Michael Macintyre's Chat Show

[andy-hughes]

Watched last night.

It's still too much of him being a comedian, and not enough of him being a host.

Parky was always too far one way - batting soft questions over to elicit tired old stories, and crawling all over his guests like a eunoch in a harem!

MM has thus far been far too manic and nervous, but last night he managed to calm down enough to actually talk to Nigella Lawson, and listen to some of her answers without butting in.

The Bear Grills interview was embarassing - BG is just not interesting out of his environment, and MM didn't help with his clowning around.

Any thoughts?

[marwel7]

I watched the second episode and it just confirmed to me that he is not a good fit with a chat show.Interesting article on The Guardian website about this show,look for Mark Lawson's column.
I think the problem is that the focus is on Macintyre rather than on the guests and he doesn't show much interest in anything they have to say.That seem to be a problem with all the chat shows where the host has a big desk.

[andy-hughes]

Excellent point - the bigger the desk, the more egotistical and disinterested the host seems to be.

[EcclesCake]

I've toyed with the idea of watching it, more out of curiousity than anything else as I find it hard to believe MM will shut up for long enough to allow his guests to answer in a meaningful way. I have held the strong suspicion that he sees his guests as a vehicle for him to recount an 'amusing' anecdote.

It doesn't sound like I'm too far wrong and have saved an hour of my life.

[whirlyhurly]

I watched his chat show for the 1st time, mainly to see the divine Nigella. I really like Michael but this format is not his forte. I see Parky has other programmes lined up, does he miss the limelight, enough is enough please !

[ludwig]

I haven't seen it andy, but your brief synopsis above and the other comments on the thread are enough to convince me that I never want to.

[Elina]

Hi andy, I'm not sure a Michael Macintyre chat show style was ever meant to be anything more than light hearted conversation with his guests, he is what he is. I missed last night's episode. I enjoyed the flirty Lumley interview!

[Elina]

May be he's still trying to strike the right balance.

[Tizzi24]

I don't find MM remotely funny, so if he's got decent guests on, then I record the programme and just fast forward through the bits where he thinks he's funny and just watch the interviews.

[Ken4155]

I watched him awning all over Joanna Lumley last week and that has put me off the series for good. It was not good tv and the two of them should have just got a room somewhere.

[Ken4155]

^^^^^

That's fawning not awning

[Canary42]

an awning might have been better television :)

[andy-hughes]

Tizzi24 - "I don't find MM remotely funny, so if he's got decent guests on, then I record the programme and just fast forward through the bits where he thinks he's funny and just watch the interviews."

I wouldn't bother - he is still 'being himself', for good or ill, so if you don't like him, you won't like his interviews either.

[Elina]

LOL ken :0)