens on 19th November 2021 at the west London venue.

Alex Wood, What's On Stage, 13th September 2021

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

CITV 5pm
15 min
The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud

The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud

Series 2, Episode 25 - Fit Is Fun

The Spuds have been watching strongman competitions on the telly lately and want to become super-strong - the only problem is that none of them are fit. Investing in GritBits to get them moving, the Spuds discover that the devices are faulty and cannot be switched off, so the Spuds now find themselves unable to stop exercising...

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC 5pm
35 min
Still So Awkward. Copyright: Channel X North

Still So Awkward

Episode 8 - Meddle Of Honour

Inspired by hit daytime TV shows, Lily plays cupid for Samson and Ulrika, Seb helps Jeff surprise Meg with an office makeover and Frankie creates an art therapy trail.

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

The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud

Series 2, Episode 26 - Lucky Sausage

Dave helps a local old lady called Tanya, who rewards him by giving him a sausage to say thank you - is Dave imagining it, or does something lucky happen every time he takes a bite?

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
BBC Radio Wales. Copyright: BBC 6:30pm
30 min
Bravo Two Charlies. PC Dennis Babb (Martin Trenaman). Copyright: Giddy Goat Productions

Bravo Two Charlies

Series 3, Episode 2 - Crisis

Grace Bevan and Wendy Williams are feeling the peculiar after-effects of a night on the town while PC Dennis Babb is feeling the after-effects of something altogether different.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 8:30pm
30 min
Ghosts. Image shows from L to R: Lady Button (Martha Howe-Douglas), Captain (Ben Willbond), Mary (Katy Wix), Kitty (Lolly Adefope), Julian (Simon Farnaby), Pat (Jim Howick), Thomas (Mathew Baynton). Copyright: Monumental Pictures

Ghosts

Series 3, Episode 6 - Part Of The Family

While Alison and Mike gear up to make a big investment, the Captain and Kitty work together with the other ghosts to solve an unfolding mystery before it's too late.

Comedy Central 9pm
60 min
The Complaints Department. Sara Barron. Copyright: Monkey Kingdom

The Complaints Department

Episode 1

This week, Jason Manford is joined by comedians Jimmy Carr, Russell Kane, Sara Barron, and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi for a series of hilarious games based on the best complaints from the Great British public.

U&Dave channel logo 10pm
60 min
British As Folk. Image shows from L to R: Darren Harriott, Fern Brady, Ivo Graham. Copyright: STV Productions

British As Folk

Episode 1 - Midlands: Is It All Mundane In The Midlands?

Darren Harriott, Fern Brady and Ivo Graham get stuck into the middle of the country, to discover if the Midlands is really as mundane as the stereotypes suggest.

BBC Two 10pm
30 min
Alma's Not Normal. Alma Nuthall (Sophie Willan). Copyright: Expectation Entertainment

Alma's Not Normal

Series 1, Episode 1 - Feng Suey

After a recent break-up, Alma tries to get her life back on track. But with no job, no qualifications, and a rebellious streak a mile wide, it's not going to be easy. Family life's not ideal either as Alma's heroin addicted mum has been sectioned for arson and her vampish Grandma Joan wants nothing to do with it.

Absolute Radio 11pm
5 min
Shaun Keaveny

Rockanory

Episode 5 - Aporkalypse Sow, Part 1

While shooting a video, Ozzy Osbourne fills a church with live pigs. It doesn't go well.

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