Review: Michael McIntyre's Big Show, BBC1, episode 2

I think I preferred him as a chat show host where there was more scope to be a comedian, less scope to be an all-round family entertainer.

Review: Michael McIntyre tried to copy Ant and Dec

Trouble is, Ant and Dec do all this so much better -- and quicker and slicker. In the time it took Michael to thank the acrobats, with endless appeals for applause, the Geordie boys could have crammed in two extra sketches.

Michael McIntyre makes solid BBC1 ratings debut

The debut of Michael McIntyre's Big Show on BBC One on Saturday pulled in 4.8 million viewers for the BBC, comfortably beating ITV's new family gameshow Bang on the Money.

Michael McIntyre's Big Show review

I laughed several times. Truth be told, in terms of entertainment per minute it put an average episode of Britain's Got Talent to shame.

Here's what viewers made of Michael McIntyre's Big Show

Michael McIntyre's Big Show on BBC One has viewers divided.

Seizing the "Beeb does variety shtick" baton from John Bishop, McIntyre launches his latest well-meaning if MOR venture, filmed at the Theatre Royal in London. This week Geri Horner (formerly Halliwell) falls victim to the Send To All treatment, with the host embarking on the brand of text-based trolling that will be familiar from his chat show. There's also acrobatics, a performance from Tinie Tempah and an unsuspecting civilian is given the chance to duet with Michael Ball.

Is Michael McIntyre the funniest man in Britain?

The cheeky comic turns variety host in a new Saturday night series for BBC One, Michael McIntyre's Big Show, and it looks likely to be yet another hit for him.

In the sitcom Extras, Ricky Gervais's character, Andy Millman, has his comedy script accepted by the BBC. Any writer struggling for their big break would be overjoyed, but Millman keeps his cool in the initial meeting with the Beeb and is at pains to stress the comedy should be shown on BBC2. Instead of grabbing at anything, he insists it should not be shown in BBC1. After all, a comedy on BBC1 prime time can't be particularly clever or subversive can it? So what of comedy shows that are not only on BBC1 but, whisper it, on BBC1 on a Saturday night?

Specifically, what of a comedy that has been brought in to replace The Voice in the schedule? Can it be any good? This is not an hour of stand-up, which would have been a brave and welcome move. Instead, it's more of a variety show, hosted by Michael McIntyre. There will be sketches, singing, acrobatics, and pranks on the audience. It's Saturday night TV without a doubt.

McIntyre's brand is a finer art than late-night comedy

Michael McIntyre's brand of light entertainment is a finer art than expletive-filled late-night comedy.