Hugh Dennis

Another chance to catch the first episode of series three of the delightful family sitcom starring Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner. Gran takes the Brockmans on an outing to London. Needless to say it's an agonising day: daughter Karen (Ramona Marquez) thinks modern art is rubbish; Ben (Daniel Roache) plays "spot the chav" and stabs one of the Trafalgar Square lions with a ruler; and older brother Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey) suffers serious trauma when he is unable to send a text message. A fourth series is slated for later this year.

I am glad to welcome back this reliably inventive humorous review of the week. And relieved. Hugh Dennis and Steve Punt (not to mention their supportings artists) are in such demand on TV these days that it's a wonder they have the time to do little old radio any more (let alone work for the tiny fees). But they do and let's be glad of it. We all deserve a laugh or two at the end of yet another disaster-laden, gloomy, wintry week. And here's the show where the skits and songs can be counted on to prove it's not just you and I who think the world's gone mad.

Last in this series. Thank goodness. Next week Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis return with The Now Show, which may have its off moments but still hits more marks than it misses and, to me, seems to leave its older stablemate sounding tired and desperate. Marks of this are the ever deepening shades of blue written into chairman Sandy Toksvig's script, which induces the other comedians on the show to venture ever further into crudeness. It's not that I'm shocked. It's just that it's all so predictable. Maybe it's time to give it a rest. Or bring in a new writer.

Hugh Dennis was so boring I divorced him

Miranda Carroll, Hugh Dennis' first wife, who now lives in Los Angeles, offers an intriguing view of Dennis the man as opposed to the Dennis the hilarious performer.

Q&A: Hugh Dennis

'I'd rather have nothing worth stealing than live my life trying to protect things'

Hugh Dennis - My MI5 interview

Comedian Hugh Dennis, talking to Richard Bacon, recalls his job interview with MI5.

How much of this allegedly improvised show is actually made up on the spot and how much has been scripted and rehearsed is a matter of debate.

But if you can overlook this glaring infringement of comedy trading standards it's still a very funny - and surprisingly clean - show about 75 per cent of the time.

Hosted by Hugh Dennis, it also provides a good opportunity for comedians to offload all kinds of off-the-wall material they'd never be able to shoe-horn into a traditional stand-up gig, sitcom or topical panel show.

If you need any further persuasion to tune in tonight, I must urge you not to miss a game called 'Improvised Dance' which sees David Armand putting his own moves on You Can't Hurry Love. It's the most fun you'll ever have listening to Phil Collins.

New comedy improvisation show with a very talented cast. Hugh Dennis hosts and the performers include The Thick Of It's Justin Edwards, Perrier-winner Laura Solon, The Penny Dreadfuls' Humphrey Ker and Greg Davies from The Inbetweeners. It's a pacey mix of Whose Line Is It Anyway? (Dan Patterson created that and this) and Mock the Week but in a good way. It's new comedy, so try to give it at least two episodes before you whine endlessly on Twitter about how rubbish you think it is.

Second helping of this new comedy improv show from the makers of Mock The Week. Hugh Dennis, of the aforementioned topical comedy vehicle, is the most prominent name involved, but Fast and Loose is also a showcase for some of the most respected names on the live comedy circuit, such as Laura Solon and Justin Edwards (aka hilarious drunken children's entertainer Jeremy Lion).

This improvised show promises to leave viewers gasping like Gillian McKeith facing a bucket of maggots.

Created by veteran producer Dan Paterson, it sounds like his Whose Line Is It Anyway? for a new generation no bad thing.

Comedy talent, including Laura Solon, Justin Edwards, Marek Larwood, Pippa Evans, Humphrey Ker, David Armand and Greg Davies, will be pitting their wits in a series of games spoofing films, TV programmes and music.

Host Hugh Dennis says: "We have electronic trickery, animated chickens, songs and games including a fantastic sideways scene. It's half an hour of controlled improvised silliness and there is no scoring and no stars."