Argumental

The nation's favourite waltzer John Sergeant chairs debates on the 2012 Olympics, video games and the Rooneys, with guests Jimmy Carr and Charlie Higson. It starts slowly but soon warms up when the improvisation starts - love him or loathe him, Carr is awfully quick.

Reactions to this panel show range from 'it's hilarious' to 'it's rubbish'. Much depends on the guests rather than the subjects being debated (or being made fun of). But the one constant is John Sergeant, a steadying hand on the tiller.

Strictly Come Dancing just won't be the same without him. But as Dave's first, fitfully funny, homegrown panel game continues, Argumental finds John Sergeant back in his comfort zone with his two left feet tucked comfortably under a desk where they belong.

He twinkles genially while two teams, captained by Marcus Brigstocke and Rufus Hound, debate the hot potatoes of the day - sometimes changing sides mid-sentence.

A couple of topics that aren't on the agenda tonight, but they might like to keep up their sleeves for series two include: Is it OK for the most popular contestant on a reality ballroom series to quit just because he's rubbish?

And: Should a panel show featuring four comedians coming up with 'off-the-cuff' arguments, really have the need to credit seven gag writers?

Frankie Boyle can add the people of Norwich to the increasingly lengthy list of those whom he has offended during his guest slot on the debating panel show this week. Phill Jupitus also appears, spending most of the time in hysterics when Marcus Brigstocke invents a new word. Still very funny.

It's an arguable point but without John Sergeant in the chair, Dave's Argumental would just be another supposedly spontaneous comedy panel game designed to keep the wolf from the doors of struggling comedians. But Sergeant's elevation from sharp political pundit to national cuddly toy thanks to his neo-Expressionist revision on the choreographic rulebook on Strictly Come Dancing has given Dave a surprising edge over its rivals.

OK, it's still an exercise in stand-ups striving to show how off the cuff they can be - come on guys, we all know most of it's scripted - but Sergeant's avuncular umpiring makes such a refreshing change from the snide Jimmy Carrs of this world. It's more of a warm belly laugh than the vindictive sneer that has become this genre's stock-in-trade.

Another Review of Argumental

The show was reasonably entertaining, but was pretty lazy too. It stuck to topics that are well-worn. The North-South divide, jokes about thieving Liverpudlians... and worst of all, Amy Winehouse.

He's already king of the repeat channels, but now our mate Dave could have a hit original panel game on his hands. The debate format means that there's a nice mix of prepared gags and funny improv, while having John Sergeant present is like resting the whole thing on a lovely velvet cushion.

Argumental Pros and Cons

Arguably, this is a very funny new comedy panel game. On the other hand, there are plenty of painfully unfunny moments.

Did anyone else also see Dave's new show Argumental last night and find it really a bit odd - like you'd gone round to John Sergeant's house at Christmas and everyone was drunk and playing at school debating club? Strange times.

Argumental Review

Everyone impressed, with Rufus Hound finally getting the chance to really shine on TV, and Brigstocke playing up brilliantly to his angry young man persona.