"10 O'Clock Live" - the Last Episode

Tonight will see the last episode of ‘10 O’Clock Live’. It’s been an interesting run if only to read all the criticism and some well meant advice. I’m guessing not many people will miss the show when it’s all over, and I’m guessing not many people are interested in discussing the possibilities for a second series. But looking back at the last few episodes, I think there is a promise we shouldn’t ignore.

It took long for the show to find its feet, if it has in the 15 episodes run at all. From start to finish the makers of the show have been trying things out, moving pieces around and pretty much stumbled to the finish line. It’s unfair to say it has been a total fail; there has been improvement and especially Charlie Brooker and David Mitchell have grown into their roles of live presenters.

You’d also think they must have learned something over the course of 15 weeks. It would be a waste of all that knowledge to evaporate. Also, a new series gives the opportunity to rebuild the show considerably giving it a new start. Maybe a personnel change could help too. They get almost a whole year to research and tweak the concept. Or for the first few months give it a rest and then return to look at it with fresh views.

Even though there are many reasons to not commission ‘10 O’Clock Live’ a second series, there are also a lot of reasons to commission a second series. If a second series is commissioned, a lot of work needs to be done, but it could grow out to be something good.

Looking back at the passed 14 weeks we saw a few things:
 What does the show want to be? A discussion program, a commentady (commentary/comedy) show or a sketch show?
 BTW, the sketches; what’s up with that?
 Why are they trying to cover the whole world every week; there are too many items in there? I don’t think we were ever granted the opportunity to enjoy a conclusive discussion, or to breathe at all.
 What’s the point of Lauren Laverne?
 It’s a lefty, Guardian writers and readers fest.
 And it’s not really a full fletched laugh out loud show, is it?

Improvements over the weeks:
 Charlie Brooker.
 David Mitchell is growing into his role of interviewer, be it very slowly.
 They shut up the audiences for an important great deal of the show.
 Charlie Brooker and David Mitchell have found their feet in the live format of the show; they’re less nervous than they used to be, or they now just think ‘Bollocks to them all’.

We’re still missing:
 A nice pace, especially for the interviews;
 Edgy comedy or if you will satire;
 The promised unashamed intelligence;
 A team that work well Together.

To conclude my ‘10 O’Clock Live’ rants series (I don’t think I will write a review for this evening’s show unless something remarkable happens which I don’t expect) I want to do a last rating of the presenters:
1. Charlie Brooker, because he’s the one who grew into it considerably and offers the most thought provoking and funny material.
2. David Mitchell, because he’s been from the start the most consistent even though his growth isn’t as notable as CB’s.
3. Jimmy Carr, because he sometimes says something intelligent at the table and he did at least 1 or 2 funny sketches, though overall he’s been sort of insufferable.
4. Lauren Laverne; just lost in translation. Such a shame.