Frank Skinner

If the thought of doing stand-up leaves you with clammy hands, then the premise for Set List will give you night terrors. Three stand-up comedians, in this case TJ Miller, Richard Herring and Frank Skinner, undertake the daunting task of doing an ad-libbed set based on topics which appear on a screen behind them. With no preparation and no trusted material to fall back on, what results is a nerve-wracking, frequently funny but ultimately inconsistent half-hour of comedy.

Much inevitably depends on the quality of the material they're given and some comedians are more at ease with the format than others (one imagines the likes of Robin Williams, Ross Noble and Greg Proops will flourish), but each of the comedians on display here manages to shine at times, most notably Miller. Watching seasoned comedy performers squirm under the stage lights as they rack their brains for funny ideas is strangely satisfying, though.

Frank Skinner, Richard Herring and US funnyman TJ Miller have willingly agreed to experience something that makes comedians break out in cold sweats - going on stage in front of a baying audience with absolutely nothing prepared.

That's the intriguing concept of Sky Atlantic's brand new comedy experiment Set List: Stand-Up Without a Safety Net, the appeal, of course, coming from the fact that some of the globe's top talents may crumble when forced to be funny on the fly. Being professionals, the trio put on what would be a damn fine comedy show in its own right, but it's the little 'oops' moments and the constant feeling that we're just seconds from disaster that elevates this form of entertainment that's been on TV since TV began into edge-of-your-seat stuff. It's genius, really.

Frank Skinner interview

I'm back doing stand-up but it's much more polarised now.

Josh Widdicombe: My Comedy Hero... Frank Skinner

When I was a kid, Frank Skinner was the comedian I looked up to. There were various ones I was into like Jack Dee and Vic & Bob, but I loved Fantasy Football, because I was a big football fan.

Frank Skinner: Man in a Suit

Welcome return to stand-up after six years.

The Stand-up: Frank Skinner (Soho Theatre, London)

Frank Skinner is back, with his first stand-up show in six years, Man in a Suit, designed for smaller theatres rather than stadium tours.

First night review: Frank Skinner

Clown prince of laddism smartens up his act, but he could let rip.

Comedy review: Frank Skinner, Man In A Suit

Depth is lacking though - or at least, dwelling on a subject long enough to anchor this 90-minute show. Instead it's a drifter. Highly accomplished and very funny, but a drifter all the same.

Frank Skinner interview

Ahead of his return to stand-up, Frank Skinner explains why it's important to challenge sacred cows.

Frank Skinner interview

Before his hotly anticipated return to stand-up, the multi-talented and enduringly popular Frank Skinner opens up about sex, booze and Joan Bakewell.