Channel 4's Comedy Gala

Channel 4's Comedy Gala - 2013 review

Some acts just weren't up to much tonight.

Channel 4's annual charity event returns with a troupe of performers large enough to make the Polyphonic Spree look on in envy. As ever, it's a mix of the established and the incipient, so Jo Brand and Jonathan Ross line up alongside men of the moment Adam Hills and Josh Widdicombe. Elsewhere, comedians dancing seems to be a thing just now, so Miranda Hart and Warwick Davis duly join up with Diversity to show off their moves, while Russell Brand absents himself from Hollywood to partake in some audience interaction.

Dance sensation Diversity puts a spring in the steps of Chatty Man Alan Carr, national charmer Miranda Hart and Idiot Abroad Warwick Davis, who've rashly decided to shake a leg - Ashley Banjo-style - as their contribution to this evening of fundraising action for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity for children. Other funny faces putting their happy feet forward for the cause include comedian Kevin Bridges, who takes a pop at the more furtive pursuits of his fellow Scots, and TV regulars Russell Brand, Jack Dee, Jo Brand, Rich Hall and Paddy McGuinness. Among those putting in an appearance on VT are surreal loon Noel Fielding and Jack Whitehall.

The raucous annual stand-up bonanza in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital comes once again from the O2 in London.

When the live gig was held a couple of weeks ago, one critic described it as "Live at the Apollo on steroids". In other words, expect big, booming, arena-style stand-up from an all-star roster. Jack Whitehall, Jack Dee, Jo Brand, Noel Fielding and Jason Byrne are among the long list of comics donating gags to the cause.

Diversity open the show with a dance routine into which Alan Carr, Miranda Hart and Warwick Davis insert unexpected cameos. Lee Evans airs a routine about EasyJet. Russell Brand goes walkabout among the crowd. Rich Hall jokes about child labour ("Clothes make the man but kids make the clothes").

And unsurprisingly the recurring theme is the year's revelations about Jimmy Savile and other stars - everyone has an angle on that one.

Alan Carr and Rylan Clark to hijack Comedy Gala ads

Coors, Lynx, Skittles and Just Eat will have their latest ads given a comic makeover by Alan Carr and Rylan Clark during Channel 4's Comedy Gala on Friday 7 June.

Channel 4 Comedy Gala, O2 Arena, review

Twenty of the biggest names in comedy, fireworks and a jovial crowd should in theory make the Channel 4 Comedy Gala a roaring success. But too much of a good thing can be a drain.

Opinion: How do you follow the main attraction?

Lee Evans went on during the build-up to the end. This made it harder for the acts that followed.

For once, it actually is openly about the money, money, money as the cream of mainstream comedy gathers for C4's annual Great Ormond Street fundraiser. And, while it's a bit harsh to call Jessie J a comedy act, there she is, headlining while plenty of big names wait in the wings for their three minutes on the mike. Such is the extraordinary popularity of stand-up now that plenty of the comedians in question (even - whisper it - a good number of the mediocre ones) will also be used to arenas of this size and paydays to match. Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre and Sean Lock will have seen it all before, but for up-and-comers such as Seann Walsh, Josh Widdicombe and Paul Chowdhry, this represents a significant opportunity to raise the profile. Oh, to be in that green room when someone crashes and burns...