BCG Daily Wednesday 27th April 2022

Shaparak Khorsandi, touring review

The 90s viewed from afar.

Taskmaster: the best of British comedy

Taskmaster is arguably one of the best examples of British comedy in recent years. Its format is simple but clever. The fact that famous comedians are the contestants has meant it has become one of the funniest and most recognisable shows on our screens.

How Netflix hit Call My Agent! turned into the British remake Ten Percent

W1A creator John Morton and a cast that includes Jack Davenport, Lydia Leonard and Prasanna Puwanarajah talk to Olivia Petter about the differences between France and Britain and the 'comedy in the white lies that are told to lubricate the cogs of this industry'.

TV review, Inside No. 9: Mr King, BBC Two

A few days ago Inside No. 9 co-star/co-creator Reece Shearsmith posted this message on Twitter: "I've read a lot of previews that ruin the up and coming episodes ... they just can't seem to help themselves. So if you want our stories to have maximum effect.. I would say don't read anything in advance." So there you have it from one of the people behind the series. Watch the programme, don't read the advance press.

Bill Bailey and Rosie Jones to perform at Jubilee pageant

Bill Bailey and Rosie Jones are to appear at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee pageant, it has been announced.

Comedians 'checking themselves' after Will Smith slap, says Jack Whitehall

Jack Whitehall has said comic award show hosts will be "checking themselves when they write jokes" after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage over a joke he made while presenting an award at the Oscars.

Steve Coogan's Alan Partridge problem

Is Steve Coogan a one trick pony? It's a question that has dogged the Mancunian actor's career ever since his preening Partridge flapped into the nation's affections over thirty years ago. Since then, with a couple of notable exceptions (his turn as Stan Laurel was a triumph), Coogan's projects have been little more than variations on a theme but without the genius of the source material. No matter how hard the actor tries to shake off his past with glossy Hollywood fodder, his polyester-pullovered alter-ego is never far from the surface.

Alan Carr breaks silence on divorce

Alan Carr has revealed the reason behind his divorce from husband of 14 years Paul Drayton.

Julian Clary at the Bloomsbury Theatre review

Adult comedy that makes you giggle like a child.

Alan Partridge: Stratagem: the kind of show Partridge himself would devise

Thirteen years since he last brought the hapless presenter to the stage, Steve Coogan is back - with mixed but at times irresistible results.

Why the 1990s were the last golden age of culture

There is a consensus that the greatest art is created in times of adversity, and yet the 1990s, a period of relative stability, proved that this is not always true.

British comedy blazed in the 90s, the last full decade before social media arrived and made everyone miserable.

Paul Chowdhry on the racial abuse he received growing up

'It was normal to get spat on...'

Alan Partridge: Stratagem review - two hours of tremendous silliness

In a joyful return to the stage, Steve Coogan's deathless alter ego delivers a motivational lecture he keeps on derailing.

Five more stand-ups join the Aberdeen comedy festival

Craig Hill, Colin Hoult, Stephen Bailey, Alun Cochrane and Darren Connell all join.

Inside No. 9 series 7 episode 2 review: Mr King

Inside No. 9 offers a modern take on a longstanding tradition in the delightfully sinister 'Mr King'.

Stewart Lee slammed for called Tunbridge Wells 'arrogant and ignorant'

Stewart Lee says Tunbridge Wells embodies 'arrogance and ignorance' and vows he'll never come here again after a planned Assembly Hall show in May.

Alexandra Burke joins London Palladium pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk

Alexandra Burke is set to appear in the London Palladium pantomime this year, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Burke will play the villain Mrs Blunderbore in the panto event, which runs from 15th December and marks a return to a streamlined narrative for the much-loved panto.

Jim Davidson claims BBC paid him £1million to 'go away'

Jim Davidson claims the BBC paid him £1million to "go away" as he spoke out about cancel culture.

Mr Davidson has recently launched his very own streaming service, called Ustreme, and claims to have signed up 10,000 subscribers in the first year. Speaking on GB News's Dan Wootton Tonight about his experiences of being cancelled, the comedian claimed he used money given to him by the BBC to fund his new service.

The Office to Ten Percent: why some remakes soar (and others suck)

Adapting TV shows for new countries is a multi-billion dollar business. But, as the team behind the US version of This Country found out, it's no easy ride ...