Holly Willoughby's new YouTube series Together has launched, but its first episode with Stanley Tucci may have needed more pace, according to a review by Mark Jefferies.
A relaxed start with a swear
Within five seconds of the show, Willoughby swears, saying "I f***ing love this man" as she introduces Tucci. The tone is deliberately relaxed, marking a shift from her daytime television persona. The pair open wine and beer and prepare a pasta dish in the kitchen.
Cooking and chatting prove tricky
The show runs for 50 minutes, but the simple pasta dish could have been completed in a tighter 30-40 minute episode, Jefferies suggests. At one point, the conversation flows so freely that they forget to put the pasta on. The one-guest format may need multiple guests with a connection to keep the conversation lively, the review adds.
Personal anecdotes and crew interaction
Willoughby shares personal details: her mother is a bad cook, her husband Dan snaps pasta to fit it in the pan at home (to Tucci's disgust), she gets hangovers from white wine, loves Greggs sausage rolls, and makes flavoured vodka in her dishwasher. The crew, including husband Dan, helps the show feel organic.
Future prospects
Jefferies concludes that the show has the right ingredients in Willoughby but needs to use them better. As she becomes more experienced with cooking on screen, the episodes may become slicker. Together launches with two episodes per week on YouTube, digital streaming platforms and across social media.
