06/07/2012

Janice Forsyth talks to Jenny Eclair about her career transition from punk poet to comedian and author in light of the release of her third novel: Life, Death and Vanilla Slices.

Janice interviewed Eric Sykes on The Comedy Cafe early last year. We'll play a little bit of that interview in tribute to the great British comedy actor and writer, who died this week.

John Archer is magic. One of the UK's top comedy magicians, he was the first act to fool Penn and Teller, he's a member of 'The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star' and he performed at Derren Brown's father's 70th birthday party. He takes time out of Magic School (we're not kidding) to join The Comedy Cafe.

BBC Radio 4's shared parenting comedy The Gobetweenies returns for a second series on Friday, and it's written and directed by Scottish women! Writer Marcella Evaristi and director Marilyn Imrie tell Janice about the new series of this contemporary funny drama about a divorced North London family.

The Sensational Alex Salmond Band, otherwise known as Tommy Mackay and his guitar 'Nicola', has become known for irreverant songs and videos taking on politicians, comedians, actors...and now the minimum pricing for alcohol bill. Tommy and Nicola tell Janice about his new Edinburgh Fringe Festival musical, Oliver P*****.

Funny in Falkirk festival co-ordinator Gemma Maramis and performing Scottish stand-up comedians Keir McAllister and Scott Gibson tell Janice what we can expect from this year's line-up.