Michael McIntyre's Big Show

A third run of McIntyre's amiable funfest introduces a benign nightmare called The Midnight Gameshow: the host bursts into a sleeping fan's bedroom and stages a quiz, complete with celebrity guests. Back at the theatre, Emeli Sandé and Joe Lycett are the turns, while Ed Balls plays Celebrity Send to All. Before sending an awkward text, McIntyre has a peek at the intimidatingly extravagant Balls/Cooper Ocado order.

Michael McIntyre: new king of Saturday night. Who knew?

McIntyre may be a floppy-haired berk who has built a career out of listing things people do, but his cheeky Big Show is the best weekend variety telly in years.

Can Michael McIntyre swipe Ant & Dec's Saturday crown?

It could never be described as cool or cutting-edge, but it does what it does pretty well - much like its host.

The refreshingly naive extravaganza returns, with its pranks and games expanded to the point that star turns from Ellie Goulding and the cast of School Of Rock feel like needless intrusions. McIntyre ribbing a teen about his posey Instagrams, or texting Olly Murs's contacts, is happy fun, devoid of cynicism and enhanced by the host's improv skills. Plus, the finale - with a fireman singing a Les Mis number - is worth 10 X Factors.

Michael McIntyre interview

I think everyone wants to know why I look like this!' Michael McIntyre says people are intrigued by his face.

I know the comedian Michael McIntyre is the ultimate "Marmite" personality, but if you're one of the people who loathes his jolly, jumpy schtick, you might still find some entertainment here. This is the new series of his loud, innocent, good-natured show, which mixes the host's trademark comedy with celebrity guests and musical numbers. McIntyre bounds on stage to deliver his hyper-puppy stand-up routine and uses the topic of summer picnics and warm Coke as an excuse to throw himself to the floor.

But he soon recedes and you are able to catch your breath, or maybe stop grinding your teeth, for this is an old-fashioned Saturday night variety show and he'll not be allowed to hog the limelight. Mercifully, he's made to give way to the likes of Olly Murs and Ellie Goulding, and a performance from the cast of the musical School of Rock. Even the awkward talk-to-the-audience segments are a joyful relief, as they provide respite from McIntyre's desperate urgings that we all whoop and laugh.