TV Scoop Review

One major failing was that Kay was clearly so intent on making the show as realisitic as possible, that he forgot to make it different enough to be worth the exercise - there were barely any jokes in the results show at all.

Blog Review

Overall, it might have been better to schedule the results show the following day, as 105 minutes of intense parodying was slightly overwhelming, but this was otherwise a spot-on appropriation of talent shows that fulfilled its aim.

This was a superb television lampoon that sneaked up without much pre-publicity from Channel 4 - which was a shame, as I don't think we'll see anything funnier this year.

Is The X Factor beyond parody?

Well, tell me something I don't know and do it in less than an hour and three-quarters. I guess I wanted the satire to have more bite. As it was, what we got was, bar the occasional acerbic moment, a fairly gentle pastiche. But perhaps the TV talent show - simultaneously slushy and calculating - is beyond parody.

Cool Blue Shed Review

On the surface, it may have seemed a bit too slick, a bit too like the shows it was sending up. Still, moan aside, this was a tremendous show. A definite highlight in the autumn schedule.

Analysis from The Custard

The first part sailed far too close to becoming homage rather than parody, and was torturous and needlessly reverential towards some of the former talent show conspirators. The second part was much better, and very funny. However, we're not sure if this was cruel enough to be the satirical zenith about the most culturally destructive and loathsome programme of its generation.

TV Insider Blog

The Peter Kay X Factor spoof did incredibly well last night - 6.1m viewers on C4? Superb numbers there. And as a big fan of Mr Kay (more in the consistently funny sitcom Phoenix Nights than his nice-but-trad stand-up act) I was waiting with baited breath for it. The first hour was one of the biggest disappointments of the year for me. They forgot to put any jokes in.

This is Peter Kay's first major new work on TV for four years in which he spoofs - you guessed it - reality talent shows with characteristic accuracy and affection. Cat Deeley presents a 'live final' of an X-Factor-style extravaganza and it's down to three finalists - R Wayne, foursome 2 Up 2 Down, and Geraldine, played by Kay himself. The judges are Neil Fox, Nicki Chapman and Pete Waterman, and the results follow straight after a documentary about his record-breaking 2002 stand-up tour. If you are doing something else on Sunday night, you probably shouldn't be.

Behind The Scenes Photos

Some photos of Peter Kay recording the show.

Peter Kay's first new TV comedy work for four years has been heavily trailed by Channel 4, and who can blame them? I still think Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere was a brutal misfire for the popular (and undeniably brilliant) comic actor, but hopefully this will bring him back to comedy greatness. The explosion of reality talent shows might be an easy target for satire, but Kay, steeped in popular TV culture, should be able to get something from the show. Kay is Geraldine, a finalist on a talent show, hosted by Cat Deeley and judged by Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman and Neil Fox. But is Geraldine keeping a deep, dark secret, and will 'she' win out in the end?

Strictly come spoofing

Since Peter Kay became one of the hottest talents on television, through Phoenix Nights and standup, there has been understandable excitement about where he might go next on TV. It turns out that he has chosen to go for TV: the tongue-busting title of his new Channel 4 show, broadcast this Sunday, is Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Strictly on Ice - a highly evolved satire on reality TV.

Using genuine personnel from wannabe programmes (presenter Cat Deeley, judges Nicki Chapman and Pete Waterman), Kay has devised a competition between fictional contestants, including Kay himself in drag as big-hearted chanteuse Geraldine. For extra realism, the send-ups will be broadcast in two parts on the same night: an early evening heat and a late-night results show.