British Comedy Guide

BCG Daily Friday 20th December 2024

News

Press clippings

Nativity!. Copyright: Mirrorball Films

"Nativity! is a true part of Christmas culture"

"It's up there with some of the most important Christmas films for people". That's the verdict of movie director Debbie Isitt, who puts a hefty slice of the affection for Nativity! down to the starring role Coventry's Holy Family Primary School played.

Andy Giddings & Ben Sidwell, BBC News, 20th December 2024
Bad Sisters

Sharon Horgan: "I was sleepless with no energy - then I hired a menopause expert"

The actress and screenwriter on staying well in mid-life, her upcoming role as Amanda Knox's mum, and why she had to write a second series of Bad Sisters.

Helen Brown, i Newspaper, 20th December 2024
Lloyd Griffith

Lloyd Griffith swaps comedy for Christmas carol

Comedian and actor Lloyd Griffith has got into the festive spirit with a carol recital at Lincoln Cathedral.

BBC, 20th December 2024
Comedy Club

Police officer drove to comedy show while on duty

A "dishonest" police officer who travelled to a comedy show when she was on duty would have been sacked if she had not left the force, a panel ruled.

George King, BBC, 20th December 2024
Duncan Norvelle

Duncan Norvelle obituary

Comedian whose camp variety act made him a showbiz top earner in the 1980s.

The Telegraph, 20th December 2024
A Very Sheeps Christmas. Image shows left to right: Alastair Roberts, Daran Johnson, Liam Williams, Katy Wix

Tim Harding's comedy diary

I have a soft spot for the kind of productions that appear at this time of year: often loose, slightly boozy festive offerings that only make sense in an end-of-term context.

Tim Harding, Chortle, 20th December 2024
Mark Dolan. Copyright: Steve Ullathorne

Mark Dolan goes solo after GB News sacking

Mark Dolan has broken his silence about getting sacked from GB News. However apart from confirming the decision to leave the channel after three-and-a-half years was not his, the former comedian gave no details of what happened.

Chortle, 20th December 2024
Mrs. Brown's Boys. Image shows from L to R: Buster Brady (Danny O'Carroll), Grandad Brown (Dermot O'Neill), Dino Doyle (Gary Hollywood), Rory Brown (Rory Cowan), Cathy Brown (Jennifer Gibney), Mark Brown (Pat Shields), Betty Brown (Amanda Woods), Winnie McGoogan (Eilish O'Carroll), Dermot Brown (Paddy Houlihan), Agnes Brown (Brendan O'Carroll), Maria Nicholson / Brown (Fiona O'Carroll). Copyright: BBC / BocPix

Comedy legend defends Mrs Brown's Boys and says it's 'insane' show gets such a grilling

Comedian Ben Elton has defended divisive BBC sitcom Mrs. Brown's Boys.

He insisted harsh reviews from critics were hugely unfair.

Rod McPhee, The Sun, 20th December 2024
Ania Magliano. Credit: Rebecca Need-Menear

Ania Magliano talks her new stand-up show and being a queer woman in comedy

DIVA spoke to comedy's rising star about her upcoming tour Forgive Me, Father.

Diva Mag, 20th December 2024

Videos

TV & radio

BBC Radio Scotland 1:30pm
30 min
Breaking The News. Des Clarke. Copyright: BBC Studios

Breaking The News

Series 29, Highlights Special - Best Of Unbroadcast

Join Des Clarke for all the hilarious, previously unheard material from this year's Breaking The News. It's a chance to get the live recording experience as we present quips, bloopers and epic stories from from the last 12 months.

Radio 4 3:45pm
15 min
The Doghouse. Credit: BBC

Not Even A Mouse

A new, specially-commissioned short story for Christmas written by John Finnemore, in which someone discovers that it's never too late to change. Adrian Scarborough narrates.

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
The Naked Week. Andrew Hunter Murray

The Naked Week

Episode 4

The team give the news a hard stare as they try to recruit a spy and steal some of the Uncanny podcast's listening figures by contacting Nigel Farage with a ouija board.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 8pm
60 min
Junior Taskmaster

Junior Taskmaster

Episode 7 - Shout-Out To Slow Maths

There's one question on everyone's lips: who'll be the last two little legends to make it through to the first-ever Junior Taskmaster grand final? It's the second semi-final, and the contestants' last chance to impress Rose Matafeo with their task-based tenacity. Our savvy semi-finalists pull no punches as they move caterpillars, play football and partake in some good old-fashioned detective work.

Sky Comedy. Copyright: Sky 9pm
90 min
Paul Chowdhry: Family-Friendly Comedian. Paul Chowdhry

Paul Chowdhry: Family-Friendly Comedian

After barely surviving the pandemic and with two pent-up years of killer material, Paul tackles the UK's handling of Covid-19, why the rules of six only worked for white people, England football fans, Tom Cruise's helicopter and Naked Attraction in the Middle East.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 9:30pm
30 min
The Young Offenders

The Young Offenders

Christmas Special

Conor wants only the best for his mother. But he's still a novice at housework, including washing. So Mairéad decides to give him lessons, clearing out his wash-basket, only to find that Conor is holding something for a "friend".

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 10pm
65 min
The Last Leg. Image shows from L to R: Josh Widdicombe, Adam Hills, Alex Brooker

The Last Leg

Series 31, Christmas Special

Adam, Josh and Alex are joined by Richard Coles and Alex Jones for a festive special. Featuring music from Reverend and the Makers and a whole ho-ho-host of other festive treats.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 10:40pm
50 min
The Graham Norton Show. Image shows left to right: Timothée Chalamet, Colman Domingo, Andrew Garfield, Graham Norton, Ruth Jones, James Corden, Laufey Haraldsdóttir

The Graham Norton Show

Series 32, Episode 12 - Timothée Chalamet, Colman Domingo, Andrew Garfield, James Corden, Ruth Jones, Laufey

Timothée Chalamet says he now worships at the church of Bob Dylan, Colman Domingo talks about working with real prison inmates, Andrew Garfield says his new film is a little gem, Ruth Jones and James Corden talk about the end of Gavin & Stacey, and Laufey performs live in the studio.

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