British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Friday 18th February 2022

News

High Visibility. Emmanuel Sonubi TV

Comedians pilot high vis vest challenge show

A group of comedians are piloting High Visibility, a hidden camera show based on the theory that you can get away with anything if you're wearing a high vis vest.

Silver Stand Up Competition 2022. Nik Hill. Copyright: Hannah Clark Live

Nik Hill wins Silver Stand Up Competition 2022

Nik Hill has won the Silver Stand Up Competition, the Leicester-based contest for acts over the age of 55.

BBC Radio Fjörd. Image shows from L to R: Lars Larsson (Barney Fishwick), Ulrik Untersson (Will Hislop) Radio

Radio 4 sitcom pilot for Giants' Scandi music duo Fjörd

Comedy duo Giants will pilot a new Radio 4 sitcom in April built around their Norwegian dance music act, Fjörd.

Features

John Osborne Live

First Gig, Worst Gig: John Osborne

From a three-person audience to Radio 4's coveted comedy slot, John Osborne rewinds his performing life.

Men Behaving Badly. Image shows from L to R: Gary Strang (Martin Clunes), Dorothy (Caroline Quentin), Tony Smart (Neil Morrissey), Deborah (Leslie Ash). Copyright: Hartswood Films Ltd Features

30 years of Men Behaving Badly

As the iconic 1990s television sitcom Men Behaving Badly marks its 30th anniversary, we look at what made the series such a phenomenon, speaking to writer Simon Nye and stars Leslie Ash, Valerie Minifie and Martin Clunes.

Simon Nye Features

Simon Nye interview: Men Behaving Badly & 30 years of TV

As Men Behaving Badly celebrates its thirtieth birthday, we chat to writer Simon Nye about the politics of profanity, what it feels like to be a British writer in America and whether his panto writing days are behind him.

Press clippings

The Real Charlie Chaplin. Charlie Chaplin. Copyright: Altitude Film Entertainment

The Real Charlie Chaplin review

Giving us a cheeky glimpse of the proper Charlie.

Brian Viner, Daily Mail, 18th February 2022
Simon Munnery. Copyright: Ed Moore

Review: Alan Parker Urban Warrior Farewell Tour, South Bank Centre

"That was a character, by the way", Simon Munnery reminds the audience at the end of his anarchic, oddly poignant farewell to Alan Parker, the 1980s anarchist punk who remains his most famous creation (sorry, Buckethead fans).

James Of Walsh, Phoenix Remix, 18th February 2022
Josh Cole

BBCS comedy head: genre lines are blurring

Josh Cole considers great writing transcends sub-genres.

Ellie Kahn, Broadcast, 18th February 2022
Mrs. Brown's Boys. Image shows from L to R: Buster Brady (Danny O'Carroll), Grandad Brown (Dermot O'Neill), Dino Doyle (Gary Hollywood), Rory Brown (Rory Cowan), Cathy Brown (Jennifer Gibney), Mark Brown (Pat Shields), Betty Brown (Amanda Woods), Winnie McGoogan (Eilish O'Carroll), Dermot Brown (Paddy Houlihan), Agnes Brown (Brendan O'Carroll), Maria Nicholson / Brown (Fiona O'Carroll). Copyright: BBC / BocPix

How Mrs. Brown joined a US drag-comedy on Netflix

America, watch out - Agnes Brown is coming to get you. TV star Brendan O'Carroll has said it was "awe-inspiring" to join forces with his comedic counterpart across the water, Tyler Perry, in a new movie for Netflix featuring Mrs Brown called A Madea Homecoming.

Melanie Finn, The Independent (Ireland), 18th February 2022
This Is Going To Hurt. Adam (Ben Whishaw)

What frontline doctors think about This Is Going To Hurt

Adam Kay's adaptation of his medical memoir has great reviews. But how accurate is its bloody, barmy vision of life in the NHS trenches?

Alex Diggins, The Telegraph, 18th February 2022
The Real Charlie Chaplin. Charlie Chaplin. Copyright: Altitude Film Entertainment

May put you off Chaplin for ever

I now regret watching this documentary. Not because it's bad (it isn't) but because I know things about him that I wish I didn't. It may even have put me off Chaplin for ever.

Deborah Ross, The Spectator, 18th February 2022
The Duke. Image shows from L to R: Kempton Bunton (Jim Broadbent), Dorothy Bunton (Helen Mirren)

The Duke: A testament to Roger Michell's joyous personality

As the director's last feature - a true-life crime caper - finally opens, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent, Anna Maxwell Martin and more remember the quiet genius of British cinema.

Xan Brooks, The Guardian, 18th February 2022
Peter Rethinasamy

Peter Rethinasamy signs to Off The Kerb

"We are delighted to announce that the newest signing to the Off The Kerb roster is Peter Rethinasamy."

Off The Kerb, 18th February 2022
Bill Bailey

Bill Bailey shares tribute to Sean Lock six months after his death

Lock passed away from cancer in August.

Adam Starkey, NME, 18th February 2022
The Real Charlie Chaplin. Charlie Chaplin. Copyright: Altitude Film Entertainment

The Real Charlie Chaplin review

He's one of the few comedians to whom the word 'iconic' can properly be applied. The cane, the bowler hat, the ill-fitting, threadbare suit and that pencil moustache - you know Charlie Chaplin whether you've seen any of his films or not.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 18th February 2022
David O'Doherty

David O'Doherty announces UK tour

David O'Doherty has announced a new UK tour, Whoa Is Me.

Chortle, 18th February 2022
The Real Charlie Chaplin. Charlie Chaplin. Copyright: Altitude Film Entertainment

The Real Charlie Chaplin, review

Fascinating, but brings us no closer to the man.

Geoffrey Macnab, i Newspaper, 18th February 2022
The Real Charlie Chaplin. Charlie Chaplin. Copyright: Altitude Film Entertainment

Interview with The Real Charlie Chaplin filmmakers

He was a predator and a philanderer - yet Charlie Chaplin remained beloved. James Mottram meets the directors casting new light on the silent movie legend, James Spinney and Peter Middleton.

James Mottram, i Newspaper, 18th February 2022
Jimmy Carr: His Dark Material. Jimmy Carr. Copyright: Netflix

Jimmy Carr fan argues with protestor over Holocaust joke outside comic's gig

Footage has now emerged showing a clash between a ticket-holder and protesters at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge on Wednesday (16 February) night.

Isobel Lewis, The Independent, 18th February 2022
This Is Going To Hurt. Adam (Ben Whishaw)

Ambika Mod defends This Is Going To Hurt against claims of misogyny

Ambika Mod, who plays stressed junior doctor, reacts to criticism that BBC drama disrespects women.

Harriet Sherwood, The Guardian, 18th February 2022
Hot Fuzz. Image shows from L to R: Sgt Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg), PC Danny Butterman (Nick Frost). Copyright: Working Title Films

Adam Buxton trends after falling church spire recalls his Hot Fuzz death

Comedian and podcaster Adam Buxton has been trending on Twitter today after Storm Eunice caused the Spire of St Thomas's Church in Wells, Somerset to come crashing to the ground. For many Buxton fans this echoed the scene in the movie Hot Fuzz in which his reporter character Tim Messenger is killed by a falling spire. Hot Fuzz was filmed in Wells.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 18th February 2022

Videos

East Mode With Nigel Ng. Image shows from L to R: Andrea Valls, Evelyn Mok, Ed Jones Online

East Mode With Nigel Ng - Asian Parent A.I Is Always Watching

3 mins, 57 secs

Need a new smart speaker? Look no further than the Asian Parent A.I! Ready to help you with every single tiny aspect of your life, it's just like living back at home with your parents.

The Nan Movie. Nan (Catherine Tate). Copyright: Warner Film

The Nan Movie - Trailer

2 mins, 28 secs

Catherine Tate's iconic character Nan hits the big screen as she goes on a wild road trip from London to Ireland with her grandson Jamie (Mathew Horne) to make amends with her estranged sister Nell (Katherine Parkinson). Militant vegan arsonists, raucous rugby teams, all night raves and crazed cops on motorbikes all make for a proper day out.

Podcasts

Ally and Herring's Twitch of Fun. Richard Herring

Richard Herring: Ally and Herring's Twitch of Fun: Episode 58 - Biscuit

68 minutes

A physically and mentally drained Richard Herring is glad to see the end of the second series of Twitch Of Fun (we're taking a break, but as long as Ian...

QI

The Comedian's Comedian Podcast with Stuart Goldsmith: Episode 394 - Cally Beaton

63 minutes

Brilliant Cally Beaton swapped the boardroom for the green room, when Joan Rivers convinced her it wasn't too late to try comedy in her forties. From first class air travel,...

TV & radio

Radio 4 11:30am
30 min
Fags, Mags And Bags. Image shows from L to R: Sanjay (Omar Raza), Ramesh (Sanjeev Kohli), Dave (Donald Mcleary), Alok (Susheel Kumar). Copyright: The Comedy Unit

Fags, Mags And Bags

Series 10, Episode 3 - Full Five Pencil Belter

The curator of the Lenzie House of Wax is on the warpath - with Ramesh in her sights.

BBC Radio Scotland 1:30pm
30 min
Breaking The News. Des Clarke. Copyright: BBC Studios

Breaking The News

Series 21, Episode 1

Des Clarke hosts the award-winning satirical news quiz, with Fred MacAulay, Jo Caulfield, Ashley Storrie and Liam Withnail.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 1:45pm
45 min
Shakespeare & Hathaway - Private Investigators

Shakespeare & Hathaway - Private Investigators

Series 4, Episode 5 - Hunger For Bread

Lu infiltrates a local slimming club to discover their secrets, but gets more than she bargained for when she realises her sister is a member.

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC 5:30pm
30 min
Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Gemma Whelan, Ryan Sampson, Tom Stourton

Horrible Histories

Series 9, Episode 13 - Cursed Careers

Rattus considers a career change, and luckily he has the whole of history to look through for ideas. Could he be an inventor like Babbage, or is the pirate life for him?

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
The News Quiz. Andy Zaltzman

The News Quiz

Series 107, Episode 8

Andy Zaltzman is joined by Shaparak Khorsandi, Elis James, Olga Koch and Tim Shipman as they look at the situation in Ukraine, some royal brushes with the law and storms Dudley and Eunice.

BBC One Wales. Copyright: BBC 7:30pm
30 min
TV Flashback. Kiri Pritchard-McLean

TV Flashback

Series 6, Episode 5 - Beliefs

This time Kiri's discovering the different beliefs held by the Welsh nation. From public opinions on Margaret Thatcher to the secret ingredients in making a Welsh outside-half.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 8pm
30 min
Would I Lie To You?. Image shows from L to R: Jamali Maddix, Rosie Jones, David Mitchell, Rob Brydon, Lee Mack, Victoria Derbyshire, Rhod Gilbert

Would I Lie To You?

Series 15, Episode 7

Newsreader Victoria Derbyshire and comedians Rhod Gilbert, Rosie Jones and Jamali Maddix join host Rob Brydon and regular captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack on the comedy panel show.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 10pm
60 min
The Last Leg. Image shows from L to R: Josh Widdicombe, Adam Hills, Alex Brooker

The Last Leg

Series 24, Episode 4

Adam, Josh and Alex are joined by Rose Matafeo and Hannah Waddingham.

Sky Max. Copyright: Sky 10pm
60 min
Dating No Filter

Dating No Filter

Series 2, Episode 2

Kyle and Aziza get their motors running as they head on a fast-paced first date on the go kart track. Will they burn rubber or crash out? Then Hayler and Taylor go back to basics when they head out on a foraging date. Will they find more than just mushrooms and berries in the woods?

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 10:35pm
45 min
The Graham Norton Show. Graham Norton. Credit: So Television, Christopher Baines

The Graham Norton Show

Series 29, Episode 20 - Andrew Garfield, Dawn French, Channing Tatum, Rob Beckett, Johannes Radebe, Natalie Imbruglia

Graham welcomes Oscar-nominated star Andrew Garfield, writer and performer Dawn French, Magic Mike star Channing Tatum, dancer and choreographer Johannes Radebe, top comic Rob Beckett, and singer songwriter Natalie Imbruglia.

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