Milton Jones

Tonight's the turn of Dublin comedian and Edinburgh veteran Jason Byrne to do the Dave thing. He performs his energetic, excited act in front of his home crowd at the Olympia Theatre and is supported by Rob Rouse, a funny northerner living in South London with his duck. Milton Jones is also on the bill. He may look like he's licked the electric socket but he's actually very funny. His wry observational wit will have you nicking his gags at work tomorrow.

Milton Jones interview

He's the king of the surreal one-liner who's been lighting up Mock The Week since Frankie's departure. We spoke to Milton Jones about gag-pies, jumpers and new material...

My Comedy Hero: Milton Jones on Rowan Atkinson

Growing up I was inspired by people in sitcoms such as Ronnie Barker and Leonard Rossiter. But, the hero I'd pick would be Rowan Atkinson. I became aware of him when he used to do sketches on Not the Nine O'Clock News and it was clear that he was the star. Although he was doing different characters there was always a Rowan Atkinson angle on them and his was the line that the audience waited for. And as with all great people, even if his line wasn't always the punchline, he managed to make each one funny. He has very good verbal and physical timing and it's rare for that to come together.

The art of the one-liner

Readers have been inspired by an interview with comedians Tim Vine and Milton Jones to send in their own (and others) quick-fire wit.

Milton Jones interview

Jokes are integral to society and there are few better titter-inducers than Mock The Week and Radio 4 star Milton Jones.

The besuited funnyman's stand-up showcase returns. McIntyre himself divides opinion - he seems to be almost as unpopular with critics as he is beloved by audiences - but there's no doubting his infectious energy as he hauls his sparkly set around six large theatre venues. The tour begins at Glasgow Theatre Royal, where our host is joined by teen prodigy Daniel Sloss, hairy Canadian Craig Campbell, punning surrealist Milton Jones and headline act Kevin Bridges, a fast-rising raconteur who'll be cheered in his home town.

Michael McIntyre bounds on stage, newly svelte and very natty in a purple suit. He doesn't look like the most polarising figure in British comedy. Polarising in the sense that mass audiences adore him, while other, less successful comics marinate in resentment whenever his name is mentioned. Fine, yes, McIntyre is very safe (though he says "s**t" twice, to my horror - it's like hearing your favourite auntie swear), but the observational stuff is fun. It may be obvious, but there you go, that's observation for you. Anyway, I like him, and the Glasgow audience at the first of a new run of Roadshows is in his pocket immediately as he tells cute stories about his two small children, revolving doors at airports and trampolines in gardens. None of it will start any revolutions, but who needs that on a Saturday night? He's not Bill Hicks. McIntyre is wildly enthusiastic about the night's acts, including local boy Kevin Bridges, garrulous Canadian Craig Campbell and Radio 4 favourite Milton Jones, whose punning, literal schtick makes my teeth itch with annoyance.

Perfectly timed to ward off those back-to-school blues, the ever-popular topical panel show returns after a summer holiday. Tonight's guests are Thick of It star Chris Addison, Andi Osho - both fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe - and Milton Jones, who does a fine line in ludicrous puns. Unlikely to let them get a gag in edgeways are regulars Hugh Dennis, Russell Howard and Andy Parsons, while host Dara O'Briain dishes out points. Expect an impudent digest of the week's news, arbitrary scores and puerile one-liners aplenty.

Milton Jones: 'It's pressured on Mock The Week'

Mock The Week guest panellist Milton Jones has admitted that he finds it hard to interrupt other comics on the programme.

Milton Jones: Interview

The former Perrier winner chats about cracking jokes in church, why he's fallen out of love with Edinburgh and what happened when he came face-to-face with Jeremy Clarkson...