BCG Daily Thursday 30th May 2024

An exclusive look at Graham Linehan's Father Ted musical

When we meet at his east London apartment, Graham Linehan concedes that, by doing an impromptu read-through, I may end up as one of the last members of the small club of people who have 'seen' the show. Father Ted: The Final Episode may be almost oven-ready - songs included - but a Mexican stand-off between Linehan and his former producers means it's stuck in purgatory.

Anjana Vasan on We Are Lady Parts Series 2, Malala and why UK must open its doors to immigrants

We Are Lady Parts is back, and star Anjana Vasan says the band loved getting together again.

Operation Mincemeat announces ninth extension

The comic musical's West End run now extends until January 2025.

Ruby Wax review

All in all, a successful night. Ruby is trying to make sense of our world. And while doing so, she takes the audience along for the ride. A ride that makes you laugh and then makes you think.

No joke: comedy in crisis

Top producers and broadcasters come together to discuss the current state of the genre and what can be done to ensure the laughs keep on coming.

Inside No. 9: CTRL/ALT/ESC review

I think as a general rule Inside No 9's end badly. I think this one actually ended happily. Or did it?

We Are Lady Parts creator Nida Manzoor on fear, fun and Malala

Her wildly successful sitcom about a Muslim punk band is back, better than before - and features the Nobel laureate in a Stetson. This time round, the writer-director is more confident than ever.

We Are Lady Parts Series 2 review

The Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala makes a surprise cowgirl-themed cameo in Nida Manzoor's emotional, musical comedy.

Lib Dems trolling the Tories with a Peep Show/Rishi Sunak mash-up was simply not on our election campaign bingo card

You could be forgiven for assuming that Rishi Sunak's electoral campaign was being run by a group of satirists or the Labour Party, and one of the most obvious gifts to comedy from it so far was his attempt at a bit of light dribbling. Over on TikTok, the Lib Dems found a longer version and drew all our attentions to their account with this devastating overdub.

Inside No. 9: CTRL/ALT/ESC review

In what has been another incredible series of the greatest show on television right now, from Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, we have already seen much in way of variety, but this week's episode "CTRL/ALT/ESC" just might be the one to bookmark thus far.

The Outlaws Series 3 review

Stephen Merchant serves up more delicious thrills and titters.

We Are Lady Parts Series 2 review

The tricky relationship between punk and glory is explored in this vibrant second serving of Amina and the gang.

Rik Mayall: Panglobal Phenomenon review

Enjoyable look behind the creative curtain as the late great Young One riffs and jams with his biographer.

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical review

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is undoubtedly a fun night out, although there might be an argument for keeping it to the Edinburgh Fringe one act structure to make the resulting musical a bit tighter.

Katherine Ryan: 'Holidays are way more important than school'

Taking kids out of school to go on holidays is "definitely right", according to Katherine Ryan.

The comedian, 40, argued that it is "much more enriching" to go away with family than it is to be in "institutionalised education".

We Are Lady Parts Series 2 review

It's brimming with confidence, bursting with enthusiasm and totally anarchic. What other show could go from quoting Marxist Pakistani poets to covering nu-metallers Hoobastank?

We Are Lady Parts Series 2 review

TV's raucous Muslim girl band have lost their spark.

Steven Moffat on Douglas Is Cancelled and theatrical rejection

The Doctor Who and Sherlock scribe discusses the long route to getting his new ITV drama on screen.

How Taskmaster became a stratospheric, and very silly, success story

The Greg Davies-fronted show has become a mega hit for Channel 4 after making the leap from Dave years ago, but execs took some convincing that it could work, creator Alex Horne tells Isobel Lewis.

The moment fan causes Sara Pascoe to break down in tears on stage

Sara Pascoe choked up on stage after a question from a fan left her looking back to her teenage years.

On the Mic Picks: Spring Day

This is Spring's eighth solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe, but her first at the Pleasance Courtyard.

Interview: My Lady Jane star Edward Bluemel

"I actually haven't read the book yet."