Tom Jones (II)

Rob Brydon has a crush on Tom Jones

Funnyman Rob Brydon says he has a crush on Tom Jones.

Sky Arts unveils biggest investment in new comedy

Emma Thompson is to play Queen Elizabeth II and Tom Jones will make his acting debut as part of a new strand of comedies and dramas to be broadcast on Sky Arts.

When Rob Brydon launched this chat show last year, he said he was interested only in interviewing guests whose work he respected. That may sound like the kind of hot air any obsequious chat show host would spout, but in Brydon's case it may actually be true: among his guests in his two series to date have been Bruce Forsyth, Tom Jones, Ronnie Corbett and Terry Wogan, all of whom Brydon is well known to admire. Tonight's guest is another lifelong favourite of Brydon's, and indeed of most people in Britain who enjoy comedy: the majestic Dame Edna Everage, who's still going strong at... well, it wouldn't do to mention a lady's age, now, would it? There will also be a song from Will Young, and some stand-up from the startlingly young Phil Wang. We're sure Dame Edna will have the good taste not to draw attention to that surname.

The second series of John Bishop's Britain was, like the first, an excruciatingly anodyne blend of cheesy jokes and mildly risqué allusions that somehow manages to keep a Saturday night audience amused, or amused enough not to change the channel. The Liverpudlian comedian rolled out a set based on nostalgia comedy - remember how women threw knickers at Tom Jones, remember when we "copped off to Shalamar". One might be tempted to add another to his list of bygone things: remember the once-great Saturday night TV comedy show.

I don't understand why American critics took so vehemently against The Marriage Ref, created by Jerry Seinfeld. On the strength of this ITV remake, it looks like harmless fluff.

Or maybe the harmlessness was the reason for the critics' harshness. Maybe the Americans expected Seinfeld to come up with something edgier and more substantial than a comedy panel game in which three celebrities pass jokey judgements on minor marital spats.

The US version, despite savage reviews, has limped to a second series. The only reason for its survival seems to be Seinfeld's ability to fill the panel with heavyweight celebrity pals like Madonna, Alec Baldwin and Ricky Gervais.

Their counterparts for this version were considerably less starry: comedians Sarah Millican and Jimmy Carr (clearly we don't see enough of him on television), and, as host Dermot O'Leary described her, "British pop and yoga royalty" Geri Halliwell.

I can't see this version making it beyond a single series. The domestic disputes are barely disputes at all and there's nothing at stake, not even a cash prize.

Saturday's participants were a middle-aged Tom Jones impersonator who's fed up with his wife leaving him "to do" lists; a young woman who wants her 31-year-old clown of a husband to grow up and stop hanging out with teenage skateboarders; and a lovely, octogenarian couple, married for 53 years, who are having a genteel disagreement over the husband's habit of making endless jars of pickles (cue some patronising "oohing" and "aahing" from the studio audience).

Hardly the stuff of Relate counselling. In a TV landscape coarsened beyond belief by the likes of Jeremy Kyle, The Marriage Ref doesn't stand a chance.

The BBC deserve an ambivalent shrug for The Rob Brydon Show, which is, at best, objectively "alright". Faint praise is the dullest weapon in the critic's armory, but it's all this lighthearted chat show deserves.

Last time Brydon presented something in this vein he was in character as hapless cuckold Keith Barrett of Marion and Geoff renown. This time he's being himself, the likeable, witty, waspish Welshman whose eagerness to please is as endearing as it is occasionally overbearing - during his opening "banter with the audience" segment, I thought his unfunny Pingu impression was never going to end.

There is, to its credit, something pleasingly old-fashioned about the programme's format. Oddly, what it reminded me of most was - pace Wogan and Harty - Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge, starring Steve Coogan. But whereas that was a parody of traditional chatter-tainment, this is the real, undemanding deal.

So, a few gags, a sycophantic chat with a showbiz chum - David Walliams doing his lazy faux-camp schtick - a self-indulgent duet with a musical hero - Tom Jones - and a showcase for an up-and-coming comic - Tom Deacon, a nondescript child. And, inevitably, as many impressions as Brydon can cram in. If Jones' involvement was anything to go by, expect future guests to include others the host can "do". Ronnie Corbett is probably ironing his cravat as we speak.

A long overdue solo vehicle for the likeable Rob Brydon - one of our finest comedy actors (see his scene-stealing turns in Gavin & Stacey and supporting roles for the likes of Steve Coogan and Julia Davis), and also a gifted stand-up and impressionist (the latter of which he demonstrated hilariously in the 2005 film A Cock and Bull Story). The format is knowingly cheesy, with Brydon chatting in matey style to his main guest, before breaking off for a short set by a comedian and interlude from a musician - with whom the host is invariably tempted to join in.

Chat shows stand or fall by the quality of their guests and tonight's are top-drawer. Main conversationalist is "Dame" David Walliams, who discusses his marriage to model Lara Stone and obsession with James Bond, then reads from his recent children's book. Walliams also answer questions from Twitter users (token nod to being modern, there) and the studio audience - which sweetly includes his mother. The musical guest is Sir Tom Jones, who performs a song from his acclaimed gospel album Praise & Blame. The only weak link is the set by young stand-up Tom Deacon, but it would be churlish to complain about Brydon championing a rising comedian each week. At times this opening show has the slight awkwardness of a first date, but all in all, it's a comfortingly cosy and entertaining half-hour.

Actor, stand-up comedian, panel show host, singer, impressionist - with a CV like that, why would Rob Brydon want to add "chat show host"? Plenty of good prospects have fallen at the chat hurdle on BBC2, from Jeremy Clarkson to Danny Baker, but Brydon perhaps has one advantage. In 2004 he hosted a spoof chat show as his alter ego, the slightly hopeless Keith Barret, discussing relationships with celebrity couples. Tonight we'll find out if he can carry off the trick without having his tongue in his cheek. His guests include an old friend, David Walliams, and a hero - Tom Jones.

A quick survey of TV Towers revealed that Rob Brydon can do no wrong - even if he took a lawn mower for a drive through a convalesence centre for lame chicks. From the brilliant Marion and Geoff to his turn as Uncle Bryn in Gavin and Stacey, Rob's been nothing less than sublime, and so we're jolly pleased he's been given his own chat show. In this first episode his guests are David Walliams, Sir Tom Jones and rising comedian Tom Deacon, all of whom look as if they're having loads of fun. In no time, you'll be struggling to remember that Jonathan bloke who used to host a chat show on a Friday night...

Rob Brydon's got his own chat show! What's it like? Well, after a cringeworthy opening intro, not too bad - 'Dame' David Walliams gives good value banter, promising young stand-up Tom Deacon does a entertaining short set, plus Tom Jones joins Brydon to duet on a couple of rock songs. All very chummy.