Take the QI test

QI debuts tonight at 8pm on BBC America and runs every Thursday, three shows a night for five weeks. If you think you're smart (or even if you think other people are smarter than you) you need to be there.

Phoenix Nights star Ted Robbins actually died on stage

Comedian Ted Robbins actually "died" on stage when he collapsed performing Phoenix Nights - and doctors broke eight ribs bringing him back to life.

Comedy review: Ross Noble @ Lowry Theatre, Salford

"I like to make observations about stuff that can't happen and won't happen," Ross Noble instructs the audience at the outset of his gig tonight. He is completely right, too. Almost nothing we hear tonight seems sensible.

Milton Jones on hecklers, Geoff Hurst and Arsenal

Comedian Milton Jones, famed for his one-liners, talks about his trademark look and the FA Cup Final 2014.

Radio Times review

A lightweight episode that nevertheless drives a wedge between two central characters. Prima-donna restaurateur Little Alan takes umbrage at solicitor Michael's new role as sous chef, Michael's journey into Midlife Crisis Land accelerates, and Stella's son has a disastrous first day as a hospital porter.

However, the most engaging storyline sees trainee nurse Stella make a tiny breakthrough with her fire-breathing manager. Cheryl (Clare Hingott) brings to nursing all the warmth and tact that Gunnery Sergeant Hartman brought to Marine training in Full Metal Jacket. She's a stellar creation.

Radio Times review

It's impossible to predict how well any new sitcom will do from just one listen. I still wince when I recall my damning judgement on Little Britain after its first airing. We have to get to know the characters before we can empathise with them and, indeed, make a commitment to follow their fates.

So it is with joy in my heart that I announce I will be staying with Cleaning Up. Set in a Manchester office, it's an all-female team of cleaners, headed up by Julie (Julie Hesmondhalgh) and Dave, the security guard (John Thompson), who draw us so entirely into their world. And then their apple cart is upset when the unheard of happens: a male cleaner joins them. Nobby, played by Paul Barber, would rather be signing on than spraying bleach -- and even more so when he realises his new boss Julie is his ex-fiancée.

I think this is a grower -- but then my track record (see Little Britain) is not that great!

Comedians: racist, sexist standups who messed audiences

Trevor Griffiths's groundbreaking 1975 play that 'invited audiences to laugh, then punished them for doing so' is 40 years old. Here, those who made it look back at this 'totally original' show.

Nigel Havers joins BBC One's Stop⁄Start

Nigel Havers has joined the cast of BBC One sitcom pilot Stop/Start.

Review: Funny Valentines - Modern Toss

Disney it most certainly ain't. In this animated contribution to Funny Valentines the Modern Toss team has come up with a pocket-sized parable about one lonely house fly's quest for love. Having unsuccessfully attempted to commit suicide by, ahem, tossing himself onto a spider's web, he settles back and tells the story of what drove him to want to end it all.

Review: Funny Valentines - Russ Abbot: Last Chance

In a selection of nine short films you would expect there to be one dud and I'd have put my money on Last Chance. While most of the BBC's Funny Valentines feature names from the cutting edge of comedy this features Russ Abbot and is written by Roy Last of the Summer Wine Clarke, two people more from the wrinkling edge of TV comedy. But actually this is not so bad after all.

Video: Dapper Laughs: The Newsbeat interview

Dapper Laughs creator Daniel O'Reilly says he feels his freedom of speech has been "100%" violated by a media campaign against his act.

The 24-year-old comedian says he felt "bullied" into getting rid of the character over claims he made rape jokes - claims he denies.

In our exclusive interview, Daniel insists he wants to "continue to entertain my fans".

It's the first time he's spoken since announcing he's bringing the character back.

Catastrophe is one of the funniest UK comedies in years

Comedy is bloody hard to do, so when something as wonderfully funny as Channel 4's Catastrophe appears, it feels exciting.

Rowan Atkinson to play Jules Maigret in two ITV films

Blackadder actor Rowan Atkinson is returning to television to play the role of the pipe-smoking policeman from the books by Belgian author Georges Simenon.

Phoenix Nights live shows raised almost £5m

Paddy McGuinness has spoken about the recent Phoenix Nights tour. The actor revealed that the live shows have raised around £5 million for Comic Relief.

Review: Milton Jones And The Temple Of Daft, York

up with the Joneses can confuse even Milton Jones himself. The Temple Of Daft introduces not only his "Indiana Jones/Milton Jones overlap" but also Milton's great-uncle, the globe-trotting explorer Sir Randolph Digby Jones, a new character to set the show in motion instead of Milton's granddad.

Dapper Laughs wants to be seen as the victim

Daniel O'Reilly, AKA Dapper Laughs, seems to have forgotten there is a video of him making a joke about raping someone.

Daniel O'Reilly claims media 'bullied' him

Dapper Laughs creator Daniel O'Reilly has claimed he was "bullied" into killing off his controversial act after receiving a "lot of hate" online.

Interview: Billy Kirkwood, Bruce Morton and Anna Devitt

To mark the Glasgow Comedy Festival turning 13, The List assembled three generations of comedians to discuss their careers.

Matt Lucas admits he is looking for love on Tinder

Matt Lucas admits he is considering a gastric band to shift the pounds... and he's looking for love on Tinder.

GICF preview: Burnistoun

Deceased comedy show given new life at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.

GICF interview: Tommy Tiernan

Caring little for the consensus, the Irish comedian continues to strive for stand-up excellence.

Seven questions with... Phil Wang

Phil Wang is a very interesting stand up comedian who combines a calm, almost sedentary delivery with sharp, uncompromising wit. Phil's Chinese-Malaysian heritage adds another dimension to his anecdotes, which, teamed with his "astute" observations (and insightful comments on them), shows that this self-proclaimed nerd is only just getting started.

A point-by-point takedown of the Dapper Laughs comeback

If you thought comebacks couldn't get uglier than McBusted, then behold the return of "sexism, lol" comedian Dapper Laughs. The self-proclaimed "proper lad", whose real name is Daniel O'Reilly, told BBC Newsbeat he only put a stop to his misogynistic antics because he was "forced" to.

Review: Ross Noble: Tangentleman Tour 2015 - Salford

Ross Noble's Tangentleman Tour 2015 is definitely not for the faint hearted or easily offended but is a stunning showcase for a brilliant stand up comedian.

Preview: Gein's Family Giftshop, Middlesbrough

Manchester sketch group Gein's Family Giftshop are bringing their trademark brand of hilariously off-kilter comedy to Teesside next month, when they headline Heavy Petting's Fiasco at the Westgarth Social Club in Middlesbrough.

Historical sitcoms are a real thing in the UK

When I say "historical" in relation to television programming, what comes to mind? Drama, right? Human rights campaigns, wars, ancient civilizations; these are serious subjects which must be treated with solemnity and reverence. Apparently not in the UK where history has been the backdrop for many a comedic series. Look at the WWII era alone- It Ain't Half Hot Mum, 'Allo 'Allo! and Dad's Army. All three of these series are consistently named at the top of British sitcom polls.