Tom Jones (II)

Radio Times review

For the second year running, the indefatigable comedian hosts a cheery variety show, filmed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Dara O'Briain, Dame Edna Everage and surprise America's Got Talent winner Paul Zerdin provide laughs to go with McIntyre's own zippy observations about the tiny absurdities of a family gathering. Ellie Goulding and Tom Jones are the musical guests, with other celebs dropping in to surprise, and perhaps prank, the live audience.

The irrepressible Alan Carr returns for a 14th series of his charmingly goofy chat show tonight, in which his guests reveal just as much about themselves by the way they react to his Bombay mix and WKD-style of hospitality as from any of the comic's proper questions. On the sofa and partaking in Carr's eccentrically stocked drinks trolley will be The Voice judges - Will.i.am, Ricky Wilson, Tom Jones and the madcap Rita Ora - joined by Antonio Banderas and Danny Dyer. Ella Henderson provides the music.

For all its obvious charms, the first run of Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon's improvised sitcom did sometimes seem like little more than a Parmesan-crisp thin excuse for its stars to gorge on high-end scran. Credit all the Mediterranean cuisine being scarfed down or just tighter direction from Michael Winterbottom, but this sequel outing to Italy feels more substantial. Tonight's episode features a plot, with the pair venturing to Shelley's house by boat, and Brydon chirpsing one of the crew. Impressions galore - Tom Jones, Pierce Brosnan - too.

Radio Times review

This second episode, about the "middle ages" of rock, is even funnier than the first - especially if you're sufficiently middle aged to understand all the 70s and 80s references. There's a greater emphasis on doctored archive footage than on semi-improvised skits this time, but we're treated to an appearance from Noel Edmonds, while Red Dwarf's Danny John-Jules pops up thinly disguised as the ubiquitous Nile Rodgers.

Tom Jones's interminable note-hold and Phil Collins massacring Stairway to Heaven are particular highlights. Be warned, however: there's some fruity language; from Nigel "potty mouth" Havers no less.

Rod Woodward: (It is unusual) how I know Tom Jones (Link expired)

Rod Woodward, past winner of the BBC's Funny Business comedy award, explains his unusual links to fellow Welshman Tom Jones.

The best guests sit on Norton's sofa and tonight's line-up is all Hollywood glitter. Big, smiley Bradley Cooper is a Norton regular who's always great fun - who can forget him flirting outrageously with Jo Brand? He's with Heather Graham to promote another of his Hangover films.

Will Smith did the unimaginable and eclipsed Sir Tom Jones last time he appeared when he did the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air rap with Gary Barlow. Tonight he's with son Jaden (the pair star together in After Earth), while Michael Douglas will be talking about his latest role as Liberace.

Often the best bit of The Rob Brydon Show is his banter with the audience. Here he has fun with a mother and daughter who "show miniature horses". "Show them what?" wonders Brydon. "A good time?" There's a similar laidback feel to the sofa chat. Sir Tom Jones roars into the studio to tell us of his blues and gospel influences and how he was held at gunpoint on his first trip to the States. Deadly 60's Steve Backshall shows us a nasty bite on his leg and Emilia Fox, from Silent Witness, joins a read through of Brydon's new crime drama idea, CSI: Cardiff.

Rob Brydon needs no excuse to break into song, which he engineers tonight by inviting fellow Welshman Tom Jones onto his chat show. Thrusting a guitar into Sir Tom's hands, Brydon joins him in a rousing version of Elvis's A Mess of Blues. Interviews with actress Emilia Fox and wildlife expert Steve Backshall make up the rest of the half hour.

Compaired to Hunderby, Citizen Khan (BBC1) looks very un-bold indeed. It's a family based sitcom that feels like it's from about 1983. You know, Mr Khan parks in a disabled space, someone sees him getting out of the car, so he adopts a limp, cue laughter. The fact that the parking space is at the mosque doesn't make it any more interesting I'm afraid - perhaps even highlights what a pity it is that the BBC's first Asian sitcom is so safe.

Oh, it's not that bad, I suppose. Adil Ray's performance is spirited. There are some nice touches, like the plastic sofa covers. But even the best joke - Mr Khan's imaginative speechifying (JFK, MLK, TJ*) being broadcast from the speaker at the top of the minaret - you can see coming a mile off, as soon as he picks up the mic. It seems for interesting original comedy you now have to look to the right of the first three columns in the listings page.

*Tom Jones.