David Stubbs

The original title Apocalypse Slough might have suited this series better, but its transatlantic potential precluded that provincial option. Still, this is a great, mordant end-of-the-world drama, finely led by Mathew Baynton, of Horrible Histories and Yonderland fame. He's joined by big names, such as Rob Lowe and Megan Mullally - and Diana Rigg, who features as shadowy, oxygen-guzzling Sutton. Tonight, Scotty tries to make up for mistakes and Jamie is shaken by a sudden tragedy.

"An Englishman an Irishman and a Pakistani ... what a wonderful example of racial integration." So ran a typical joke by Bernard Righton, the PC comedian created by The Fast Show's John Thomson in the early 90s. The effects of common decency on UK comedy were always greatly exaggerated, but, Righton is back in a new series, trawling the archives of classic, vintage stand-up with his own links.

This promising all-star comedy drama stars Mathew Baynton, one of the Horrible Histories ensemble, as Jamie, a diffident bank manager who is falsely arrested for cyberterrorism but for whom a still grimmer fate lies in wait, along with the rest of humanity: a comet is on an unavoidable collision course with Earth, due to crash in 34 days. Appropriately, the cast is like a sea of past sitcoms flashing before your eyes - Megan Mullally from Will & Grace, Jenna Fischer, Rob Lowe and Pauline Quirke as Jamie's mum.

The channel's series re-exploring the merits of silent comedy continues with this piece starring Seann Walsh, Marek Larwood and Jocelyn Jee Esien - one of whom accidentally kills the guide dog of a blind man, played with customary gravity by Vic Reeves. Any comedy involving Reeves invariably involves the surreal use of food, and so it is that the death of the hound is caused by a prawn sandwich. The hapless trio must now convince Reeves that his dog is still alive. Non-verbal hilarity ensues.

The first in Sky Arts' Physical Comedy season, in which a host of stars both established and up-and-coming feature in a series of silent comedy shows. Among those set to appear are Johnny Vegas, Frank Skinner, Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, as well as Jocelyn Jee Esien and Marek Larwood. Tonight's opener stars Kim Cattrall as Ruby, who lives in a huge ramshackle house along with a troupe of acrobats who perform dazzling physical feats. It was written by Mike Wozniak, who also co-stars.

Created by Emily Mortimer, daughter of Rumpole author John Mortimer, and Dolly Wells, whose father was satirist John Wells, this semi-improvised series could be dismissed as an exercise in self-indulgent showbiz nepotism. However, while not wildly funny, it is richly nuanced and observational, drawing on a deeply embedded real-life friendship between the pair. In the final episode of the current series, it's the opening night of the off-Broadway play the pair have been planning. Inevitably, however, crisis strikes at the last minute.

The sports panel show returns for its ninth series, a boon for those who feel that you can never get too much exposure to James Corden. Despite his new US-based job, Corden hosts proceedings as ever, while regulars Jamie Redknapp, Freddie Flintoff and Jack Whitehall are all present and occasionally correct for this opener. They are joined by Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter and comedian Josh Widdicombe, while Sky Sports presenter Olivia Wayne (formerly Godfrey) adds a direly needed female presence to mitigate the bantz.

Last in this broad and disappointing series, clearly based on Julian Assange yet yielding a fraction of the comedic potential offered by the man himself. Ben Miller is the self-important document leaker disappointed by the superficial response of the press to his manifesto. He then inadvertently ruins the chances of his El Rican hosts of bidding for the World Cup. His bunkmate, Ludo, whose indeterminate European language sounds mostly Welsh, must use his hacking skills to bail him out.

If the genial tone of the title of McIntyre's Christmas show brings a chortle to your lips, you can be sure you're among his target audience. McIntyre will be using his inimitable style to tease out seasonal stories from a host of celebrity guests. As well as the chat, the programme will be crammed with a televisual stockingful's worth of audience interaction, studio games and hidden-camera stunts. For something a bit racier, there's a festive edition of Alan Carr: Chatty Man at 9pm on Channel 4.

A panel of top-drawer celebrities, including Richard Ayoade, David Mitchell, Mel B, Micky Flanagan, Sarah Millican and Kevin Bridges are grilled by Jimmy Carr to see which of them has retained the most knowledge of 2014. To win the crown, they'll need to recall who purred down the phone in September, why Bono issued a worldwide apology in October, and what sporting event was the most-tweeted-about ever in July. Providing assistance are a host of varyingly beloved celebs including Michael Palin, Rio Ferdinand and Lily Allen.