'A content-driven engagement platform'

WTF: Weekly Trivia File

‘Earlier this week, a combination of physical exertion, a mild cold and bad luck saw me flob on my own face. Right on it. About half a mugful.’ Rufus Hound

Comedy critic Kate Copstick was once licked by Jimmy Savile. The story, which she told blogger John Fleming, dates from her days as a children’s TV presenter. ‘I’m introduced to Jimmy Savile, I put my hand out to shake his hand and he takes my hand, turns it over and licks the palm,’ she said. ‘There was a moment of silent stillness where you could just hear everyone think Earghhh! and I was thinking I can’t say anything. After all, this is Jimmy Savile... Which is obviously what everyone else thought when he did things to them.’

A new German bestseller, He’s Back, imagines that Hitler wakes up in modern-day Berlin. And what job does the Fuhrer do when reanimated? Comedian....

James Corden and Jack Whitehall shot some hoops during the NBA London Live match at the O2 Arena this week... which the Daily Mail remarked was ‘slightly less scandalous’ than their Big Fat Quiz Of The Year appearance that the newspaper made so much fuss over.

Kevin Bishop might have once had his own Channel 4 comedy show... but says he has no plans to return. ‘I don’t have anything funny to write about now,’ he says. ‘I used it all up.’

Russell Brand was seen rummaging through bins in West Hollywood yesterday. It’s not that he was down on his luck, but just one of his regular engagements with the homeless people in his neighbourhood. After chatting to the men and joining them in their Womble-like hunt for discarded treasures, he treated them all to a meal in a swanky restaurant nearby.

In case you missed it, it’s worth catching up with BBC2’s Funny Business documentary about the business end of stand-up on iPlayer. If only for the marketing wonk from Foster’s describing comedy as a ‘content-driven engagement platform’. Or John Cleese complaining how money has ruined comedy... from his luxury Monaco apartment.

Ricky Gervais takes the opportunity to have a pop at his critics in the new series of Derek. He has previously batted away criticism that he was mocking someone with learning difficulties by insisting the titular character never had such problems – and as his creator, he should know. In the second episode of the new series, which starts on Channel 4 on January 30, he tackles the issue in a none-too-subtle way when an inspector visits the care home and asks what Derek's impairment is. Derek replies that if he was, would it change anything? At which point Karl Pilkington’s character Dougie leads the home in closing ranks and telling the inspector to fuck off.

Tweets of the week:
Tina Reganbot @ Reganbot ): Horse DNA has been found in some of the answers provided by Lance Armstrong to Oprah. Oh no wait I mean horse shit!
David O'Doherty (@phlaimeaux): Simulate the film Inner Space by swallowing a Lego man and dressing a bit 80s
Tony Cowards (@TonyCowards):