Claudia Winkleman's new BBC One Friday night chatshow, The Claudia Winkleman Show, has ended its first series with mixed reviews, marking what some see as a rare misstep for the presenter known for her 'Midas touch'. The show, which launched on 13 March, drew 1.5 million viewers for its debut, slightly more than the last episode of The Graham Norton Show's 33rd series, with catch-up viewing adding 700,000.
Despite reasonable ratings, critics argue that Winkleman struggled to escape the shadow of Graham Norton, whose production company So Television co-produced the show. The format, which includes audience participation and a pre-credits cold open, has been compared unfavourably to Norton's established style. One notable moment saw a guest mention attending a Graham Norton recording, highlighting the ongoing comparison.
Winkleman also faced challenges in booking A-list guests, as her series aired during Norton's break, missing Hollywood's awards season. Her guests largely came from theatre and comedy, including actors Phil Dunster, Cush Jumbo, Dan Levy, and comedian Josh Widdicombe. The show's website promises guests from 'film, TV and beyond', but heavy hitters were scarce.
The broader decline of the chatshow format, with celebrities now favouring podcasts and live streams, also posed a challenge. Winkleman's show is expected to get a second series due to viewing figures, but a third is uncertain. Critics note that while Winkleman is a superb presenter, her niceness may not suit the chatshow sofa, unlike Norton's sharper edge.
