Paul Weller

The John Bishop Show review

This unapologetically, even proudly, retro venture sees Paul Weller, comedians, and a beatboxer topped off with the wit of Trevor Noah, who turns the joke on us.

Radio Times review

In the title sequence of his new series, John Bishop drives along in a vintage Ford Cortina, a retro touch that hints at the old-fashioned flavour of the proposition here. It's a comedy-music-acrobatics variety show - presumably aimed at those of us who haven't quite had our fill of variety after a week of Britain's Got Talent live shows.

Mind you, there's a better class of act here: Paul Weller plays his new single, there's improvised music from beatboxer Beardyman, and Trevor Noah - the South African comedian set to succeed Jon Stewart on The Daily Show - does a stand-up set.

Kiefer Sutherland - who was last seen on our screens as agent Jack Bauer in the hit American series 24 - joins Jonathan Ross tonight to discuss his new TV drama Touch, which sees him play the widower father of a gifted child. Also in the studio are Mamma Mia! actress Amanda Seyfried, whose new film Gone is released later this month; and the modfather himself, Paul Weller, who will be performing songs from his forthcoming album, Sonik Kicks.

Moz tries to call in his debts but a surprising number of his mates are conveniently skint. Meanwhile, Nikki's sister is falling for Cartoon Head, despite Nikki's warnings to steer clear. This seventh series is warming up nicely (after Paul Weller's ace cameo last week) and which other UK sitcom can boast the subtle, un-starry presence of Janeane Garofalo in a supporting role, back to her Larry Sanders best? Graham Duff's ability to write seven of these incredible series (and play one of its funniest characters) should be enthusiastically applauded.

While some of BBC3's other long-running sitcoms have been somewhat, well, awful, Ideal soldiers on, managing to be sometimes brilliant, oft-times puerile and always interesting. In the first episode Johnny Vegas is joined by guest stars - weirdly, the usually reticent and annoying Paul Weller comes across as quite playful and the ever lovely Kara Tointon (still wearing Strictly make-up) is her ever lovely self.

As for the plot, Moz wins back his Jenny but she's joined the police force, which makes things difficult. It's not perfect but you can't be too hard on something with full-on musical moments, some good jokes and some underplayed poignant drama too.

Johnny Vegas's puerile comedy about hapless small-time dope-dealer Moz has managed to make it to a seventh series. It's not that the antics of Moz (Vegas) and his dope-head clients aren't funny (they frequently are), it's just nothing much ever happens. In tonight's series opener, which features guest appearances from Paul Weller and Kara Tointon, Moz plots to win back his true love Jenny - until he discovers she has joined the police force.

Ideal: New series features Paul Weller and Kara Tointon

Dope opera Ideal makes its long awaited return to BBC3 on Thursday 26th May - and there will be some extra special guest stars knocking on Moz's dingy door.