Top 10: Mock the Week Stars
Mock the Week has returned for a further season. Over its six year reign on BBC 2 and subsequent zombie afterlife on Dave, it has started and propelled the careers of many comedians. Here are a few of the best.
Dara O' Briain
The genial host of it all, the Irish comedian presides over what at times can devolve in to a circus with the minimum of fuss and always has a snappy wisecrack to bring things back into order. Having launched several enormously successful tours on the back of it, and presented 'Stargazing live' among others his star continues to rise. Michael Tansini
Russell Howard
Between the balding, middled-aged men of MTW, I have to say that goofy looking youngster Russell Howard always struck me as comedy gold. Whilst other regular hosts were funny, their lines were much more predictable, even in the early series (Yes I'm looking at you and your euphemisms Hugh, and your outlandish witticisms, Frankie). By comparison, Russell always brought something new to the show and perhaps was a clever BBC promotional trick to make the show appeal to a younger audience anyway. Worked for me. Alex Jackson
Stewart Francis
Although he is not a frequent visitor to Mock the Week, the affable comedian from “Canadia”, has made quite an impact with his unique charm and unrelentingly cheerful disposition. His comedy, similar in style to that of fellow one-liner Milton Jones, is rife with puns and silliness, which provides a refreshing change from the often sardonic and brutal comedy of his fellow panellists. Joseph Harrison
Andy Parsons
‘The Andy Parsons Guide to Comedy’: Do the funny walk up to mic. Pause for laughs. Pull a funny face. Pause for laughs. Begin the joke with the word ‘now’. Pause for laughs. Present an absurd situation in which irrational and illogical behaviour is exposed. Do the funny walk away from the mic to the audience’s laughs. It’s formulaic, but with his nasal voice, cheery demeanour and revelry in the ridiculous make him a much-loved, funny member of the Mock the Week team. Stephen Puddicombe
Sarah Millican
Sarah Millican has been a guest on Mock the Week, bringing a new type of crude female humour to the all male line up, discussing issues such as sexy talk and childbirth. Since Mock the Week, the Geordie comedienne has had a great year with “The Sarah Millican Show” and touring the country with her stand up act. Sarah is a great talent, showing that women can do comedy too. Rachel Brown
Milton Jones
The stand-up round is rapidly becoming 'The Milton Jones Round'; a fairly recent addition to the programme, Milton's reputation as the king of the one-liner has no doubt been boosted by his appearances on Mock the Week. While other comedians may be more suited to the improvisational rounds, Milton's wide-eyed stage persona (that makes him come across as a permanently bewildered owl) usually has the audience laughing before he even reaches the mic. Catherine Munn
Frankie Boyle
What with all the controversy that surrounds Frankie Boyle these days, it’s easy to forget that he can be very funny. For most he was the funniest on Mock the Week during his four year stint on the show, and though his jokes were often offensive the tone was never vicious. Mock the Week has never been the same since its dark heart was removed, and neither it seems has Boyle, as his Taramadol Nights project was met with mixed reviews. Stephen Puddicombe
Ed Byrne
Another Irish comedian, and one of Dara's drinking buddies, Ed brings his off-kilter approach to Mock the Week with a high word per minute ratio and his trademark shock and bemusement at pretty much everything. The highlight of his time on the show must be when he kept trying to get to the 'Scenes We'd Like to See' microphone and his consequent apoplexy must be seen to be believed. Michael Tansini
Hugh Dennis
Known for his numerous comedy and acting roles in television and radio, and for being the only permanent panellist since the first series of Mock the Week, Hugh Dennis is also the only comedian blessed with his own Newsreel round. The Royal Family are usually the main source of material for his, ahem, uncanny impressions in the show, but don't be surprised if Jimmy Saville's "Showaddywaddy" also makes an appearance... Catherine Munn
Chris Addison
With his wide flappy hands and unbuttoned shirt, Chris Addison always put me in mind of an Italian waiter. His larger-than-life persona bears little relation to his ineffective Ollie in The Thick of It or even his car insurance adverts. Instead he rants about the little things in life, building up a head of steam that makes him look as though he is about to pop. Michael Tansini
