BCG Daily Thursday 23rd December 2021
Features
Features
Press clippings
Kojo Anim interview
"I've been a comedian for 20 years and writing Christmas cracker jokes is the hardest because they're supposed to be silly."
Emma Magnus, My London, 23rd December 2021
The Times view on comedy in the age of cancel culture
Causing offence is the basis for much comedy, not a reason to cancel it.
The Times, 23rd December 2021
Interview: Nathan Foad on writing Newark, Newark
Newark, Newark writer Nathan Foad talks exclusively about new Gold TV comedy sitcom filmed in town of same name.
Dan Churcher, Newark Advertiser, 23rd December 2021
Dan Antopolski on the cancel culture debate
I asked comedian Dan Antopolski his views on the matter and he sent over this articulate, eloquent and personal and occasionally provocative response. I think it's well worth a read...
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd December 2021
Lost Voice Guy interview
From the comedy circuit on Tyneside, to Britain's Got Talent stage, to a prime-time Christmas special - it's been a whirlwind few years for Consett comedian Lee Ridley.
Katie Cole, ITV, 23rd December 2021
Joe Lycett: 'All I want to do is wind up boring grey people'
In 2021, the comedian took on Shell, battled Hugo Boss and became the nemesis of Peppa Pig. He talks about taking over as Channel 4's Travel Man - and the three-year-long stunt he's about to unveil to the world.
Alim Kheraj, The Guardian, 23rd December 2021
LadBaby slammed by Cassetteboy over Christmas track
Electronic music and comedy duo Cassetteboy - who have achieved success with viral parody videos of celebrities such as Alan Sugar and David Cameron - have branded LadBaby 'completely f***ing oblivious to the causes of food poverty,' after Mark Hoyle hit out at The Kunts' anti-Boris Johnson Christmas track.
Emily Bashforth, Metro, 23rd December 2021
The night a stand-up saved my life
Three years ago, NHS nursing assistant Sarah Hughes, below, reluctantly went to a comedy gig, despite suffering severe depression. It was a night that was to change her life, as she describes in her own compelling words...
Sarah Hughes, Chortle, 23rd December 2021
Relax, Maureen Lipman - 'offensive' comedy is in rude health
The 77-year-old actress suggests that comedians everywhere are self-censoring - but the reality on stage and screen is very different.
Tristram Fane Saunders, The Telegraph, 23rd December 2021
Ghosts Christmas special review
Charles Dickens knew ghosts made the perfect Christmas characters... and now the spookily successful BBC sitcom has followed suit.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 23rd December 2021
Ghosts Christmas Special, BBC1, review
For three series Ghosts have spoiled us with family entertainment that never patronises. This festive edition was a reminder of the true meaning of the festive season.
Julia Raeside, i Newspaper, 23rd December 2021
Ghosts Christmas special review
The Jennifer Saunders cameo is utterly perfect.
Chitra Ramaswamy, The Guardian, 23rd December 2021
Hansel and Gretel: After Ever After, Sky Max, review
David Walliams's cancel culture gripes soured this panto.
Julia Raeside, i Newspaper, 23rd December 2021
Shazia Mirza: Cancel culture is a myth
Maureen Lipman is the latest to claim humour is under threat. I think that's a joke in itself.
Shazia Mirza, The Guardian, 23rd December 2021
Ghosts Christmas special 2021 review
It's hard to be too critical about the latest Ghosts Christmas special. On the one hand, the brand new episode comes in relatively light on big laughs, which is disappointing given the strong third series we enjoyed earlier this year. Instead, the ensemble sitcom focuses on ramping up the 'aww factor' for a story all about showing kindness to those in need. With this in mind, giving it any less than three stars would be enough to get me visited by three spirits in the night - even if the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
David Craig, Radio Times, 23rd December 2021
TFI Friday set to be reborn with Joe Lycett
He was forced to cancel the debut of his show Mummy's House Party because of the pandemic. But fans of Joe Lycett will be pleased to know the programme will be returning in the spring.
The Sun, 23rd December 2021
Bernard And The Genie: 1991 Richard Curtis sleeper is a Christmas cracker
Lenny Henry, Rowan Atkinson and Alan Cumming star in a fantasy-comedy that's a rollicking tale of good versus evil.
Elizabeth Quinn, The Guardian, 23rd December 2021Videos
Online
TV
TV & radio
6:30pm30 min
The Tim Vine Chat Show
2021 Christmas SpecialTim pulls a cracker with the Great British Public and delivers a sleigh full of Christmas one-liners in this, the festive radio treat that features interviews with the audience as well as Tim's world famous one-liners and songs.
8pm60 min
After Ever After
Hansel & Gretel, Christmas Special - Hansel & Gretel: After Ever AfterThe siblings have escaped the witch's gingerbread house only to learn that their village is being enchanted by a mysterious stranger plying them with sweet treats. Determined to set things right, it's up to Hansel and Gretel to face their worst fears and return to the witch's house for a final showdown.
8:30pm30 min
The Treason TV Show
Series 4, Christmas SpecialThe pre-Christmas edition of The Treason TV Show spin off. Lockdowns via stealth, Omicron, Johnson party scandals, Putin's Taxi's and the Pope all pop up in this topical satirical sketch show that goes where the BEEB fears to tread.
8:30pm30 min
Ghosts
Series 3, Christmas Special - He Came!In the run up to the festive season, Kitty becomes convinced that Santa has made an early stop at Button House when Mike and Alison discover a man living in a tent on their grounds. The ghosts' advice on how to deal with him leaves much to be desired, but eventually Mike and Alison learn that they have more to offer this Christmas than they realised.
9pm60 min
One Night In...
Episode 2 - The Natural History MuseumAisling Bea joins Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe inside one of London's most epic and iconic buildings - the Natural History Museum. The trio are awestruck by the splendour of the building as they scoot through its epic corridors, enjoy a game of hide-and-seek, muck about in the lavish exhibitions and raid the gift shop. While exploring the facility's off-limits areas, they stumble across the strange and spectacular basement Tank Room, housing the gruesome-looking collection of "wet specimens" - a multitude of species preserved in jars of alcohol. This somewhat gothic, creepy experience only increases the trio's giddy delirium.
10pm40 min
Not Going Out
Christmas Special - PantoIt is Christmas and Lee is not happy that Lucy had booked tickets to the pantomime. Especially given the star of the show is Lucy's teenage crush, Jason Donovan.
10pm65 min
I Literally Just Told You
Series 1, Episode 2Jimmy Carr hosts this new game show in which contestants are given every answer with the questions written, literally, as the show is happening.