Following the successful TV pilot earlier this year, tonight saw the first in the new Dead Ringers TV series.

It was very good, the first episode. Got off to a cracking start with the UN inspectors/Bargain Hunt gag, and we got a new character in Saddam Hussein wanting to take over as leader of the UK's pitiful excuse for a Conservative Party. My favourite bit was the parody of the now too-numerous history programmes on the BBC featuring Simon Schama and the trademark meaningless props. Well, that and the Teletubbies/Tweenies/Fimbles/[insert over-cutesy pre-school programme here] parody which had the sly Angus Deayton reference at the end.

I did wonder how they managed to get away with the sketch involving Children In Need's mascot and the line of white stuff (especially since the Children In Need Night was only last Friday).

As per the pilot, however, the show did feature some gags reused from the radio series, but at least they used some of the better ones - such as George W Bush planning to invade Tie-Rack ("But sir, that's a tie store in Great Britain!" "That's what they want you to think!").

A new series started this week. Some good sketches overall, particularly their amusing take on "The Office" and a spot-on David Brent impersonation.