QI

The versatile Lee Mack pops up again here to bolster the return of QI - giving Alan Davies a run for his money in the dunderhead stakes, opposite the other team of Sandi Toksvig, Jimmy Carr and his very strange giggle.

Thanks to Stephen Fry, it's possible to learn more in a single episode of QI than in an entire year at school and tonight you'll come away with your head stuffed with generally useless but quite interesting facts about lobsters, insect matter, Ye Olde Pie Shoppes and one very unlucky chap nicknamed the Durable Mike Malloy.

There are some very cool optical illusions too, much semi-intelligent banter and a bizarre moment that inspires Sandi to gasp: "I never thought I'd see Einstein in that position."

After a flirtation with BBC1, QI is back for its 9th series and in its old slot. Expect the same blend of surrealism, wit and satire, thrilling and baffling in equal measure.

Stephen Fry hosts as the panellists aim to score as many points as possible by going off the beaten track to comic effect.

Sandi Toksvig, Lee Mack and Jimmy Carr star tonight.

Fans of the whimsical quiz show QI can look forward to a long night on the sofa tonight, with a run of four repeated episodes (the first of which is at 9.00pm) sandwiched around this jolly documentary about the making of the series. Featuring clips from the archives as well as interviews with Stephen Fry, Alan Davies, Jo Brand et al, it goes back to the genesis of the series - which was originally conceived as a radio show - and includes a rare glimpse of the bashful research team affectionately known as the "QI Elves".

A Guide to QI. Series I, Episode 1 'I Spy'

The first two stars of QI research for the I series don't actually begin with I.

QI: Quite interesting facts about silver

A quietly intriguing column from the brains behind QI, the BBC quiz show. This week: QI turns silver.

QI: Quite interesting facts about hats

A quietly intriguing column from the brains behind QI, the BBC quiz show. This week: QI dons a hat.

QI: Quite interesting facts about chickens

A quietly intriguing column from the brains behind QI. This week: QI plays chicken.

A-bomb survivor's story comes to London after BBC row

Two short documentaries about the life of a man who survived both atomic bombings in Japan were screened in London on Tuesday, following a controversy about a BBC program in which some participants had made light-hearted remarks about his plight.

QI: Quite interesting facts about dancing

A quietly intriguing column from the brains behind QI, the BBC quiz show. This week: QI goes dancing.

QI: Quite interesting facts about shoes

A quietly intriguing column from the brains behind QI, the BBC quiz show. This week: QI kicks its shoes off.