Before I begin, I must admit a bias: I’m not a fan of Jo Brand’s comedy. Yet I was determined to go into Jo Brand’s Big Splash, part of Dave's new drive for original programming, with an open mind. My enthusiasm was short-lived to say the least.The basic premise of the show is to investigate Britain’s relationship with water via Jo Brand – a concept that is stretched to its limit (see part 4, Jo Brand picking golf balls out of a pond.)

The first foray into the world of water sees Jo diving with an Olympic champion; cue the inevitable Speedo jokes and awkward laughter (from both us and the diver, who clearly wondered if he was being paid enough). The initial shock of seeing Jo Brand in a swimming costume is quickly replaced by near-constant cringing and eventual horror. Even the appearance of fellow comedian Sean Lock did little to rescue proceedings. When asked what he thought of Jo, he replied “Pathetic is kind.” Frankly, this could easily be applied to the show as a whole.

It goes from bad to worse. Having started out as a programme supposedly about water, the show progresses from diving, to a mud race, to the sewers of London and finally concludes on a golf course. If there is logic in this, it escapes me. Jo Brand’s comedy only gets cruder as the show continues (possibly to match the increasingly dirty locales, but this is applying too much thought) and eventually takes the plank walk into all-out toilet humour – which makes this rather like watching an overgrown eight year old boy. One scene actually sees her rolling about in the mud in a style reminiscent of a beached whale, an image that will stick with you.

Aside from all these problems with execution, the very essence of the show is grimly disappointing. It would be assumed you could at least derive enjoyment from Jo’s willingness to get involved and splash around. However this was not the case - she complains almost constantly and shows an overall lack of interest with what's actually happening, preferring instead to make an endless stream of jokes about various unsavoury topics.

Jo Brand’s Big Splash is clearly intended to be an irreverent, humorous show about a slightly eccentric subject matter. Unfortunately, that’s not how it pans out. It lacks depth, humour and any clear purpose. Dave, stick to reruns of Top Gear, please.