Star-packed charity shows often present a dilemma to the critic and Saturday's Amnesty International gala was no exception. Should one knock people doing their bit for a good cause, while, by happy accident, raising their own profiles?

For there was no escaping the fact, and please forgive the tasteless pun, that some of the witless skits really felt like torture. Several all-new sketches boasted a substantial squirm quotient.

US legend Chevy Chase guested in an uncomfortably worthy scene in which two tourists accidentally book a holiday in Guantanamo Bay. Richard E Grant sportingly gritted his teeth through a thin Cluedo spoof.

The Green Wing cast fared better with a clownish surgery stitch-up and, on film, Gordon Ramsay thumping someone was a big hit. The performers who excelled were those match-fit for working an audience.

Russell Brand, The Mighty Boosh and Pub Landlord Al Murray impressed, as did Irishman Andrew Maxwell, who wowed the crowd by organising a mass hum. By contrast, Dylan Moran seems to have lost the will to amuse even for the duration of a 10-minute set.

If anyone was waiting for a classic Parrot Sketch moment they had a long wait, but there were some genuine high points. Cult American Sarah Silverman drew applause and gasps with some exceptionally deviant material between the printable lines: "I just came from a Kabbalah meeting and I feel so much better...than you."

Nearly 30 years ago a star was born at an Amnesty gig when Rowan Atkinson did his inspired Schoolmaster routine. The earth failed to move this time, though thank heavens for David Armand, whose pinsharp mime to Natalie Imbruglia's Torn easily stole the show.

An energetic Eddie Izzard closed proceedings with his well-polished riff on bees but, overall, this long evening lacked buzz.

• To be broadcast on C4 and released on DVD.