Jason Manford

Channel 4 has acreated a band new panel game, hosted by former Doctor Who star David Tennant.

The idea of Comedy World Cup is an interesting one, as the theme of the show is comedy itself. It's a team game, with different teams each episode, consisting of one current comedy star as captain, with a younger comic and a veteran. This week, Captain Jo Brand with Dave Spikey and Shappi Khorsandi, played against Jason Manford, who lead alongside Paul Chowdhry and Nicholas Parsons.

The episode lasted an hour, which some might seem as being excessive for a panel game - but I disagree. For starters, it still isn't the longest panel show in terms of episode length, as that title goes to The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (not counting David Walliams and his 24-hour long panel show marathon for Comic Relief). You also have the ad breaks too, so the show is broken down a bit. Put it this way; an extended repeat of HIGNFY or QI is between 40-45 minutes long. Comedy World Cup is 45 minutes long, plus 15 minutes of advertising during which you can make a cup of tea. So it's nothing new. Some might say it's an improvement to have a break in the middle.

The show consisted of seven rounds, many of them reminding me of other panel shows and game shows. For example there a "What happens next?" round (see A Question of Sport), and one where children act out stand-up routines (see The Big Fat Quiz where they get kids to act out news stories).

Now, I admit that this show wasnt 'the funniest panel show I've seen. But to me, this isn't the point. For someone like me who is really into their comedy, it's like a pub quiz themed especially for me - and if you're a comedy buff then this is the show for you. But it's best watched with other like-minded people to see who really is more knowledgeable on these matters...

Before the arrival of his guests tonight, the affable Welsh comic warms up his audience with his usual display of sharp wit and natural charm. Apart from some mischievous exchanges with his studio audience, including a mock-earnest argument with several of its members, there is little that differentiates this show's format from rival entertainment programmes. But the amusing, fast-paced interplay between this evening's chosen guests - Ronan Keating, Jason Manford and Neil Morrissey - proves engaging. The incorporation of live music is a fail-safe formula, although whether Brydon's singing voice adds much magic to the blend is debatable.

The beauty of Rob Brydon as a chat show host is that without seemingly trying too hard or forcing the pace he manages to put a smile on your face. And boy, can he play a crowd. Even before his guests have arrived tonight, he picks a comedy argument with a woman in the audience who is in a wheelchair, and it comes across as sharp, good-natured - and very funny.

Then the revolving bookcase delivers Ronan Keating, Jason Manford and Neil Morrissey by turns, and once they're all on the leather sofa the chemistry works a treat. Plus, of course, everybody gets to sing.

Jason Manford: Internet idiots

Now you know me, I like a laugh. And I do enjoy having a laugh with you lot on here, some of you are witty, some genuinely bonkers, a few of you are dead funny and most of you are respectful, thoughtful human beings and I am honoured that you have liked my page and my work over the years. But. Some of you are utterly horrendous.

Jason Manford hits out at 'internet idiots'

Jason Manford has hit out at "internet idiots" after insensitive comments were made towards Gary Barlow in reply to one of the comedian's Facebook statuses.

Jason Manford makes Sweeney Todd debut

Comedian Jason Manford performed before some familiar faces on Thursday in his new role as an Italian barber in West End musical Sweeney Todd.

Jimmy Carr can handle tax jokes, says Jason Manford

Jason Manford has claimed that Jimmy Carr will easily handle any future backlash against his controversial use of a tax shelter.

The Matt Lucas Awards is a whimsical panel show where celebrity guests put forward wacky nominations for invented gongs, in silly categories such as "Dreadful-est Football Song".

With the set resembling a pokey flat, the audience sat on couches and the appearance of tiresome everybloke Jason Manford, the first episode felt like the tortured ghost of Baddiel and Skinner's Fantasy Football League returning to haunt a deserted late-night timeslot (the dreadful football songs didn't help).

Despite the creaky gimmick, Lucas remained weirdly buoyant throughout, and there was some odd stuff in the margins. Former Bond composer David Arnold sat glumly at a keyboard positioned stage left, apparently essaying his very own Derek-style portrait of a lonely outsider. Just as Lucas and his drumkit often stole the show in Shooting Stars, so might Arnold become a breakout character, if anyone can be bothered staying up so late.

The Matt Lucas Awards is the radio adaptation of the BBC Radio 2 show And The Winner Is... in which Matt Lucas and his panel of guests - this week it was Jason Manford, Henning Wehn and Graeme Garden - present awards in unusual categories.

The main worry with any radio adaptation is will it carry off the transfer from radio to telly? By the looks of things I'd say that it's doubtful, which would be a huge shame because I'm a big fan of the radio show.

To me it seems that the TV version has strained too far from the original format. Let's start from the beginning with the opening titles. When I saw the original pilot that was on the BBC website some time ago (and which I've reviewed previously) there were some things I enjoyed, like the catchy "excruciating theme tune."

The song is good, but I can't stand the animated opening titles, which were just too cheesy. You don't need to mute your TV, but you do need a blind to cover the scene until the show properly starts. Also, a word of advice: don't put a character from a much more successful show (in this case Vicky Pollard) in the opening titles, reminding everyone that the older show was brilliant and this new show may well not be as funny...

Moving on to the actual show, the pilot was set in a ritzy studio while the series is set in a mock-up of what is supposed to by Lucas's flat. According to a blog by co-creator of the series Ashley Blaker, they thought the ritzy studio didn't work. But I don't think the flat works either. It comes across as a bit gimmicky for me.

Then you have certain awards in which the guests are made to do stupid activities, like drawing a nude model and having to sing terrible football songs while dressed up as the singers in question. It just gets more cheesy as the show goes along.

I hope the series improves, but to be honest I have my doubts. But if the BBC does decide to cancel it, I hope they don't get rid of it all together and it returns to the radio.

What is it with celebrities and their parents? First Sarah Millican uses her TV show to introduce the world to her dad and his words of wisdom, now Matt Lucas has roped in his mum Diana to provide the comic links for The Matt Lucas Awards.

Truth be told, Mrs Lucas proves good fun, and fits in rather well with the surroundings. Indeed, the show itself is as snug, cosy and comforting as a mother's embrace. If anything a little more edge would have been welcome.

The premise mimics traditional showbusiness award ceremonies, only with bizarre and previously neglected categories such as 'smuggest nation' and 'worst football song ever'. A panel of three celebrity guests are charged with providing the nominations and arguing their case, while host Lucas fires off non-stop quips before deciding on the winner.

It's a pleasant enough distraction, and inaugural guests Henning Wehn, Jason Manford and Graeme Garden proved good value, but The Matt Lucas Awards is clearly a show in the grips of an identity crisis.

The set - a studio-bound facsimile of Lucas' living room - is reminiscent of The Kumars At Number 42, while the format invariably invites comparisons to Room 101. The only truly original aspect of the programme - the designated performance corner where the celebrities indulge in costumed karaoke - is by far the least successful. I'm afraid it looked suspiciously like padding.