Russell Brand to appear on Piers Morgan's Life Stories

Editor, presenter and controversial TV personality Piers Morgan presents a new series of his biographical talk show. The first guest is Russell Brand.

Russell Brand to appear on Piers Morgan's Life Stories

Russell Brand is to tell all about his drug addiction, former womanising ways and marriage to Katy Perry when he appears on Piers Morgan's Life Stories this spring.

In the style of Mock The Week, with guests straight off Have I Got News For You and a format borrowed from that other topical debut of the week, 10 O'Clock Live, this new panel show has launched itself in an already overcrowded genre.

And with in-depth discussion of Jordan's latest failed marriage and in-depth handling of some stress-ball breasts, That Sunday Night Show clearly had its brows aimed significantly lower than any of the aforementioned shows.

In this episode, Kevin Bridges, Catherine Tate and John Prescott joined host Adrian Chiles to discuss everything from Ricky Gervais' performance at the Golden Globes to the suspension of the Education Maintenance Allowance for young people, as the emollient Max Clifford and Piers Morgan were wheeled on to comment.

But if the range of topics covered was impressive, the profundity with which they were discussed was something else, as the time constraints of the show allowed only for a cursory glance to be cast over each of the subjects.

So, with the comedy already covered on 10 O'Clock Live, interviews carried out competently on Piers Morgan's latest venture and the serious stuff sorted by Have I Got News For You, can there really be any place for this slapdash and skin-deep attempt from ITV? Unless it changes its tack, this show will find itself superfluous to requirements pretty quickly.

Video: Ricky Gervais defends Golden Globes controversy

Ricky Gervais has continued to defend controversial comments he made about Hollywood stars while hosting the Golden Globes.

Appearing on Piers Morgan's new US chat show he described them as "jibes" and said he thought the stars had a sense of humour.

Britain's Got Talent: what will Michael McIntyre add...

Michael McIntyre and The Hoff are replacing Piers Morgan on the Britain's Got Talent judging panel. Which in one way is excellent news ...

Alan Carr snaps back at Piers Morgan

Readers may remember the ongoing feud between Piers Morgan and Alan Carr.

Piers Morgan calls Alan Carr 'repugnant'

Piers Morgan has stepped up his feud with camp comic Alan Carr, branding him "repugnant, whiny and helium-fuelled" - and with a voice as annoying as the Krankies.

Mongrel puppets had me howling

We're used to seeing muppets on television -- Big Brother, Oireachtas Report, anything featuring Piers Morgan -- even if they're not the official, Jim Henson, capital-letter-M variety.

It's a fate you wouldn't wish on your own worst enemy: Bruce Forsyth must have done something very bad in a former life to have his recent gruesome grilling by Piers Morgan, a man who insists on probing where no one wants to go, swiftly followed by the undercooked fawn-fest that was Bruce Forsyth: A Comedy Roast.

Starting with the dreaded words 'please welcome your host... Jimmy Carr!', a phrase guaranteed to have me instantly gagging (but not in a good way), C4's resident Smug MC, a ventriloquist's doll in human form, launched into his unique brand of makes-you-want-to-slap-him charm. 'A roast is like good-natured bullying,' he smirked. 'Good-natured in that it's happening to someone else, not you.' Unbelievably it was downhill from there, a gruesome selection of backslapping/stabbing blokes taking turns to out un-funny each other. Jonathan Ross started off with his tired effing and blinding routine, clearly miffed he wasn't talking about his favourite subject (himself). No, he was there to dishonour Bruczie, so what did Ross's rapier-like wit conjure up? No idea, it was instantly forgettable, other than setting up the night's weary theme: wow, Bruce Forsyth is, like, really old. He's done lots of dodgy gameshows. And he's got a chin. And a beautiful wife. Satire it wasn't.

Jimmy Hill's chin twin guffawed through gritted teeth throughout, taking it on the proverbial. But his lizard-like stare needed double-glazing to get through the kill-the-room combo of Bruno Tonioli and Arlene Phillips, whose contribution was up there with such classic double acts as Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood and Rula Lenska and George Galloway for making you want to stab your eyes out.

All this crackling-free, toothless 'roast' proved was that the more people ho think they are funny there are in a room, the less likely you are to have a laugh. Only Sean Lock emerged with dignity intact but his best line - a dig about being surprised that Ross turned up in person instead of persecuting a national treasure by phone - was all over the trailers, so you'd heard it anyway. Next up it's Sharon Osbourne then Chris Tarrant - truly, C4, you are spoiling us.