British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Friday 12th May 2023

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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

It makes me punch the proverbial air to see fringe theatre shows that started swimmingly, but in relative obscurity, realise their potential and play to full houses in the West End, complete with queues down the road and sold out signs. Operation Mincemeat is one such success story.

Sandra Giorgetti, British Theatre Guide, 12th May 2023
Gary McNair

Gary McNair interview

As the award-winning writer and performer tours his latest show Dear Billy, a 'love letter' to comedy legend Billy Connolly, he tells Fergus Morgan about moments that have made up his career, learning from his mistakes and his acting ambitions.

Fergus Morgan, The Stage, 12th 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

Theatre Review: Operation Mincemeat

With a running time of over two hours I was tempted to say that Operation Mincemeat is a little overlong but I can't see anything that can be cut.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 12th May 2023
Russell Brand

Russell Brand's £225 'wellness' retreats are total wokescreen

Russell Brand is the latest celebrity to jump on board the wellness industry, which is worth £594million in the UK, and came under fire for plans to charge a £225 entry fee for a three-day meditation and yoga event he is helping to organise this summer.

Claire Dunwell, The Sun, 12th 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

Rushbrook's performance was outstanding. A thirty-minute comedy doesn't give the greatest scope for a dramatic performance but it can be done.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 12th May 2023
The Stand's cowboy

The Stand 'un-cancels' trans row MP Joanna Cherry

The Stand Comedy Club has reversed its ban on MP Joanna Cherry appearing at its venue - after the politician threatened legal action. Bosses say that after consulting their own lawyers they conceded that cancelling her Edinburgh Fringe appearance 'as unfair and constituted unlawful discrimination'.

Chortle, 12th May 2023
Tom Allen. Copyright: Andy Hollingworth

Tom Allen review

Bake Off star wins when he's freewheeling.

Dominic Maxwell, The Times, 12th May 2023
Sarah Keyworth

The Queer Comedy Club Opening Night review

What Queer Comedy Club have done here is organise a brilliant night of delicious comedy, perfectly pitched for its crowd.

George Matthew, Lost in Theatreland, 12th May 2023
Künt

The Kunts score another top 10 hit, but still no Radio 1 airplay, despite ditching the bad language

The band's anti-Royal anthem Scrap The Monarchy - released under the broadcast-friendly name The Krown Jewelz - entered the top 40 at No 9. But on the Official Chart Show, host James Cusack merely mentioned the track and band name before moving on to No 8, Cupid by Fifty Fifty.

Chortle, 12th May 2023
Frankie Boyle

Frankie Boyle backs Erskine anti-racism demonstration

Frankie Boyle is among those who have signed an open letter backing anti-racism protests in Erskine. Far-right group Homeland, a splinter group of Patriotic Alternative, has been protesting against the housing of asylum seekers in the town's Muthu Hotel.

Gabriel McKay, The Herald, 12th May 2023
The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show. Image shows left to right: Chris Ramsey, Rosie Ramsey

Chris & Rosie Ramsey interview

We're happy to overshare - nothing is off limits including secret to our marriage.

Katie Begley, The Sun, 12th May 2023

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

BBC Radio Scotland 1:30pm
30 min
Mark Nelson

The Good, The Bad And The Unexpected

Series 14, Episode 3

This week Emmy Award winning presenter and world renowned meteorite hunter Geoff Notkin tells his wild story about dealing with the KGB and learning the drums from an incredible teacher. Comedian Ria Lina has conquered the dreaded school concert with surprise celebrity guests, and Ashley Storrie returns to the show to play everyone's favourite unexpected game 'How Many Storries High?'

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

The News Quiz

Series 111, Episode 3

Andy Zaltzman takes on the week's news with help from Susie McCabe, Ian Smith, Andrew Doyle, and deputy political editor at ITV News, Anushka Asthana.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 9pm
30 min
Have I Got News For You. Diane Morgan

Have I Got News For You

Series 65, Episode 5

Diane Morgan guest hosts for the first time, as the panels dissect the coronation of King Charles and the UK's local election results. Ian and Paul are joined by comedian Desiree Burch and Times Radio presenter Matt Chorley.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 9:30pm
30 min
Black Ops. Image shows left to right: Dominique 'Dom' Archibald (Gbemisola Ikumelo), Kayode 'Kay' Ogundare (Hammed Animashaun)

Black Ops

Episode 2

Dom and Kay have a body to bury. They're in a mess, frightened and completely on their own.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 10pm
65 min
The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan. Image shows left to right: Jessie Ware, Rio Ferdinand, Jack Whitehall

The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan

Series 4, Episode 2

The comedian and actor catches up with ex-England footballer Rio Ferdinand, musician Jessie Ware and comedian Jack Whitehall. Plus, live music from N-Dubz.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 10:40pm
45 min
The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show. Image shows left to right: Chris Ramsey, Rosie Ramsey, Hannah Cooper, Joel Dommett

The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show

Series 2, Episode 1

Joining Chris and Rosie to poke fun at life are expectant parents comedian Joel Dommett and his wife, model Hannah Cooper. And, of course, they are asking, what's your beef?

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