Richard Osman

Lee Mack returns for a new series of Not Going Out and this time it's personal - he's character has managed to work his way onto TV.

Appearing in an episode of BBC quiz show Pointless, it doesn't take much for quizmaster Richard Osman to work him out.

In the video above Osman says: "We pre-record these so you're not going to look like an idiot for two or three weeks."

We're not sure how well Lee does on Pointless, the BBC One programme which gives its contestant a chance to score as little as possible, but we know it will be entertaining.

The sitcom, which follows the jokes, jibes and general misunderstandings of happy-go-lucky Lee and his friends returns on Friday.

Episode one of series seven is called 'Mugging' - when Lucy has her handbag stolen from right under Lee's nose, he feels the need to prove his manliness over and over and over again.

Like most people my Easter Sunday viewing was All About Two, a strangely formatted panel show celebrating 50 years of BBC 2. Watching the montages makes you realise just how many incredible comedies started their life on this channel; Miranda, Ab Fab, The Young Ones, The League of Gentleman and so many more. Regardless of the slightly wobbly jokes and unusual array of guests, the show certainly made the point: BBC 2 is awesome and let's have an Easter toast to another 50 years. P.S. Was it just me or was Richard Osman totally underused?

Test your knowledge of 50 years of BBC2

Pointless star Richard Osman hosts our celebration of 50 years of BBC2 with (what else?) a quiz.

Radio Times review

Television loves birthdays and anniversaries, so how much more exciting can it get than actually having an excuse to celebrate one of its own milestones with a special season of programmes? BBC Two is 50 years old this year (surely not, doesn't she look young?) and the festivities will be sprinkled across the schedules throughout the year.

Here Dara O'Briain and Pointless's Richard Osman hosts a 50th birthday quiz where celebrities are asked questions about BBC Two stars and programmes across the years. Guests include Hugh Dennis, Hairy Biker Dave Myers and Professor Brian Cox.

The Methuselah-like panel show begins its 47th series, with Jennifer Saunders in the host's seat for the first time. How she's never landed the gig before when the likes of Fern Britton and Jerry Springer have is a mystery. Elsewhere, Pointless chap Richard Osman will put his panel show nous (he's had a hand in creating 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Charlie Brooker vehicle You Have Been Watching) to good use as a guest panellist. It's years past its real peak, but still diverting enough.

Radio Times review

As the big beast of the panel-show genre rouses itself for a 47th series, we know what to expect. Nobody would pretend the show's satirical edge is as sharp as it once was or that the scripted gags supplied to the host aren't sometimes embarrassingly poor (you can often see team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton wince in sympathy). But it's still the best place to see the week's news given a going-over and it's good to have it back.

Jennifer Saunders takes the presenter's hot seat for the first time and Richard Osman, who generally raises everyone's game a peg or two, is a guest.

A new series of mock-Orwellian oratory hits Friday night, with Joan Bakewell, Roisin Conaty and Richard Osman attempting to sneak their bugbears past Room 101 bouncer Frank Skinner. Irritants in the dock of discontent tonight include customer-service surveys, greetings cards containing pre-felt emotions, and the less-heralded animals making up the numbers in zoos around the globe. Every bit as unchallenging as you'd expect from the panel-led revamp, but the game "leg-selfie or hot dog" does sweeten the pill somewhat.

The mighty Pointless fact file that is Richard Osman - all 6ft 7in of him in his size 14 shoes - reveals his distrust of shoemakers and disgruntlement with people who tell him he's tall as a new season of personal hates and bugbears checks in for business. Frank Skinner resumes his duties as arbitrary arbiter of banishing dislikes to oblivion, with broadcaster Joan Bakewell and comedian Roisin Conaty taking a pew alongside Mr Osman. Among the more contentious candidates for annihilation are gardening and Bambi. And watch out for a clip featuring a massive snake - it's a real shocker.

Radio Times review

Richard Osman of the quiz show Pointless is one of the quickest wits on TV. Fact. The guy is a giant of comedy, although actually he doesn't like people mentioning his height. Fellow panellists - writer and broadcaster Joan Bakewell and comedian Roisin Conaty - and even host Frank Skinner, don't stand a chance as he tosses bons mots and puns into the conversation with casual ease.

Of course, all the guests put forward suggestions for things to be consigned to oblivion - the pet hates tonight range from gardening to cobblers. Skinner, meanwhile, deftly choreographs the banter for maximum laughs.

However, it's Skinner himself who gets the best reaction when he tells the heart-warming story of how a little boy left his much-loved cuddly toy behind at his holiday hotel. The staff there then did something wonderful to persuade him that his toy was fine, but just extending his vacation.

Room 101 - TV review

I like Richard Osman (massive fan of Pointless), but I very much disagree with his views, on Room 101 (BBC One), about "zoo filler".