Paul Merton

Review: Paul Merton's Impro Chums

Paul Merton and his talented comedy cast took fans on a journey from the surreal to the seriously clever.

The last show in a riotous run finds Richard Ayoade in charge as regular team leaders Ian Hislop and Paul Merton and their guests, Pointless presenter and producer Richard Osman and the comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean, lampoon the week's events and muse on the spectacle of the Tory leadership race.

Paul Merton on Stanley Baxter

As he prepares to bring tour to Scotland, Merton recalls how he needed help from the comedy great when he was doing panto with Ronnie Corbett.

Review: Paul Merton's Impro Chums

Here's a question. What links javelin-throwing pandas, Mussolini's teapot, and the act of inflating breakfast cereals using a fish?

Series we've lost count (it's 57, if you must ask) of the panel show begins with David Dimbleby in the host's chair. Joining Merton and Hislop, meanwhile, are the doc-maker, Stacey Dooley and the German comic Henning Wehn, who is sure to land some digs at his adopted country's omni-Brexit-shambles.

One Brexit positive? It may make HIGNFY watchable again

The panel show hasn't been funny since at least 2012. But the sheer stupidity and self-destructiveness of our politics may just help it rediscover its bite.

Paul Merton interview

The comedian, 61, on the joys of improv, weird world records and why he won't -- or rather can't -- do Strictly.

Pleasance announces their first Edinburgh Fringe shows

After a record year in 2018 in which the Pleasance artists won two Fringe Firsts, two Herald Angels, one Herald Archangel award and the Holden Street Theatres Award, and Pleasance acts won both Best Newcomer and Best Show at the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Awards, Pleasance are back with another fantastic programme. Kicking things off the Pleasance Theatre Trust have already put shows on sale.

National treasure and succinct David Cameron biographer Danny Dyer lands in the host's chair for that increasingly rare thing: a must-see episode of the game old panel show. Ian Hislop and Paul Merton will patronise him at their peril. In the other guest slots are comic Sara Pascoe and Judy Murray.

Danny Dyer hosts Have I Got News for You, review

"I forgot how highbrow this f***ing show is." So said guest host Danny Dyer on Have I Got News For You (BBC One). The EastEnders star's industrial language and nimble natural wit made for an uproarious installment of the hoary old satirical quiz.