Ending this week - worse luck

Posted by Remote Control on December 17, 2007 8:10 AM | Permalink

TIS the week before Christmas and the TV schedules are full of programmes all saying 'last in series.' Which means one thing is guaranteed: even more programmes in the new year with the word 'repeat' at the end of their descriptions.

Sadly, among the programmes coming to an end tonight is Live At the Apollo (BBC 1, 10.35pm) which is so brilliant because it is just so simple. Two or three comedians, one of whom comperes, come on stage each week and deliver 45 minutes of comedy.

This being the BBC, and this being the Apollo in London, every week has seen top-drawer comedians. The final week is no exception, and is hosted by Dara O'Briain, who has played such an influential role in making Mock the Week the naughty offspring of Have I Got News For You it has become.

His routine tonight includes explaining why the Irish are bad at scubadiving, and why Wayne Rooney really is an Adonis.

The genius in Live At the Apollo is that you get acts sharing a stage who normally never would, often because their acts are so disparate. Anyone who saw Have I Got News For You on Friday with Stephen K Amos will know he is a master at accents, and brilliant one liners (accusing of people of being racist, in a mocking manner, when his arguments on HIGNFY had run their course was hilarious).

The final member of the cast tonight is Frankie Boyle, who, along with O'Briain, has also become a big star thanks to Mock the Week. Anyone who has seen his routine live will know that he doesn't know where to draw the line, which is in essence why he is so good. Tonight he implies his fellow Scots are all racist alcoholics, and mocks the naivety of trying to bring religious war to Glasgow. Some of the routine you'll have seen before on Mock the Week but that doesn't stop him being fantastic.

Also finishing ts run tonight is Have I Got News For You (BBC 2, 10pm) which strictly speaking, ended on Friday, but this is the regular repeat. Richard Madeley is the guest host, and I was as disappointed as I was surprised at just how good he was. He just about cracks the secret of getting Paul Merton on side, largely by laughing at himself in the process, but the presence of Stephen K Amos also helps.

All in all, a rather amusing night in.