Crispy Comedy Cuts TV insider Aaron Childs shares his thoughts on the Channel Four show as it eases in to it’s difficult second series.
The super group, plus Lauren Laverne are back for a second series, which to some will seem to be quite a surprise. I know that I was a tad shocked. But the thing with 10 O’Clock Live is that it’s the potential that we all buy into. It should work really well, or at least better then the first series did.
Luckily series two is proving better and tighter than the disjointed first run. It’s held together by the sparing between hosts which has become more relaxed and sharper. The fact that they aren’t particularly smooth at links or even live T.V as a whole, is almost endearing. They now tend to give each other enough space to breathe and are obviously more at ease with their environment, less eager to fill any and every silence pause.
Certain aspects that should be easy wins, come across badly and sit on a weird tangent to other content. In one episode Jimmy Carr’s lizard version of Rupert Murdoch should have been a breeze but instead missed the mark on numerous points when compared to Charlie Brookers Sun Poem or precise demolition of the Kony 2012 campaign and it’s free spirited creator Jason Russell.
The format and feel of the show is based on numerous previous incarnations from years gone by but personally I can’t help seeing John Stewart’s little face whenever I tune in. But if 10 O’Clock Live can become a ‘slightly less funny British Daily Show’ I’ll be more than happy.
And after all Charlie Brooker should have a show that is as well loved as John Stewart’s. This should work, it does at times come very close to it’s full potential and if all they need is more time and practice then I for one will tune in to support it. Maybe one day we will all be able to look back and say ‘I remember when that use to be a bit shit’.
