Sue Perkins

Think of The Moral Maze on acid. No, don't. Dilemma, like the best panel shows, is based on a simple premise. "The show where we explore the big moral and ethical questions [that's The Moral Maze bit] by asking silly questions [that obviously isn't at all like The Moral Maze]".

The premise put me in mind of the board game Scruples that called for you and your chums to consider moral dilemmas: things like whether you would go unwashed for a year in exchange for a million pounds... and, no, you couldn't tell people you were stinky for cash. I forget how the rules worked, and with Sue Perkins's Dilemma, the rules don't seem to matter much either - but it doesn't matter because this first programme is very funny.

Sue Perkins has a nifty introductory script ("If Piers Morgan's house was below sea level, would you still care about climate change?") but really shines when she plays devil's advocate with the panellists as they calibrate their moral compasses.

Richard Herring opens by wrestling with the idea of selling his grandfather's war memorabilia to a Nazi sympathiser. Perkins's pushing turns questions with seemingly obvious answers into a fun debate. Everyone on the panel sparkles, but for me Dominic Lawson is the stand-out with a series of naughty interjections. His slide-rule of racism is hilarious (Perkins: "Well, that's racism sorted out"). When he "became" Amanda Holden, I wondered whether the BBC lawyers would allow it to be broadcast.

Acidic, and not in the way I mentioned at the start. A non-irritating, hilarious panel show.

Dilemma (Radio 4, 7.45pm) is a new panel show, hosted by inescapable Sue Perkins, a sort of Moral Maze for the lace-loosened, in which comedians Dave Gorman and Richard Herring, actress and writer Rebecca Front and pithy columnist Dominic Lawson discuss such questions as "Would you provide an alibi for someone you hate?" Sketch show comedy and topical satire have so far not exactly flourished in this slot. Management fingers will be crossed for this, hoping that the audience hasn't already scuttled off to other channels.

The great Barry Cryer, stalwart of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue and one of the best comedy script-writers Britain has ever produced, takes his place on Lee Mack's team in the last episode of the series (next week's is a best-bits compilation).

He remains convincingly po-faced as he tells some incredible tales. Does he really hail a local bus by saying, "Hello, darling"? Did he ever write romantic novels under a female pseudonym?

Sue Perkins just about manages to get a word in edgeways, and Lorraine Kelly is a giggly good sport on David Mitchell's team with Dara O'Briain. But, as ever, it's Mitchell and Mack's banter that steals the show.

The most appealing of controller Gwyneth Williams's schedule changes to R4 is turning this slot into a place for top-notch comedy series. Sue Perkins and Rory Bremner will be arriving soon but the run begins with a sketch show from the creator of Cabin Pressure, John Finnemore. The gags are predominantly observations on the vagaries of the English language and clever pokes at our obsession with nostalgia. Not a word is wasted - this is a chill-out zone for smart people.

I must confess that classical music is not my forte, but a special prom hosted by Tim Minchin has made what is mostly an alien world watchable.

This TV version is an edited down version of the original that went out on BBC Radio 3. Seeing as how this was originally a radio programme some of the choice of acts may seem odd: The Boy with Tape on His Face, for example, as his comedy is almost entirely visual. It's quite a shame, really, as he was one of the funniest acts on the night, with his mime versions of "Lady in Red" and the William Tell overture.

There are some other odd choices of performers, such as the puppets from Mongrels performing one of their songs from their TV show, "Middle Class is Magical". This was definitely a highlight in the show, though - not only was the song pretty appropriate, but this must be the first time that BBC Three and Radio 3 have joined forces - which is slightly worrying. (I always thought that was a sign of the apocalypse.)

There were also other highlights, such as Doc Brown rapping about Sir David Attenborough; a battle between the conductor and the pianist about whether to play Greig or Tchaikovsky's piano concerto; beat-boxer Beardyman performing some musical material you don't associate with the Proms; and Kit and the Widow (Kit Hesketh-Harvey and Richard Sisson) with Sue Perkins and soprano Susan Bullock singing Flanders and Swann's "Hippopotamus Song".

Minchin did well as host - while performing some of his own hits - and was probably the most entertaining of the acts on offer. I for one hope that the Comedy Proms return next year.

Purists might blanch at the idea of this first ever Comedy Prom, but it makes for a raucous and unpredictable evening. Ivory-tinkling Australian comic Tim Minchin curates and hosts, introducing turns from Maestro winner Sue Perkins, the animal puppets from BBC Three's Mongrels, cabaret duo Kit and the Widow, rapper Doc Brown, soprano Susan Bullock and pianist Danny Driver.

Actor (he's played the title roles in both Hamlet and Amadeus), pianist and composer, maverick Australian comedian Tim Minchin brings his diverse talents - and trademark wild hair and eye make-up - to tonight's first ever Comedy Prom. He is the host for an evening of music and laughter that also features BBC2 Maestro winner Sue Perkins, cabaret duo Kit and the Widow and soprano Susan Bullock (who will be back on the Last Night in patriotic mode to rule with Britannia). And, of course, the ever versatile BBC Concert Orchestra. One of the highlights is sure to be Franz Reizenstein's hilarious Concerto popolare, in which the orchestra believes it's playing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto but the soloist is under the impression that it's the Grieg! Rising star British pianist Danny Driver does battle tonight.

BBC Proms 2011 (Radio 3, 7.30pm) is first: a Comedy Prom. Host is Tim Minchin, maverick Australian performer and composer (for his musical version of Roald Dahl's Matilda, for the Royal Shakespeare Company earlier this year). Other attractions include pianist Danny Driver, soprano Susan Bullock, camp cabaret duo Kit and the Widow and comedian Sue Perkins. The BBC Concert Orchestra plays on, regardless.

Sandi Toksvig and Sue Perkins test out the audience

Imaginative new comedy show is at Arts Theatre before an appearance at the Telegraph Hay Festival.

The News Quiz: Are men the problem in football?

This week's News Quiz lineup features Jeremy Hardy, Sue Perkins, Paul Sinha and Carrie Quinlan alongside presenter Sandi Toksvig. Tonight, the panel tackles Sky Sports' own goal, and asks, 'Are men the problem in football?'