September will be an interesting month for Omid Djalili if his debut prime-time BBC1 sketch show contains similar material to his stand-up act.

At the Hackney Empire last night the skilful comedian, whose parents are Iranian, wowed the crowd with some edgy humour light years away from Little Britain's fancy dress frivolity.

Djalili's brief set included an analysis of the way jokes vary around the globe: "An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman walk into a pub. To you it's a joke. To an Iranian it's a hostage situation."

It will be fascinating to see how his pot-pourri of politics and populism plays out. Hackney certainly enjoyed it, except for a description of Tony Blair's Saddam-style execution - mainly because Djalili fluffed it rather than for its breaking of the taste barrier.

The first half of a long bill, compered by the ever-reliable Arthur Smith, was completed by playful storyteller Josie Long, who improves with each performance, and Scott Capurro. Even in these open-minded days this hugely experienced provocateur would not get a whiff of the mainstream with his set that took in crucifixion, the holocaust and baby murder. Yet his childish shock tactics went down a storm. The clapping was accompanied by the whirr of Mary Whitehouse spinning in her grave.

After clever musical parodist Mitch Benn, the show, in honour of retiring comedy critic Malcolm Hay, reached a sustained climax.

Mark Thomas raced through his subversive demo campaign that culminated in a Westminster banner saying "Stop Putting Bits In Cheese" before Al Murray's Pub Landlord called time with a demented refrain of Incy Wincy Spider.

Murray has shown that TV success can come without totally diluting your act. If Djalili can pull off the same trick we really do live in a tolerant land.