Review: Russell Howard on top form

I'd expected the trivial, laughs from the mundane and everyday and indeed they arrived in plentiful portions but here there was more substance among the style.

Review: Channel 4 Comedy Blaps

Channel 4 has released its latest batch of Comedy Blaps. These are short, pocket-sized online pilots featuring some of the best up-and-coming talent from the comedy world plucked and polished up.

Rowan Atkinson pictured with new love

Rowan Atkinson has split from his wife of 23 years. The 59-year-old Mr Bean and Blackadder star is now in a relationship with a young comedy actress.

Amazon UK inks drama & comedy deal with BBC

The deal between the two covers a wealth of BBC drama and comedy productions from the past twenty years including Sherlock, Doctor Who, Call the Midwife, Last Tango in Halifax, Life on Mars, The Office, Absolutely Fabulous, Outnumbered and Red Dwarf; all of which are now available to stream for Amazon UK Prime members.

I Can't Sing! may be headed to New York theatre

It opened at the Palladium in London last month to mixed reviews and sagging sales, but producers are hoping to give I Can't Sing a boost by bringing it to Broadway.

Jeeves and Wooster wins Best New Comedy Olivier Award

Sean Foley's acclaimed production of Jeeves And Wooster In Perfect Nonsense has collected the Best New Comedy Award at this year's Olivier Awards with MasterCard.

Radio Times review

Hilary Lyon's Baggage was one of my favourite radio sitcoms and I am delighted to report that she has improved on this in her new series. While billed as a comedy drama - and there are laughs to be had - the reason why this is such a breath of fresh air is that Lyon has not let easy gags stand in the way of psychological insight.

Set in an ultra-middle-class Edinburgh café, it's what's really going on in the hearts and minds of the four central characters that makes this so compelling.

Radio Times review

This episode strikes a different note from that we've come to expect from Rev; it's not delightful at all, it's sad and there's a bleakness to vicar Adam's life now that hovers on the upsetting.

But that's probably because Tom Hollander does such a wonderful job of making us care about Adam, a man who is all too human and fallible. The fallout from his indiscretion is instant and powerful as he faces the unwavering and angry gaze of his beloved Alex (Olivia Colman). Just when everything seems hopeless and Adam's world is about to crumble, a new member of the congregation is fortuitously on hand to help out.

Have you been watching ... Rev?

It's funny rather than preachy and the first sitcom since The Vicar of Dibley in which the protagonist is allowed to believe in God without cynicism. Praise be to Rev.

David Baddiel: from rock stand-up to dad with nit combs

In the 1990s, the comedian toured huge venues in a hit duo. Twenty years on, he's back on stage as a solo act. He doesn't miss the screaming teenage fans - but how does he handle haters?

The Beautiful Cosmos of Ivor Cutler, Glasgow, review

This show succeeded brilliantly in opening a window into the beautiful world of Scottish humorist, poet and songwriter Ivor Cutler, says Mark Brown.

Controversy as Girff Rhys Jones made uni chancellor

Comedian Griff Rhys Jones has become unwittingly embroiled in a row at Cardiff University over his appointment as the University's new Chancellor.

The Love Punch review

You just have to go with it. This is pure unadulterated wish-fulfilment for the over-50s with a sunset ending that could have been sponsored by Saga Holidays. But, the film is just as likely to appeal to anyone in the mood for a bit of light-hearted escapism in the company of two hugely charismatic stars. They just don't make them like they used to. Except, occasionally, they do.

The Janey Godley three minute interview

Janey Godley is busy. She's a full time comedian and playwright, blogger, actor, podcaster, mother and bestselling author, but she's probably best known outside her native Scotland as a regular on BBC Radio 4's Just a Minute. Billy Connolly once famously said she's, "a fucking great comedian". Martin Walker agrees.

The Jen Brister three minute interview

In 2006 Jen Brister took her first one woman stand-up show, 'Me My Mum and I' up to the bright lights of the Edinburgh Fringe. It went quite well and she's been back there almost every year since. She performs live regularly across the world, she has worked with the likes of Russell Brand. She talks to Martin Walker from Melbourne, Australia.

The Paul Foot three minute interview

Paul Foot is known for his wild and eccentric brand of stand-up comedy. Difficult to categorise, he has developed a cult following of fans known as the "Guild of Connoisseurs". This year he is performing in his tenth solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.