Press clippings Page 40
This irreverent panel show makes merry tonight with a seasonal special in which host Jimmy Carr asks contestants to guess the results of holiday-themed surveys. If you like your Christmas cheer with a large helping of sarcasm and a dollop of misanthropy, you'll like this. Reliably funny team captains Sean Lock and Jason Manford are joined by guest panellists Jack Dee, Christopher Biggins and Lorraine Kelly.
Vicki Power, The Telegraph, 23rd December 2010Time to forget all your troubles, kick back, relax and laugh at a show you probably saw back in April. The O2 Arena plays host to literally quite a few comedians in a show put on to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity; so even if the likes of Jack Whitehall, Jason Manford, Michael McIntyre and James Corden aren't funny then at least some good will come from this. There are plenty of good turns here as well from David Mitchell, Jo Brand, Sean Lock and Kevin Eldon.
Phelim O'Neill, The Guardian, 20th December 2010Comedians always seem to open their shows by announcing they became a parent for the first, second or third time. Sean Lock was no different as he hosted the first in the new series of Live At The Apollo, declaring in the opening moments - much to the delight of the audience - that he'd 'just had another kid'.
He went on to expand on his family life, saying he often removes the child car seats and pretends he's single for a bit. It was a gag that appeared to raise a few more eyebrows than laughs in the wake of fellow comedian Jason Manford's recent indiscretions.
And the half-laughs continued to flow, as Lock didn't stray too far from the sorts of predictable topics comedians generally favour, touching upon bags for life, the Pope and disability. There was nothing new and really, nothing especially funny either.
The second half of the programme was given over to John Bishop, who began promisingly with a clever joke too blue to repeat, but he too descended into semi-funniness, with a self-deprecating run-through of his career so far.
And if his performance tonight was anything to go by, it's not hard to see why he has to be self-deprecating about his career. His routine was tame and badly paced, making his solid reputation seem unfounded.
So, it was an off-night all round at the Apollo. It's a shame for the series that it had to open with such a weak episode, but with the much darker Rich Hall taking to the stage next week, there's hope yet for a smarter, sharper show.
Rachel Tarley, Metro, 26th November 2010Jason Manford attempts to laugh off sex scandal
Disgraced One Show presenter Jason Manford tried to laugh off his internet sex scandal last night - with a string of dirty jokes.
The Sun, 20th November 2010Jason Manford: My web sex with 12 girls
Tearful telly host Jason Manford quit BBC1's The One Show last night after admitting internet sex sessions with 12 girl fans.
Gordon Smart, The Sun, 19th November 2010Could Jason Manford end up as a bin-man?
Jason Manford's Twitter "sex" nightmare could be the making of him, writes Dominic Cavendish.
Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph, 19th November 2010Jason Manford: comedy's least likely sleaze
As the presenter resigns from The One Show, Michael Deacon is surprised to hear the allegations about Jason Manford's sex life.
Michael Deacon, The Telegraph, 19th November 2010Jason Manford - Twitter Twit
Jason Manford was certainly mad if he thought that he could send flirty tweets to female fans and never be found out.
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard, 19th November 2010Jason Manford: Missus has forgiven me
One Show host Jason Manford says his pregnant wife forgave him for his Twitter sex shame - after calling him a d***head.
The Sun, 8th November 2010Jason Manford: I'm expecting fireworks at home!
One Show host Jason Manford last night admitted he faced a rocket from his missus over his Twitter sex shame.
Colin Robertson, The Sun, 6th November 2010