Practise makes perfect

When Channel 4 first announced 10 o'clock Live it was expected that it would become Britain's version of Jon Stewart's Daily Show. Instead it felt more like the combination of four individually funny people doing the same thing they normally would but with other people. There was nothing wrong with that, per se, but it didn't change the world as much as expected.

Luckily the show did get a second series and now seems to be forging more its own voice rather than relying on the reputation of its presenters.

In the first series Charlie Brooker was pretty much doing old Screenwipe and Newswipe pieces. David Mitchell had his soapbox, similar to his rant videos over on the Guardian and Jimmy Carr was doing his opener from 8 Out of 10 Cats. And poor Lauren Laverne was sort of left out it mostly, every now and again given a silly pre-record to do, but sometimes felt a bit token woman.

They also tried discussions, which involved many, many people. Asking lots of different people what their opinion was on something much like a real news programme would do.

This time around there is still plenty of conversation and debate, but it is focused on the four presenters. It may not be informed discussion because they no longer have the most qualified person in the country to talk about that subject. But then they have gained something from it - humour. And I do believe that is important in satire.

However, the show is not quite at running level yet. It also suffers from the problem of relying upon the news and for that to keep on giving quality stories to make jokes about. But the turning point seemed to come this week from Charlie Brooker and his rant about The Sun newspaper. And I am glad that is starting to prove itself.

Photo: Channel 4