8 Out Of 10 Cats

The wisecracking news poll-based panel show returns for what seems like a gazillionth series (its 13th, in fact). Now that it's firmly entrenched as Have I Got News for You for the under-30s, there's no need to tinker with the formula: essentially, roll the cameras and let deadpan host Jimmy Carr tee-up team captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson to dryly riff on the week's nonsense news. Then cobble together the gags, which are as potent as ever.

Channel 4 must be struggling for shows to fill their once-feted Friday night slot, as 8 Out Of 10 Cats, which finished its 11th series a mere month ago, is already back for another outing. Jon Richardson, now firmly ensconced in the role of "team captain who is not as funny as Sean Lock", is joined by comedian Holly Walsh, while Lock, whose quick, absurdist turns of phrase are forever the strongest element of this tired format, gets some help on the one-liner front from Richard Ayoade.

Many a panel show flags in middle age, but this one remains in rude health as it returns for a 12th series of comedy based on statistics and polls. Our rudimentary survey shows the most laughs come from the quips of host Jimmy Carr, who's as sharp as his tailored suits, and team captain Sean Lock, who veers between irreverent rants on life and taking pot shots at the guests. Braving his ridicule tonight are IT Crowd actor Richard Ayoade and boxer Amir Khan.

Amir Khan & Richard Ayoade on 12th 8 Out of 10 Cats

Popular comedy panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats returns to Channel 4 Friday 23rd September for 11 brand new shows including the 100th episode of the series.

This now long-running Channel 4 panel game has seen some changes over the years. In this series, Jon Richardson has replaced Jason Manford as team captain; the opening round, "What Are You Talking About?", also now only covers the top three most talked about things in Britain as opposed to the original five. The other major change is that the total scores are no longer mentioned, with host Jimmy Carr now simply saying who's won, rather like Mock the Week.

The one major problem I have with 8 Out of 10 Cats is that almost every time there is always one guest who you'd rather not have on the programme. I went through the panel before the show began thinking to myself: "Russell Kane - established, award winning comic and deserves to be on. Josh Widdicombe - a relatively unknown comic who can use this appearance as his big break. Rachel Riley - well, as someone who regularly co-presents Countdown she has experience of quiz formats. Alex Reid - oh, damn!"

However, having said that, I did enjoy the fact that Reid didn't take himself too seriously, taking part in some pretty self-deprecating humour. However, the guest comics, as to be expected, did perform better; Kane's story about a woman he accidentally offended on a train was a particular highlight.

The comedy panel show is in rude health, there's no doubt about it. Friday night's are when BBC1's genre stalwart Have I Got News For You airs, and now it's joined by three rivals-two of which are new to the airwaves. First there's old-hand 8 Out Of 10 Cats, which is fuelled by statistics and opinion polls compiled about the week's news and gossip. There's been no significant changes to the show's format since it began, although team captain Jason Manford's now been replaced by comedian Jon Richardson.

The show itself can be one of the funniest panel shows around, on a good day. While many contemporaries have to balance jokes with a serious satirical agenda, Cats is as trivial as the lists it uses as its source of information. Headed by three comedians who are presently active on the circuit, it's more obviously an excuse to deliver jokes and amusing observations about topics the nation's chattering about. There isn't much in the way of thought-provoking insights and incisive satire, just pub-level joshing and quips with a topical theme. Team captain Sean Lock's found himself the ideal format for his brand of comedy, too-as I don't care for his stand-up but he seems to thrive in this panel show environment. Having some enforced structure and banter with guests appears to give him a boost.

In many ways Cats reminds me of Mock The Week in its approach to skewering the week's news, but there's a much more pleasant atmosphere to it. Mock often feels like six comedians scrambling to outdo each other in a competitive environment, but those involved with Cats are more gracious to their fellow panelists. Plus, in allowing non-comedian guests (here, cage-fighting fame-whore Alex Reid and Countdown's mouthwatering Rachel Riley), it's more fun seeing them poke fun at people who are in the room-as Mock often feels quite cowardly.

Stay away from the new series of the dependably funny comedy panel show if you only watch it for team captain Jason Manford, because he's gone. In his seat is former 6 Music presenter and comedian Jon Richardson. The neurotic comic is one of the finest on the circuit. Still, it's only recently that he's made big enough waves to bag slots on Live at the Apollo, plus various guest spots on quiz shows. Richardson will almost definitely jell with host Jimmy Carr and fellow captain Sean Lock. But even if he doesn't, you'll eat up his cynical observations and snigger at his obsessive-compulsive tendencies. And the fact that he lives in Swindon.

This irreverent panel show makes merry tonight with a seasonal special in which host Jimmy Carr asks contestants to guess the results of holiday-themed surveys. If you like your Christmas cheer with a large helping of sarcasm and a dollop of misanthropy, you'll like this. Reliably funny team captains Sean Lock and Jason Manford are joined by guest panellists Jack Dee, Christopher Biggins and Lorraine Kelly.