THE Nightly Show has needed every viewer it can get after a seven-week run of ups and downs.
But one man who has been watching every second is incoming host JASON MANFORD, who takes the reins tomorrow.
The comedian is backing himself to turn around the ITV show’s fortunes before the current series ends on April 21 and a decision is made on its future.
In an exclusive interview, he said: “I’m really looking forward to it, to be honest. As a comic, you always think, ‘Well it’ll be all right when I do it’.
“I think it’s harder for non-comics, because you’ve got to just take the writers’ jokes. But I’ve been watching every minute of it — literally taking notes.
“And what I’ve noticed so far is that when JOHN BISHOP was doing the monologue, his was the strongest, and that’s because he’s a comic and it’s his thing.
“But when DERMOT O’LEARY was doing the interviews, I think his were the strongest of them, because he knows that world. A lot of it has been very good.”
The Sun told earlier this month how ITV bosses plan to push the programme back half an hour if it returns for another series, which would mean reinstating the News at Ten at its original slot.
And I revealed last week they were asking Dermot to come back for a second stint for the final week — a sure-fire sign he is in the lead when it comes to finding a host for the second series, if there is one.
The series has had its problems, with ratings sometimes dipping below one million, but I think it’s great ITV has tried something different.
Jason, who also has another big ITV hosting gig coming up in gameshow Bigheads, has backed the channel’s bold foray into late-night chat shows and insists it was right to try the idea.
He said: “You’ve got to work out what works and doesn’t work — but unfortunately in the case of The Nightly Show the only way to do that is live on television.
“But hopefully, by week seven we should have nailed it.
“It’s nice to be asked to do something like this because it’s a big deal for ITV and they’ve really invested in it.
“Having one person with one vision driving a show, right or wrong, is very refreshing and I think that’s the way TV should be done.”
In a world of safe television choices, good on ITV for giving the idea a go.
READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON’S BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Vic pushes Jen to the limit
QUEEN VICTORIA gave birth NINE times – meaning actress JENNA COLEMAN has a few more challenging labour scenes ahead of her.
So the actress, who plays the monarch in ITV’s Victoria, has sought advice from those who have been there before.
She said: “I got tips in the make-up truck before. They told me the pain is all in the back. Only eight more babies to go . . . ”
The former Doctor Who star – who swapped her regal get-up for something a bit comfier at the BFI and Radio Times festival this weekend – also opened up about the harsh reality of the series being set being in rainy Yorkshire.
She said: “Our studio is in an airport hangar.
“So you kind of get hit with reality because you walk out of the studio, it’s Yorkshire, it’s been raining, you have to put on your wellies, pick up your dress and try to walk to your trailer.
“The practicalities of it bring you back down to earth.”
Maybe not quite as tough as Queen Vic had it with those nine babies, though.
Abbey’s outfits on tour
A DOWNTON Abbey movie has been on the cards for nearly two years.
But fans awaiting the long-rumoured blockbuster may be reunited with the hit drama sooner than they think.
I can reveal that a massive Downton Abbey exhibition, showcasing the ITV series, is set to tour the world.
A source said: “This is huge news for Downton fans who have been desperately holding on to the franchise ever since the series ended back in 2015.
“The scripts for the movie are well under way but it still doesn’t seem as though it will be arriving at the big screen any time soon – so this exhibition should fill the gap while we wait.
“It’s going to be a massive travelling exhibition so all fans from across the world will get the chance to reunite with the series.”
Props and scripts will be on show, along with costumes worn by the likes of DAME MAGGIE SMITH, who played the Dowager Countess, LAURA CARMICHAEL, who portrayed Lady Edith and MICHELLE DOCKERY who played Lady Mary.
JEREMY SWIFT, who played butler Septimus Spratt, recently revealed that the Downton movie is set to be made later this year.
He admitted: “It’s supposed to be filming this year but it hasn’t been locked down yet.”
I hope it’s worth the wait – and the hype.
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More first Aid-an
AIDAN TURNER is used to putting his body on the line in Poldark, having already suffered a serious knock to the head while filming the drama.
And now he’s got another injury to add to the list.
He said of filming the third series, which will screen on BBC1 in the summer: “I do pretty much all of my own stunts – I broke my hand.”
But he won’t give up the physical challenges. He explained: “It was a lot of fun, running around in the woods with guns, jumping on boats. Action is fun to do.
Aidan also revealed: “In the new series Dwight’s ship goes missing off the coast of France, so Ross rallies some of his pals to try and find out where he is.”
I hope he got his pirate pals to sign his cast.
Ricky butts back
HE learnt his trade on the mean streets of Chester as Calvin Valentine in Hollyoaks.
And now RICKY WHITTLE’s fighting skills have caused carnage on his latest project.
The actor hospitalised a co-star filming new Amazon series American Gods when a brutal fight scene ended in disaster.
The Wire’s PABLO SCHREIBER needed to have his head glued up after he accidentally butted Ricky and burst open his own forehead.
Ricky said: “He grabs my shoulder and sinks his 6ft 5in frame into me. He caught me square in the forehead.
“He’s lying on the floor and I’m like, ‘OK, stop p*****g around’.
“Then he came up and his head was pouring with blood.”
Ricky probably shouldn’t be quite so proud.
SOAPBOX
IT’S easy to forget friendships can be made as well as destroyed on EASTENDERS– but that is exactly what happens this week.
Tensions between Carmel and Stacey over access to Arthur are diffused thanks to Max, who gets close to Carmel over a drink at the Queen Vic.
After their tipple, he asks Stacey if she’ll consider patching things up with Carmel, although at first it isn’t clear if she’ll relent.
Meanwhile on EMMERDALE, just days after Aaron gets out of prison, he and Robert hear some truly shocking news which could relate to Rebecca.
Elsewhere, Debbie grows increasingly jealous of the connection Faith and Sarah seem to have.
I wonder if she’ll internalise the situation – or hatch a devious plan.