Billy Connolly

No amount of digital remastering would have improved the pilot episode of The Adventures of Daniel, just some top-to-bottom rewriting. Not unlike the BBC's other new sitcom, Grandma's House, The Adventures of Daniel revolves in sub-Seinfeld fashion around a comedian playing himself, in this case the teenage Scottish stand-up Daniel Sloss. He seems like an engaging and talented lad, but he was ill-served by some gruesomely unfunny material, all constructed around the notion that his (Scottish) girlfriend's (English) dad didn't care for him, but thought that his (Scottish) girlfriend's (English) sister's (Scottish) boyfriend was the bee's knees. As the (Scottish) girlfriend's (English) mother, looking faintly as though she had wandered into the wrong rehearsal room, was Imogen Stubbs.

Some of the previews of this pilot were decidedly enthusiastic. One of them even featured the emotive word "funny". So maybe I was alone in finding it, on the whole, as funny as gastroenteritis. Coincidentally, trawling through the channels not long after watching it, I happened on a superannuated Scottish stand-up, Billy Connolly, on one of his world tours, and was reminded what "funny" really is. But then not everyone is tickled by Connolly, either. What "funny" is more than anything is subjective, so let me just say that The Adventures of Daniel might be your thing, but on this early evidence it certainly isn't mine.

How overseas Billy Connolly keeps his Scots links alive

Overseas-based Billy Connolly is about to receive the freedom of Glasgow. The Scotsman examines how the former shipyard worker keeps his Scots links alive.

Billy Connolly set to receive Freedom of Glasgow award

Scots comedian Billy Connolly is to receive the Freedom of the City of Glasgow later.

Billy Connolly sculpture commissioned for Glasgow flats

A sculpture of Glasgow comedian Billy Connolly is to take pride of place at a new housing development in the city.

Interview: Ben Miller, comedian, actor

If comedy is all about timing, then I'm no Billy Connolly; we've only just met, and already Ben Miller is clearly trying very hard not to wince. But it turns out that his pain is intensely physical; earlier in the afternoon he was filming a stunt for the Catherine Tate Christmas special and wrenched his shoulder badly. However my timing is still off since I'm the only thing standing between him and a visit to a chiropractor. Stoically he insists it's no problem.

Billy Connolly in line for Freedom of Glasgow award

Comedian Billy Connolly has been nominated to receive the Freedom of the City of Glasgow.

The rise of the squealing, scampering pup has been phenomenal. His 2008 Live & Laughing tour, from which this show was plucked, spawned the fastest-selling DVD ever for a stand-up (or in his case, a roam-around). It probably won't whet your appetite to scan his list of topics: traffic, wake-up calls, limp handshakes... but the kinetic comic is a master at latching onto detail that chimes with the audience. Michael McIntyre may be the yin to Frankie Boyle's yang, but his vast following makes him a very big yin indeed. Billy Connolly, beware.

Billy Connolly was almost Doctor Who

Billy Connolly was nearly chosen to play Doctor Who. The Big Yin almost became the Time Lord for a one-off TV movie in 1996, a role which went to Paul McGann.

Billy Connolly records Sat Nav voice

Comedian Billy Connolly has lent his Scottish brogue and sense of humour to TomTom's sat-nav devices.