Jimmy Carr

Jimmy Carr and Co: they've got to be joking

The popularity of mild-mannered comics like Miranda Hart mean crude stand-ups needn't have the last laugh.

Channel 4's Big Fat Quiz Of The Year. It wasn't just the controversial jokes about the Queen and the boozy antics of those contestants who appeared to be taking part in a Big Fat Ego Of The Year side contest.

No, the biggest shock was that in a line-up that contained Gabby Logan and six men who are (over)paid to be amusing for a living, Logan ended up being the third funniest.

As for Jimmy Carr's question, 'What does YOLO stand for?' Dunno, Jim. But in your case I'm guessing it's You Owe Lots Of...

Last year's specstacular saw Alan do impressions taking the mickey out of easy targets Cher Lloyd, the Beckhams and Wills and Kate.

This year he'll be getting up to more festive fooling around, party games and sketches with the help of his guest mates.

Former Radio 2 pal Melanie Sykes, Jonathan Ross, Jimmy Carr, Jack Whitehall, Christine Bleakley, Gok Wan and Bruno Mars join in the New Year fun.

Then there's Rylan Clark - one of the few guests who can make Alan look butch by comparison.

The line-up might not be as A-list as Graham Norton's, but this is exactly the kind of party you'd want to be invited to.

Sarah Millican's secret Santa

RT's regular columnist dishes out presents to her favourite comics, including Jonathan Ross, Jimmy Carr and Stephen Fry...

Effusive chat fountain Alan Carr invites the famous, including Jonathan Ross, Jimmy Carr, Rylan Clark and Bruno Mars, to his NYE celebration. Of all the staying-in options, this one sounds the most festive thing to have on in the background while you're working your way through bulk quantities of prosecco and peanuts. Then at ten to midnight Channel 4 turns itself into a nightclub. Charlie Sloth hosts six hours of DJ sets and shout-outs for the young and vigorous who are having house parties up and down the land.

Jimmy Carr 'taunted by builders' over tax affairs

The girlfriend of Jimmy Carr lodged a complaint with a school after builders working there taunted the comedian over his tax affairs.

I'm sure BBC2 has its reasons for burying Harry And Paul at 10pm on a Sunday night. But if Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse can keep up the opening episode's 70 per cent strike rate, I'm definitely in.

Their Question Time skit was spot on, especially the bit about the panel often including a 'comedian who wants to be taken seriously'. I'm presuming it was a reference to the likes of Steve Coogan and Jimmy Carr, but let's face it: the description could also apply to any number of MPs these days.

Season 14 of the shouty 8 Out Of 10 Cats, which in the panel show stakes sits somewhere between the enjoyable Would I Lie To You and the creaky Mock the Week. Jimmy Carr - still in the quizmaster's seat - has a newly installed target on his back marked "tax avoider", and team captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson will likely be the ones taking aim. Nothing in the way of info about this opening episode, but even money says that an Olympian will be present.

This deliciously funny series returns with chief curator John Lloyd (producer of Not the Nine O'Clock News, Spitting Image and QI), ably assisted by Jimmy Carr. The duo ask guests including Al Murray to donate objects of curiosity, with laugh-out-loud comedic effect guaranteed.

Video: Rob Brydon makes West End debut

Rob Brydon has made his West End stage debut in Alan Ayckbourn's A Chorus of Disapproval.

The comedian and actor stars opposite former EastEnders star Nigel Harman/p] and Ugly Betty's Ashley Jensen in the revival of the 1984 comedy under the direction of Trevor Nunn at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

He grew a beard for the part of Dafydd, the director of an amateur operatic society production.

Brydon told BBC Wales Today reporter Matt Murray it was the "perfect opening night" while opera star Bryn Terfel and comedian Jimmy Carr gave their views on the first night.