The Greatest Underrated Comedy Shows

A look at Rock & Chips, The Bubble, Stag and more.

10 satire shows we need back on our TV screens

It's fair to say that we don't have much satire on TV at the moment. So, are we really beyond satire now? Have things become too surreal? Well, I'm not so sure. In no particular order, here are ten shows that I think need a revival in these turbulent times.

Why there will never be a British 'Daily Show'

Recently 10 O'Clock Live was consigned to the scrapheap of British TV history, alongside the likes of The 11 O'Clock Show, Tonightly, The Late Edition with Marcus Brigstocke and Recommended Daily Amount. It's a very special pile of semi-forgotten relics. They all reflect that golden goose for every ambitious TV producer - creating a successful UK version of The Daily Show.

Did 10 O'Clock Live ever stand a chance?

It's worth listening to the old episodes - especially by the time of the third series. Maybe if this had started as a low-profile show filled with unknowns then they might have started to build a fanbase and eventually become half the hit deluded executives had thought it would be from the start.

British satire isn't angry enough to be funny

The cancellation of Channel 4's 10 O'Clock Live reflects the sad state of British satire. The problem lies with the scripts.

Quickfire bedtime chopsing about current affairs is all very well, but sometimes 10 O'Clock Live is like being in a pub at closing time with a bunch of blokes who all think they're the funniest. So it's refreshing to see Lauren Laverne fulfilling her potential at last in this third series, all of which is available to view on 4oD. She's funny in a way that means she doesn't need to shout about it, which is the sort of behaviour that would lead a woman to be burned at the stake on Mock The Week.

Opinion: If I ruled 10 O'Clock Live...

Three episodes into its third series 10 O'Clock Live seems to have entered adolescence and has got a bit surly and angry. It is good, but it could still be even better. In the first in an occasional series offering careers advice, here is my ten-point plan to making 10 O'Clock Live essential viewing.

10 O'Clock Live: Series 3 - early review

I did find myself wishing they had another segment to cut to - even though I've just said I'm fine with them destroying all their other ideas as they weren't really working.

TV Review: 10 O'Clock Live

This first episode certainly seemed to suffer from stiffness and I'm not not talking about Charlie Brooker's new over-gelled, side-parted haircut.