Gerard O'Donovan

I Want My Wife Back will need to do better

In the end, though, this was a comedy that was mainly stuck in neutral. It would really need to shift up a gear or three to make me want to watch a second series.

Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Day Special 2015, review

Despite constant lambasting by critics for its lowest-common-denominator formula, there were some funny moments in Brendan O'Carroll's throwback sitcom, says Gerard O'Donovan.

What a Performance! review: 'enthusiastic but clueless'

Frank Skinner and Suzy Klein should have left this documentary about Victorian entertainment to the experts, says Gerard O'Donovan.

David Mitchell and Robert Webb return in the award-winning sitcom for a ninth - and final - series after a gap of almost three years. The show, set around a formerly flat-sharing odd couple, never quite attracted mainstream attention but retains a huge cult following and it is deservedly regarded as one of the best comedies around. Largely because of writers Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain's unique gift for replicating the needy, self-deluding inner meanderings of the socially awkward mind.

The story picks up six months after Jeremy (Webb) scuppered Mark's (Mitchell) efforts to persuade his girlfriend Dobby to move in with him - with resentment still festering on both sides. But with Jeremy on the brink of homelessness he soon spots common-enemy potential in Mark's new flatmate Jerry (an excellent Tim Key). Add the fact that the once reliably psychotic Super Hans (Matt King) is attempting reform in the shape of "Sober Hans", and Mark's old boss Johnson (Paterson Joseph) has wangled him a job at a payday loan-style bank - and all the elements are in place for six final episodes of tearfully funny musings on human fallibility.

Sigourney Weaver on Doc Martin, ITV, review: 'bizarre'

Sigourney Weaver's cameo on cosy ITV drama Doc Martin was all too brief, says Gerard O'Donovan.

Cradle to Grave, episode two, BBC Two, review

This comedy based on the childhood of writer and broadcaster Danny Baker was successful in breathing the essence of growing up in the 1970s, says Gerard O'Donovan.

Meera Syal interview: I like writing disappointed women

The Goodness Gracious Me star speaks to Gerard O'Donovan as the groundbreaking sketch show returns for the BBC's India season.

Cockroaches, ITV2, review: 'not laugh-out-loud enough'

Jack Whitehall gave a jarring performance in this sitcom from the creators of Bad Education.

Miranda: 'all the humour and joy we could have wanted'

Aw, such (terrific) fun. As the curtain fell for the last time, our lovably galumphing comedy heroine Miranda (Miranda Hart) really did get the fairytale ending that she - and we the audience - always wanted. Making for not only a triumph but a very welcome surprise.

Cuckoo, review: Taylor Lautner is 'very good indeed'

Twilight star Taylor Lautner is a successful addition to this hugely enjoyable comedy, says Gerard O'Donovan.