The Nightly Show with Davina McCall, review

A decent stab at steering clapped-out vehicle.

Davina McCall quits Twitter while hosting Nightly Show

She said that people could "fill yer boots" in tweeting any hate about the show as she won't be reading it.

The mad world of politics means it's a time of proliferating comment. On US TV, that has meant a degree of anarchy and improved ratings for the likes of Saturday Night Live. Here, we struggle to reach that level of mania: The Nightly Show opened with David Walliams talking to Martin Clunes, for example. This week, things may get wilder: Davina McCall is no stranger to the chimps' tea party of live TV, so might feel more comfortable with chaos.

Robert Peston: News at Ten's time shift may be reversed

ITV political editor says channel's new topical entertainment show will have to win audience quickly to keep 10pm slot.

Preview - Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled

Sometimes it is best to keep things simple. Perhaps that is why Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled has been so successful for Dave, as it now enters its fifth series.

Comic Relief 2015: least fun Red Nose Day I remember

I'm afraid it was one of those nights. Davina McCall is declared the Queen of Comic Relief, Dermot is anointed a "Comic Relief Legend" for staying upright for 24 hours and Lenny Henry walks on in front of a huge "Sir Lenny of Henry" backdrop - yet no one is allowed to say "Er, guys, it's not really about you."

Davina McCall: It's an incredible evening to be part of

Laughter is the order of the day on Friday as some of TV's biggest stars line up to get funny for money. Comic Relief returns with a stellar cast, all hoping their funny turns will help raise huge amounts of money for projects in Africa and closer to home in the UK.

Lee Mack does his bit to fill the chronic shortage of panel shows with this new series, in which obscure facts are put to the test before celebrities. Tonight, it's Stephen Mangan, Davina McCall and, of course, Paddy McGuinness. Some cheap gags aside - early round "Fact Off" sees the resemblance between fact and another word starting with f pointed out - this is a pretty entertaining concept, exploring, among other issues, methods of blocking tickles and why men's mental skills go to pot after meeting attractive women.

Dave Allen was a genuinely funny man, not because his jokes were great - some missed and some hit - but because he had a combination of charm, timing and delivery that made you want to laugh anyway. God's Own Comedian was a respectful appreciation of the writer and performer who courted controversy in the 1970s with his mockery of religion, particularly of the Catholic variety.

It's hard to imagine a comedian being allowed to make fun of religious piety on the BBC now, partly because we've become more "respectful" (aka fearful) of religious sensibilities and partly because the BBC is institutionally terrified of giving offence. The other notable thing about that period in British television, going by the various contributors who knew Allen, is that it produced a generation untouched by dental vanity. I haven't seen such fabulously bad teeth on view since I interviewed Shane MacGowan.

Before he sat on a bar stool, signature fag in one hand and a glass of whisky (apparently ginger ale) in the other, Dave Allen hosted a chat show. Not long ago anyone who had any kind of success on or off TV - Jeremy Clarkson, Davina McCall, Richard Littlejohn - was rewarded with their own chatshow, with mostly disastrous results.

That's Jessie J under the swirl of shaving foam, and the reason she's posing like the queen of the Oompa Loompas is that she'll be shaving her hair off as part of tonight's culmination to Red Nose Day. Yes, it's time for the stunts and dares and unlikely comedy mash-ups to reach their bubbling live climax.

As ever, we can expect unmissable moments delivered by an almost obscenely starry line-up. Presenters include Michael McIntyre, Rob Brydon, John Bishop, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and (careful, now...) Russell Brand. Ricky Gervais will bring David Brent out of retirement. There are mini-eps of Call the Midwife and Fresh Meat, a cook-off between Jack Whitehall and Micky Flanagan, and of course a new novelty pop promo from Peter Kay.

The trick for viewers is to flash the cash early. Text the donation line or get out the credit card at an early stage, then relax as the night rolls by. You'll never make it through all those heartbreaking appeal films if you don't know your money's on its way.