Rufus Hound

John Sergeant returns as the chortling host for series two of Dave's homegrown panel game. Tonight's topic for debate - political correctness, the British economy, Brad Pitt - prompt lots of clever quips, although Rufus Hound's attack on bodybuilding will have you wincing.

Dave's flagship programme. Okay, it's not perfect - but it can be funny. It's hosted by kindly John Sergeant, with Rufus Hound and Marcus Brigstocke as captains - they're nowhere near awful. The standard of guest is pretty high - the first ep kicks off with ever-good-value Dara O'Briiiiaiiin and The Thick Of It's Chris Addison. He's going to be a Hollywood player after In The Loop comes out, according to yesterday's supplements. All in all, it'll be a welcome relief from today's News At Ten.

Keith Lemon (alter-ego of Bo' Selecta comedian Leigh Francis) returned for a second series of Celebrity Juice; basically a tabloid-y, low-rent version of Shooting Stars, with a fraction of the laughs and zero inspiration. It's a panel show that relies on Lemon's abilities to keep the whole thing on-track, so inevitably fails because the Lemon character is so tedious. Strangely, Francis' retired creation, neck-braced celebrity stalker Avid Merion, would actually be a better fit for Juice's showbiz theme!

Any half-amusing moments are almost accidental, and the most enjoyable thing about the show is trying to guess how the celebs have been persuaded to appear: Fearne Cotton (shameless, no quality control), Sara Cox (as a favour to fellow Radio 1 presenter Cotton?), Kevin Bishop (new sitcom to plug that airs immediately after), Coolio (exploiting his renewed fame after Celebrity Big Brother), Verne Troyer (likewise), Rufus Hound (an ambition to appear on every digital channel's tripe?), guest-star Bianca Gascoigne (need I say more?) and Holly Willoughby (oh yes, her husband's a producer on the show.) Not so much juice, just dregs from a fruit squeezed dry by Vic n' Bob 10 years ago.

Creating comedy from controversy demands more than regulars Marcus Brigstocke and Rufus Hound merely spouting near-nonsense loudly and provocatively. Still, the guests in this show, including Dara O'Briain, Johnny Vegas and Frankie Boyle, show how it's done.

Dave to get Argumental again

Dave has ordered a second series of the John Sergeant-hosted panel show Argumental.

The 12 x 30-minute series by Tiger Aspect features team captains Rufus Hound and Marcus Brigstocke, who battle it out to win "important" debates.

Patrick Kielty doesn't just join the regulars in the bargain basement comic debate show this week, he outshines both Marcus Brigstocke and Rufus Hound. You might think that's easy but, after this, Lucy Porter probably doesn't. It's undemanding entertainment for audience and performers alike.

Strictly Come Dancing just won't be the same without him. But as Dave's first, fitfully funny, homegrown panel game continues, Argumental finds John Sergeant back in his comfort zone with his two left feet tucked comfortably under a desk where they belong.

He twinkles genially while two teams, captained by Marcus Brigstocke and Rufus Hound, debate the hot potatoes of the day - sometimes changing sides mid-sentence.

A couple of topics that aren't on the agenda tonight, but they might like to keep up their sleeves for series two include: Is it OK for the most popular contestant on a reality ballroom series to quit just because he's rubbish?

And: Should a panel show featuring four comedians coming up with 'off-the-cuff' arguments, really have the need to credit seven gag writers?

Argumental Review

Everyone impressed, with Rufus Hound finally getting the chance to really shine on TV, and Brigstocke playing up brilliantly to his angry young man persona.

Panel shows may be two-a-penny, but this witty celebration of the art of argument definitely has something. Comedians Rufus Hound and Marcus Brigstocke and their teams defend or denounce a given statement - the funnier and more outrageous their case the better. It's presented by John Sergeant (whose laugh alone makes it worth watching).

Rufus Hound Interview

TV Scoop talks to Argumental team captain Rufus Hound.