Another first for this blog I beleive; reviewing a chat show. In this case, we're looking at the latest outing of the mega-popular and endearingly hilarious comedian Michael McIntyre. He has already conquered the comedy stage in recent years (and I don't think by any means he is finished in that arena) and now he has turned his hand to a chat show, which was broadcast on Monday nights on BBC One, and this week it finished its first series, with another promised later in the year.
So - was it any good? Well I think so, yes. OK, so there were a few faults and foibles but generally I think it was a pretty good effort, and it produced some good results. Of course let us not forget, that in the realm of TV chat shows, there was and is some stiff competition for this newcomer to the game. From Alan Carr: Chatty Man which is now an established show on Channel 4, to legends like Johnathan Ross on ITV, to Graham Norton whose rise has been just as meteoric on BBC One. Maybe this is part of the reason why such a welcomed chat show with such a high-flying host and celebrity guests was placed in such an obscure time slot. And maybe it has done well enough to be given a better one with its second series, who knows?
But the series itself. Well Michael McIntyre certainly did not shy away as a host, but instead put his trademark enthusiasm and affable comedy into this new project of his. Reading interviews leading up to the show's debut, he did seem very very humbled and excited at the prospect, and say whatever else you like about it, week on week this certainly showed. Not only that, to me he was quite god at it. OK, there were times when you did get the feeling that he was getting ahead of himself, and too preoccupied with the audience reaction to him instead of the show and his guests, but by and large I found McIntyre to be a wonderfully and hilariously watchable chat show host. He was still able to show off his approach-ability and comedic talents, when it came to audience interaction, and the always hilarious 'Send-To-All' section of the show. He certainly seemed to grow into the role, and I think he steadily improved, without losing the core of who he is and why millions of fans love him so much. I do beleive that he will go on to set a high standard in his second series.
In terms of the guests Michael McIntyre's brand new chat show managed to attract; well it was a bit of a mixed bag but again generally very good indeed. The quality was certainly there from the off, with well respected and high profile figures such as Sir Terry Wogan and Ray Winstone. There were a couple of damp squids for me along the way though. These included the model and Strictly star Abbey Clancy (who in my opinion comes off as a bit too shallow and self-obsessed for her own good) and sultry TV chef Nigella Lawson, who McIntyre interviewed in a mish-mash of trying to be hard hitting and sensitively caring at the same time; it was OK to watch, but it did feel a bit awkward. Apart from these few instances however, each guest he had produced varied, interesting and funny watching. Personal highlights for me include the wonderful Joanna Lumley, petrol head Jeremy Clarkson and the lovable living legend Sir David Jason. Finally for me, and I think for many other viewers, it all culminated on Monday in an absolutely hilarious and fantastic final show of the series, featuring the brilliant James Corden (and a cracking personalized 'Send-To-All') the brave and beautiful Alex Jones and the iconic Sir Bruce Forsyth.
In essence, Michael McIntyre has presented to us another string to his bow, and the resulting chat show I think is a very enjoyable piece of telly. Done in a way that, whilst aspiring to be very much showbiz, also feels very pleasant, light-hearted and fun, which surely cannot be a bad thing. I confess I was a little worried Michael McIntyre might have harpooned his glittering career when I heard he was venturing into the realms of a chat show. However by and large, I am happy to say I was mistaken.
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