Comedy

DAVID AND NICK. Not quite the biblical story, but is it all getting a bit embarrassing already?

News satire show Newswipe has returned to BBC4 for a second series, presented by the seemingly ubiquitous Charlie Brooker (it's in a similar vein to his Screenwipe - about TV). The first series was certainly worth watching, mostly for the guest segments (the best of which were by Adam Curtis and Peter Oborne). Funny - and occasioanally quite thought-provoking stuff.

Alan Partridge Collection: 6 DVD

Certificate: 15

Producers: Armando Iannucci, Steve Coogan, Peter Baynham, Patrick Marber.

Stars: Steve Coogan, Felicity Montagu, Simon Greenall, Barbara Durkin, Rebecca Front, Phil Cornwell.

Released: 16 November.

Available at: HMV.

BBC comedy Absolutely Fabulous is rumoured to be returning for a new series in the US, set in Los Angeles.

According to the BBC News website, the UK sitcom first shown in the 1990s starring Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders, will be given a new series if a Fox TV network pilot episode is successful.

Saunders, who alongside Dawn French wrote the series, will reportedly produce content for the US version, whilst pictures will be co-produced by Sony TV and BBC Worldwide.

After receiving some great Alan Partridge DVDs as gifts this Christmas, it reminded me of how great the British situation and sketch show comedy character actually is. Although, the type of character and their appeal appears to have dwindled in the past few years, as like music and film, TV suffers from writers and actors portraying the same types and using the same lines to exhaustion.