This is a week bookended by Michael McIntyre, so if you are like the wag who just posted "thanks for the warning" on my Facebook page and maybe don't appreciate rapidfire, smiley observational humour, take a holiday now. For the remaining millions of you still out there and still reading, I was writing recently about comedians doing low-key try-out gigs in clubs and Michael McIntyre is so used to playing megavenues his gig tonight at the Bloomsbury Theatre is a handy warm-up for his appearance at C4's Comedy Gala next Saturday. If you can get a ticket go and see McIntyre tonight at Stand Up For Women in aid of the Eaves charity - not only will you be able to appreciate his floppy fringe in the relatively close-up flesh rather than be tempted to watch it on a video screen, but there is a pretty refreshing supporting line-up too, including middle class worrier Hal Cruttenden, mad, manic Phil Nichol, What Would Beyonce Do? livewire Luisa Omielan and slightly rude musical comedian Carly Smallman. It is all hosted by smart, funny organiser James Mullinger.

If you can't get into the Bloomsbury there is always the aforementioned C4 Comedy Gala on Saturday at the O2 Arena. It would be quicker to list the comedians not appearing than the comedians that are. In the past the line-up has been criticised for predominantly featuring acts from the same management stable, but this year's bill does shake up things a bit with some different acts. Miranda Hart will be popping up (a nice chance to test the venue she is playing in her own right next year) alongside Life's Too Short star Warwick Davis and Russell Brand. The usual suspects include Lee Evans, Jack Dee and Alan Carr.