David Mitchell (I)

If, back in May, you found yourself on the night of the general election, flicking between channels, you may have found that Channel 4's funny, free-fl owing take on events appealed more than the stern psephology on BBC, ITV and Sky. In fact, while it was on air, Alternative Election Night drew a bigger audience than ITV's election coverage, a feat that helped spawn this spiritual successor, a live show with a satirical take on current events, courtesy of David Mitchell, Lauren Laverne, Jimmy Carr, Charlie Brooker and their guest interviewees. Expect some witheringly sharp wit as well as the odd car crash: as Carr points out, "It's an hour of live TV once a week on Channel 4. I heard Ofcom have set up a panic room. It might save everyone a lot of time and energy if I just apologise and resign now."

Not everyone might have been happy with what happened at the last election, but after the success of Channel 4's Alternative Election Night, the ubiquitous Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell, Charlie Brooker and Lauren Laverne have returned for this new weekly satirical show. Filmed in front of a live studio audience, the four will front separate sections of the show. Brooker will be looking back at the most topical stories of the week, Laverne will be reacting to audience feedback, Mitchell's duty is to fire up discussions, while Carr keeps it all together from his desk. Will Paxman be losing any sleep?

Jimmy Carr has said that Ofcom has set up a panic room in anticipation of this live hour of mirth on Channel 4 - a joke, ostensibly, though the evening will undoubtedly be juicy with Carr, David Mitchell, Charlie Brooker and Lauren Laverne at the helm. The same quartet hosted C4's excellent Alternative Election Night and it looks like more or less the same set-up: intelligent and funny chat with bright-spark guests discussing current affairs, plus interviews and topical comedy. Bring it on.

Numberwrong

According to Robert Webb, BBC Three genuinely asked him and David Mitchell to present a real version of their impossibly nonsensical quiz show sketch, Numberwang.

David Mitchell: I wanted to be a wizard, then PM

David Mitchell describes himself.

10 O'Clock Live is Channel 4's latest stab at a topical comedy show. Given the involvement of Charlie Brooker and David Mitchell, it might be less egregious than previous attempts.

Unfortunately, it also stars the facile Jimmy Carr and not-actually-a-comedian Lauren Laverne. My prediction: not half as challenging and sharp as it should be.

David Mitchell interview

David Mitchell says: "Ironically I only agreed to do the live election show because it was a one-off. I thought if it was a disaster I could just quickly put it behind me. But it strikes me now as a natural and obvious comedy thing to be doing."

David Mitchell, 10 O'Clock Live - interview

David Mitchell says of 10 O'Clock Live... "it's different from anything I've done before, because you can't write jokes for it."

David Mitchell: So farewell 2011

2011 wasn't very eventful, apart from a mass suicide by Lib Dem MPs.

David Mitchell, Jimmy Carr, Charlie Brooker and Lauren Laverne team up to produce a live, topical "comedy and current affairs" show. Think Newsnight with a steady laugh-track. Adrian Chiles is doing something similar for ITV in That Sunday Night Show but this is probably the one to watch.