Richard Ayoade

Comparisons to Family Guy will be inevitable with Full English, a new cartoon comedy series designed by Alex Scarfe (son of political cartoonist Gerald) and animated by Rough Draft, the California studio behind Seth MacFarlane's Emmy-winning hit. It even apes the signature cutaway gags. There's a decent voice cast, including Richard Ayoade and Kayvan Novak, but precious few laughs. The cultural references in this opener - the family's emo daughter Eve decides to enter Britain's Got Talent - are leaden, so if these are the big guns to draw people in, God help it.

A neurotic and smart boy, Oliver over-imagines his death as a series of flash-forwards of fellow pupils mourning his passing. He talks of zooms and crane shots and when a bullied peer falls into a pond he observes the horror in freeze frame and commentates on the action. The storytelling style which writer-director Richard Ayoade lunges for with uncynical reverence and a cinephile's passion is a holy trinity of French new wave, mannered American indies and superior British domestic comedy. It's a winning combination which sees sparks of imagination flying from most scenes, with jump cuts, flashes back and forwards, imaginary episodes and chapter headings. Nothing stays still for long and actors are often seen in silence. Total first-person cinema: a spirited and warm film debut.

Richard Ayoade in trailer for Ben Stiller's new movie

The IT Crowd's Richard Ayoade has an appearance in the first teaser trailer for the new Ben Stiller film Neighborhood Watch.

Channel 4 must be struggling for shows to fill their once-feted Friday night slot, as 8 Out Of 10 Cats, which finished its 11th series a mere month ago, is already back for another outing. Jon Richardson, now firmly ensconced in the role of "team captain who is not as funny as Sean Lock", is joined by comedian Holly Walsh, while Lock, whose quick, absurdist turns of phrase are forever the strongest element of this tired format, gets some help on the one-liner front from Richard Ayoade.

Many a panel show flags in middle age, but this one remains in rude health as it returns for a 12th series of comedy based on statistics and polls. Our rudimentary survey shows the most laughs come from the quips of host Jimmy Carr, who's as sharp as his tailored suits, and team captain Sean Lock, who veers between irreverent rants on life and taking pot shots at the guests. Braving his ridicule tonight are IT Crowd actor Richard Ayoade and boxer Amir Khan.

Richard Ayoade joins Hollywood's Neighbourhood Watch

British comic and Submarine director lands role in forthcoming Ben Stiller sci-fi comedy.

Amir Khan & Richard Ayoade on 12th 8 Out of 10 Cats

Popular comedy panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats returns to Channel 4 Friday 23rd September for 11 brand new shows including the 100th episode of the series.

DVD: Submarine (15)

Richard Ayoade's debut film, adapted from Joe Dunthorne's novel, is very stylistic and references 400 Blows, Harold and Maude and Rushmore. It's not terribly funny, in fact it's rather sad, but Roberts and Paige are good together and there's some tangy dialogue.

MediaGuardian 100 2011: 94. Richard Ayoade

Havingh made his mark in television with The IT Crowd, the actor and writer has gone on to direct Film4 movie Submarine.

Richard Ayoade: I was a lone wolf throughout school

Richard Ayoade talks to Metro about his new film Submarine, playing Maurice Moss in The IT Crowd, and his embarrassing first crush.