Alan Davies

Radio Times review

It's not long ago that Matthew McConaughey had become a byword for lightweight romantic comedies and going shirtless at every opportunity. But the role that recently won him a Golden Globe was lightweight in the literal sense: McConaughey shed three stone to play a rodeo cowboy dying of AIDS in The Dallas Buyer's Club.

The award put the icing on a remarkable return to the Hollywood A-list and tonight he discusses his comeback with Graham Norton while Alan Davies provides comedy cover and Sheryl Crow provides music.

Jonathan Creek takes aim at Sherlock

The new series of Alan Davies's whodunit introduces a character who claims to be able to make Sherlock-like deductions - but can't - in a send up of the hit BBC One drama.

Cutty Sark's hold is unveiled as London's new venue

London's newest theatre was today unveiled in the hold of the Cutty Sark. Comedians Alan Davies and Ross Noble, round-the-world yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and sailing enthusiast Griff Rhys Jones are among the inaugural line-up of performers in the 100-seat venue at King William Walk, Greenwich.

One of tonight's quite interesting facts is that all the guest celebs in Stephen Fry's quizzing kaleidoscope are female, with Radio 4 presenter Susan Calman, TV perennial Liza Tarbuck and actor/comedian/antiques buff Sandi Toksvig ready to subject themselves to a surreal grilling. Will regular Alan Davies be able to keep his end up as the only male on the receiving end of tonight's posers? Of course he will, with bells on.

Radio Times review

The QI arena is buzzing tonight. Sometimes you get the feeling everyone on the panel is simply enjoying themselves and the show's lovely meandering jollity quickly becomes infectious. On the panel we have Radio 4 regular Susan Calman, Sandi Toksvig and Liza Tarbuck, plus an in-form Alan Davies, who breaks into even more of those whimsical little mimes he likes doing than usual - a randy spider, a kayak being surprised by a trawler, and so on.

But there's fascination aplenty too as we learn about the tall tales of cinnamon salesmen, ultra-hot chillies and female weightlifters. Plus the urgent and surreal question: why would German soldiers have abnormally large breasts?

Quizmaster Stephen Fry, resplendent in a deep red, Noël Coward-ish dressing gown, hosts a sparkly QI Christmas special with guests, Mrs Brown's alter ego Brendan O'Carroll, Phill Jupitus, Jo Brand and Alan Davies. It's the Feast of Stephen, of course, and Fry introduces a young lady who's invented what she describes as an "unknitting machine" which is operated behind the scenes in the studio by her brother, much to everyone's ribald delight.

Fry, a man who loves gadgets, is thrilled as the machine unravels Alan Davies's festive scarf. Meanwhile, the guests wonder what presents we can expect from the Queen, and why Father Christmas is no longer on a Rich List.

A festive edition of Matt Lucas's comedy awards ceremony, where comedians nominate awards to be handed out in daft categories. Tonight's nominators are Jo Brand, Alan Davies and Rhod Gilbert, who will determining the awards before passing over judging duties to a celebrity panel. A loose term, perhaps, as the panel comprises perky dancer Bonnie Langford, bum-chinned funnyman Ted Robbins, 80s ventriloquist Bob Carolgees and Spit the Dog, chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and former footballer David Ginola.

Richard Osman's head is stuffed full of Pointless knowledge, as any fan of BBC One's excellent early evening quiz will know. This should mean the presenter will wipe the floor with the opposition as he joins Victoria Wood, Jason Manford and Alan Davies to field Fry's questions.

Still, there are no guarantees in the QI world, which not so long ago revealed the quite interesting fact that many of its former facts are now considered to be fiction. Sometimes you just can't win.

Alan Davies interview

With his schoolboy charm and unruly curls, British comedian Alan Davies has cemented his place in the affections of TV viewers around the world.