Saturday night TV on British television has been in the doldrums in the past few years (Strictly C/D excepted) with the two largest broadcasters rolling out some real stinkers posing as quality entertainment (Ninja Warriors, Splash anything with Keith Lemon and Stephen Mulhern in it) and the usual sing-a-thon's which have passed their sell by date.
This is a genuine breath of fresh air, with the host enthusiastically speeding though the show which is cleverly constructed with a good variety of guests, well thought out banter and some excellent regular set pieces (Midnight game show, Unexpected star) Michael comes across very well as though he is thoroughly enjoying himself and there are many laugh out loud moments without the usual "message" laden anti-comedy that infects much of the BBC's recent output.
8 Reviews
Michael's the host for this big show
studioAT26 November 2017
Michael McIntyre has tried a few formats out in order to broaden his range beyond just being a stand-up comedian (albeit a very successful one).
A one series gig on Britain's Got Talent didn't really work, and his chat show didn't fare much better.
Here though he is on much safer ground, and the public clearly agree, as this show has one various awards.
It's good natured, typically silly Saturday night entertainment, with McIntyre on good form as the host. Not all the items totally work, and it could do with varying its structure week on week, but this is good fun overall.
A one series gig on Britain's Got Talent didn't really work, and his chat show didn't fare much better.
Here though he is on much safer ground, and the public clearly agree, as this show has one various awards.
It's good natured, typically silly Saturday night entertainment, with McIntyre on good form as the host. Not all the items totally work, and it could do with varying its structure week on week, but this is good fun overall.
Michael McIntyre hosts a family show... but it's a shame it's not funny!
LTPHarry15 October 2022
Alright, to start off everything, I am not a fan of Michael McIntyre. I don't find his stand-up shows funny, his voice is annoying and to make it all up - how can he translate his brand of humour to pre-watershed Saturday night television! Well, it's simple - Gen Z humour!
A production of Hungry Bear Media, Big Show was originally a one-off programme for BBC One (much like with Take Off with Bradley and Holly which I reviewed prior) before being commissioned by the BBC for a full series, and has been successful since then. The show seems like a great idea on paper - family fun with a stand-up comedian, but just falls flat on it's face.
There are three main segments featured in almost every episode - Unexpected Guest, Send to All, and Midnight Gameshow.
Send to All is personally the segment I dislike the most of the three. It has McIntyre gaining the phone of a chosen celebrity and he embarrasses them in front of the live audience by posting cheesy text messages, showcasing images and making fun of the apps they use, and near the end he showcases who's responded to the messages. The reason I dislike Send to All it is mainly for the fact it stereotypes celebrities as being people who do nothing but go on their phones all the time and passes it off as cheap comedy. It's heavily acted out because celebrities wouldn't even give out their personal details to a comedian, because - who knows what happens? Even the responses seem acted out.
Midnight Gameshow has McIntyre going to a celebrity's house (originally, an audience member's house), wakes them up in the middle of the night and he makes them play a bunch of games... or so we guess. In actuality, he brings in a bunch of people and surprises them all - mainly childhood crushes or role-models. Sometimes parents too! I am mixed on this segment, firstly I never laugh at it - and secondly it's always interesting seeing how the celebrities react when McIntyre comes in uninvited. Thirdly, it seems like the celebrities know McIntyre is there, but the surprises he brings in are thankfully genuine.
Lastly, Unexpected Guest is quite fun when it involves a member of the public, but the whole concept is the same. McIntyre surprises the person, but makes them think they're doing something else or going to a place (eg, a game arcade or a salon) but after a while reveals that it's the theatre where Big Show is held. If the guest sings songs, you may see them at the very end of the episode. As I stated, this is a nice segment
There are also music performances and sometimes stand-up performances from other comedians, although these all depend on the episode. They're not really worth it and just exist to fill out the hour-long timeslot.
Overall, Michael McIntyre's Big Show isn't that funny and is a pain to watch, but can be good when it needs to. There's reasons why I prefer watching shows that are made to be more timeless instead of catering to peeps who are obsessed with their phones and social media programs like TikTok. You might find it funny if you like McIntyre, but all I had on my face most of the time (I mean all the time) was a straight mouth.
Aside from that, McIntyre also has his game show format The Wheel, which he created when this show went on hiatus due to the pandemic. But that can wait for another time.
A production of Hungry Bear Media, Big Show was originally a one-off programme for BBC One (much like with Take Off with Bradley and Holly which I reviewed prior) before being commissioned by the BBC for a full series, and has been successful since then. The show seems like a great idea on paper - family fun with a stand-up comedian, but just falls flat on it's face.
There are three main segments featured in almost every episode - Unexpected Guest, Send to All, and Midnight Gameshow.
Send to All is personally the segment I dislike the most of the three. It has McIntyre gaining the phone of a chosen celebrity and he embarrasses them in front of the live audience by posting cheesy text messages, showcasing images and making fun of the apps they use, and near the end he showcases who's responded to the messages. The reason I dislike Send to All it is mainly for the fact it stereotypes celebrities as being people who do nothing but go on their phones all the time and passes it off as cheap comedy. It's heavily acted out because celebrities wouldn't even give out their personal details to a comedian, because - who knows what happens? Even the responses seem acted out.
Midnight Gameshow has McIntyre going to a celebrity's house (originally, an audience member's house), wakes them up in the middle of the night and he makes them play a bunch of games... or so we guess. In actuality, he brings in a bunch of people and surprises them all - mainly childhood crushes or role-models. Sometimes parents too! I am mixed on this segment, firstly I never laugh at it - and secondly it's always interesting seeing how the celebrities react when McIntyre comes in uninvited. Thirdly, it seems like the celebrities know McIntyre is there, but the surprises he brings in are thankfully genuine.
Lastly, Unexpected Guest is quite fun when it involves a member of the public, but the whole concept is the same. McIntyre surprises the person, but makes them think they're doing something else or going to a place (eg, a game arcade or a salon) but after a while reveals that it's the theatre where Big Show is held. If the guest sings songs, you may see them at the very end of the episode. As I stated, this is a nice segment
There are also music performances and sometimes stand-up performances from other comedians, although these all depend on the episode. They're not really worth it and just exist to fill out the hour-long timeslot.
Overall, Michael McIntyre's Big Show isn't that funny and is a pain to watch, but can be good when it needs to. There's reasons why I prefer watching shows that are made to be more timeless instead of catering to peeps who are obsessed with their phones and social media programs like TikTok. You might find it funny if you like McIntyre, but all I had on my face most of the time (I mean all the time) was a straight mouth.
Aside from that, McIntyre also has his game show format The Wheel, which he created when this show went on hiatus due to the pandemic. But that can wait for another time.
Doctor Who is replaced by this muppet???
sampofinn26 December 2018
Horrible choice. Ruined Christmas beyond all repair. The Shot callers who made this choice need to be sacked. Dragged through the streets really. Perhaps tarred and feathered. It's akin to kicking puppies and shooting reindeer all in one. Michael McIntyre's Big Show..... Bah Humbug!!
Disgusting, very bad
romeooscarbravowhiskey15 May 2021
Michael mcintyre big show 2022
jazandraj17 October 2022
Michael Mcintyre Big Show
Important Non priority ticket holders travelling from outside of London. .... DON'T BOTHER.
After speaking to a senior manager of the show before travelling.....whom advised "get there in good time. Tickets are confirmed for most" .... so we got there 1hr and 20 min beforehand... plenty of time beforehand...only to be told there fully booked!
We only came to London for this show... so time off work, travel time, travel cost, parking cost, food etc ... all lost.
Tickets are free... but what about all the costs mentioned above? Honestly think about it....
Not only were they fully booked but they had 60 people on standby...heavily over subscribed.. plus another 60 guests behind us which were also refused
No tickets are guaranteed. .. you need to be there all day from 11am to ensure you actually have a ticket... not really possible if you coming from the Midlands..
My opinion if you don't have priority tickets then don't bother...
Management are awfully... simply be honest for long distant travellers.
Michael Mcintyre Big Show
Important Non priority ticket holders travelling from outside of London. .... DON'T BOTHER.
After speaking to a senior manager of the show before travelling.....whom advised "get there in good time. Tickets are confirmed for most" .... so we got there 1hr and 20 min beforehand... plenty of time beforehand...only to be told there fully booked!
We only came to London for this show... so time off work, travel time, travel cost, parking cost, food etc ... all lost.
Tickets are free... but what about all the costs mentioned above? Honestly think about it....
Not only were they fully booked but they had 60 people on standby...heavily over subscribed..
No tickets are guaranteed. .. you need to be there all day from 11am to ensure you actually have a ticket... not really possible if you coming from the Midlands..
My opinion if you don't have priority tickets then don't bother...
Management are awfully... simply be honest for long distant travellers.
Important Non priority ticket holders travelling from outside of London. .... DON'T BOTHER.
After speaking to a senior manager of the show before travelling.....whom advised "get there in good time. Tickets are confirmed for most" .... so we got there 1hr and 20 min beforehand... plenty of time beforehand...only to be told there fully booked!
We only came to London for this show... so time off work, travel time, travel cost, parking cost, food etc ... all lost.
Tickets are free... but what about all the costs mentioned above? Honestly think about it....
Not only were they fully booked but they had 60 people on standby...heavily over subscribed.. plus another 60 guests behind us which were also refused
No tickets are guaranteed. .. you need to be there all day from 11am to ensure you actually have a ticket... not really possible if you coming from the Midlands..
My opinion if you don't have priority tickets then don't bother...
Management are awfully... simply be honest for long distant travellers.
Michael Mcintyre Big Show
Important Non priority ticket holders travelling from outside of London. .... DON'T BOTHER.
After speaking to a senior manager of the show before travelling.....whom advised "get there in good time. Tickets are confirmed for most" .... so we got there 1hr and 20 min beforehand... plenty of time beforehand...only to be told there fully booked!
We only came to London for this show... so time off work, travel time, travel cost, parking cost, food etc ... all lost.
Tickets are free... but what about all the costs mentioned above? Honestly think about it....
Not only were they fully booked but they had 60 people on standby...heavily over subscribed..
No tickets are guaranteed. .. you need to be there all day from 11am to ensure you actually have a ticket... not really possible if you coming from the Midlands..
My opinion if you don't have priority tickets then don't bother...
Management are awfully... simply be honest for long distant travellers.
Terrible
towers-362852 April 2021
Rubbish
bigtaylor10 February 2024
The big show is a add for the wheel that has bad ratings. What a load of rubbish. Turned it off when he tried the ant and Dec knocking on doors. It's so not funny won't bother watching any more.
I don't watch the wheel so why do I turn this on but still have to watch the wheel? It's rubbish please bbc give us something that is good for staying in on a Saturday night.
No wonder people are stopping paying for tv licence.
All this and it won't let me post till I use another 122 characters how to say the program is rubbish and I have turned it off. He is not funny and is Tring so hard to get viewing.
I don't watch the wheel so why do I turn this on but still have to watch the wheel? It's rubbish please bbc give us something that is good for staying in on a Saturday night.
No wonder people are stopping paying for tv licence.
All this and it won't let me post till I use another 122 characters how to say the program is rubbish and I have turned it off. He is not funny and is Tring so hard to get viewing.
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