A Book for Her by Bridget Christie book review

The prizewinning standup's comic genius transfers brilliantly from stage to page.

How fabulous to have an episode of Have I Got News For You, filmed as election news was still coming in (Friday, BBC1). With all the demob feeling of "EastEnders go to Marbella", this had a real frisson of the improvised. There was a certain catharsis to be had hearing Ian Hislop officially voicing what everyone had been talking about all day: "Everyone said it was unpredictable. Because they'd got it wrong."

And the live quality really added something: "Can I just tell you something? It is the end of Farage." "Can we stop for a minute? Nick Clegg has resigned." Line of the night went to Romesh Ranganathan, on the failure of Mori and the like: "Farage has been banging on about not trusting the Poles for ages ..." And is there any reason why Jo Brand shouldn't be the permanent host?

I could not have been more sceptical about the idea of Nick Clegg appearing on Adam Hills' The Last Leg (Channel 4, Friday) to supposedly shake young voters out of their apathy. It turned out to be a joy to watch.

Russell Brand he ain't. But Clegg has something else: a genuine self-consciousness that translates into humility. He is a bit of a wally. But he is a well-meaning wally. When asked to rate, on a scale of one to 10 how bad he felt about tuition fees (one = "no regrets", 10 = "can't sleep at night"), his sheepish "nine and a half" got him a round of applause.

The cynical take? "Trying out his post-election career," tweeted @richbu1. Whatever Clegg was doing, he aced it. Bang on, as the presenters of The Last Leg would say.

Why don't female standups crack more puns?

It may be Miranda Hart's catchphrase, but 'pun intended' doesn't seem to be the case for many female comedians.

Meet the queen of confessional comedy: Katherine Ryan

When Katherine Ryan caught her partner cheating on her she tracked down the glamour model he'd been seeing and built her latest stand-up show around the episode. Viv Groskop meets the ballsy Canadian stealing the limelight on TV panel shows and taking over the comedy circuit one Beyoncé shimmy at a time.

The free spirit of the Fringe is alive and kicking

Yes, some people will cash in, but there is a backlash in Edinburgh against the involvement of big business,

The Viv Groskop three minute interview

When should you give up on a dream? This Edinburgh Fringe why not go behind the curtain with BBC Radio 4's Viv Groskop, as she attempts to revive a childhood ambition. Martin Walker finds out more about a unique stand-up comedy experiment.

Katy Brand interview

The comedian and writer talks about religion, women on panel shows and avoiding Beyoncé at weddings.

Did you hear about the Fringe show that made a profit?

New performers are being forced out by the festival's surreal economics.

Viv Groskop and the comedy marathon

Comedian and journalist Viv Groskop has a new book out about her doing 100 gigs in 100 nights.