It's been revealed today that Davina McCall will be hosting a brand new show on BBC ONE designed to bring 'the sparkle of Saturday nights to a Wednesday' - featuring great guests and the best live music.
This could be a major hit or a massive flop... but i hope it works! I like Davina, she's a lovely lady.
McCall chatshow marks return for Bea Ballard
Jason Deans, broadcasting editor
Tuesday December 6, 2005
Davina McCall's new BBC1 chatshow marks a return to the genre for Bea Ballard, who was Michael Parkinson's executive producer before his defection to ITV.
Ms Ballard, who as head of BBC entertainment features also oversees output including the Eurovision Song Contest, was executive producer of Parkinson on BBC1 for years prior to his ITV move in 2004.
McCall's new 60-minute BBC1 programme will be broadcast on Wednesday nights, probably at 8pm - an unusual mid-evening slot for a chatshow.
Chatshows generally go out later in the evening, or occasionally at 7pm, as was the case with Wogan on BBC1 in the 80s. The recently shot pilot featured four guests, including Peter Kay, EastEnders' Nigel Harman and Charlotte Church - who also sang a couple of numbers.
McCall's new show will follow a similar format, with several guests and music, when it begins what is likely to be an eight week run early next year.
The BBC1 controller, Peter Fincham, will be hoping McCall can bring a bit of showbiz glamour to Wednesday nights, where the network has generally played factual output for years, and boost the channel's lacklustre ratings on the evening.
However, putting the show on Wednesdays is also something of a risk - McCall will not have the benefit of a hefty audience inheritance from EastEnders and will have to try and tempt Emmerdale and Coronation Street fans back to BBC1 from ITV1.
"Since Michael Parkinson left we haven't had a chatshow before the late news that's in peak on BBC1," Mr Fincham said.
"I think it's quite exciting to do a chatshow that's not presented by a man. Davina is rather special - she appeals very broadly to a wide range of viewers. She feels right for BBC1."
He signalled that he sees the Big Brother presenter becoming a regular fixture on his network, despite her Saturday night show He's Having a Baby proving a ratings flop in the autumn.
"He's Having a Baby was innovative and I think Davina was very good in it. That was one story and this is another. I think BBC1 is a natural home for Davina."
:-(
A former member
I don't think this will get show in Scotland as 8pm on a Wednesday is Holby City, becasue of "River city on the Tuesday
As much as I like Davina, I just can't see this being a major hit.
From all the stuff I've seen Davina do, she seems to interact much better with the general public than with celebrities.
Though Big Brother prevents the BBC slapping on those golden handcuffs, it seems the BBC are just finding things for Davina to do when she's not hosting Big Brother.
As for He's Having a Baby - BBC3 maybe, but not primetime Saturday night!
As much as I like Davina, I just can't see this being a major hit.
From all the stuff I've seen Davina do, she seems to interact much better with the general public than with celebrities.
Though Big Brother prevents the BBC slapping on those golden handcuffs, it seems the BBC are just finding things for Davina to do when she's not hosting Big Brother.
As for He's Having a Baby - BBC3 maybe, but not primetime Saturday night!
I disagree I think this is the right show for Ms McCall. It's nice to see BBC1 offering something different on weekday, about time too!
As much as I like Davina, I just can't see this being a major hit.
From all the stuff I've seen Davina do, she seems to interact much better with the general public than with celebrities.
Though Big Brother prevents the BBC slapping on those golden handcuffs, it seems the BBC are just finding things for Davina to do when she's not hosting Big Brother.
As for He's Having a Baby - BBC3 maybe, but not primetime Saturday night!
I disagree I think this is the right show for Ms McCall. It's nice to see BBC1 offering something different on weekday, about time too!
Entirely my own thoughts. I've really gone off old Parkie of late (too bland) and Ross on Friday is a rare treat (having to work Friday nights) so will warmly welcome something like this. It's different, innovative and with any luck could prove to be successful. All depends I suppose on how the format works.
Having the lottery crowbarred in is the kiss of death for any show. Not a good idea.
I really can't stand the woman myself but it's about time The BBC & ITV started paying more attention to prime time weeknights and introducing a bit of mid-week variety - rather then sticking everything on Saturday night's. ITV for instance really should consider airing their Family Fortunes revival midweek. Do they really think it's going to be a success on a Saturday night?
Afterall, Graham Norton got £4,000,000 (yes, FOUR million pounds) for doing a few Come Dancing shows and err...that's about it. Nice work if you can get it.
