Michael McIntyre

Don't miss this very funny new series, showcasing comics from the alternative circuit in front of a primetime audience. Michael McIntyre introduces each performer with a high-octane performance that looked like a tough act to follow. Yet there isn't a single dud among the performers, and each one is as different as different can be. My personal favourite was the nerdy, off-key oddity of Mark Watson, who explains why he can't quite believe how lucky he is to be married and why he finds it difficult to walk across a bridge without throwing his keys into the water, although Rhod Gilbert's story of lost luggage deserves to become a classic.

Don't miss this very funny new series, showcasing comics from the alternative circuit in front of a primetime audience. Michael McIntyre introduces each performer with a high-octane performance that looked like a tough act to follow. Yet there isn't a single dud among the performers, and each one is as different as different can be. My personal favourite was the nerdy, off-key oddity of Mark Watson, who explains why he can't quite believe how lucky he is to be married and why he finds it difficult to walk across a bridge without throwing his keys into the water, although Rhod Gilbert's story of lost luggage deserves to become a classic.

For five years now, Live At The Apollo has been bringing us some first-class stand-up comedy. The key difference with this new series, from the same team, is that regular host Michael McIntyre will take it to different venues around the UK, showcasing familiar faces alongside relative newcomers. We start in Edinburgh, where Rhod Gilbert tops the bill.

What do you need if you're touring Britain with a comedy roadshow (apart from Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle, of course)? Bags of talent, naturally, and thankfully shooting star Michael McIntyre is loaded. Each week from a different venue (tonight it's the Edinburgh Playhouse), Michael will do a turn then introduce a different headliner (tonight it's Rhod Gilbert), plus three emerging funnymen. Top chuckles.

Anyone who enjoyed Live at the Apollo will be the natural audience for this show fronted by the dangerously ubiquitous Michael McIntyre. I like him a lot, but I'm starting to feel that he's on everything. He's good value, though, and knows how to work an audience. Here, he fills in between comparatively unknown stand-ups, with the exception of Mark Watson, with whom Radio 4 listeners might be familiar. It's a good show - the first is from Edinburgh; I particularly liked droll Canadian Stewart Francis and his relentless one-liners, and the laconic Watson. But the cheerfully exhausting Rhod Gilbert probably takes the prize with a daft story about a flight to Dublin: "I was going abroad, I'm Welsh, I bought shorts..."

Michael McIntyre: 60 Seconds

Michael McIntyre talks to the Metro about the first joke he told in public and his man-drawer.

Michael McIntyre, the chirpy stand-up, presents this new comedy series from various live venues around Britain. Each week he'll bring fresh new talent alongside a headline act. This first show comes from Edinburgh, with the Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert top of the bill.

Michael McIntyre's so funny, it's painful

Michael says: "It's like Live At The Apollo on tour, but there are only so many big names you can use. They are all busy doing panel shows and films, so let's give other people a shot. I'm making this show so new comics can get on TV. They are match fit, they're out there doing it every night."

Michael McIntyre writes new comedy routines

Michael McIntyre may be selling DVDs by the crate and playing at the O2 - but can he pen a new stand-up show based on the suggestions of Time Out readers? Read on for the five hilarious routines he conjured up for us.

I know what I'd like for Christmas - another scandal involving Jonathan Ross so Live At The Apollo can permanently replace his Friday night show. A nice bit of stand-up comedy is a perfect way to start the weekend, and the creative team always seem to get the perfect performer mix (though if I had my way, brilliant Michael McIntyre, who was in the first episode, would be on every single week).

Tonight's host is 8 Out Of 10 Cats stalwart Sean Lock, who shares his genius way of how to have fun with wrong numbers, and also his trick for getting local kids off his car without getting a mouthful of abuse.

He has a good old moan about pizza leaflets, self-service checkouts and confusing pub toilets (we've all been there - at some trendy bar, wondering which squiggle on the door is supposed to represent male and female).

With those rants out of the way, it's time to introduce the main act, the amiable Jason Manford - who just so happens to be his 8 Out Of 10 Cats rival. But that's never mentioned, of course. There'll be no plugging of rival channels here, thank you very much.