British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Friday 9th February 2024

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Features

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Press clippings

Kevin Bridges. Copyright: Andy Hollingworth

'Get it up ye!' How 17-year-old Kevin Bridges conquered the world

It's exactly 20 years since Kevin Bridges, a teenager from Clydebank, walked into a comedy club for the very first time. Within seconds of taking to the stage at The Stand in Glasgow, his audience buckled with laughter.

Nichola Rutherford, BBC, 9th February 2024
Julia Masli

No sets, less fuss, a cast of one: can stand-ups save the UK's cash-strapped theatres?

For the Royal Court and Park theatres, putting on comedy acts is a moneyspinning way to find new audiences. But are playhouses set to stage fewer plays?

Brian Logan, The Guardian, 9th February 2024
Fascinating Aida. Image shows from L to R: Dillie Keane, Liza Pulman, Adèle Anderson

Fascinating Aida: The 40th Anniversary Show! review

Age has not withered one jot the FAs' fury at the absurdities of modern life.

Helen Hawkins, The Arts Desk, 9th February 2024
BBC Radio 4

Radio 4 chiefs urge programme makers to come up with more comedy shows led by women

But Radio 4 programme analysis shows women are well-represented in comedy.

Paul Revoir, Daily Mail, 9th February 2024
Russell Brand

Russell Brand loses his bid to shut village pub

It might not be the biggest issue on his mind, Russell Brand has lost his bid to turn his local pub into offices and a recording studio.

Chortle, 9th February 2024
Luisa Omielan. Credit: Karla Gowlett

Luisa Omielan interview

Luisa was generous enough to sit down for a chat with me to discuss Bitter, life, and the state of the comedy nation in 2024...

WJ Quinn, The Quintessential Review, 9th February 2024
Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais's 1980s pop career resurfaces online

Ricky Gervais's former career as an aspiring pop star has resurfaced online - leaving fans in both shock and awe of his previous image.

Ciara Farmer, Daily Mail, 9th February 2024
Bill Bailey

Bill Bailey interview

Laura Doyle talks to the veteran comedian about technology, making connections and the unpredictable power of human creativity.

Laura Doyle, Narc Magazine, 9th February 2024
Unspun With Matt Forde. Matt Forde. Copyright: Avalon Television

Matt Forde reveals he can't walk after cancer treatment

But comic hopes to be back on his feet soon.

Chortle, 9th February 2024
Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains. Laura Whitmore

Iain Stirling admits doing private comedy show to wife Laura Whitmore

Iain Stirling has revealed that he does his own private comedy show to wife Laura Whitmore if he doesn't have a comedy gig booked in. It is not always wanted though.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 9th February 2024
Rachel Baker

Mett Funny Women stage award finalist: Rachel Baker

We spoke to her about the Birmingham comedy scene, supportive fellow funny women and controlled chaos.

Funny Women, 9th February 2024
Chloe Petts

Chloe Petts: "I love being called 'boss man' in the fried chicken shop"

Chloe Petts describes herself as a six foot lesbian from Kent who is often mistaken for a man. And this has proven to be a rich seam of comedy for the rising star.

Alex Spencer, Cambridge Independent, 9th February 2024
Boarders. Image shows left to right: Femi (Aruna Jalloh), Jaheim (Josh Tedeku), Leah (Jodie Campbell), Omar (Myles Kamwendo), Toby (Sekou Diaby)

'I find racism quite funny': the black teen comedy savaging UK private schools

Tone-deaf teachers, paintings of slaves, and effortless hilarity ... BBC sitcom Boarders puts five black teens in a boarding school and lets the carnage unfold. Its team explain why it hits close to home.

Daisy Jones, The Guardian, 9th February 2024
Louise Young

Tim Harding's comedy diary

Louise Young was nominated for newcomer last year, and this is a very classic newcomer show - a whistle-stop tour of a biography and a preponderance of the local stereotype stuff that works as an intro when you've only got five minutes on a mixed bill.

Tim Harding, Chortle, 9th February 2024

The Conversation Hat podcast reaches 200th episode milestone

The Conversation Hat podcast is about to release its 200th episode. Described as "a weekly chat show for geeks, artists and terrible people, in which two hosts, Ben Pierson and Cambridge musician Liam Taylor, do their best to answer questions pulled from a hat in 30 minutes", the podcast has featured some of the pair's creative and comedy heroes, including Tez Ilyas, Tony Law and Sooz Kempner.

Adrian Peel, Cambridge Independent, 9th February 2024

Videos

Podcasts

TV & radio

BBC Radio Scotland 11:30am
30 min
Noising Up. Credit: BBC

Noising Up

Series 3, Episode 5

Topical comedy sketch show noising up the past week in Scotland and beyond.

BBC Radio Scotland 1:30pm
30 min
Mark Nelson

The Good, The Bad And The Unexpected

Series 16, Episode 6

Joining Mark Nelson this week is one of the best crime writers in the world makes her debut on the show; Val McDermid shares her revenge on University Challenge and how badly a holiday can go. Comedians Karen Dunbar and Raymond Mearns show their competitive sides when faced with a one-note unexpected round, and there are stories of lions, broken down cars, the start of glittering careers and moments of humiliation in the supermarket.

CITV 4:30pm
15 min
The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud

The Rubbish World Of Dave Spud

Series 3, Episode 10 - Dave, Dave And Dave

Dave uses Gran's 'Chaos Toilet' to go back in time and stop a noisy 'Spellybot' toy from ruining his homework in the present.

CBBC logo. Credit: BBC 5:30pm
30 min
Horrible Histories. Image shows left to right: Inel Tomlinson, Rosie Jones

Horrible Histories

Series 10, Episode 6 - Ruinous Rivals

From warring brothers to farting mothers, Horrible Histories presents some of the biggest, best and worst rivalries throughout time.

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

The News Quiz

Series 113, Episode 6

Zoe Lyons, Neil Delamere, Diona Doherty, and Alex Kane join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the week's news from Belfast.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 8pm
30 min
Here We Go. Image shows left to right: Edgar (Harry Enfield), Sue (Alison Steadman)

Here We Go

Series 2, Episode 2 - Granny's Street Fayre

Having moved in with the Jessops, Sue loses no time installing herself into the local scene, starting by organising the street fayre with neighbour and pillar of the community, Edgar. Aspiring copper Paul tries to solve a disgusting crime.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 9pm
30 min
Would I Lie To You?. Image shows left to right: Ivo Graham, David Mitchell, Johnny Marr, Rob Brydon, Sinitta, Lee Mack, Jo Brand

Would I Lie To You?

Series 17, Episode 7

Singers Sinitta and Johnny Marr and comedians Jo Brand and Ivo Graham join host Rob Brydon and regular captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack on the offbeat panel show.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 9pm
60 min
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Image shows left to right: Jon Richardson, Jimmy Carr

8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown

Series 24 (Channel 4: Series 25), Episode 5

Jimmy Carr presents as Jon Richardson and Asim Chaudhry take on Joe Wilkinson and Roisin Conaty. Lucy Pearman is in Dictionary Corner with Susie Dent, while Rachel Riley looks after the numbers and letters.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 10pm
65 min
I Literally Just Told You. Jimmy Carr

I Literally Just Told You

Series 3, Episode 4

Jimmy Carr hosts this game show in which contestants are given every answer with the questions written, literally, as the show is happening.

Sky Max. Copyright: Sky 10pm
30 min
Fantasy Football League. Image shows left to right: Alex Horne, Katherine Ryan

Fantasy Football League

Series 2, Episode 2

Alex Horne and Katherine Ryan enter the dugout this week as they share their thoughts on the beautiful game with hosts Matt Lucas and Elis James.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 10:40pm
50 min
The Graham Norton Show. Graham Norton. Credit: So Television, Christopher Baines

The Graham Norton Show

Series 31, Episode 17 - Ian McKellen, Michael Sheen, Josh Widdicombe, Ambika Mod, Gabrielle

Sir Ian McKellen says he is still mistaken for Michael Gambon, Michael Sheen talks about directing in his hometown, Ambika Mod reveals she initially said no to One Day, Josh Widdicombe talks TV, and Gabrielle says she is having the time of her life.

BBC Radio 5 Live 5:30am
30 min
My Mate's A Footballer. Image shows left to right: Patrick Bamford, Joe Wilkinson. Credit: BBC

My Mate's A Footballer

Series 1, Episode 12 - Patrick Bamford's Personal Team

Patrick opens up to Joe about everything he's invested in to help deal with the pressures of football in terms of nutrition, being physically fit and being mentally strong.

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