Mock the Week returns

Jun 13 2010 by Roz Laws, Sunday Mercury

THANK goodness for Mock The Week for providing some light relief amid all the World Cup coverage.

Though I’m sure we won’t escape football entirely, as no doubt the comics will discuss any major events in South Africa and England’s success (or lack of it).

The good news is that it’s returning for a lengthy run, right into autumn with a half-term break in August when nothing is happening in the world.

Dara O Briain hosts as ever, with regulars Hugh Dennis, Andy Parsons and Russell Howard.

They’re joined by three more comedians every week. Topping the list of guest appearances so far is Ed Byrne with 12, while David Mitchell has been on 11 times and Mark Watson and Gina Yashere eight each.

There’s the usual mix of discussion about topical events, a half-hearted attempt to accrue points while answering questions (though it’s not really a quiz and the points are awarded fairly randomly) and a selection of different rounds.

One is ‘If this is the answer, what is the question?’, while Between The Lines has Hugh Dennis telling us what someone in the news is really saying.

The show usually ends with a game of Scenes We’d Like To See, in which the panellists think of suggestions for different scenarios, such as The Worst Thing To Say When Running For US President.

Ed Byrne’s best line for that was: “While at college I did experiment with marijuana. I did it in snow, I did it in sleet, but I did not in hail.”

We are also getting used to life without Frankie Boyle. The show is slightly kinder without his acerbic comments, but that’s no bad thing.

This series also has more audience participation. It is asking for viewers to join in by drawing the teams’ attention to a bizarre news story or weird website, or by sending in quirky pictures or asking burning questions.

Mock The Week, BBC2, Thursday, 10pm