Stewart Lee

Is stand-up comedy becoming homogeneous and dull? If so, enter Stewart Lee, with his talent for deconstructing that very comedy, and the laconic delivery to make it hilarious, not dry. The antidote to Live At The Apollo and the like.

The 13th best programme of 2011 according to the Radio Times.

Stand-up comedy is experiencing a boom - just look at the TV schedules, or the number of comics plugging DVDs this Christmas - but it's also becoming homogenous and dull. Enter Stewart Lee, with his unique talent for deconstructing that very comedy, and the laconic delivery to make it hilarious, not dry. Not afraid to tackle the big issues, Lee nevertheless often ends up talking mostly about crisps.

At this point I should say that not only have I never watched this programme before, but I've never watched or listened to any of Chris Moyles' shows (for that matter I've never listened to Radio 1). As a result I was somewhat hesitant at watching Chris Moyles' Quiz Night, but as there were no other new comedy programmes on I had to make do.

For those who have also never seen the show before, each edition features Moyles taking part in a quiz against three celebrity guests. The audience beforehand vote for who they think will win and those who pick the winner win a share of £1,000 (on this week's edition the money won by everyone equalled £21 each). The player who comes last has to sing out the show.

When I spotted the panel which consisted of Jason Manford, Jeremy Clarkson and opera singer Katherine Jenkins, I thought that as a panel it was okay, although I can't help but think that it sounds like Stewart Lee's idea of hell. Anyone who saw the first episode of his Comedy Vehicle will testify.

However, the other guests who appeared during the questions, including Britney Spears, Robbie Williams and the Sugababes, took it down to the level that I expected from Moyles - cheap and rubbish. This show isn't something that I'd watch again.

Gigglebox Weekly #28

This week Ian Wolf encounters something wetter than the sea at Weston-Super-Mare and Stewart Lee's idea of hell.

Lunch with the FT: Stewart Lee

The acclaimed British comedian talks about how being disliked has its uses.

Does comic bravery go hand in hand with being offensive

It's a mistake to think a comedian is validated because their material is perceived as being 'brave'.

Stand-up's grown up, but it doesn't make it literature

Stewart Lee has released his stand-up routine as a play script - but does the humour translate to the page?

Stewart Lee - the most influential comic in stand-up?

He may be about to hole himself up at the Leicester Square Theatre until February, but in a way Stewart Lee's presence can be felt right across the circuit. In a way.