Nancy Banks-Smith

In Outnumbered (BBC1, Saturday), I get the strong sensation that Ben and Karen have been mixing with rough children behind the camera. Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, who write, direct, produce and generally lead astray, have been seen whispering to them between takes. Hence the angelic Karen's reproach to her father, "You're spending all the money on salads and beer!" and her comment on her grandfather's smell, "When you're old you have a special smell so you know when they're near." Grandfather, having incipient Alzheimer's, is also a child but going in the opposite direction. Well worth embroidering on a couple of cushions is his sound advice to his grandson, "Don't ever invade Russia!", and to his son-in-law, a history teacher, "There's no future in history."

Russell Brand is a highly original, attractive, instinctive comedian. In all seriousness, what else could he do in life? He is much safer making jokes than driving a bus.

A dinosaur was the star turn of The Wrong Door, an entertaining new sketch show set, for lack of a more plausible explanation, in a parallel universe. Mum, Dad, Nan, this is Philip, says Melanie, introducing her new boyfriend. Philip is a Tyrannosaurus Rex, who devours the family dachshund. No one mentions that he is a reptile. Well, you don't, do you? Philip will, I hope, be a recurring delight.

Personally, I liked the robot. Where, he roared in a towering temper, beheading skyscrapers and peering into their innards, were his fucking keys? Denis Norden once said that, if he could find his spectacles in the morning, that was happiness enough for one day.

Why did no one tell the makers of The Invisibles that comedy capers need jokes?

Did no one in the seasoned cast have a queasy feeling about the script? Or notice the absence of jokes in a comedy caper? Next time you are in a pub, try to get a laugh with: Port and brandy - nature's amoxicillin! Try even to say it.

Early Doors is a step brother of The Royle Family, having the same father, Craig Cash, but not the same mother, Caroline Aherne. It is such a slow-burning comedy that you only start to smile during the next programme. Which happens to be Newsnight. This is a bonus as it sweetens the news and, indeed, Kirsty Wark whom, on any normal night, you would watch from behind the sofa.

Gong warfare

Dossa And Joe (BBC2) is endlessly mysterious. What do you suppose Cherry Ripes are? Giselle can't get them in London and Dossa has to post them out. Language is often a barrier, a way of not communicating, for Caroline Aherne, until it finally flowers into music.

The Royle succession

There is an in-joke in Dossa And Joe (BBC2) which makes the heart lurch. Joe is condemned by retirement to listen to the chatter of his wife Dossa and her best friend Vanessa. Vanessa says "Oh, I love the royal family!" "Royal family my arse!" says Joe.