Mark Thomas (I)

Mark Thomas given first-ever 2-hour Glastonbury set

Politicial activist and comedian extraordinaire Mark Thomas is set to make history at Glastonbury later this month when he comes on stage for the festival's first-ever two hour set.

Q&A: Mark Thomas, comedian and political activist

'My most unappealing habit? My innate wish to find the best in everyone, even my enemies. And lying'

This week's edition of Good News had something for everyone. If you like Russell Howard, you will no doubt find this particular episode up to his usual standard. If you don't like Howard you'll get the joy of seeing him being beaten up by an old lady: if only more pensioners practiced martial arts then the world would be a happier place.

The thing with this series is that it's not the most satirical show in the world. It touches on some big topics covered in the news, but it's always in a light-hearted manner. Most of the time it's trivial human interest stories which he mocks, including clips from online and around the world.

Indeed there is quite a lot of garbage out there which is ripe for mocking, from newspaper stories devoted to a house that looks like Adolf Hitler to the TV coverage given to a man who showers with a squirrel.

Interestingly, quite a bit of this week's edition was disturbing and a little frightening. The budget lady-boy airline sketch might have mentally scarred many, as would have the excerpt from Rebecca Black's 'Friday' (I've been trying my hardest not to listen to that stupid song. To be honest, I put it on mute rather than listen to it in case it really is as horrible as people claim it to be.)

The best thing about Good News, though, is fittingly the good news story at the end, in this case about an Indian cook who gave up his job to feed the homeless. It really is good to see some news is treated with the respect and airtime it should be given, and Howard really does capture that well.

And it's certainly arguable that the laid-back and fun approach of Russell Howard's Good News is one of the best forms of satire, along with the harder hitting, informed, Mark Thomas style of satirical comedy and activism. That's possibly why 10 O'Clock Live does nothing for me. It just sits in the middle - trying to be hard-hitting but failing to do so - and loses viewers because of it.

Comedy books round-up March 2011

Books from Mark Thomas, Emma Kennedy, Jon Richardson, Andy Riley and Paul Barker.

Video: Mark Thomas on rambling the Israeli barrier

Last year, comedian Mark Thomas decided to walk the entire length of the Israeli separation barrier with Palestine, crossing between both sides to meet the people trying to bring peace to the region.

Back from his trip and about to release a book charting the journey, Extreme Rambling, the political activist discussed his unique experience with Breakfast.

Israel says it began building the barrier in and around the occupied West Bank in 2002 to stop suicide bombers entering. But Palestinians claim it is a way to grab territory for illegal Israeli settlements.

A quick thumbs-up for Mark Thomas, also on Radio 4, with his Manifesto. Thomas can be insufferable when he tries to be the British Michael Moore, but on this series he is an exuberant, rather than bombastic, host, teasing and cajoling the audience into their proposals.

Radio review: Mark Thomas - The Manifesto

Recreational drugs should be legalised for senior citizens - Mark Thomas endorses his audience's manifesto suggestions.

When Mark Thomas invaded Jersey

A new series of Mark Thomas: The Manifesto is back. You can download Episode 1 on Radio 4's new Comedy of the Week podcast.

Before the new series began, Mark had some unfinished business to attend to.

BBC admit Mark Thomas filesharing show had inaccuracies

Trust committee partly upholds Feargal Sharkey complaint but rejects claim that programme was 'biased and prejudicial'.

Comedian Mark Thomas wins £1,200 over police search

'Over-confident' comic was unlawfully stopped and had his bag checked as he left arms protest.