Rory Bremner's new show, Tonight, is aiming to satirise a week's worth of politics. I'm ambivalent about this. On the one hand, the line between politics and satire is more blurred than ever, so politics has hardly happened before it's a sketch and it's impossible to sound either daring or cutting edge. On the other hand, it's about time Radio 4 had something other than the kneejerk sniping of The News Quiz. Bremner settled for being amusing. Or as he put it, "printing more jokes and then quantitatively easing them into the show. We're not doing this to be popular, we're doing it for ordinary men and women who exist on one decent chuckle in the week." Note to the Conservative leadership. I'm not sure how this will focus group, but Rory only needed to use the words "Boris Johnson" to get the single biggest laugh of the night.

Rory Bremner is back doing what he does best: responding to the news with his sharpest set of satirical teeth firmly attached.

The show is recorded the night before broadcast, so there is no way of predicting what or who the subject matter might be, but he has promised to stick to his mantra that "it's as important to make sense out of things as it is to make fun of them".

To this end, he is including incisive interviews alongside his political swipes and promises a special guest each week.

Tonight with Rory Bremner

Rory Bremner's new Radio 4 series Tonight starts at 11pm tonight. Recorded last night it features topical satire, stand-up and sketch giving an alternative take on what's happening in the news.

Rory Bremner comes home to radio, hosting this new series which combines topical satire, sketches, stand-up routines, impressions and the kind of investigative parody he made his own on Channel 4 in the darkest days of Blairism. Some fellow satirists mock him for earnestness, self-righteousness. I think they might just be a bit jealous of his powers of observation and mimicry. He's assisted here by comedian and writer Andy Zaltzman and impressionist Kate O'Sullivan. The show is to be repeated in the dodgy 7.15pm Sunday slot, which rather challenges its title.

Rory Bremner: I've lost my confidence as a comic.

Rory Bremner is a success at Strictly Come Dancing yet the impressionist is gripped by a fear of failure.

Rory Bremner impersonates Brucie in Strictly rehearsals

Strictly star Rory Bremner makes a good impression with his new dance partner as he takes off host Sir Bruce Forsyth in rehearsals.

The most appealing of controller Gwyneth Williams's schedule changes to R4 is turning this slot into a place for top-notch comedy series. Sue Perkins and Rory Bremner will be arriving soon but the run begins with a sketch show from the creator of Cabin Pressure, John Finnemore. The gags are predominantly observations on the vagaries of the English language and clever pokes at our obsession with nostalgia. Not a word is wasted - this is a chill-out zone for smart people.

Video: Rory Bremner on Strictly Come Dancing

Impressionist Rory Bremner and actress Anita Dobson joined BBC Breakfast to talk about the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The show starts on Saturday and other contestants range from astrologer Russell Grant to pop star Holly Valance.

Rory Bremner to dance on Strictly

Rory Bremner will be doing his best impression of a ballroom champ - when he appears on Strictly Come Dancing.

Rory Bremner to dance on Strictly

Rory Bremner will be doing his best impression of a ballroom champ - when he appears on Strictly Come Dancing.