Tim Walker

With a title like Absolutely Fabulous, it is hard to see how Jennifer Saunders's series will acknowledge the economic downturn when its latest instalment is broadcast over Christmas.

Still, Harriet Thorpe, who appears in it, tells me: "Jennifer keeps everything current. She acknowledges the recession, but doesn't make it all about that."

Speaking at the first night of Crazy for You in the West End, Thorpe adds: "It's very clever, and, of course, incredibly funny to see how the characters cope."

Their co-star June Whitfield says, perhaps even more depressingly, that Eddy and Patsy are shown to be getting on a bit. The actress, 85, insists that this "opens up a whole new avenue of hilarity".

Stephen Mangan consigns Sheen's Tony Blair to history

Michael Sheen's decision to turn down The Hunt for Tony Blair gives Stephen Mangan the chance to outshine him.

Mr Bean's potential first spotted by Atkinson's brother

Mr Bean's universal appeal was first spotted by Rowan Atkinson's brother, Rodney.

Julie Walters on first meeting with Victoria Wood

Julie Walters recalls the inauspicious occasion that she first worked with Victoria Wood in a show called In at the Death at the Bush Theatre in west London.

Jon Culshaw and Rory Bremner dread 'Ed Nose Day'

Ed Miliband's nose operation could prove disastrous for the nation's impressionists.

David Mitchell's double act with Victoria Coren

David Mitchell has abandoned life as a singleton for the journalist and television presenter Victoria Coren.

The return of the sitcom

Thanks to the awkward realism of The Office, the traditional sitcom has spent the last decade firmly out of fashion. But as the success of Miranda proves, a show filmed in front of a live audience can still have the last laugh.

Rory Bremner is left with bad impression of Nick Clegg

Rory Bremner - the man who said life was 'too short' to impersonate Nick Clegg - has decided to spend more time with his family.

Lee Evans fails to see the funny side of comedy club

Lee Evans is seeking £50,000 in damages from the owners of a South Coast nightclub.

TV's decision to sign up Jonathan Ross for a prime-time chat show is a magnanimous one.

In January, the foul-mouthed presenter announced Hayley Mills, the actress, as a guest on his Radio 2 show by saying: "She's now on ITV, which, I think, must be some sort of punishment."

Not all of his new colleagues may greet him with open arms. "Viewers have been put off watching Ross because he is beyond a joke,'' Lizzie Cundy, the presenter of ITV at the Movies, told Mandrake in 2008, after his suspension from the BBC for his shameful harassment of the actor Andrew Sachs, 80.

"On our show, we're not rude or condescending to anyone. We do nice interviews and don't make any crude comments. Angelina [Jolie] was meant to be on the Ross show, but she's coming over to us."