It was never going to be easy to top 2006's tribute to the late comic Linda Smith, which was both an outpouring of emotion and a very funny gig, but last night's sequel came close. Though while some moments scaled humorous heights to honour the woman who called Olympic curling "housework on ice", others skated perilously close to outstaying their welcome.

Jo Brand compered the first half and swiftly apologised for doing pretty much the same set as last year. Her usual gags were indeed present and correct, right down to recalling how burning her bra heated a village in Cumbria for a fortnight.

It is hard for acts to make an impact in 10 minutes but John Shuttleworth triumphed with his oddball northern songs and John Hegley nearly blew the roof off with his Jesus rap, concluding with: "If that's a Good Friday I wouldn't want a bad one." Simon Munnery and Kevin Eldon recreated a Pete 'n' Dud sketch, which was memorable if not wholly successful.

Dara O'Briain took over compering duties after the interval and his formidable skills kept over-running to a minimum. Tardiness was partly due to too much music and too much of a good thing in the form of an overlong Jeremy Hardy. Readings from Smith's writings beautifully evoked her subtle wit, with Maureen Lipman essaying a particularly brilliant halfimpression.

Bill Wyman's band wrapped things up with a bluesy session and a shambolic singalong. The very English chaos would have certainly made Linda smile.