BCG Daily Wednesday 7th August 2024
FYI
People
Features
Quiz
BCG Pro
Pro
Press clippings
"His was a life unfinished" - Ben Elton on Rik Mayall
Rik Mayall's friend and fellow comedian Ben Elton has welcomed plans to launch a comedy festival in honour of his late friend.
Aida Fofana, BBC, 7th August 2024Edinburgh Fringe Diary 2024 - Part One
Trains, Pains And The Pick Of The Fringe So Far
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 7th August 2024Is Improv Having a Moment in UK Comedy?
Improv also has become a bit of a hacky punchline in the comedy world.
Michael Kunze, Entertainment Now, 7th August 2024Finlay Christie and Bobby Mair: How to Teach A New Dog Old Tricks
Smart, baby-faced posh boy actor turned stand up comedian Finlay Christie and human train wreck purveyor of comedy as a dark, dark art, Bobby Mair did not seem to me like the ideal pairing. Hah! Was I ever wrong!
Kate Copstick, Entertainment Now, 7th August 2024Rachel Fairburn interview
"I think it's all fine coming to the Fringe year after year and doing stand-up but you've got to try something new."
Natalie O'Donoghue, Broadway World, 7th August 2024
Naked Video actor and director Ron Bain dies aged 79
Tributes have been paid to the actor and director Ron Bain, who has died at the age of 79. His career spanned stage and screen for more than 50 years and he was involved with some of the most successful TV comedy shows to come out of Scotland.
Craig Williams, BBC, 7th August 2024Fringe 2024: Rarely Asked Questions - Juliet Cowan
25 years on from being a finalist in the So You Think You're Funny competition, (alongside Jimmy Carr, Russell Howard, Josie Long and winner David O'Doherty in 1999) and now a familiar face on film and TV as an actor, Juliet Cowan finally makes her stand up debut at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 7th August 2024Louise Atkinson: "Billy Connolly could tell me a story about a mayonnaise jar for two hours"
The comic on starting the career her ex was planning, how Jaffa Cakes help you judge people and why stand-ups need Tupperware.
Liam Pape, The Guardian, 7th August 2024Interview: Lara Ricote
Returning to Edinburgh, the 2022 Best Newcomer Award winner takes on the complex nature of personal and romantic relationships for her second show. The comedian and writer speaks to Kirstyn Smith.
Kirstyn Smith, Fest Mag, 7th August 2024Fringe 2024: Rarely Asked Questions - Kevin James Doyle
Kevin James Doyle makes a welcome return to the Edinburgh Fringe this year with a new hour After Endgame.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 7th August 2024Schalk Bezuidenhout's comedy favourites
"Can you separate a person from their art? With Louis CK, I try to."
Chortle, 7th August 2024"Edinburgh Fringe is at risk of losing its soul - it's changing so much"
The likes of Taskmaster, Fleabag, and Baby Reindeer all started life on stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival - but the reality of being a comedian in this rollercoaster month is at odds with these success stories. "It's a collective breakdown, but a fun one," says comedian Garrett Millerick, a comedy circuit stalwart who has worked on shows at the free access arts festival in the Scottish capital for 22 years now.
Kitty Chrisp, Metro, 7th August 2024The Hairy Godmothers on the best and worst of Edinburgh
"Turning FOMO into JOMO (the joy of missing out)".
Chortle, 7th August 2024A play about J.K. Rowling stirred outrage. Until it opened.
The muted reaction to the Edinburgh Fringe show TERF suggests that when activists engage with potentially inflammatory art, offense can quickly vanish.
Alex Marshall, The New York Times, 7th August 2024Fringe 2024: Rarely Asked Questions - Kyle Ayers
US comedian Kyle Ayers makes his Edinburgh Fringe debut with Hard To Say.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 7th August 2024Shop from TV's Sex Education faces demolition
A shop which starred in Netflix hit Sex Education is to be knocked down to make way for housing.
Tom Owen, BBC, 7th August 2024Gavin & Stacey mural vandalised ahead of reunion
A popular mural which immortalised much-loved Gavin & Stacey characters has been vandalised ahead of the show's return.
Catriona Aitken, BBC, 7th August 2024Podcasts
TV & radio
6:30pm30 min
Ian Smith Is Stressed
Episode 1 - The NorthIan Smith explores how being Northern has made him more stressed and attempts a new wellness fad that's sweeping the fields of England, cow-hugging.
9pm60 min
Battle In The Box
Episode 8 - Ellie Taylor & Jess Knappett v Jamie Laing & Nabil Abdulrashid - Part 2Both teams must resist temptation in Eyes on The Prize, stuff their faces in Going Going Scone, and smash balls against the clock in Shot In The Dark. Then in the final game, one team will find the keys and escape while the losers will be locked in the box forever.
9pm30 min
Mr. Bigstuff
Episode 5Lee takes drastic action when he realises his past has caught up with him, while Kirsty practises her wedding dance with Glen before finally coming clean about her shoplifting habit.
11pm15 min
The Lovely Boys Talk Good
Episode 1 - Meal PanIt's their big break, and the Lovely Boys are determined to be successful, no matter what it takes. Expect life coaching and alpha instructions from Branch Power, an Uber ride from the greatest sideman in videogame history, and Benny's fashion choices pushing Willy one step too far.