Victoria Wood (II)

The longevity of their working and personal relationship tells in the entirely natural flow of conversation between Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. It's like opening the door on two schoolgirls in an unstoppable stream-of-consciousness natter and not being told to get lost. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Dawn French says: "'Tis the season to be jolly, after all, so please do join us. It would be rude and silly not to, wouldn't it?"

So, they might talk about their favourite vegetable or which celebrity is the most adept at snogging. The content is unpredictable because it is not scripted - just ideas springing forth, being nurtured and, if necessary, crushed with the force that only a mother knows how to use. Star guests are guaranteed, not the least being fellow comedian Victoria Wood.

If nothing in this show makes you laugh get a friend or relative to check that you're still alive.

Richard Osman's head is stuffed full of Pointless knowledge, as any fan of BBC One's excellent early evening quiz will know. This should mean the presenter will wipe the floor with the opposition as he joins Victoria Wood, Jason Manford and Alan Davies to field Fry's questions.

Still, there are no guarantees in the QI world, which not so long ago revealed the quite interesting fact that many of its former facts are now considered to be fiction. Sometimes you just can't win.

Radio Times review

The interestingness goes into overdrive this week. Yes, it's funny too, but there are historical titbits here that will mildly blow your mind, as Stephen Fry dissertates on a kitchen-y theme. We learn about the 18th-century pets bred to be "turnspit dogs" during the week and footwarmers in church on Sunday. We learn about why kleftiko is so called. And we learn something about the phenomenon of the overbite that may be the single most interesting dentistry fact ever shared on TV.

Adding comedic spin to this obscure knowledge are Victoria Wood, Richard Osman and Jason Manford. Osman's speed of wit is as devastating as ever, and listen out for a great Barocca gag and some lovely teasing about turtles.

Victoria Wood to adapt stage musical for BBC Two

Victoria Wood will rework her musical, That Day We Sang into a drama for for the channel.

Victoria Wood's Housewife, 49 gets stage premiere

Victoria Wood has chosen a part-time theatre in Cumbria as the venue for the premiere of a stage version of her award-winning TV drama Housewife, 49.

Opinion: Stand-ups can also stand out in documentaries

Television seems to be going through one of its phases where it gives comedians interesting jobs rather than just going "ooh look, how about a nice panel game/quiz show to be charismatically spontaneous on?" Last week Victoria Wood was poured all over our screens talking about tea. For the next two Sundays Bill Bailey is going to be in the jungle.

Miranda Hart on her comedy hero Eric Morecambe

Plus Barry Cryer, Ant and Dec, Victoria Wood, Ben Miller salute a legacy of laughter.

Victoria Wood "furious" at scripted reality shows

Acorn Antiques comedy actress and writer said shows like TOWIE and Made in Chelsea set ups 'take bread out of the actors' mouths'.

Interview: Victoria Wood

The award-winning comedienne explains how a suburban couple hoodwinked the world of classical music.

Victoria Wood interview: 'It's a very English story'

Celebrated comedian Victora Wood talks to Ben Lawrence about BBC One's forthcoming Loving Miss Hatto, in which she has dramatised a true tale of musical deception and enduring love.