Frank Skinner

Radio Times review

Most of us, I would imagine, could come up with more interesting pet hates to share with the nation than answering machines or the M25 - two of the topics here. But guests on this show don't have to try too hard. However tame their suggestions, Frank Skinner will swoop in with a punchline to make their story/observation/rant look like comedy gold. Or at worst, comedy bronze.

He rides to the rescue a few times as Kelly Holmes, Alexander Armstrong and Henry Blofeld air their grievances. When Armstrong wants to abolish the nothingy days between Christmas and New Year, Frank points out that most people enjoy the time off, telling Armstrong, "What you need is a harder job."

At one stage he even manages to flirt with Blofeld, which is not what anyone was expecting. One of the latter's complaints is, exactly as you would hope, restaurants that don't keep proper powdered English mustard.

Radio Times review

Ray Mears walks straight into Frank Skinner's comedy trap when he suggests that fakes should be consigned to Room 101. He always wants to have the real thing. "I agree. We tried to get Bear Grylls rather than you. But he cost ten grand!" is Skinner's response.

Ray brings a certain gravitas to the show, while fellow panellists Fiona Bruce and Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan keep it light. Actually, Ryan has some extraordinary dance moves and even more unusual pet peeves. She believes nappies should only be available on prescription, and that Cheryl Fernandez-Versini is not only part of a government conspiracy but also a robot.

Radio Times review

Time for another series of competitive griping about things people hate. This series always flirts with a sort of generalised curmudgeonliness while, naturally, trying to keep it light. But it does help when the bellyaches are slightly mad. Tim Vine loses the audience with a rambling moan about a certain kind of karaoke DJ, whereas Len Goodman simply slags off "all foreign food".

It turns out Len has never had a curry - or eaten spaghetti! His motto is, "Never eat anything you can't spell." And if you think that's sweeping, his other bêtes noires are the metric system and, quite simply, choice. "Have you ever thought," wonders host Frank Skinner, "of moving to North Korea?"

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Review: Frank Skinner

It's a testament to Frank Skinner's skill that he can keep performing for 27 years and still keep developing sets.