Did we like it?
It’s Christian’s best TV work to date, but the anarchic, inventive Virgin DJ still can’t translate successfully from radio to TV.
What was good about it?
• The chemistry between Christian and his radio sidekick Chris Smith was the one thing that didn’t suffer from having cameras present.
• The show raced through a succession of quick items so, if something sucked, there was always hope that you were just a minute or so away from a success. The best items were the humourless speccy girl filmed issuing instructions to bewildered builders, “The Very Reverend” Christopher Biggins reading a sermon from Jodie Marsh’s autobiography; the guest appearance by Angel Delight-ed Ross Noble; and The Bribe Is Right competition to win a scooter.
• The clip of Richard Madeley interviewing that Geordie woman who woke up speaking with a Jamaican accent: “You really are takin’ on de Jamaican lilt,” he enthused.
• Barry the wind-up merchant pulled off a great prank by taking a van on a test drive-cum-shopping mission for three hours, 37 minutes before the salesman lost his patience. An admirable feat – but it didn’t really ever become funny.
What was bad about it?
• Christian’s reputation has been made by his spontaneous humour on radio – and despite several TV efforts, he can’t deliver scripted gags with any conviction.
• “Great to see Kylie Minogue is on the mend,” was a jarring piece of sincerity from Mr Cynical.
• “Bear in mind it’s a family show,” after a reference to spunk was so lame.
• Tedious segments such as Phonebook Bingo, the confessions (especially from the woman who wees in swimming pools), Brian On Telly and the poor parody of 24 called 24 Hour Garage.
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