Show & Tell

Omens look bad for second Show & Tell season

Chris Addison's E4 series Show & Tell is probably not returning to our screens, according to a report in Broadcast.

One new panel show that is actually championing those very same creative comedians that are so loved on the live circuit is E4′s Show & Tell. Presented by Chris Addison, it simply invites comics to bring a few things in and talk about them in a humourous way - what's unusual is that the comics aren't the familiar shiny-suit, observational types or one-liner merchants that we're used to seeing on TV.

Take last week's line-up: Maeve Higgins, Nick Helm and Elis James. Excellent comedians, but hardly household names - and for this, the show is to be applauded. Because they're great! Charming, eloquent and all thoroughly deserving of this airtime, and each contributing to a genuinely lovely show that takes its time. Let's hope for a re-commission.

Review: Show and Tell, E4

Chris Addison helms a new stand-up show featuring rising stars of British comedy. They may not be famous, but at least they're funny.

A new comedy on E4, Show & Tell (fronted by Chris Addison) features three up-and-coming guest comedians talking about various items that they've brought with them.

In this week's opening episode, Welsh stand-up Elis James brought in a practically ancient pair of underpants which seem to have dated before he was even born. Roisin Conaty (winner of last year's Edinburgh Newcomer Award) talked about a video she watched when she was 13 which turned out to be a porn film; and sand-dancer (which, for anyone outside of the North East, means "South Shields resident") Chris Ramsey recalled about an incident with a nutter and an umbrella in a canal.

As well as this Addison asked his panel to bring in something relating to a particular subject, and then got the audience to talk about things they wanted to show.

Never too bogged down in the prepared material from James, Conaty and Ramsey, this is a very enjoyable show. And any programme which gives lesser known stand-ups a platform to perform on is worth promoting (admittedly Conaty is an award winner, but she isn't a household name by any stretch). But even when going off script the comics get decent laughs out of their props, whether it's James asking Conaty to cut out some of his underpant gusset or the unusual uses for a toy gorilla. It isn't the funniest show you'll ever see, but with the competitive element of panel shows removed it's much more relaxing.

The always brilliant Chris Addison presents a new comedy panel show in which guests bring an object of interest to talk about. Up-and-coming comedians Chris Ramsay, Roisin Conaty and Elis James are his guests. These new comic voices are refreshing on a panel show and James should go on to be huge if tonight is anything to go by. It rattles along like an extremely enjoyable night in the pub, totally unforced, benefiting from Addison's easy charm. Properly funny.

As host Chris Addison explains, the meeting to come up with a name for this show would have been very short, as it's just rising comics telling funny stories about things they've brought in.

Tonight's likeable stand-ups include Roisin Conaty - awarded best newcomer at last year's Edinburgh Festival - and Welsh comedian Elis James.

The latter's item is a pair of ancient pants he's held on to for nostalgic reasons. And if he's kept these, what else has he stashed away?

I have nightmare visions of a flat packed to the rafters with significant bus tickets and sentimental kebab wrappers.

The audience also gets to take part, which is almost always a dangerous move. The two items that people hand over tonight will make you go "ewww".

On second thoughts, they should have called this The Put That Down, You Don't Know Where It's Been Show.

Here's what the world needs right now: another comedy panel show. Except there's no panel, and there are none of the same old tired faces doing the rounds. Instead, three bright young comics lounge on the sofa, waiting patiently for gangly host Chris Addison to invite them to perform short routines about an object they've brought in.

It's all very good-natured and feels quite loosely structured, like watching a group of friends joking around in their front room. Roisin Conaty (best newcomer at last year's Edinburgh Festival), Al Murray's support act Chris Ramsey, and engaging Welshman Elis James all spin great yarns from inconsequential matters. But they are trumped by an audience member's weird story about his childhood toy gorilla - Chris Addison throws the toy away in disgust.

Q&A: Chris Addison

The Thick of It star on his TV likes and dislikes.