Josh review

Right. Well this is difficult. The first episode was a little disappointing (although Jack Dee on the ironing board: amazing), but the second was brilliant.

This debuting comedy, Josh has both been written by and stars ;p]Josh Widdicombe] who seems to be portraying a heightened version of himself. The fictional Josh is a loser in love and lives with two of his former university cohorts Owen (Ellis James) and Kate (Beattie Edmondson). I personally didn't buy the friendship between the trio which was one of a number of problems with the show. The lead story of Josh being afraid to swim was rather clichéd as was the subplot in which Owen tried to teach Kate to be a better kisser. There was nothing that felt particularly true to life about these scenarios and instead they felt like they simply existed in the sitcom world. Jack Dee had seemingly be flown in to play landlord Geoff for the simple reason that people know who he is. However the interactions between Dee and Widdicombe fell flat and just made me remember how much better Dee's Lead Balloon was than this sitcom. Every punchline was predictable and every situation was rather weak especially the final moments involving a rather bizarre conversation about dip. The only thing that Josh really has going for it is the likeable Widdicombe who is a rather endearing central figure however he's hampered by he and Tom Crane's script. After serving us up the rather wonderful Together, BBC Three don't appear to have another hit on their hands with Josh a sitcom that didn't even raise a titter from me in its thirty minute running time. As we've seen on The Last Leg, Widdicombe is much better than this and the sooner this incredibly lame sitcom is put out of its misery the better.

Corkscrew-curled stand-up and Last Leg co-host Josh Widdicombe takes the lead in this new sitcom. He plays the eponymous sadsack, flatsharing with a platonic female friend and a dim Welsh romeo, with Jack Dee occasionally popping up as their overfamiliar landlord. When Josh flukes an invite to a glamorous pool party, the insecure slob must finally tackle his lifelong fear of swimming. It feels like a distant, low-energy cousin of Spaced, but there's an appealing hangout vibe, and future guest stars include Barry Chuckle.

Radio Times review

This is the harmless - if unremarkable - sitcom from Josh Widdicombe, who you may recognise as the squeaky-voiced Hobbit one from Channel 4's The Last Leg.

Based around a London flat-share, it charts the misadventures of the gawky Josh, his Welsh, laddish mate Owen and the "emotionally damaged" Kate, who this week must navigate a sexy pool party - but oh no, Josh can't swim! - and the revelation that Kate kisses like a blender. Jack Dee also features as an intrusive, socially inept landlord.

If you've never seen a sitcom in your life, prepare to be wowed. Otherwise, there's nothing here you haven't seen before - only then it was probably done better, sharper and quicker.

Would I Lie to You? review

Grime artist Tinchy Stryder gave Jack Dee, Rob Brydon and co plenty of opportunities to be very uncool as the panel show continues to go from strength to strength.

Edinburgh comedy awards: explore all the winners

From Cambridge Footlights in 1981 to Bridget Christie in 2013, explore the history of the Foster's Edinburgh comedy awards. Find out who won, who they beat and how the art of comedy changed each year. When did stand-up come to the fore rather than sketch humour? Who was the first female winner? Who won in the year that Jack Dee, Lily Savage and Frank Skinner were in the running? The various nominees include a minor royal and the narrator of Peppa Pig... The winners of the 2015 awards will be announced on 29 August.

Radio Times review

The sixth year of Channel 4's admirable fundraising drive for Great Ormond Street Hospital. If you're an avid and knowledgeable fan of any of these acts, this might not be the best environment in which to see them, since there are an awful lot to get through. But to take the temperature of live comedy right now and see who's at the top of their game or on the up, it's ideal.

The really big names are led by Alan Carr, Michael McIntyre and Jack Dee, with Aisling Bea, Sara Pascoe and Katherine Ryan among the others to look out for. Also on the bill is sharp, politically astute South African stand-up Trevor Noah, getting in a UK gig while he can before he takes over the hallowed Daily Show in the US.

Charles Kennedy saluted in Have I Got News For You

Guest host Jack Dee introduces vintage clips of the politician's best moments, including him out-quipping Jeremy Clarkson.

Jack Dee's Help Desk, Hay Festival, review

Hilarious questions from the audience complemented a sparky panel, says Rupert Hawksley.