BCG Daily Wednesday 20th December 2023
News
TV
Features
Quiz
BCG Pro
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Press clippings
Theatre review: The Motive And The Cue
Mark Gatiss and Johnny Flynn play, respectively, Sir John Gielgud and Richard Burton.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th December 2023
Ricky Gervais defends controversial joke about terminally ill children
Ricky Gervais has defended making a joke about terminally ill children, telling his critics he wishes them 'luck' in getting it removed from his Netflix special, Armageddon.
Rebecca Lawrence, Daily Mail, 20th December 2023
Emily Atack quits social media to 'focus on real life'
Emily Atack said she is quitting social media for a bit because she wants to take some time away after 'a hell of a year'.
Chloe Louise, Daily Mail, 20th December 2023
Ask a comedian: Ian Smith
Known for BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz, The Now Show and co-hosting the Northern News podcast, Ian Smith is taking his stand-up show Crushing on tour.
Ian Chaddock, Readers Digest, 20th December 2023
Adam Hills donates gold prosthetic foot to charity
Adam Hills has donated a gold prosthetic foot to The National Paralympic Heritage Trust (NPHT).
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th December 2023
A Very Brassic Christmas review
Vinnie and co are back for a Christmas special like no other.
Jo Berry, Radio Times, 20th December 2023
Meet the 2023 Funny Women Stage Award finalist: Sascha LO
We chatted to her about sneaking into comedy shows at 13, how women can lift each other up and embracing her generation's chaos.
Funny Women, 20th December 2023
Painting Birds With Jim And Nancy Moir, review
Christmas comes early with a Vic & Bob reunion.
Jasper Rees, The Telegraph, 20th December 2023
When Del Boy fell for Raquel: inside Only Fools And Horses' finest Christmas episode
First shown 35 years ago, Dates marked a dramatic - and romantic - turn for the sitcom. Tessa Peake-Jones - aka Raquel - recalls its magic.
Tom Fordy, The Telegraph, 20th December 2023
The Unfriend in the West End starring Lee Mack - first look
Production shots have been released for the West End return of The Unfriend.
Tom Millward, What's On Stage, 20th December 2023Jack And The Beanstalk pantomime review
Jack And The Beanstalk has all the magic ingredients of a successful panto - it looks luscious, is packed full of jokes, has some larger-than-life characters and features impressive special effects. It's certainly full of beans.
Diane Parkes, What's On Stage, 20th December 2023Preview: Snooker Man
Producer and director Sam Casserly says: "Snooker Man is a humorous ode to the underdog, set in the eccentric world of miniature snooker." The film promises to be a delightful mix of comedy and heartfelt moments, resonating with anyone who roots for the unlikely hero.
Britflicks, 20th December 2023Podcasts
TV & radio
2:15pm45 min
Tess Of The Tollbooth
Is it possible to fall for a guy you only meet for 20 seconds in every 24 hours? Toll booth worker Tess is about to find out.
6:30pm30 min
Whatever Happened To Baby Jane Austen?
Series 2, Episode 2 - Libel She WroteFlorence is sued for libel when a character in one of her books is based on a real person. Selina's diaries are serialised in the Daily Mail. Oh, and Lucy's going to the Moon.
8pm60 min
Painting Birds With Jim And Nancy Moir
Christmas SpecialThe couple seek out their favourite seasonal birds, with a special focus on the bohemian waxwing, whose festive headgear, berry-eating diet and community spirit sum up so much of what Christmas is about.
9pm60 min
Mike Yarwood At The BBC
Rory Bremner reflects on the life and career of fellow impressionist Mike Yarwood, one of the BBC's most successful stars of the 1970s and 1980s. Assessing Yarwood's style, impact and legacy, Rory shares some of his memories of the comedian's career, using archive clips and interviews he gave.
10pm65 min
The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan
Series 4, Christmas SpecialIn this Yuletide edition Mo's joined by an all-star line-up of celebrity guests, including chart-topping singer Leona Lewis, TV Cupid Fred Sirieix, comedian and presenter Joel Dommett and star of People Just Do Nothing and The Curse, Allan Mustafa. The stars will take on a Christmas carol edition of Nursery Grimes, and Mo's studio audience get into a nationwide karaoke battle against Babatunde Aléshé's squad of partygoers in Manchester in a very merry Pass the Mic singalong.
11pm120 min
Jason Byrne: Audience Precipitation
Comedy from the Irish stand-up Jason Byrne.
11pm15 min
We Forced A Bot To Write This Show
Episode 1 - Action Movie, Army Advert And Bake OffWe forced AI to digest massive amounts of media and then write its own versions. We pushed the scripts into the mouths of actors, and the result is, absurdly, joyously hilarious.
11:15pm15 min
Nora Meadows' Week Of Wellness
Episode 3 - Dedicated to Father IanAs ever, Nora helps her clients with her patented (patent pending) therapy techniques, but also finds time to record an ASMR sleep-aid.