Sean Lock

Jimmy Carr hosts the latest special edition of mirthsome panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats, which finds it "mashed up" with veteran Channel 4 word quiz Countdown. Team captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson face off against each other as usual, but with anagrams and numbers as their weapons of choice. There are guests joining them, along with hairy comedian Joe Wilkinson, the show's longstanding lexicographer Susie Dent and resident number boffin, former Strictly contestant and lad mag fave Rachel Riley.

Jimmy Carr returns to host the entertainment where consonant-cussing and vowel-fouling are positively encouraged. What by rights should have been a diverting one-off is now arguably more successful than the Cats original.

The show works because the Countdown format is nigh-on impregnable, while there's nobody more competitive than a stand-up comic (no matter how dodgy their numeracy skills). Guests Kevin Bridges, Rhod Gilbert and Josie Long take on the brainteasers with regular captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson, while Rachel Riley prepares for teasing of a different kind.

Sean Lock shimmying across the dance floor, Strictly style, sporting a black nylon shirt open to the waist, is the jolly flight of fancy that opens tonight's laughter line-up. Young comedian Romesh Ranganathan brings his Asian DNA into play with a scurrilously hilarious take on racism and a creative approach to telling off other people's kids, which leaves Marcus Brigstocke to supply a cheeky clutch of gags on ageing, safaris, the Greek economy - and some beatboxing.

Host Sean Lock emerges from the clouds of dry ice looking as dapper as always, before launching into a routine about the risks, as a middle-aged man, of ever mentioning that you quite like something. Particularly around this time of year, he points out, expressing a passing interest in anything - a ferry, a bird - can result in ill-advised "experience" presents come Christmas Day.

Lock's longer routines are always good (there's a great one on the discrimination you suffer as a binge drinker), but his quick hits are good, too, including a dark, throwaway one-liner about hearing voices.

Following the host, Asian comic Romesh Ranganathan talks about how, because he has mixed-race kids, he and his wife try to get the kids to pick a side. Then Marcus Brigstocke explains the euro crisis by means of a nightclub allegory and some passable beatboxing. It's as plausible as anything on Newsnight.

Sean Lock on the comedians that should be on your radar

Comedian Sean Lock reveals the comics you ought to have heard of, but probably haven't.

Comedy review: Sean Lock at the Regent theatre

Despite his weird and slightly inexplicable humour, the show is very polished and well-structured.

Sean Lock: It's inhumane how good I am

Still intoxicated from his 
previous night's show, and gorging out on his mini fridge's £6 nuts, Sean Lock was still able to tell us how "he could have been anything, but he chose to be a comedian."

Review: Sean Lock, Hammersmith Apollo

There is something oddly old-fashioned, almost music hall about Lock.