BCG Daily Thursday 21st December 2023
News
TV
BCG Pro
Pro
Press clippings
Alan Carr reveals he was 'triggered' after a 'famous' personal trainer fat shamed him
The television icon said he felt 'triggered' after he was called 'fatty' by a female personal trainer at his gym.
Kirsten Murray, Daily Mail, 21st December 2023
Kat Sadler on her BBC series Such Brave Girls
"We turned our own experiences into something that gave us back some power".
Shahed Ezaydi, Stylist, 21st December 2023
RTS North West award renamed in Caroline Aherne's honour
Passion Pictures and RTS NW have announced that the RTS NW Best Breakthrough Talent Award will become the Caroline Aherne Award in 2024.
Jon Creamer, Televisual, 21st December 2023
We Forced A Bot To Write This Show review
There's much talk about whether Artificial Intelligence will ever outperform humans in their jobs. Well, this silly Radio 4 comedy proves that people can take on bots at their own game - and defeat them with the power of ridicule.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 21st December 2023
Hannah Byczkowski: Traitors winner reflects on part in hit TV show
The Traitors winner Hannah Byczkowski said prize money from the series was more than she could have wished for. The stand-up comedian, from Stoke-on-Trent, said she had not had a day off for about six months after appearing on the show.
Sophie Madden, BBC, 21st December 2023The best theatre, comedy and dance of 2023
Julia Masli comes top in the Guardian's favourite live comedies this year, although she insists her show is not a comedy.
Arifa Akbar, Brian Logan and Lyndsey Winship, The Guardian, 21st December 2023
Tom Basden: Why the Nativity was the original sitcom
The writer and star of the BBC sitcom Here We Go explains how family comedies hark back to the most ancient of festive traditions.
Tom Basden, The Telegraph, 21st December 2023
The Stand comedy venue signs landmark trade union deal
The Stand Comedy club in Edinburgh signed a voluntary recognition agreement with hospitality union Unite, in what is the first of its kind for the sector.
Lucy Jackson, The National (Scotland), 21st December 2023
Interview: Kate-Lois Elliott
Kate-Lois Elliott finds the funny in a search for belonging.
Katy Davies, Entertainment Focus, 21st December 2023
Interview: Harriet Kemsley
Harriet Kemsley's debut comedy special Woman Child streaming on Youtube, via 800 Pound Gorilla Media, is a universal foray into parenthood, marriage and how life's script flips when a daughter comes along.
Katy Davies, Entertainment Focus, 21st December 2023
Are these the greatest comedy double acts of all time?
In a festive episode of BBC Radio 4's Screenshot, Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode look at the history of the double act and its evolution through the decades, speaking to comedy aficionados and performers, including Stephen Fry (no stranger to a comedy double act himself). Here are eight of the greatest pairings ever.
Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode, BBC, 21st December 2023Sweet Sue review
There is an undeniable strain of sitcom here, but also a distinct tenderness accompanying the desolation.
Jonathan Romney, The Financial Times, 21st December 2023Sweet Sue review
A good-natured low-budget tragicomedy.
Rachel Pronger, British Film Institute, 21st December 2023Videos
Online
TV & radio
6:30pm30 min
The Garden Centre
It's Beth's first day working at Carmarthen Garden Centre after being suspended from university. Having recently been diagnosed with autism, it's not exactly the perfect job but she needs to keep up her pretence. Especially when her overprotective parents were against the idea of her moving away in the first place.
6:30pm30 min
Ken Cheng: I Can School You
Episode 2 - Cooking Up A Full EnglishKen explores English lessons, the only subject you keep on learning after you've learned it.
9pm60 min
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
Christmas Special 2023Jimmy Carr hosts a special Christmas edition of 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, packed with festive surprises. Joe Lycett and Danny Dyer take on Jon Richardson and Roisin Conaty. Rachel Riley looks after the letters and numbers, and Mr Swallow (Nick Mohammed) joins Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner. And as a Christmas treat, Cats Does Countdown royalty Joe Wilkinson is back to help/annoy Rachel.
10pm90 min
Brassic
Series 5, Christmas Special - A Very Brassic ChristmasThe plan is to kick back, relax and enjoy life to the max. But then comes the inevitable. A call from Dr Chris saying his aunt is in crisis and needs looking after and a robbery at Tyler's school ruining his nativity. Vinnie, Erin, Tommo, Cardi, Carol, Ashely and JJ must now bring on their A Game and help save Christmas the Brassic way. Bring on a heist at a winter wonderland, a fight with a man called Dick Dolphin, babysitting Chris's Aunt and the best Nativity ever staged. Co-stars Imelda Staunton as Aunt Edie and Greg Davies as Dick Dolphin.
10pm30 min
Smothered
Episode 5It's opening night for Gillian's restaurant and nerves are high, while Raina still doesn't know about Sammy and Tom, and tonight is not the time to find out.
10pm65 min
Late Night Lycett
Christmas Special - It's Christmas!Joe Lycett returns to his hometown of Birmingham for a fabulous, fun-filled festive edition of Late Night Lycett. Joe celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with a host of famous faces, including Mel B, Aisling Bea, Self Esteem and Guz Khan, alongside Joe's aunties, Linda Biscuits and Hardev from the local shop. Expect Joe's usual mischievous capers as he and his guests get up to snow good. Who will sleigh and who will end up on the naughty list? There's myrrh where that came from, featuring a surprise visit from a very special celebrity secret Santa. And Joe turns Father Christmas himself when he gives away a mystery gift to one lucky member of the audience. Yule be sorry if you miss it!
10:30pm30 min
Smothered
Episode 6It is nearly Christmas and Sammy and Tom's relationship hangs in the balance. Is a big romantic gesture enough to bring them back together in time for the holidays?