Jo Brand

Return of the dry medical comedy starring and written by Jo Brand, Vicki Pepperdine and Joanna Scanlan, and set in the geriatric ward of an NHS hospital. Kim, Den and Pippa move to ward K2 in St Jude's while their own hospital closes for a possible (but in no way guaranteed) refurb. Meanwhile, Pippa is causing her usual brand of chaos/inconvenience (inchaosvenience?) - dumping her baggage, figuratively and literally, all over her colleagues. Perfectly judged performances and great writing.

The Secret World (Radio 4, Tuesdays) provides none of them. Here's a comedy show that, through the employment of mimics, invites us to imagine what happens in the private lives of famous people. Sean Connery has a baking competition with James Gandolfini of The Sopranos, William Hague tries to entertain Angela Merkel in the absence of Prime Minister Cameron, Nick Clegg successively telephones Sandi Toksvig, Miranda Hart and Jo Brand, trying (always in vain) to get them to come to a party. It sounds stale, as if every situation has been chosen to fit the voices available rather than for any intrinsic wit.

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...

Jo Brand & Sarah Millican team up to help rape victims

Comedian Jo Brand is set for a return to the North East this Autumn to help raise money for rape victims on Tyneside, with help from Sarah Millican.

Bafta TV Awards - past winners: Jo Brand

"I don't really think I can act, so I was gob-smacked. I wasn't even going to go, but my mum begged me to so she could come too".

Bafta special: Jo Brand, Charlie Higson, Rebecca Front

Stars of the small screen reveal their TV secrets.

Lambeth councillor gagged over Jo Brand Streatham row

A Town Centre manager has been reprimanded for defending Streatham in south London, after comedian Jo Brand called it a "----hole".

The charity extravaganza returns for a third year, filmed at London's O2 Arena a week ago. Jessie J, coach on The Voice UK, opens proceedings with a live performance. She's followed by an all-star cast of comedians including Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre, Jack Dee, Jo Brand and Jack Whitehall. Once again, the two Carrs - Jimmy and Alan - will also be "hijacking" the commercial breaks. It's all in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Jo Brand told: Streatham is no laughing matter

Jo Brand, the comedian, has been accused of doing "serious damage" to the reputation of Streatham after describing the south London suburb as a "----hole".