Jonathan Ross

It would make an interesting study to count how many times the BBC has used the once-fashionable word "edgy" to describe a comedy programme in the 18 months since the Jonathan Ross/Russell Brand "Sachsgate" row touched ground. My bet is that you'd be able to count the instances on one hand. Instead, the Corporation has taken to producing industrial volumes of feel-good, night-out-with-your-mates-style comedy. This new bright and breezy entertainment show, hosted by Liverpudlian stand-up John Bishop, is a case in point. Bishop takes on a different theme in each of the series's six episodes - family, growing up, holidays, etc - and gives it a stand-up treatment, interspersed with contributions from celebrity guests, cheaply produced sketches and interviews with the general public. Puzzlingly, no specific information about tonight's first episode was available at the time of going to press, but I was able to watch a taster DVD for the series in which Bishop discussed the pros and cons of love and marriage in front of a studio audience. It was funny, in an easy, unchallenging sort of a way - and about as edgy as a Victoria sponge.

Jonathan Ross's old slot is taken up this week by the fourth series of this jovial comedy panel show - a safe play by the BBC, as they figure out how best to plug the gap left by Ross. It's hosted by Rob Brydon, and tonight features Fern Britton, Richard E Grant, Martin Clunes and Sanjeev Bhaskar alongside regular captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack, as the two teams attempt to fool each other into believing a series of plausible lies.

TV ratings: More than 5m wish Jonathan Ross goodbye

The final Friday Night With Jonathan Ross easily won its slot, with 5.2m to Big Brother's 2.3m.

Jonathan Ross gets Brits gig

The Brit Awards finally they have a presenter who is truly wock and woll. Maverick Jonathan Ross is to host next year - an opportunity he's been gagging for.

Fans fume as guests and staff snap up farewell seats

Jonathan Ross fans have launched a furious attack on the BBC after they were refused entry to the recording of his final show, despite holding tickets.

Jonathan Ross bids farewell to the BBC

David Beckham is among the guests as controversial chatshow host bows out with final show.

Jonathan Ross: 2001 - 2010

The media world and a legion of adoring fans were last night mourning the loss of former chat show host and Radio 2 DJ Jonathan Ross. Ross was 49-years-old and is survived by Graham Norton.

For all his lapses in taste, it's hard to see a logical successor to Jonathan Ross as the BBC's flagship chat lord. Pally but vaguely presidential (the staggering volume of money that he earns must help here), he meets successful people on pretty even terms - and it's this general absence of forelock-tugging that's probably the key to his success. Tonight's show marks his parting of the ways with the BBC and sees the host meeting some fittingly high-profile names: David Beckham, Jackie Chan, Mickey Rourke, with music from his glam faves, Roxy Music.

It's the end of an era and not a moment too soon for many. Tonight, Jonathan Ross's rule as the BBC's most generously remunerated presenter comes to a close when he presents the last ever edition of his chat show. Once one of the sharpest hosts on television, Ross was brought low by his own failure to engage his brain before his mouth. Since "Sachsgate", a chastened Ross has been a shadow of his formerly audacious self and ratings for Friday Night have fallen by a million from their pre-scandal days. In what is bound to be a muted send-off, he's booked David Beckham and martial arts star Jackie Chan for chat and ageing rockers Roxy Music, headed by singer Bryan Ferry, for tunes.

Jonathan Ross: his BBC highs and lows

As the final Friday Night with Jonathan Ross nears, here are some of his most memorable moments - for better or worse.