Alan Carr

Alan Carr is so keen-as-mustard, so effervescently eager-to-please, he has rushed out this New Year's Eve special two days early. And it's a classy edition to round off the series: Carr is joined by the brightest twinkling star of this year's Christmas television, David Tennant, who will be discussing his performance in his final episodes of Doctor Who, though no doubt remaining resolutely tight-lipped on the plot details. Davina McCall also drops by to discuss the last-ever Celebrity Big Brother (coming soon - be warned) and music comes from Spandau Ballet.

Personally, I found Alan Carr's recent statement that gay men make the best chatshow hosts because they are "gossipy" rather annoying - not only because it relies on a particular stereotype, but also because it would imply that Graham Norton is better in the field than Jonathan Ross. For all his faults, Wossy still has the edge on that score. That said, the last series of Carr's show was often hilarious with the right guests. Whether Noel Fielding and Mariah Carey fit into that category, we'll have to wait and see.

Jason Byrne has the honour of providing half of the official comedy on 2 at the moment - Vic Reeves's panel show Does the Team Think? makes up the other 50% - though regular presenters Mark Radcliffe, Jonathan Ross and Alan Carr can all make you splutter into your cuppa. Byrne, though, is different: his show is proper stand-up, complete with audience interaction. There are a couple of silly sketches but the bulk of his half-hour is like being in a decent comedy club with a much-more-than-decent comedian. The lines are sharp but it's the atmosphere and delivery that make the show. This week's topic was food. Byrne asked if anyone had ever eaten something they shouldn't. "A tick!" came the bizarre answer. "You mean the insect?" asked Byrne. "Or maybe you stopped talking and meant to say 'tac' after that." Ace.

Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins to go seperate ways

Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins are to end their telly partnership. Their hit show The Sunday Night Project will end after three years as Alan wants out.

Undoubtedly the biggest disappointment of the past week was Alan Carr: Chatty Man. Following in the footsteps of his Sunday Night Project co-host Justin Lee Collins' move to solo chat show host, Alan Carr's Channel 4 offering failed to live up to the weeks of hype surrounding it. Although better than his co-hosts ITV2 show, Alan Carr fails to capitalise on his guests despite attracting big named stars. The biggest problem is the show looks dated and misplaced trying to appeal to many age groups whilst alienating fans of the late night show both comedians started on.

Chatty Man Episode 2 Review

Everyone deserves a second chance, so I tuned in for the second episode of Alan Carr's new Sunday night chat-show. And... well, it was mildly better than last week's opener, but still very poor.

News of the World Review

50 minutes later I'm struck by a sudden realisation. I've never felt as sorry for another human being as I feel for poor Alan Carr right now. Because, unless he puts his foot down and goes with his own instincts, his CV must clearly state he went from The Sunday Night Project to The Sunday Night Reject.

TV Review - Alan Carr: Chatty Man

With Chatty Man, Channel 4 look like they've found the solution to their hole in the listings. Alan Carr is a warm and witty bloke, who has managed to win over fans of stand-up and TV comedy, as well as winning over the likes of my mum, who adores him. All in all, it was a show that felt very familiar in a nice way.

Alan Carr: Chatty Man Review

Another popular comedian is handed a chat-show to try their luck, with predictably poor results. Alan Carr's an amusing fellow on-stage doing stand-up (and the best thing about the awful Sunday Night Project), but his new series Chatty Man did nothing but present further evidence against giving funnymen an interviewer's job. They're performers, not facilitators of anecdotes.