BCG Daily Thursday 21st September 2023
Features
TV
BCG Pro
Pro
Pro
Press clippings
Sex Education review
In this farewell series, the glorious horny teenagers we knew and loved have become earnest bores who use therapy speak and exist mainly to tick boxes. What a mood killer.
Lucy Mangan, The Guardian, 21st September 2023
Sex Education creator Laurie Nunn proud of show's impact
Since 2019, Laurie Nunn has been crafting award-winning storylines, taboo-busting scenes and an endless amount of sex gags.
Megan Lawton & Riyah Collins, BBC, 21st September 2023
Sex Education: The show that changed sex on TV forever
As the fourth and final season of the ground-breaking Netflix show begins, Nick Levine explores how Sex Education changed the script for sex, both on and off the screen.
Nick Levine, BBC, 21st September 2023
Russell Brand: Rumble rejects MP's 'disturbing' letter over income
Video site Rumble has hit out at a UK Parliamentary committee that asked if it would cut Russell Brand's income in the wake of sexual assault allegations.
Ian Youngs, BBC, 21st September 2023
In defence of the TikTok comedian
Zara Gladman welcomes a space to be funny away from the misogynistic comedy circuit.
Zara Gladman, Chortle, 21st September 2023
Sex Education review
This final season is a cringey disappointment.
Emily Baker, i Newspaper, 21st September 2023
Sex Education review
For all its vibrant, saturated palate, this has always been a show rendered in black and white.
Nick Hilton, The Independent, 21st September 2023
Sex Education review
A series that once eschewed soppiness ends up encrusted in schmaltz.
Benji Wilson, The Telegraph, 21st September 2023
Sex Education review
Although season four will be the last time that viewers will be reunited with the Moordale gang, the final season is shaping up to be everything that fans have come to expect from the show over the years, even if there's going to be some rough patches along the way.
Andrew Murray, The Upcoming, 21st September 2023
Thank god we don't find rape and cancer jokes funny any more - it'll stop people like Russell Brand rising to the top
Those comedians who can't get over it will die out - not by fire of cancellation, but by fading into insignificance.
Kitty Chrisp, Metro, 21st September 2023
Rod Stewart 'pleased to put Russell Brand in his place' after crude joke about daughter
Piers Morgan says Sir Rod Stewart felt 'very pleased' with himself after his encounter with Russell Brand at the GQ Awards in 2006, following the comic's remarks about the singer's daughter.
Zoe Delaney, The Mirror, 21st September 2023
Russell Brand: How the comedian built his YouTube audience on half-truths
The first time Russell Brand really dipped his toe into the water of conspiracy theories, in early 2021, the effect was swift - a YouTube channel whose videos normally received about 100,000 views was suddenly visited by more than a million people. It won him a new income stream and a fresh army of fans.
Rachel Schraer, BBC, 21st September 2023
Lorraine Kelly quits social media a day after recalling how Russell Brand called her a 'slut'
The presenter, 63, announced she was signing off from the platform as she needed a break, a day after she recalled how Russell Brand called her a 'slut' during an 'uncomfortable' appearance on The Graham Norton Show back in 2007.
Joanna Crawley and Connie Rusk, Daily Mail, 21st September 2023
Sex Education review
This 'kind comedy' climaxes with its most mature and progressive series yet.
Deborah Shaw, The Conversation, 21st September 2023
Operation Mincemeat given fifth extension
Operation Mincemeat - 65 five-star reviews and counting - has extended its West End run for the fifth time through 21st April 2024.
Fairy Powered Productions, 21st September 2023
Doon Mackichan on women's bodies and ageing: 'We need to dismantle the self-hatred'
We chat with the actress about her first book, My Lady Parts.
Neil Cooper, The List, 21st September 2023
Sex Education review
Laurie Nunn's sex-positive teen comedy series finally comes to a close with Asa Butterfield, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Hannah Gadsby, Dan Levy and Gillian Anderson.
Euan Franklin, Culture Whisper, 21st September 2023
The Crown Jewels review
After a West-End run, this should have found its feet by now. Instead, style over substance and puerile, teenage humour makes for a frustrating experience where what should have been a jewel of a show turns out to be a right royal let-down.
Lou Steggals, North West End UK, 21st September 2023
The Crown Jewels review
You should not buy tickets for the plot - you should buy tickets for the improvisation and the big names who have been stunt cast in the production.
Emily Cooper, Mancunian Matters, 21st September 2023
Sex Education review
Sex Education's finale is messy, ambiguous and just right.
Lucy Ford, GQ, 21st September 2023
The Crown Jewels review
Overall it's such a disappointment to see a production that promised so much, fail to deliver, and whilst there are laughs to be had they aren't as frequent or funny as they need to be.
Matthew Forrest, The Reviews Hub, 21st September 2023
Woman says Russell Brand exposed himself to her then laughed about it on Radio 2 show
A woman has accused Russell Brand of exposing himself to her and then laughing about it minutes later on his BBC radio show. The woman says it happened in 2008 when she was working in the same building as the BBC in Los Angeles. The encounter left her stunned, she says.
Nomia Iqbal, BBC, 21st September 2023
If Russell Brand's interview with Jimmy Savile happened today, we'd be thankful for the Twitterstorm
In 2007, before Twitter rage and pile-ons, Brand offered up his female assistant to go to Savile's place naked. With little social media to provide a forum for outrage, no action was taken.
Adrian Chiles, The Guardian, 21st September 2023
Where will Russell Brand get his power from now?
Now Brand has the police looking into claims about his treatment of women, it appears he will have to find a new way to feel important.
Caitlin Moran, The Times, 21st September 2023
Taskmaster's Sam Campbell has all the makings of a new fan-favourite
Among the Taskmaster series 16 cast is surreal Aussie comedian Sam Campbell. Here's this Edinburgh Fringe winner's past highlights, from Stath Lets Flats to Bloods.
Laura Vickers-Green, Den Of Geek, 21st September 2023
Men like Russell Brand have been given a free pass by institutional inaction for far too long
In light of the serious sexual assault and rape allegations against Russell Brand, Amelia Hansford argues that his sexist brand of comedy was always a red flag.
Amelia Hansford, Pink News, 21st September 2023
Sex Education review
This 'kind comedy' climaxes with its most mature and progressive series yet.
Deborah Shaw, The Irish News, 21st September 2023
ITV boss says 'strong leaders' are needed in TV in wake of Russell Brand claims
Dame Carolyn McCall reflected on how the industry is handling alleged abuses of power in its ranks at the Royal Television Society Cambridge conference in the wake of the scandal.
Ashleigh Rainbird, The Mirror, 21st September 2023
Sex Education Series 4 review
A fitting finale about moving on.
David Craig, Radio Times, 21st September 2023
Taskmaster's best tasks ranked
To celebrate the arrival of Series 16, we celebrate the 50 best Taskmaster tasks of all time (so far!).
Den Of Geek, 21st September 2023
Stevie Faye, legendary comedian who 'never told a dirty joke' dies aged 95
Born in 1927, Stevie Faye grew up in Dingle and like many other local comedians of his time found fame on talent TV shows The Comedians and Opportunity Knocks. A lifelong LFC supporter, in the 1980s Stevie also starred in BBC's Boys From The Blackstuff, written by Liverpudlian playwright Alan Bleasdale.
Jess Molyneux, Liverpool Echo, 21st September 2023
Elon Musk questioned by MP about Russell Brand Twitter status
Musk has said that the "innocent until proven guilty" maxim is "wise and fair".
Charlotte Krol, NME, 21st September 2023Review: The Crown Jewels at The Lowry
If you're up for a night of pure silliness and interaction with the cast then it may be right up your street.
Danielle Roper, Manchester Evening News, 21st September 2023Hit comedy series climax filmed in Wigan
Pre-orders for an amateur writer's first screen comedy series are so big that it is already being declared a hit.
Charles Graham, Wigan Today, 21st September 2023Videos
Online
TV
Online
Podcasts
TV & radio
6:30pm30 min
My Teenage Diary
Series 11, Episode 4 - Juno DawsonRufus's guest this week is the writer Juno Dawson, whose diary was written before her transition, when she was living out Carrie Bradshaw fantasies on the Brighton dating scene.
9pm60 min
The Lovers
Episode 3Seamus's girlfriend whisks him away for the night and drags Janet along too! An agonising night of lies and subterfuge ensues...
9pm60 min
Taskmaster
Series 16, Episode 1 - The Natural FriendsIn the opening episode, Greg slaps Alex because of peas, Lucy marvels at a canned blindfold, and everyone tries to put a big duck in a lake.
9pm60 min
Peter Sellers: Genius At Work
Documentary about the life of Peter Sellers.