James Gill (I)

Who knew that gruff football gaffer Sam Allardyce was a fan of Strictly Come Dancing? When the West Ham manager reveals a weakness for the dancing show, fellow guest David Walliams takes him for a spin on the dance floor. The resulting intimate waltz is characteristic of the show: trying to hype up the macho banter but inevitably ending in back-slapping bawdiness. "I can see why they call him Big Sam!" Walliams coos.

In another playful TV rip-off, series regulars have their very own MasterChef challenge. Freddie Flintoff serves a surprisingly bistro-style fish and chips; Jamie Redknapp goes retro with a pineapple upside-down cake; host James Corden cooks an ambitious beef Wellington ("basically a big pasty," laughs Flintoff); and Jack Whitehall hacks at a pheasant carcass.

The flashy sports quiz show has pulled off a serious coup this week: One Direction are in the studio. Well, three of the perky quintet at any rate. Niall and Louis enjoyed themselves immensely. Harry Styles seemed less impressed by the Freddie Flintoff-led ribbing.

The much-publicised scene of Niall getting a "tattoo" of James Corden's face on his bottom shows the level of changing-room humour we're dealing with - but Corden keeps it sweet with the genuine affection he displays for the show. The highlight of the night sees Spandau Ballet leading man Tony Hadley take part in a penalty shootout against Harry in goal. Did the young starlet ever consider this ageing pop star could be a vision of his future?

When are we going to call time on the panel-game format? Trawling through classic British sitcom clips and listening to Jo Brand, Rebbeca Front, Barry Cryer and this week's guest Tim Brooke-Taylor shooting the breeze is a jolly concept in itself; do we really have to pretend it's a quiz? Cryer and Brooke-Taylor should have spotted the danger given they've been playing "the antidote to panel games" since 1972 on Radio 4.

Dad's Army's Ian Lavender and dinnerladies' Anne Reid provide a vintage tint of comic triumphs past, but if this generation's trapped in squidgy sofas playing for points, who's going to be free to make the future comedy classics?

Always Be Comedy always has the Nerf guns

It takes energy, enthusiasm and gusto to keep a comedy night going, and they don't get much more energetic, enthusiastic or gustorific than James Gill, the brains behind Always Be Comedy.

There will be bashful murmurs of agreement when Marcus Brigstocke admits he's no longer able to help his nine-year-old son with his maths. Luckily for him and fellow comic Josh Widdicombe, maths professor Marcus du Sautoy is on hand to guide them through some tricky teasers, as they test their amateur problem-solving against finely tuned maths bod Dara O'Briain.

The challenges are surprisingly difficult, but there is a relatively comprehensible explanation of the most efficient way to wrap a present. Here's a clue: the key is in the width of the strips, and not, as Marcus quips, to take it to the fifth floor of John Lewis.

"What we have to offer you will change your life!" nurse receptionist Scott declares in his best impression of a Dragons' Den pitch. Then he remembers what he's selling. Death. Specifically, an assisted suicide machine to a stomach cancer patient.

The initial shock factor of this black comedy may set nerves jangling. However, watch it and you'll find a straightforward sitcom that has managed to engineer an unusual situation for its incompetent yet well-meaning characters.

Alan Davies: Jonathan Creek not defeated by snow

Actor Alan Davies has revealed that the recent snow has put a dampner on filming of the one-off special return of Jonathan Creek, but that they're still aiming for an Easter air date.

Scott's life is in freefall: his girlfriend has just left him, he's dropped out of studying medicine and has ended up in a dead end job as a receptionist in a veterinary practice. Then out of the blue his terminally ill neighbour comes to him with a favour - to help him commit suicide.

This black comedy aims to mine humour out of the darkest of circumstances and, in this first episode at least, it seems to have worked. Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison manages to deliver some edgy gags while still keeping hold of our sympathies. But as his ingenious suicide machine - nicknamed the "McFlurry of Death" - turns from a favour to a promising business proposal, will the series maintain its balance?

Peter Mitchell interview

The star of Channel 4's controversial new comedy talks about missing out on footballing glory, pranking the public, and why he still gets dirty looks for parking in disabled spaces.

The best of Channel 4's Funny Fortnight

Brand new shows, classic episodes from archives and the hottest stand up acts - here's what to look out for over the next two weeks of Channel 4 comedy...