Mark Watson

This is bold. It really is live and because of that, and the time of night, it's going to be expensive (all the behind the scenes people will be on overtime). And Mark Watson wants you to join in, too, discussing the big questions crucial to people's understanding of themselves and society, looking for big answers. There's a live studio audience who'll join in, plus Watson's two sidekicks Tim Key and Tom Basden, but your tweets and emails are requested. If it ends up sounding like that spoof, Down the Line, you've been warned.

I just recorded Never Mind The Buzzcocks. It's quite an odd experience these days, post-Amstell. He used to chat to the pop guests so much it felt like Parkinson. Nowadays they don't get much attention at all. And the rounds whizz by with markedly less banter because whoever's hosting tends to try and follow producers' instructions, which generally run along the lines of 'stop those people talking about anal sex' or whatever the riff du jour is.

Strangely, after 25 series, Buzzcocks is starting to resemble a pop quiz again.

Still - I was never much good at banter so it suits me quite well to sit there and finish off the odd song lyric. I wore a suit, if you like that kind of thing. The show was hosted by Will Young, who is charming. And it mostly centres around Paul Foot. Who is very funny. You can watch it on Halloween night, if you're not too busy dressing as a cat or Satan.

Interview: Mark Watson

Mark Watson is back on the road with new show Request Stop Tour, making appearances in Durham, Newcastle and Stockton. Radio Teesdale's Peter Dixon caught up with Watson to find out more.

Having recently come back from the Fringe this week I thought to myself: "Do you know what I need? To watch some more stand-up comedy."

BBC Three has been broadcasting a selection of Fringe programmes. One of these is Edinburgh Comedy Fest, hosted by Jon Richardson, featuring a selection of stand-up comedians and musical comedians performing at the Fringe.

Alongside Richardson were Josh Widdicombe, Neil Delamere, Abandoman, Seann Walsh, Mark Watson, Russell Kane, David O'Doherty, Andrew Lawrence, Ron Vaudey, Jimeoin, Tom Stade, Ed Byrne and Shappi Khorsandi. I don't know about you, but to me that seems a bit too much.

This programme only lasted an hour, and there were 14 different acts. On average they performed less than 5 minutes each. Also, as far as I know, Vaudey isn't even performing at the Fringe. What's more, it was not exactly that diverse. Granted there were comedians from abroad (Canadian, Irish, Iranian), but there was only one woman performing and one non-white person performing - and that was the same person.

In this short format, some comedians did come across better than others. Widdicombe, Delamere and O'Doherty got the laughs, while Vaudey seemed to be a bit flat. I think it would've been a better show if there were more episodes that were of a shorter length. And more variety in terms of style of performers and their backgrounds would be nice, too.

First of two showcases hosted by Jon Richardson, featuring stand-up acts at this year's Edinburgh Fringe festival. Comedians slated to appear include laconic Irishman Ed Byrne, whimsical Welshman Mark Watson, and razor-sharp, wide-eyed Shappi Khorsandi. This and The Culture Show have the festival pretty well covered but it would be nice to see more of the new, breaking comic talent on the fringe this year. Still, this makes you miss the half-lit caves crammed with damp tourists who've been drinking since midday.

BBC3's Edinburgh Fringe coverage peaks with this, their own live comedy show recorded two days ago at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, held in aid of a local charity that provides support to people with HIV and hepatitis C.

It's just about the closest you'll get on the TV to the cream of the Fringe. Dependably funny
big names are everywhere, starting with the two comperes: Jon Richardson, who's been bringing his diffident wit to Eight Out of Ten Cats this year, and the smart Andi Osho, who should be a bigger TV property than she is. On the bill are Ed Byrne, Mark Watson, Shappi Khorsandi and Seann Walsh, among others.

Mark Watson: improv show cancelled

So, the improv show didn't get commissioned for a series. Not enough people watched it, that was why.

I hope I'm not giving the impression that making TV shows is a well-paid but soul-destroying process of trying to impress people you don't necessarily respect, while your self-esteem is systematically worn away and your contribution to the world is brutally boiled down to a series of numbers over which you have no control but which are used as a stick to beat you with. That would be misleading. It's not THAT well-paid.

TV review: Improvisation My Dear Mark Watson

Comedy on a green screen is something which should never ever happen in this age of television and I would be very surprised if Dave awarded this mess a full series.

A quick chat with Mark Watson

Mark Watson hosts a new, high-tech comedy improv show. TV & Satellite Week magazine caught up with him for a totally unrehearsed chat to find out more...