British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Thursday 11th May 2023

News

From The Oasthouse, The Alan Partridge Podcast - Series 2. Steve Coogan Shop

Alan Partridge publishes memoir about his TV comeback, Big Beacon

Alan Partridge has written his third memoir, Big Beacon, about resurrecting his television career. But also about restoring an old lighthouse.

David Mitchell Shop

David Mitchell writes a history of England's kings and queens

David Mitchell's new book will tell the story of the British monarchy. UNRULY: A History of England's Kings and Queens is due to be published in September.

The Effects Of Lying. Image shows left to right: Naveen (Ace Bhatti), Sangeeta (Laila Rouass). Credit: Jon Payne TV

The Effects Of Lying is coming to ITVX

ITVX is to publish The Effects Of Lying, a "dark comedy with real heart that brings a refreshing South Asian representation to our screens".

FYI

Jibber Jabber Jamboree. Ross Noble People

Ross Noble's tank antics

Ross Noble has revealed that he once pointed his tank's gun turret at a neighbour's house because of a row about a garden fence.

BCG Pro

Networking Pro

Comedy industry networking

Whether you like it or not, networking is something that you're just going to have to do if you want to get ahead in the comedy industry. In this article we talk about the benefits of meeting others, and how to go about it.

Press clippings

Operation Mincemeat starring SpitLip. Image shows left to right: Claire-Marie Hall, Natasha Hodgson, David Cumming, Zoë Roberts, Jak Malone. Credit: Matt Crockett

Review: Operation Mincemeat

The cast perform lightning switches of character countless times during the show, sometimes in the same sentence.

Helen Hawkins, The Arts Desk, 11th May 2023
Ivo Graham

Ivo Graham: 'I don't think I said a single funny thing at Eton'

The stand-up comedian and Taskmaster fan favourite talks privilege - and rice pudding.

Tristram Fane Saunders, The Telegraph, 11th May 2023
Trollied. Brian (Stephen Tompkinson). Copyright: Roughcut Television

Stephen Tompkinson found not guilty of grievous bodily harm

Actor Stephen Tompkinson has been found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to a drunken man making noise outside his home.

BBC, 11th May 2023

Ola Labib: 'They want you to be the haram Muslim on TV - I wasn't risque enough'

From drunk punters to myopic commissioners, the comic has faced many hurdles. She talks about her NHS career, the conflict in Sudan and finding the funny through her family.

Sammy Gecsoyler, The Guardian, 11th May 2023
Operation Mincemeat starring SpitLip. Image shows left to right: Claire-Marie Hall, Natasha Hodgson, David Cumming, Zoë Roberts, Jak Malone. Credit: Matt Crockett

Review: Operation Mincemeat

If you've not seen it, do yourself a favour and pick up a ticket!

Chris Selman, Gay Times, 11th May 2023
Richard Hardisty

Rich Hardisty: I'm funny and unhinged - I'll just do that

From driving around a stunt maggot called Evil Kweevil to his first Edinburgh Fringe, Rich Hardisty talks us through his life in comedy.

Square Mile, 11th May 2023
It's Not Rocket Science. Ben Miller. Copyright: ITV Studios

Ben Miller interview

Author of The Night We Got Stuck In A Story talks about his favourite author and hero outside of literature.

i Newspaper, 11th May 2023
Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais shares health update after 'worst eight hours of his life'

The comedian has said he believed he was 'definitely going to die' after being struck by illness.

Megan Nisbet, Wales Online, 11th May 2023
Operation Mincemeat starring SpitLip. Image shows left to right: Claire-Marie Hall, Natasha Hodgson, David Cumming, Zoë Roberts, Jak Malone. Credit: Matt Crockett

Review: Operation Mincemeat

Operation Mincemeat is the closest thing we have to a British Hamilton.

Katerina Partolina Schwartz, Broadway Baby, 11th May 2023
Grace Mulvey

Grace Mulvey: Flirt review

There's a good show on the horizon here in Flirt, once any baggy corners have been knocked off.

Victoria Nangle, Entertainment Now, 11th May 2023
Taskmaster. Image shows from L to R: Greg Davies, Alex Horne. Copyright: Avalon Television

The Taskmaster tasks they weren't allowed to air

Questionable prize task entries, "legally compromising" task outcomes and controversial costume choices - discover the Taskmaster moments they couldn't show us.

Laura Vickers-Green, Den Of Geek, 11th May 2023
Inside No. 9. Image shows left to right: Manny (Steve Pemberton), Vicky (Claire Rushbrook), Norman (Reece Shearsmith)

Inside No. 9 - Love Is A Stranger review

"Love Is A Stranger" is another excellent episode in what is one of the strongest series of Inside No. 9 yet.

Nick Bartlett, Critical Popcorn, 11th May 2023
Inside No. 9. Image shows left to right: Manny (Steve Pemberton), Vicky (Claire Rushbrook), Norman (Reece Shearsmith)

Inside No. 9 - Love Is A Stranger review

Claire Rushbrook shines in an Inside No. 9 episode about looking for love in all the wrong places.

Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 11th May 2023
Inside No. 9. Image shows left to right: Manny (Steve Pemberton), Vicky (Claire Rushbrook), Norman (Reece Shearsmith)

Inside No. 9 review

Love Is A Stranger was an expertly conceived, written and acted piece of television about the horrors of online dating. Claire Rushbrook's performance was beautifully restrained, oozing shy vulnerability as a series of hideous men popped up on her laptop screen, played by Mathew Horne, Shearsmith and Pemberton, plus Frances Barber as a ghastly woman selling diets to lonely women. Then, finally, a man who seemed nice, played by Asim Chaudhry. It kept you guessing as to who was the "lonely hearts killer" until the final seconds, then pulled the rug again. Small but perfectly formed television.

Carol Midgley, The Times, 11th May 2023

Videos

Jess Snell Online

The Cranks

12 mins, 11 secs

When a self-obsessed journalist is given her last chance to find a compelling story, she goes all out and decides to interview her local UFO conspiracy theorist.

Ishan Ganjoor Online

For Life

1 mins, 46 secs

When you think you're being cheated on (kind of)...

Archie Henderson Online

Jazz Emu - I Would Rather

3 mins, 48 secs

Jazz Emu would rather die than be awake for the nine extra minutes that would make him on time.

Black Ops. Image shows left to right: Dominique 'Dom' Archibald (Gbemisola Ikumelo), Kayode 'Kay' Ogundare (Hammed Animashaun). Credit: BBC Studios TV

Black Ops - Slang Quiz

4 mins, 35 secs

Times change and the language does too. In this behind-the-scenes video, can Akemnji Ndifornyen, Gbemisola Ikumelo and Hammed Animashaun keep up with what the childrendem are spitting?

Ellie BW Online

Sneaky Smokers

1 mins, 37 secs

Smoking isn't cool anymore. These days everyone is obsessed with vaping! But just as it seems that office workers have found a way to get their kicks from the comfort of their desks, our bosses are clamping down on the vaping phenomenon. Perhaps it's time for a new solution?

Podcasts

Sitcom Geeks

Sitcom Geeks: Episode 218 - Conference Calling

55 minutes

Bravo BCG Pro! Dave and James debrief on the hugely successful Big Comedy Conference, concentrating on the commissioners and producers who offered a rare mix of realism and hope. Plus...

TV & radio

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 4, Episode 3 - Dylan

PC Lee Cushion has had an eventful time on holiday, Sgt Price meets an dangerous old foe, PC Williams treads a fine line legally and Uncle Dylan finally makes it home to Wrexham.

Sky Atlantic logo. Copyright: Sky 9pm
30 min
Dreamland. Image shows left to right: Leila (Aimee-Ffion Edwards), Dom (Hugh Coles)

Dreamland

Episode 6

Trish and Spence win their dream house at auction! Clare tells Mel she is there for her, despite everything.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 9pm
60 min
Taskmaster. Jenny Eclair

Taskmaster

Series 15, Episode 7 - Schrödinger's Egg

As the battle for the trophy continues, Greg Davies and Alex Horne take things up a notch by introducing a pulper to proceedings. Jelly Babies also cause friction between the participants.

BBC Two 10pm
30 min
Inside No. 9. Image shows left to right: Manny (Steve Pemberton), Vicky (Claire Rushbrook), Norman (Reece Shearsmith)

Inside No. 9

Series 8, Episode 4 - Love Is A Stranger

You get to meet all sorts when you go online dating, as Vicky's about to find out. Will she finally meet her perfect match? Or will she be talking to the Lonely Hearts Killer?

U&Dave channel logo 10pm
40 min
Meet The Richardsons. Image shows left to right: Lucy (Lucy Beaumont), Anton Du Beke

Meet The Richardsons

Series 4, Episode 6

Lucy's offered the chance to do Strictly and meets Anton Du Beke for a taster, but when Jon catches up with Seann Walsh, he is desperate not to trigger Seann by mentioning that show.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 10pm
35 min
The Curse. Phil 'The Captain' Pocket (Hugo Chegwin)

The Curse

Series 2, Episode 5 - Lost At Sea

The boys head out to sea to make the trade with the Colombians, while Tash receives an unwelcome visitor whose arrival changes everything.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 10:35pm
35 min
The Curse. Sidney Wilson (Steve Stamp)

The Curse

Series 2, Episode 6 - Sundown

Tash is under arrest and, as the gang ponder their next move, Albert makes a shocking discovery that forces the boys to make their final move.

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