Davina McColl

[4getmenot]

I have always liked Davina and found her funny from when she did Street Mate to Big Brother. But in her new show Davina she has really let herself down. She seems quite nervous all the time and putting on trying to be funny. What are other peoples views on this??

[andy-hughes]

The BBC seems to be making a habit of over-estimating the appeal of certain individuals - the most recent being Graham Norton - a celebrity with no home to go to.

Davina has been perceived as 'cutting edge' because her peculiar shouty style suits the few minutes before Big Brother starts, and the interviewing of 'stars' within that format.

What the viewing public have realised - and eventually the BBC will have to swallow its pride and write off the budget for this show - is that playing stooge to 'stars' puffing their latest book / film / record is not rocket science, but it does require considerably more skill to appear natural and unforced, than Davina possesses.

Her nerves translate as either brittle forced questioning, or overly gushing laughter, neither of which endear her to a viewing audience who will soon be able to watch Parkinson doing the same thing far better on ITV.

These days a 'chat show' consists of feeding banal questions to 'celebrities' with something to sell, or acting as a stooge, feeding lines to a tired past-it comedian who is phoning in their routine from the seat opposite. Parky may be well past his sell-by date, but even on auto-pilot his experience and reputation still leave him streets ahead of the likes of Davina, who cannot even be considered as 'competition'.

Any bets on a second series - or even lasting to the end of the run on this one?

[4getmenot]

Yer I bet you �1000 it wont last :-) Yet again Andy- Hughes you've given me a brilliant answer.

[jon1968]

It really is toe-curlingly painful to watch - I tried but had to turn over, as I'm sure many others did!!

[jedimistress]

I didn't watch it, but I have gone off Davina a lot over the years. Just too samey.

[andy-hughes]

Thank you 4getmenot - you'll understand if I don't take you up on your offer!

[4getmenot]

Tenner??

[treacle84]

Yeah 4getmenot, I watched it for the 1st time yesterday and was quite disappointed. I like Davina but I am going off her a bit now because she's getting everywhere. I can't see it lasting either but we'll see... :)

[andy-hughes]

I'll tell you what - if the series gets pulled, post on here, and I'll donate a tenner to the 'charridee' of your choice - I am sure you know you can trust me.

[4getmenot]

Deal :-)

[andy-hughes]

Hey 4getmenot - did you notice, this week the musical guests have gone up by one, the 'being shouted at / fawned over' guests have gone down by one.

I've got my money ready!

[4getmenot]

Goodo I've got my charity ready :-) She hasnt had very good reviews in papers this week.

[4getmenot]

andy-hughes I read in paper yesterday that Davina has already lost 1 mil of her viewers. Oh dear.

[andy-hughes]

the Beeb may be forced to let it run to the end, because they've talked up so much about being "100% behind Davina ...." but there's no way she'll be back if she limps to the end of this run.

What bothers me is, I, and millions of other people could have told the BBC that she wouldn't be any good - why do they pay six-figure salaries to Commissioning Editors who can't see what's staring them in the face?

[4getmenot]

Spose its a 'you wont know unless you try'