How would it compare with last year, when we still had "Humph" in the chair, now replaced by the solemn Jack Dee?
Something of a curate's egg, in truth.
Yes, there were moments of inspired nonsense, and some of the gags were just as funny as last time around.
And there lay the rub.
They were pretty much the same gags as last time around.
Of course, you wonder how much of an evening like this is scripted, and, I guess, on a tour around the UK it would be impossible to do a wholly new show every night.
But it seemed the whole of the introduction about Nottingham from Jack Dee and much of the warm-up from producer Jon Naismith were lifted from this time last year.
And worse still, Jack appeared to be reading directly from Humphrey Lyttelton's previous script.
When he deviated from the written word he was comfortable, but joining this antidote to panel games must surely go against the grain.
Despite the baffling "repeat" situation, we warmly welcome on stage Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor, along with the new regular, Jeremy Hardy. Colin Sell provides piano accompaniment.
Sadly, there was no sign of Samantha, who would have been Jack's delectable assistant. She was waylaid at home, organising new insulation with a team of hunky workmen. She sent a note to the team: "I'm looking forward to getting felt laid in the loft", she wrote.
It's not often you can marvel at Tim Brooke-Taylor duetting with Kaiser Chiefs, - or 2,000 people joining a kazoo version of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Great fun – but we could have done without the repeat.
