Bish bash bosh. Paunchy late thirties lad passes obnoxious comment on topical news issues. Basically, the news with an almost-funny commentary over the top. Herein lies another spectacular 1am bellyflop from BBC4.

We like satirical new shows. They provide a playground for all of our pent-up rage at our increasingly incompetent state of political boobies. And after a night out, a cheeky Gardies churning in your gut, and a half-arsed political fury swilling in your brain, jeering along to Newswipe on your iPhone while your flatmate hammers furiously on your bedroom door is probably the best place for you.

It was quickly clear to me why Newswipe is on midweek at 1am. It is the sultry domain of students, shift-workers and insomniacs. Accordingly, a snigger might escape you only if you’re inebriated or exhausted. It’s forgivable: at 1am most of us can be force-fed crap and not really mind. Its rivals are Jeremy Kyle re-runs on BBC2 and Five’s Supercasino. So, Newswipe does have the advantage of a script and sustained commentary, but sadly, less gypsy fights. And Charlie Brooker is like your piteous try-hard uncle: he’s a bit ruff, a bit fat and tries way too hard to be deadpan. You know, like Jack Dee. To the point where he’s not deadpan. And definitely not Jack Dee.

In the characteristic BBC4 revolt against the pleasant RP of BBC1, he exercises his big wide Laandan vowels just to ensure that the yoof will understand what he’s saying. What’s really good is that Brooker makes politics ‘accessible’. In the latest episode, he shouts ‘prick’ at a film of Tony Blair to make sure everyone knows that Tony Blair is a bad man. Ooh, and he makes fun of Nick Griffin too. In a hooting X-Factor style parody. Perhaps a clever point is being made about the commercialisation of politics. Ho ho ho. I would probably have voted for Griffin otherwise.

It’s just all a bit patronising. It’s not as smart as Have I Got News for You and it’s way surpassed by other topical shows like 8 out of 10 Cats. It’s the television equivalent of a late night Big Mac. Fills a gap but full of shit.