A tight 5: September 27

ANIMATED series Bob’s Burgers – featuring the voices of Eugene Mirman and Kristen Schaal, among others – has been renewed for a fifth series in the States. The Fox network has ordered another 22 episodes – even before the fourth series starts this Sunday. Fox executive Kevin Reilly said: ‘Bob’s Burgers is one of those rare finds that just continues to outdo itself, creatively.’

THE comic accused of assaulting a journalist who live tweeted criticism during his show has denied throwing a punch. Dan Nainan told the Associated Press he was trying to defend himself after reporter Josh Rogin took a swing at him, and merely gave him a push. But Rogin said: ‘I did not instigate this incident. It occurred exactly the way that I and several witnesses reported at the time and is documented in the police report’. Nainan has been charged with simple assault.

RICKY GERVAIS will be doing a live Q&A session with fans on Facebook today at 3pm.

A NEW act comedy competition has been launched in Exeter. The ‘Aving A Giraffe contest offers a £1,000 first prize and a spot at Highlight in London... and there are no heats; the entire competition takes place at Exeter University’s Great Hall on December 4. To enter, aspiring comics need to submit a 30-second video. More info is available here.

AMERICAN satellite radio service SiriusXM is to launch a dedicated, 24/7 comedy channel, Just For Laughs Radio, featuring archive footage from 30 years of the Montreal comedy festival. ‘The Just For Laughs Festival’s international reach and rich archive of stand-up material is a valuable addition to our comedy offering,’ said company president Scott Greenstein.

Published: 27 Sep 2013