Comedy news: Such Small Portions's news

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Sacha Baron Cohen has been picked to play the role of Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury in a film about the singer.
The new film, which is still untitled, is being written by acclaimed screenwriter Peter Morgan, whose previous work includes The Queen, The Last King of Scotland and the gripping documentary film Frost/Nixon.
Speaking on the BBC’s Hardtalk show, Queen guitarist Brian May said: "We have Sacha Baron Cohen, which will probably be a shock to a lot of people, but he's been talking with us for a long time."
The film is set to focus on the early career of Freddie Mercury’s life, leading up to the zenith of the band’s career with the performance at Live Aid in 1985.

Speaking about the film, May added that the band ‘will try and keep out of it as much as we can’.
Graham King, whose GK Films is developing the film with De Niro's Tribeca Productions, said: "Queen is one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and a music brand all unto itself - Freddie Mercury was an awe-inspiring performer, so with Sacha in the starring role, coupled with Peter's screenplay and the support of Queen, we have the perfect combination to tell the real story behind their success."
Production will begin next year.

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James Corden has confirmed once again that mainstream press have no idea about comedy after scooping the GQ award for best comedian of the year..

Corden, who only two months ago beat Morecambe and Wise to bag ‘best comedy duo ever’ alongside his colleague Mathew Horne, garnered the biggest cheer of the night and even a standing ovation from pop group JLS when he went to collect his gong at the Royal Opera House earlier this week.

The 32-year-old comedian admitted that he has won so many awards in the last few years that he leaves them at his parents house so that he

Corden said: “I can’t have them all around my house. I’m big-headed enough without seeing awards everywhere.”

Unfortunately for Corden though, it seems that his award has been shattered, literally, after he dropped it within hours of receiving it. Still, one less one to dust eh?

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Mock the Week star Russell Howard is set to miss some of the TV recordings of cult comedy panel show after the shows TV recording schedule clashed with other commitments.

According to the British Comedy Guide Howard has been quick to quash rumours that quitting the show.

The Bristolian comedian has seen his recording schedule become notably busier in the last couple of years, with commitments to both Mock The Week and his own TV show, Russell Howard’s Good News.

Howard is confirmed to appear in both the first and final episodes of the panel show, as well as the Christmas special. 

In a statement from the BBC Howard said: "I love being part of Mock the Week but I wanted to quash the persistent rumours that Dara O'Briain and I inappropriately share a dressing room by taking a break until they blow over."

The new series of Mock the Week is set to kick off tonight with appearances by Andi Osho, Milton Jones and Chris Addison. 

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Comedian Lee Evans is suing Jongleurs for £50,000 after claiming that the chain of comedy clubs has used pictures of him without his consent. 

According to the Daily Telegraph, laywers for Evans have filed papers in the High Court suing for copyright infringement after the Jongleurs comedy club at the Waterfront complex in Bournemouth used photos of the comedian to promote their club.

Lawyers acting on Evans’ behalf have claimed that - due to his Hollywood success and efforts not to endorse corporate events over the entirety of his career - the comedian would never even wish to play at the club, which has creating a false image of it’s ability to attract headline stars of the comedy circuit by using promo shots taken by photographer Ray Burmiston over a 10-year period as part of its marketing campaign.

Describing Evans as an ‘international celebrity, actor and musician who enjoys huge critical and commercial success as a stand-up comedian", lawyers have said that the apparent celebrity endorsement is particularly damaging to their client, who sees no alternative but to seek legal action. 

Evans, who has appeared in a number of high profile films including the Ben Striller comedy ‘There’s Something About Mary’ which also starred Cameron Diaz, Lee is also the star of the Channel 4 series, The World of Lee Evans.

Evans has said that as a matter of principle, he has never accepted offers to perform at corporate events, nor ever commercially endorsed any product, making the Jongleur’s actions particularly damaging.

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Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle has announced an extension to his UK tour with a flurry of extra dates across the UK.

Boyle is set to play extra shows in Plymouth on December 2, London's Hammersmith Apollo on 3 - 5 December, Glasgow's SECC Arena on December 6, Manchester's Evening Arena on Dec 7, Aberdeen on December 8, Sheffield's Motorpoint Arena on 10 December, Birmingham's NIA Arena on 12 December, Liverpool's Echo Arena on 14 December before calling it a day at Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena on December 15.

Boyle is offering fans the chance to buy tickets before they are on general release, for more information visit his website on at www.frankieboyle.com/

Full list is as follows:

2 DECEMBER: PLYMOUTH - PAVILIONS

For information call: 0845 146 1460

3 – 5 DECEMBER: LONDON – HMV HAMMERSMITH APOLLO

For information call: 0844 844 4748

6 DECEMBER: GLASGOW - SECC

For information call: 0844 395 4000

7 DECEMBER: MANCHESTER – EVENING NEWS ARENA

For information call: 0844 847 8000

8 DECEMBER: ABERDEEN - AECC

For information call: 0844 477 9000

10 DECEMBER: SHEFFIELD – MOTORPOINT ARENA

For information call:: 0114 256 5656

12 DECEMBER: BIRMINGHAM - NIA 

For information call: 0844 338 0338

14 DECEMBER: LIVERPOOL – ECHO ARENA

For information call:: 0844 800 0400

15 DECEMBER: NEWCASTLE – METRO RADIO ARENA

For information call: 0844 493 6666