The opening episode of this seventh series (SEVEN!) is excellent. Mark is at the hospital with Sophie - as she's in labour. For those of us who have been in his position, the anxiety and self-doubt is brilliantly portrayed; for those of you who haven't been in his position, you don't need any laughter, your life is fine. The subplot involving Jez is complete rubbish and shouldn't have even been bothered with - so it's good that it doesn't take up much time.

So Mark and Jez are back with the seventh series of Channel 4's longest-running sitcom - which means we've all got something amusing to talk about that doesn't involve people eating kangaroos' bums. Of course, we know exactly what to expect from the socially awkward duo by now - but seven years on, you'd think they might be forced to face up to a few more responsibilities as well.

Sure enough, last night's Peep Show opener saw Mark (David Mitchell) overwhelmed at becoming a father for the first time. But more importantly, in Mark's eyes at least, a burst boiler at home turned out to have been less catastrophic than originally feared. "Minimal water damage!" he exclaimed joyfully on hearing the news, while cradling his newborn baby in his arms.

But I'm getting ahead of myself here. Prior to the birth, we saw Mark trying - and failing - to support ex-girlfriend Sophie (Olivia Colman) in the maternity ward. Meanwhile, Jez (Robert Webb) trundled off round the hospital and fell in lust with Zahra (Camilla Beeput), who was visiting her comatose boyfriend. In a bid to impress her, he agreed to read out passages from FHM to her unconscious partner - providing just one of the episode's many laugh-out-loud moments.

Still, my favourite moment came when Jez promised Mark he'd find someone to fix the boiler. This could only mean one thing. Sure enough, Super Hans (Matt King) showed up with a "mate who knows a bit about plumbing" - but found time to offer Mark some words of wisdom about childbirth. "Stay away from the goal end," he advised. "And trip your nuts off."

In real life, you'd probably run a mile to avoid Mark and Jez. But seeing the 21st century's version of The Likely Lads return to the small screen is one of the most welcome sights on TV.

Writers: "There's a bit of Jez and Mark in everybody"

"This could be another way to save money on the budget," chuckles Jesse Armstrong as he dangles one of ShortList's handmade Mitchell & Webb marionettes for our photographer. He's kidding (we think), but if he and his writing partner Sam Bain did decide to turn Peep Show into a crude puppetry programme, they probably could. And we'd probably watch. They may not be as ubiquitous as the show's stars but creators Armstrong (sharp jacket, booming laugh) and Bain (glasses, dry one-liners) are the brains and heart of Britain's funniest sitcom. And they've got an embarrassing tale or two themselves...

Peep Show: Mitchell and Webb talk about the new series

The stars of Peep Show talk to Paul Macinnes about character evolution, Nazism and gross-out comedy. (As you might expect, contains some adult content)

Despite never attracting the wider audience it deserves, Peep Show - starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb as Mark and Jez, a latter-day flat-sharing odd couple - has from the outset maintained its reputation as one of the very best British sitcoms. Now entering its seventh season, it is also Channel 4's longest running comedy and, happily, shows no signs of falling off in quality. Quite the opposite; tonight's episode opens up a whole new vista of comic possibilities as Mark (Mitchell) marches none-too-enthusiastically across the Rubicon that is parenthood and, initially at least, doesn't respond well to the prospect of responsibility.

Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain's scalpel-sharp script brilliantly exposes the average male's helplessness, incomprehension and terror when confronted with the maternal agonies of childbirth - and the overwhelming urge to run away. Meanwhile, in a different wing of the hospital, Jez (Webb) seeks a cure for his recently broken heart in the shape of the attractively bookish partner of a comatose patient - with predictably cringe-making results.

Why is Peep Show streaming online already?

Lovers of excruciatingly awkward dialogue rejoice - Peep Show returns to our screens this Friday, for its seventh series.

Peep Show series 7 episode 1 review

The UK's most consistently funny comedy, Peep Show, returns and hits the ground running with a great first episode.

Video: Is Peep Show popular in the States?

Robert Webb and David Mitchell talk to BBC Breakfast about their latest series of Peep Show. The sitcom was nominated at this year's Emmy awards but do Americans find it funny?

David Mitchell annoyed Peep Show is online first

Peep Show star David Mitchell is upset that Channel 4 bosses premiered the seventh series online.

Jez and Mark ... by the people who know them best

As they return for a seventh series, will fatherhood make men of the El Dude brothers? Who better to ask than writers Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong and stars David Mitchell and Robert Webb?