Jonathan Watson

Two Doors Down (BBC One) brings New Year to Scotland. Hogmanay then. The Bairds, Eric and Beth, are having a few people over: son Ian, Ian's partner Tony, not-gay darling soldier son Angus (though he hasn't arrived yet), Beth's man-eating sister Caroline. Plus a few people from the neighbourhood - a dull aspirational (snobby) couple, a pair of Norwegians, a few teenagers.

There's something of the feel of a Radio 4 play transferred to television about it. And at times it follows a path too obvious. So gay Tony asks for pear cider, which obviously Eric doesn't have. And the Norwegian woman is earnest and worthy and has a moan to Beth that she's not doing her recycling right. And all the Scots drink a lot and don't really know anything about Norway, like where it is or how it's different from Sweden.

But there are some cracking performances - from Arabella Weir, Alex Norton, Daniela Nardini (Caroline, of course) and more. And some lovely observations. Anyone with a family, or neighbours, will recognise just about everyone here. I especially like Colin (Jonathan Watson), the tedious know-it-all who knows it all about cars and malt whisky and everything else as well as the best way to get from A to B on the A this or the B that or whatever. There's a Colin in everyone's lives, and most people's Christmases or New Years, no?

As the evening goes on, and the booze goes down, guards fall away, old prejudices and secrets, truths and bitternesses start to creep out. Tomorrow's steak pie is eaten today, and the gazebo is trashed. By the time the bells go, and Angus eventually shows up, it's a glorious hell. At least as ghastly as it was 500 years ago. Happy new year.

Susan Boyle faces send-up on iconic Hogmanay comedy

Mimic Jonathan Watson targets SuBo plus Alex Salmond and Johann Lamont on this year's Hogmanay episode of satirical favourite Only an Excuse.

TV review: Through the Keyhole

It left me wondering what the mystery guests gain from being ridiculed in this way. Is the exposure really that valuable? And, perhaps more importantly, why were Grossman and Frost so quick to show their support? Is nothing sacred?

Jamie and Laura are now struggling with the onset of parenthood. But there's nothing particularly cool going on here. The jokes are more 'heard it before' than 'tee-hee', and the gross-out atmosphere doesn't quite stand up to the likes of The Inbetweeners. Sadly it seems this particular sprog was probably born on a Wednesday.

Citizen Khan is the BBC's latest sitcom, and features the adventures of the opinionated, self-appointed community leader Mr Khan (Adil Ray). It's about time the Pakistani community in the "capital of British Pakistan" got some quality exposure and some laughs.

On the basis of this first episode, sadly they'll have to wait. Generalisations about house-proud culture, obsessive business ideology, tight-fisted patriarchs, and even honour killings? I thought comedy was beyond cheap gags and stereotypes these days.