The BBC have released pictures of this year’s hilarious Comic Relief edition of The Great British Bake Off, and what an all-star cast it boasts!

The Great British Bake Off, the surprise hit cooking show which launched in 2010, will see stars such as Strictly Come Dancing Results presenter Claudia Winkleman, comedian Jo Brand and star of Ricky Gervais’ hit comedies, Life’s Too Short and An Idiot Abroad Warwick Davis, all hit their baking stations to see if they have what it takes to impress the judges when the show returns for this mini-series for charity at the end of the month.
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Channel 4 will once again air a massive star-studded Comedy Gala next month, featuring a whole host of top comedy talent from around the world.

Channel 4′s Comedy Gala will be a spectacular two and a half hour-long show to air in May and will take place a London’s 02 Arena in front of a massive 14,00 strong audience of enthusiastic spectators, waiting to be tickled pink by the likes of Lee Evans, Alan Carr, Michael McIntyre, Jonathan Ross, Keith Lemon, Paddy McGuiness, Micky Flanagan, Sean Lock, Kevin Bridges, Jo Brand, Jack Whitehall, Jack Dee, Jon Richardson and Lee Nelson, with yet more acts still to be announced. Combined they will make it the biggest live stand up show in UK history.

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Comedienne Jo Brand has revealed that she wants singer Morrissey to star in her new film, which is a TV adaptation of her book, The More You Ignore Me.

Jo has reportedly been commissioned by the BBC to adapt her novel, which centres on a troubled young girl who finds comfort in Morrissey’s music, and Jo would like the man himself to play the part.

She said, “I’ve just completed the final draft of the script based on one of my novels, which the BBC has commissioned as a 90-minute film.

“I’m really, really pleased about that. I’m going to try to get Morrissey to play the vicar in it, but I’m not holding out much hope.”

Jo is also about to star in Jo Brand’s Big Splash, a comedy series in which she tries out all manner of water based activities.

She told What’s On TV, “Basically it was quite nice swimming ideas at the beginning and then it metamorphosed into horrible ideas.

“I was tortured in various forms of water or made to jump off things or generally humiliated!”

Jo Brand’s Big Splash will air on Dave from September 22. Read more & comment »

Comedian Jo Brand has revealed that she finds quiz shows such as Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You, “intimidating.”

Speaking at the Hay Festival in Wales, Jo explained, “The problem with Mock The Week is there are so many comics, three people on each team and Dara O’Briain.

“When there are so many of you vying to get your point across it is really hard.

“You have got to have the confidence to fight to get your point made.

“Sometimes you think, ‘This is a really brilliant line’ so you say it and everyone looks at you like you’re a murderer so you just sit there for the rest of the show.”

She added that Have I Got News For You was “quite scary”, but went on to say that she does enjoy QI, which is hosted by Stephen Fry. Read more & comment »

Unlike Taking The Flak – last night’s BBC2 comedic offering – BBC4’s Getting On was truly hilarious and for once, I didn’t feel like one of Dick Turpin’s victims where my license fee was concerned.

Filmed documentary style and directed by Oscar winner Peter Capaldi, it completely embraced and faultlessly put across the PC, paper strewn world of the modern hospital ward, and the characters were utterly believable.

From put-upon nurse Kim Wilde, played in wonderfully dead pan mode by Jo Brand – who of course used to be a nurse so she may well have drawn on her own experiences for this show – to the pedantic and patronising Consultant, Dr Moore, again played to perfection by Vicki Pepperdine, it was a real treat for anyone who truly appreciates dark humour. Read more & comment »

I didn’t see the first episode of The Speaker, and having seen the second, I’m very glad I didn’t – it would’ve been another hour of my life that I’d never get back…

From what I can gather, it’s something along the lines of the ‘Idol’ series of shows but this one focuses on the oratory abilities of 14 to 18 year olds which, according to Aunty Beeb’s blurb, “sees tough-talking teens, class jokers and shy, sensitive types go head to head as they learn to talk publicly and passionately about the things that matter to them.”

Why?? What for? What’s the point?

The premise of The Speaker is that 160 youngsters have been chosen from thousands of applicants and are “put through their paces in front of judges Jo, Jeremy and John” in four regional auditions. Only 20 will make it through to the next stage where they’ll face a series of “communication challenges” set by a team of mentors… Read more & comment »