BOX-EYED: Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow & Chuck

This opener came from Edinburgh, with McIntyre his usual impish self as happy host. I've been sensing a backlash building about McIntyre him for a few months (fuelled by him dying on-stage at the BAFTAs), but I still find him very amusing and immensely likeable. It's just nice to watch someone with an upbeat attitude, skipping about the stage. He looks comfortable, he's clearly having fun, and his material is usually very good – although nothing here really stood out, I have to say. His great ability is being able to breeze past any dry spots on pure enthusiasm, so you still can't help enjoying the performance.

The four guest acts featured were local stand-up Kevin Bridges, who took a few minutes to warm up, but was generally okay; Canadian master of the one-liner Stewart Francis ("I gave up my job in a helium gas factory; I refuse to be spoken to in that tone of voice"); geeky Welsh comic Mark Watson, who didn't seem to be on-form; and the vociferous Rhod Gilbert, who was okay but not particularly memorable. A packed bill of good acts, but I only Francis really managed sustained the laughter. The others actually highlighted a few problems with this format: given the roadshow element, a few of Bridges gags required local knowledge (of Edinburgh or Scotland) to tickle the funnybone, so probably bemused viewers at home sometimes; and it felt odd to have two Welshman involved. Why not save Watson and Gilbert for an episode coming from Cardiff? It felt like the bookers should have made the effort to get Scottish comedians involved, otherwise there didn't seem much point to it from a home-viewing perspective. I take it there are enough Scottish comedians around these days? Is Billy Connolly still on his world tour? BBC1, SAT, 9.30PM

After an interminable wait of nine long months (considering Virgin1 were only weeks behind with their other big import, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), the second season of spy-comedy CHUCK finally touches down for summer this Tuesday. The show hasn't really taken off in the UK, and that's a shame. It's a combination of being on a minority channel, months behind the US transmission, and the fact it sounds like it would only appeal to geeks. The first season wasn't particularly great, but the premise itself is breezy fun, while the three leads do excellent work with whatever they're given.

For the uninitiated, Chuck is about a lovable geek (played by the equally-lovable Zachary Levi) who has the US government's secrets accidentally downloaded into his mind. This results in him becoming a huge asset to national security and invaluable in the fight against international espionage. Chuck tries to maintain a normal life with his friends and family, while assisted and protected by two undercover agents: gruff Major Casey (Adam Baldwin), pretending to be a coworker; and sexy Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski), pretending to be his girlfriend. This second season is more confident and the action/comedy ratio better handled. It still has its faults, but with its canny guest-star casting (Jordana Brewster, Michael Clarke Duncan, Nicole Richie, Scott Bakula, Chevy Chase), relaxed vibe, entertaining action, and the simply stunning Strahovski in skimpy clothes, Chuck's grown into something very appealing. VIRGIN1, TUE, 9PM.

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