British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Tuesday 12th April 2022

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Derry Girls. Image shows from L to R: Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Saoirse-Monica Jackson: A private Channel 4 wouldn't make Derry Girls

TV programmes like Derry Girls "would never get made" if Channel 4 was to be privatised - according to one of the stars of the show.

Jordan Kenny, BBC, 12th April 2022
Joe Pasquale

What a calamity! Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em turned a bit of trouble into comic bliss

As the hapless Frank Spencer, Michael Crawford brought a light touch to the classic 70s sitcom but the stage version with a game Joe Pasquale feels creakier.

Brian Logan, The Guardian, 12th April 2022
Hullraisers. Image shows left to right: Rana (Taj Atwal), Toni (Leah Brotherhead), Paula (Sinead Matthews)

Hullraisers is the celebration of Northern working class women we deserve

TV shows about the London middle classes are far more common and decidedly less harrowing, from Motherland to Catastrophe, Fleabag to This Way Up. When it comes to portrayals of northern working class women, we've been short-changed in terms of both quantity and authenticity - until now.

Becky Burgum, Refinery 29, 12th April 2022
Bend It Like Beckham. Image shows from L to R: Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), Jules Paxton (Keira Knightley)

Bend It Like Beckham: Five reasons the film is still iconic 20 years on

Grossing almost £60m on a budget of £3.5m, it was the surprise hit that told the story of a young British-Indian girl with a passion for football. Bend It Like Beckham explored themes of identity, race, gender, sexuality, religion and immigration and, for many, was a cultural moment that remains timeless.

Miriam Walker-Khan, BBC, 12th April 2022
Hullraisers. Image shows left to right: Rana (Taj Atwal), Toni (Leah Brotherhead), Paula (Sinead Matthews)

Hullraisers review

As one female-led comedy with a distinctive geographical flavour launches its final series, another starts its first. Airing straight after the season three premiere of Derry Girls, Hullraisers follows three working-class women at various stages of their adult journey.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 12th April 2022
Derry Girls. Image shows from L to R: Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Derry Girls cast interviews

Nicola Coughlan, Louisa Harland and Dylan Llewelyn on the final series of Derry Girls.

Adrian Lobb, The Big Issue, 12th April 2022
Hullraisers. Rana (Taj Atwal)

Hullraisers' Taj Atwal on new comedy

"It's not grey and grim up north."

Abby Robinson, Radio Times, 12th April 2022
Derry Girls. Image shows from L to R: Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Derry Girls review - this modern classic goes out on a high

As Lisa McGee's masterclass of a sitcom begins its final season, it comes close to being a model of perfection. It's a bittersweet goodbye.

Rachel Aroesti, The Guardian, 12th April 2022
Hard Cell. Catherine Tate. Copyright: Leopard Pictures

Hard Cell review

Catherine Tate's first attempt at a sitcom is lacklustre.

Rachel Aroesti, The Guardian, 12th April 2022
Derry Girls. Image shows from L to R: Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Derry Girls Series 3 review

Lisa McGee's electric depiction of adolescent monomania is back for one last time.

Nick Hilton, The Independent, 12th April 2022
Derry Girls. Image shows from L to R: Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Derry Girls, Channel 4, review

A break-in, a Hollywood star and plenty of 90s nostalgia.

Ed Power, i Newspaper, 12th April 2022
Derry Girls. Image shows from L to R: Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Derry Girls review: Channel 4's pride and joy

The show's final series is hilariously written and brilliantly acted, with a top-class celebrity cameo thrown in for good measure.

Anita Singh, The Telegraph, 12th April 2022
Derry Girls. Image shows from L to R: Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Derry Girls review

A mix of loud, broad comedy, OTT performances and a mystery guest star.

Pat Stacey, The Independent (Ireland), 12th April 2022
Derry Girls. Image shows from L to R: Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

The oral history of Derry Girls

As the runaway Channel 4 success prepares to wave goodbye with its new series, we talk to all the key players and cast about its legacy.

Daniel Dylan Wray, Vice.com, 12th April 2022
Derry Girls. Image shows from L to R: Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Liam Neeson makes surprise cameo in Derry Girls

Liam Neeson made a surprise appearance in the hit comedy series Derry Girls on Tuesday night. The Oscar-nominated Northern Irish actor, 69, played a police inspector.

Tom Ambrose, The Guardian, 12th April 2022
Hard Cell. Catherine Tate. Copyright: Leopard Pictures

Hard Cell exec Kristian Smith talks tonal shifts on Catherine Tate comedy

Catherine Tate's Netflix comedy Hard Cell is a tonal shift from her previous work, according to exec Kristian Smith.

Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12th April 2022
Sex Education. Olivia Anand (Simone Ashley)

Simone Ashley confirms she won't return to Sex Education

The actress has been making waves as Kate Sharma, one of the main characters in series 2 of Bridgerton, and it's unsurprising that she is choosing to focus on that going forward.

Joe Anderton, Digital Spy, 12th April 2022
Derry Girls. Image shows from L to R: Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Derry Girls interview

'We did the last series for the fans. Our major ambition is to say goodbye to these characters in the way that they deserved'.

Adrian Lobb, The Big Issue, 12th April 2022
Hullraisers. Image shows left to right: Rana (Taj Atwal), Toni (Leah Brotherhead), Paula (Sinead Matthews)

Hullraisers can be the next Derry Girls

This show flies the Hull flag high. And that makes it more than worth its weight in chip spice.

Alex Birdsall, Hull Daily Mail, 12th April 2022

Flo & Joan: Sweet Release review

With their tight, dense lyrics, catchy melodies and witty banter, singing sisters Flo & Joan are clear crowd favourites.

Chortle, 12th April 2022

Videos

TV & radio

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 9:15pm
30 min
Derry Girls. Image shows from L to R: Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan), Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn)

Derry Girls

Series 3, Episode 1 - The Night Before

On the eve of GCSE results day, passions run high but confidence is at rock bottom. A new member of the Quinn household is causing chaos.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 9:45pm
30 min
Hullraisers. Rana (Taj Atwal)

Hullraisers

Series 1, Episode 1 - Night Out

Toni hasn't had a night out since Grace was born and things are getting desperate, Paula's tearing her hair out over Ashley's terrible new boyfriend, and Rana meets up with the Hull City player she met last night - realising too late that he isn't quite what she remembered.

BBC Two 10pm
30 min
The Witchfinder. Image shows from L to R: Matthew Hopkins (Reece Shearsmith), Gideon Bannister (Tim Key)

The Witchfinder

Episode 6

Thomasine and Bannister arrive in Chelmsford - but no longer as travel companions.

Radio 4 11:30pm
30 min
BBC Radio Fjörd. Image shows from L to R: Lars Larsson (Barney Fishwick), Ulrik Untersson (Will Hislop)

BBC Radio Fjörd

Norwegian Euro Dance pop duo Fjörd take up their roles as BBC Radio's Heads of Electronic Music.

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