Marc Wootton rejects Sacha Baron Cohen comparison

Marc Wootton has rejected claims that he could be the new Sacha Baron Cohen.

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Sacha Baron Cohen's fantastic satirical invention was unleashed on the world in 2006, and we've been recovering ever since.

Tonightly is a three-week 11 O'Clock Show-style aberration that's part of Channel 4's Generation Next strand. So-called because that's where they'll all be working in six months time.

Particularly the hosts. Pub funny comedian Jason Manford, who so wants to be Peter Kay it hurts, and his hypnotically awful assistant Andi 'Err' Osho, who's no rabbit in the headlights... she's road kill in the highlights.

There's a team of 12 - TWELVE! - writers who've clearly watched The Daily Show, with Jon Stewart, but forgot to take any notes. The show hits the screens at five past 11. They start work on the script at about five to 11.

Admirable as it is to encourage young comics, they really should start using them again. Because the evidence suggests Britain hasn't got talent. It's just got a lot of deluded students who all think they're the next Sacha Baron Cohen.

Tonightly, which began a daily run on Friday, is the distant descendant of The 11 O'Clock Show, not much valued at the time but now hailed for giving early breaks to Ricky Gervais, Sacha Baron Cohen and Mackenzie Crook.

I tried, believe me, but I could not see any of this sample of what C4 is calling "Generation Next" entering their league. The most obvious, if minor, talent is its northern anchorman, Jason Manford, who sits behind a desk betraying amusement at his own monologue and congratulating his sidekick, Andi Osho, on her supposedly "great work, great work". The first edition was topical: much obsessed with gas bills and the acquittal of Barry George, whom Manford weirdly suggested would not be in a good mood.

Tonightly lacked edge and it lacked laughs. It has three weeks to find bothly.