Bruce Dessau

Opinion: How true does comedy have to be?

Miranda Hart has come in for criticism this week from reviewers who felt that some of her jokes in her arena show did not ring true.

Lynn Ruth Miller, Soho Theatre - comedy review

Lynn Ruth Miller's follow-your-dream message is hardly original but she is undeniably an inspirational living tribute to her philosophy.

Preview: Inside No 9 - The Harrowing, BBC Two

Draw the curtains, turn off the light. It's the last Inside No. 9, sob, and it's a genuine fright fest.

Tim Key, Arcola Tent - comedy review

Like the recent work of Daniel Kitson, whom Tim Key collaborated with last autumn, this bold in-the-round show takes storytelling into unexpected places.

Review: GQ Extravaganza, Hammersmith Apollo

GQ has a long-standing reputation for being a stylish fashion magazine, but it is also building up a reputation for stylish comedy. Thanks to the contacts book and charm of its comedy editor, stand-up James Mullinger, it has put together a number of striking special editions featuring the world's greatest clowns and comedy actors from Jerry Seinfeld to Paul Rudd and Ricky Gervais. This year they went one stage further with a formidable comedy gig, which worked absolutely brilliantly. Until the headline act came on...

Review: The Michael Mcintyre Chat Show, BBC One

In some ways this may be the simplest review I've ever written. If you like Michael McIntyre you'll like TMMCS. If you don't you won't.

Daniel Kitson - Brilliant As Ever, But...

Seasoned Kitson aficionados will know that he can be better than this.

Inside No. 9, BBC2's dark comedy thriller series from half a League of Gents, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, who were also behind Psychoville, has been a critical hit but has not excelled in the ratings. Episodes have attracted a not-so-thrilling average of 800,000 viewers, but fans of the tales with a twist will be relieved to hear that a sequel has been commissioned. The decision was taken before the series was broadcast - if the number-crunchers had seen the figures maybe they would have had second thoughts. Catch the final edition, The Harrowing, with Helen McCrory guesting, on Wednesday.

Opinion: Should Justin Lee Collins be on the radio?

The announcement has prompted some serious head-scratching. Should the station be employing Collins? It's a classic difficult decision. He has served his sentence, he has a right to work. I guess in this case you have a right not to subscribe to him. Or maybe to paraphrase one wag on Twitter, you have a right to cancel your introductory free subscription. Will those on a free trial listen to the man who was on trial?

Jason Manford sets up comedy club 'Kite Mark'

Comedian Jason Manford is setting up a website for well-run gigs, to help comedians get the right kind of bookings and, more importantly, to encourage comedy fans to enjoy live comedy and keep supporting live comedy.