I have a soft spot for the magazine format: particularly if it's live, with reports on consumer affairs, c-list celebrities plugging their wares, perhaps a few pointless games, topical vox-pops with elderly shoppers in a city centre, and safe-hand presenters doing their utmost to make it all seem like great fun...
The One Show has been a surprise hit on the BBC. After a month trial in August 2006 (with presenters Adrian Chiles and Nadia Sawalha), the proper series began last summer – with Sawalha replaced by former popstar Myleene Klass. In August '07, Klass left the show to give birth to her first child, and has now been permanently replaced by Irish presenter Christine Bleakley.
I think the change worked wonders, actually. Klass was okay – far better than her musical credentials would have you suspect -- but she always seemed to be trying too hard, and her pairing with Chiles was eerily father/daughter-like. Bleakley is a better partnership -- despite being only 3 years younger than Klass, at 26! I wouldn't be surprised if someone's been lying on their CV, though... she's mid-30s, surely?
The One Show will never be must-see television, but it's definitely something you can flick on at 7 pm and usually find something to hold your interest for a few minutes. It's light, entertaining, non-patronizing... but naff enough to undermine any pretensions.
And just look at its eclectic mix of reporters: John Sergeant (waffling on about sheds once), ex-cricketer Phil Tufnell (sent to report on crazy golf!), former hurdler Colin Jackson, hyperactive kid's presenter Angellica Bell, dancing Dungeon Master look-alike Dominic Littlewood, Scottish historian Neil Oliver (presenting deleted scenes from Coast, usually), irritating roving reporter Hardeep Singh Kholi, toffy-nosed Carol Thatcher, and enthusiastic Dan Snow.
Oh, and not forgetting the best tea-time treat on the box: delectable Ellie Harrison (above) and her wildlife reports. There's a rumour* Ellie's credentials aren't up to snuff as an ecologist, as she started out a secretary at Five, before getting noticed by an executive and thrown into presenting Milkshake, Extreme Football and Michaela's Challenge. But hey, I'd still rather get my badger-watching advice from Ellie over Kate Humble any day!
So hats off to The One Show. It really shouldn't work, but somehow it does. There's something very inclusive about watching live magazine shows -- particularly ones that don't have delusions of grandeur, and manage to balance silliness with seriousness.
Weekdays,
BBC1, 7.00 pm
* It's only a rumour, though. I'm sure Ellie's genuinely interested and knowledgeable about nature. But, y'know, it helps that she's cute, too...
