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gfloyd

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a75119/dara-obriain-to-be-itvs-new-chat-king.html

Dara O'Briain is to take over as ITV's chat show king when Michael Parkinson retires, according to a report.

The comedian will apparently start with a 5pm chat show before being moved into a peak slot when Parkinson leaves later this year.

An insider told The Sun: "We love Dara and have great plans for him. He’s very warm and can get a lot out of people, which is what you want when you’re interviewing stars.

"He’s also extremely entertaining as he has a background in comedy. He’ll be more like Jonathan Ross than Parky, but he’s exactly the kind of upbeat host we need."

O'Briain currently hosts BBC Two's Mock the Week and is said to have impressed ITV chiefs with a recent part in its stand-up show Tough Gig.

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Dara would be great at the chatshow. Hope he lands the gig.
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His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....

Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:18 am Post subject:

I like Dara and his Edinburgh chat show (on Paramount Comedy Channel) was very much in the Des O'Connor/Bob Monkhouse mould, but I'm not sure about this plan.

Ever since Paul O'Grady was a hit, ITV just seem to churn out mediocre chat shows presented by whichever 'name' is flavour of the month eg Anthony Cotton, Nigella Lawson, Sharon Osbourne, Richard Hammond...

So I can't see this being a huge hit - O'Briain gets 3-4m viewers on the BBC (more if it's Have I Got News For You) but his Tough Gig was a flop and caused the series to be pulled.

gfloyd · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:58 am Post subject:

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

I like Dara as a comedian and participant (or chair) of things like HIGNFY or Mock The Week, but on the evidence of his earlier attempt "Turn Back Time" fear he may be wasted as "chat show" host.

When will they learn that what they don't need is a comedian or big personality who's going to upstage, interrupt or hog all conversation (Wogan, Woss, Leno) or whose act takes up most of the show leaving the guests as an afterthought (O'Grady, Baker, Letterman), but someone a bit more serious who can give his/her guests their head while still keeping control when needs be. Haven't seen enough of him to judge properly yet but I'd have thought that there's an ideal candidate currently sitting on ITV at three in the afternoon.
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Ron

Ian Robinson · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:08 pm Post subject:

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Yes, I do just about remember him on Pebble Mill. Trouble with that, and with his current afternoon slot, is that they're as frustrating as Breakfast News or GMTV. Interviews are chopped off just as they're getting interesting in the name of today's slick production style and perceived lack of audience attention span.

I think he would transfer well. Perhaps he doesn't like working late, but then it doesn't have to be live...
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Ron

Ian Robinson · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:46 am Post subject:

He was up late for the Proms on Saturday.

gfloyd · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 6:24 pm Post subject:

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Dora Bryan ? Shocked

She's still looking good if that's here on the right at this profile site Laughing

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/artists/b/Dora-Bryan/index-449649.html

firewirefred · Guest

I wish they would just accept that the chat show as we know it is now dead and buried with Parky's show ending. Today's chat shows are merely vehicles for their hosts, and since audiences have the attention span of a gnat (it would seem) is it really worth it?

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558