BCG Daily Wednesday 24th July 2024
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Press clippings
Damien Warren-Smith interview
We caught up with Damien to find out more about his latest show, Garry Starr: Classic Penguins, which is coming to the Edinburgh Fringe this August.
Ed Fortune, Starburst Magazine, 24th July 2024Fringe comedians recommend new acts to see in 2024
With over 3000 shows in the programme it can be difficult to know where to start so we've asked some leading comedians to recommend fringe debutants to see at the festival this year.
Reyt Good Magazine, 24th July 2024Edinburgh Fringe 2024: ten returning shows recommended by Scotsman critics
As our critics prepare to review hundreds of new Fringe shows, here are ten we already recommend.
The Scotsman, 24th July 2024Funny At The Fringe - Finlay Christie: I Deserve This
"It's about being a young person, privilege, drugs, religiously forbidden relationships and an emotional encounter with a tiger."
Holly, Phoenix Remix, 24th July 2024![Shaun The Sheep 2: Farmageddon. Will Becher Shaun The Sheep 2: Farmageddon. Will Becher](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/people/300x200/w/will_becher.jpg)
Will Becher to lead Aardman stop motion training
Aardman has named Academy Award-nominated director Will Becher as Stop Motion Lead for its facility, the Aardman Academy.
Jon Creamer, Televisual, 24th July 2024Interview: Natalie Palamides
Cover story: Returning to the Fringe with an equal parts outrageous and tender 90s rom-drom, former Best Newcomer Natalie Palamides talks to Veronica Finlay about clowning, taking risks and cutting the barnacles.
Veronica Finlay, Fest Mag, 24th July 2024EdFringe Talk: Tom Hearn Live: How Fabulous is That?!
"Edinburgh Fringe has always been a bucket list."
Dan Lentell, Get Your Coats On, 24th July 2024EdFringe Talk: Mustafa Algiyadi: Almost Legal Alien
"Despite hearing that EdFringe was much bigger than the Brighton Fringe, which I had previously experienced, I couldn't truly grasp how vast it was until I got there."
Dan Lentell, Get Your Coats On, 24th July 2024Interview with sketch comedy double act Grubby Little Mitts
"After the show, Mr Cox admitted that he stole not one but two of the eyeballs. Truly an amazing day!"
Tom Inniss, Voice Magazine, 24th July 2024Interview with comedian Harriet Dyer
"This might sound mad but I wasn't really a massive fan of comedy growing up (other than Russ Abbott and The Dinner Ladies) which I think helped me have a unique voice as I was never going off something that I knew."
Tom Inniss, Voice Magazine, 24th July 2024Interview with comedian and writer Stephanie Laing
"I've done years where I've been focused on getting good reviews or selling out the show, but I think it's better if you just remember it's a really really enjoyable way to spend a month of your life."
Tom Inniss, Voice Magazine, 24th July 2024Isabella Charlton interview
"Don't let my show title scare you ... I promise it's a comedy".
The Herald, 24th July 2024Hannah Platt and Amy Mason: Letter to a Debut Comedian
Hannah Platt and Amy Mason, two acts each debuting at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, take five minutes to give themselves some sage Fringe advice.
Hannah Platt and Amy Mason, The Skinny, 24th July 2024Jazz Emu creator Archie Henderson shares his comedy favoruites
As he heads to the Edinburgh Fringe, Archie Henderson - the musical comedian behind Jazz Emu - shares his Perfect Playlist of comedy favourites.
Chortle, 24th July 2024Edinburgh festival 2024: six of the funniest comedians at the fringe
Looking for rising stars this summer? Try gossipy stand-up, an end-of-the-pier homage and a "gay witch sex cult".
Rachael Healy, The Guardian, 24th July 2024![Piglets. Image shows left to right: Afia (Halema Hussain), Geeta (Sukh Ojla), Leggo (Sam Pote), Superintendent Bob Weekes (Mark Heap), Superintendent Julie Spry (Sarah Parish), Steph (Callie Cooke), Paul (Jamie Bisping), Dev (Abdul Sessay) Piglets. Image shows left to right: Afia (Halema Hussain), Geeta (Sukh Ojla), Leggo (Sam Pote), Superintendent Bob Weekes (Mark Heap), Superintendent Julie Spry (Sarah Parish), Steph (Callie Cooke), Paul (Jamie Bisping), Dev (Abdul Sessay)](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/comedies/300x200/p/piglets_iconic.jpg)
Piglets hit with 106 Ofcom complaints as viewers fume over 'disrespectful' show
Piglets debuted last weekend and is a six-part series based on a fictional police training college - but viewers weren't happy.
Jasmine Allday, The Mirror, 24th July 2024Funny At The Fringe - Dee Allum: Deadname
"It's about coming out as trans, how that's made my life worse in lots of ways, and how we come to terms with our old selves."
Holly, Phoenix Remix, 24th July 2024Fringe Q and A: Simon Munnery Subverts the Genre
"My show this year is called Simon Munnery, a title loosely based on my own name."
Entertainment Now, 24th July 2024Fringe Quickies: 165 - Michael Porter - Love & Brain Damage
"I've been writing this show for 14 years & I'm finally at the point where I'm ready to share it with the world".
WJ Quinn, The Quintessential Review, 24th July 2024Unfiltered #27 - The reality of getting Fringe ready with CRISPR: the Musical!
A Week in the Life Prepping for a Fringe Run.
The Quintessential Review, 24th July 2024Chelsea Birkby: Are you an oversharer? Take the quiz!
She's created a handy quiz for you to work out how mentally ill you are.
Chelsea Birkby, LMAOnaise, 24th July 2024Dream Gig: Frankie Monroe
Yorkshire's biggest bastard and BBC New Comedy Award Winner Frankie Monroe (aka Joe Kent-Walters) transports us back to 1977.
Joe Kent-Walters as Frankie Monroe, The Skinny, 24th July 2024Edinburgh Fringe Q&A - Billy Kirkwood
"This has been my everything for over a decade... being able to do it fresh and liberated again is amazing"
Ross Crae, The Sunday Post, 24th July 2024Interview with multimedia comedian Ted Hill
"After a preview, someone came up to me to tell me I had to change a joke because 'kids these days don't know about Saddam Hussein'. I have not changed the joke, but do think about that comment a lot."
Tom Inniss, Voice Magazine, 24th July 2024![Benny Hill Benny Hill](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/people/300x200/b/benny_hill.jpg)
Snoop Dogg on his unexpected love for Benny Hill
He's not the obvious Benny Hill fanboy, but Snoop Dogg has been waxing lyrical about his love of the old-school British comic, despite him long falling out of fashion.
Chortle, 24th July 2024![Changing Ends. Image shows left to right: Present Day Alan (Alan Carr), Alan (Oliver Savell). Credit: Baby Cow Productions Changing Ends. Image shows left to right: Present Day Alan (Alan Carr), Alan (Oliver Savell). Credit: Baby Cow Productions](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/comedies/300x200/c/changing_ends_b.jpg)
Changing Ends review
Each scene is a showcase for Savell, who even upstages the real Alan who pops in as narrator now and again.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 24th July 2024Edinburgh blog: What is the point of the Fringe?
"Being a part of the Fringe unleashes a buzz like no other".
Stephanie Hunter, What's On Stage, 24th July 2024The Skinny on... The Duncan Brothers
As the Duncan Brothers prepare to launch their new Fringe show, promising to exorcise the ancient Celtic curse that has haunted their bloodline for generations, they take on our Q&A.
The Skinny, 24th July 2024![Alex Kitson Alex Kitson](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/people/300x200/a/alex_kitson.jpg)
Fringe preview review: Alex Kitson: Must I Paint You a Picture?
It may be on at 22:55 at night but I urge you to buy a ticket to this show.
Holly, Phoenix Remix, 24th July 2024BBC Scotland at the Edinburgh Festivals
With further names to be announced, the programming across TV, iPlayer, radio, BBC Sounds and online - including events at the BBC at the Edinburgh Festivals venue - will provide key information and insight for festival goers and audiences at home.
BBC, 24th July 2024Amy Annette on ideas to fix the festival
Like all too-good-to-be-true offers, the Fringe doesn't actually promise anything for performers' money.
Amy Annette, Chortle, 24th July 2024Unfiltered #28 - The reality of getting Fringe ready with Ian Lockwood: The Farewell Tour
A Day in the Life of Ian Lockwood's Fringe Preparations.
Ian Lockwood, The Quintessential Review, 24th July 2024Rosco McClelland on the irresistible buzz of the festival
"Edinburgh feels so alive during the Fringe, it's impossible not to get caught up in it."
Chortle, 24th July 2024Edinburgh Fringe: 10 shows with a neurodiversity angle
Neurodiversity rules at the Edinburgh Fringe. Here's just ten of the many shows built around the topic.
Chortle, 24th July 2024Eggs, bacon, banter: the Scottish hotel trying to make breakfast the funniest meal of the day
Are you a comedian desperate for an audience - and accommodation - during the Edinburgh Fringe? This could be your dream gig.
The Guardian, 24th July 2024Will Owen: Picking the Strictly Come Dancing line-up at Edinburgh Fringe
Strictly Come Dancing might be more than a little beleaguered at the moment but knowing TV, it'll be back before long pretending like nothing happened!! So in preparation for that moment, Will has compiled a guide to casting Strictly from the Edinburgh Fringe pool.
Will Owen, LMAOnaise, 24th July 2024Comedy: The Antidote to Tragedy
Comedians Anna Akana and Catherine McCafferty make their Fringe debut this year. Here they write about tragedies in their lives and the healing power of comedy.
Richard Beck, Broadway Baby, 24th July 202410 to see at Edinburgh Fringe
Our Managing Editor looks at some practically nailed-on winners for this August.
Kevin Ibbotson-Wight, The Wee Review, 24th July 2024Urooj Ashfaq returns to the UK for more laughter
The stand-up comedian on the thrill of performing, winning awards, and what's next in her comedy career.
Asjad Nazir, Eastern Eye, 24th July 2024Kyle Ayers: Living in Pain
James MacFarlane talks with Kyle Ayers about his show Hard to Say.
James MacFarlane, Broadway Baby, 24th July 2024Funny At The Fringe - Spring Day: Exvangelical
"Spring Day: Exvangelical is about why I joined a Christian cult as a teenager and how I left 13 years later."
Holly, Phoenix Remix, 24th July 2024Edinburgh Fringe Q&A - Raul Kohli
"For all the stress and responsibility, it seems to be the place I thrive the most on the planet".
Ross Crae, The Sunday Post, 24th July 2024Edinburgh Fringe Q&A - Eleanor Morton
"My show is a love letter to my home town and the festival".
Ross Crae, The Sunday Post, 24th July 2024![Frankie Boyle Frankie Boyle](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/people/300x200/f/frankie_boyle.jpg)
Frankie Boyle condemns Labour MP 'celebrating' two-child benefit cap
Labour MP Deirdre Costigan shared an image of herself smiling alongside a group of Labour activists and politicians along with the caption "celebrating putting country before party".
Xander Elliards, The National (Scotland), 24th July 2024Interview: Kathleen Hughes
"Even if it goes horribly wrong, I may have learned something about myself." We speak to Kathleen Hughes about her debut show, Cryptid!
Kevin Ibbotson-Wight, The Wee Review, 24th July 2024Mustafa Algiyadi: A front row seat to the Judgement Day budget cuts
Here, he gives us unique behind-the-scenes access beyond the pearly gates as austerity hits the heavens.
Mustafa Algiyadi, LMAOnaise, 24th July 2024Funny At The Fringe - Yuriko Kotani: The Meanings of Life
"It's about myself, a Japanese person living in London while trying to stay connected with my family in Japan."
Holly, Phoenix Remix, 24th July 2024Sarah Hester Ross is What? Q&A
BWW caught up with Sarah Hester Ross about bringing Sarah Hester Ross is What? to the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Kat Mokrynski, Broadway World, 24th July 2024Top Fun! 80s Spectacular - Remix Q&A
BWW caught up with Matt Hale about bringing Top Fun! 80s Spectacular - Remix to the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Kat Mokrynski, Broadway World, 24th July 2024Abby Wambaugh interview
Abby awoke in hospital after a late miscarriage and, high on anaesthesia, decided to become a comedian.
The New Current, 24th July 2024Matt Forde relives moment angry Nat stormed out of set after he dared make a joke about the SNP
The comic is set to play the Edinburgh Festival next month and described how a previous visit to the capital led to a punter storming out after he made a joke about Ferguson Marine and the ferry fiasco.
David Walker, Scottish Daily Express, 24th July 2024Podcasts
TV & radio
![Geoff Norcott Geoff Norcott](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/people/300x200/g/geoff_norcott_2019.jpg)
Geoff Norcott's Working Men's Club
Episode 3This week, Geoff looks at male friendship. Are men capable of forming better bonds with other men, beyond stag dos and pub crawls? With the help of his studio audience, Geoff looks at why so many men seem lonely, and why they seem reluctant to do anything constructive about it.
![Battle In The Box. Image shows left to right: Josh Jones, Fatiha El-Ghorri Battle In The Box. Image shows left to right: Josh Jones, Fatiha El-Ghorri](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/comedies/300x200_eps/b/battle_in_the_box_0104.jpg)
Battle In The Box
Episode 4 - Katherine Ryan & Tom Rosenthal v Fatiha El-Ghorri & Josh Jones - Part 2The celebrities attempt to beat their opponents (and gravity) in Sticky Situation, put their tastebuds to the test in Soda Sommelier, and begin to see the world from their partner's perspective (literally) in Body Swap.
![Mr Bigstuff. Image shows left to right: Glen (Ryan Sampson), Aysha (Fatiha El-Ghorri) Mr Bigstuff. Image shows left to right: Glen (Ryan Sampson), Aysha (Fatiha El-Ghorri)](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/comedies/300x200_eps/m/mr_bigstuff_0103.jpg)
Mr. Bigstuff
Episode 3Glen steps up as acting manager of World of Carpets, but the power goes to his head, while Lee quizzes Kirsty about his brother and whether he has been neglecting his manly duties. To help Glen regain his mojo, Lee instigates a fight club and finally confesses the trouble he has got himself into.
![Jim Smith Jim Smith](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/people/300x200/j/jim_smith.jpg)
Jim Smith: Me And The Farmer
Episode 4 - Passionate About PotatoesJim's dad was passionate about tatties (that's potatoes!) and it's a passion he shared with his son. This episode is all about the folk who came to help pick the tatties and the berries in the local area - with people coming from all over Scotland the fields were full of parties and good banter.