Sacha Baron Cohen

Tonightly, which began a daily run on Friday, is the distant descendant of The 11 O'Clock Show, not much valued at the time but now hailed for giving early breaks to Ricky Gervais, Sacha Baron Cohen and Mackenzie Crook.

I tried, believe me, but I could not see any of this sample of what C4 is calling "Generation Next" entering their league. The most obvious, if minor, talent is its northern anchorman, Jason Manford, who sits behind a desk betraying amusement at his own monologue and congratulating his sidekick, Andi Osho, on her supposedly "great work, great work". The first edition was topical: much obsessed with gas bills and the acquittal of Barry George, whom Manford weirdly suggested would not be in a good mood.

Tonightly lacked edge and it lacked laughs. It has three weeks to find bothly.

Andrew Billen, The Times, 4th August 2008

In fact, the basic title of the programme was thoroughly deceptive - although it was billed as Ali G Before He Was Massiv, it did not in fact feature any footage of Ali G before he was "massiv" (hardly surprising, as the character was created for The 11 O'clock Show).

TJ Worthington, Off The Telly, 27th March 2002