A tight 5: August 20

MICHAEL PALIN is to take over the role of God in the West End version of Spamalot. On Monday he will become the the second former Python to take on the prerecorded role after John Cleese, the original Voice Of God. Palin’s voice will be heard for a week, when Larry Lamb will take over. Meanwhile, Warwick Davis will take over the role of Patsy from September 23 until October 10.

ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES star Nicholas Lyndhurst says he doesn’t thinks the sitcom would ever get made today, as broadcasters would not take a risk on it. He told the Radio Times that executives prefer the quick ratings hit of talent shows, rather than a sitcom which needs time to find its audience. ‘TV companies turn down good scripts because they're not prepared to let them develop,’ he said. ‘Only Fools would never be made today, nor Dad's Army.’

AMERICAN stand-up DL Hughley is developing an autobiographical sitcom. The FX channel – which airs Louis CK’s Louie – is working with the comic, one of The Original Kings Of Comedy, on a show based around an ‘unapologetically honest family man and radio host’, Hollywood website Deadline reports.

Dave Gorman’s new TV show, Modern Life Is Goodish, will start on Tuesday September 17 at 10pm, it has been announced. The six-part series is a mix of stand-up and documentary comedy and promises ‘a new take on the things we normally take for granted’. 

SCOTTISH comic Des McLean is celebrating after a successful three-night run at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas – in the same room his idol Frank Sinatra played in his heyday. He has been booked back to return for the next two years.

Published: 20 Aug 2013