Russell Howard

The very good news for the likeable Mock The Week panellist and stand-up is that he's been rewarded with his own show. The bad news is it sounds like a strangely similar format to Mock The Week (a knock-off Have I Got News For You) with Russell taking the mickey out of news and topical events.

Other comedy shows like Pulling and Gavin And Stacey which started on BBC3 were repeated on non-digital channels, but it seems unlikely here.

They'd have to rename it Russell Howard's Old News which sounds vaguely insulting. It's being recorded at the last minute and viewers will also be able to make their own suggestions via the BBC website or Twitter.

Mock the Week star and comedian Russell Howard returns with a new show. Just look at that impish grin and cheerily goofy mug - there's no way that's a face to impart grim economic updates or news of brutal violence during major civil unrest. Therefore, it makes complete sense for Russell Howard off Mock the Week to report on stories that won't have you reaching for a Joy Division CD and a tin of black paint to decorate the walls, as he does in this sparky new show.

Good News everyone!

Russell Howard's Good News - possibly Professor Farnsworth's favourite new show - starts tonight at 10.30pm on BBC Three. Here's Russell with more.

The regular panellist on Mock the Week gets his own weekly topical comedy show. I don't know too much else about it, other than an extended version will show over the weekend. For me, Howard is the most likeable of MTW's regular panellists, and his brand of comedy is one that will hopefully sustain a full nine-part series.

Russell Howard on Mock the Week and ridiculous news

The comedian on favourite films, silly stories and other Russells.

Russell Howard's Good News

Fans of his regular appearances on Mock The Week and anyone nostalgic for his old show on 6 Music will be delighted to see that Russell will be fronting a new topical comedy series on BBC Three called Russell Howard's Good News.

Say hello to a new batch of TV's most reliably funny and likeable panel show. Tonight's posers include whether stand-up Russell Howard used to wear underpants on his head as an anti-acne gambit and whether EastEnders star Larry Lamb once ran a market stall that sold hats for dogs. In case you're thinking that both things are clearly absurd, bear in mind that everything on the show is clearly absurd and could never have happened - yet some of it did. This series, Angus Deayton has given way to Rob Brydon as host, but the show's beating heart remains David Mitchell. He rules it as his domain; the others just make up the numbers. Tonight, Mitchell voices firm views on castles, crying and working at McDonald's.

Poor Angus Deayton has been dropped again. Rob Brydon steps into his shoes and very good he is too (much better than AD, who treated it as if he had somehow turned back time and was on the set of HIGNFY). Also good are the team captains: David Mitchell's natural habitat is the panel show and Lee Mack is naturally funny. Tonight's guests are Jo Brand and Russell Howard, providing back-up laughs, and Carol 'whaat now?' Vorderman and Larry 'do something about your son' Lamb are the straight men. It's never hilarious but it's always funny and less annoying than Mock The Week, so everyone should be glad to see it back.

Other than the editor and owners of The Daily Telegraph, the only folk actively praying for the expenses ballyhoo to continue are Dara O'Briain, Russell Howard, Frankie Boyle, Hugh Dennis and that bloke who looks like Matt Lucas' character out of Krod Mandoon (Andy Parsons). Let's hope they make the most of it as guests Frank Skinner and Gina Yashere join the teams.

Anyone whose day involves extreme surfing in the freezing water and 60ft waves off the rocky coastline of County Clare could probably do with a little warming up. Cue Russell Howard, whose boyish enthusiasm and sizzlingly funny sets are usually hard to resist... but can he win over these adrenalin junkies?