The Claudia Winkleman Show has landed flat with some viewers who insist the BBC have ‘made a mistake’. We delve into why the show has mixed reviews and what it means for the Traitors host’s future
Claudia admitted the first episode of her show was ‘awful'(Image: PA)
The future of Claudia Winkleman’s new BBC chat show seems to have been sealed following mixed reviews.
After leaving Strictly Come Dancing and planting her feet firmly underneath The Traitors‘ table as the smash-hit show’s host, fans expected big things from Claudia’s latest venture.
The talk show, which replaced the formidable Graham Norton’s usual slot, promised plenty of A-listers, with a new studio boasting a ‘cosy private members club feel’.
However, after the debut show aired, featuring the likes of Jennifer Saunders and The Fly star, Jeff Goldblum – who waxed lyrical about his favourite pencil on the sofa – the Claudia Winkleman Show recieved lukewarm feedback.
Some critics loved it and praised the presenter for her ‘warmth’ and ‘wit’, however, others called it “boring”, with one going so far as to suggest the BBC had a made a “huge mistake” with the idea. Others savagely warned that Claudia could ‘never replace Graham’.
READ MORE: Future of Claudia Winkleman’s show ‘up to host’ after mixed reviews
The Claudia Winkleman Show was commissioned for seven episodes on BBC
This was meant to be her ‘big move’ after her dramatic departure from Strictly, and despite it being quite a bumpy start, PR to the stars Mayah Riaz says it’s not Claudia that audiences are taking issue with.
The expert told the Daily Mirror: “Claudia is facing what feels absolutely like a format problem than a talent problem. She’s a very trusted face on our screens and the criticism is not warranted.
“What we’re seeing is that traditional chat shows are struggling to cut through. Viewers now expect intimacy, unpredictability and a sense of real access, which is exactly what podcasts and streaming formats deliver brilliantly. This is why a studio sofa and a tightly structured interview feels a bit dated in comparison. It’s not that audiences don’t want conversation, they just want it to feel less produced.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a flop, but more of a mismatch. Claudia’s appeal is her warmth, wit and slightly chaotic charm. If the format doesn’t leave room for that to breathe, it’s always going to feel a bit flat. You can’t put someone known for spontaneity into something that feels overly polished and expect magic.”
Reviews of Claudia’s show have been somewhat mixed
(Image: Getty Images)
The first episode amassed 2.5million views in the first seven days, in comparison to the most recent series of Graham Norton’s show which received 2.3million. But it failed to rank among the most watched programmes on the BBC.
Claudia has spoken openly about hiccups during the show – and just how daunting it is to take on. During a chat on Heart breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden after the first episode, the presenter admitted she was struggling with the “pressure” of the chat show format.
She joked: “The first one was so awful… I clapped a man for moving his ears. If you mention it again, I’m going to get violent. I suggest people don’t watch it. There’s only a few more, let’s pretend it never happened.”
And it’s not the first time that Claudia has used self-depreciating humour when discussing the new gig. In the preview, she told audiences: “They’ve given me a talk show. Agreed, an error. It might be excruciating.”
Some viewers to say they “switched off” after the second episode aired, despite the very famous guests. “The Claudia Winkelman Show was dreadful, boring,” one person remarked on social media, as another said: “Very, very boring, and I am a fan of Claudia, usually.”
Claudia admitted she’s struggling with the pressure of the new format(Image: Heart/Instagram)
But a PR expert says she has incredible brand resilience(Image: Heart/Instagram)
“Not sure if the show is going to last,” another person said on X, which was formerly Twitter. “Love Claudia Winkleman and she is trying her best but it all feels too forced.”
And a reccuring complaint has been made over the set – that the studio and costumes are simply too dark, making the stars look like “floating heads”. One person tweeted: “Claudia is about as visible as the drapes in the most awful set.
Another said: “Everyone is wearing such dark clothes… This must be deliberate, but why? Was there a funeral earlier? The guests’ bodies have all blended into the dark sofa, or in Winkleman’s case the brown and orange wall behind. They just looked like a bunch of floating heads. Weird.”
Meanwhile, one Reddit user fumed: “Just watched the first episode, was quite disappointed. Was really dull and random, talking about sofa colours and pencils, as said online it doesn’t feel like Friday night entertainment. Wouldn’t be against some games with the guests or some funny VT’s, or is that too American chat show like?”
However, others thought the programme was a lot of “fun” and praised the “charming” host, and many thought that it picked up in further episodes. “The Claudia Winkleman Show has officially found its feet, that was a brilliant night of entertainment,” one said after a later instalment.
The Claudia Winkleman Show has had a whole host of A-list celebrities onboard(Image: PA)
Despite the mixed response, PR guru Maya has every confidence in Claudia’s ‘resilient’ brand. “She’s built genuine affection with the public over years, and that kind of goodwill doesn’t disappear because one show didn’t land. If anything, it creates an opportunity to reposition,” the expert says.
“I’d expect to see her lean into formats that feel more natural to her. A podcast would be an obvious win, something conversational, a bit unfiltered, where her personality can lead rather than follow a script. Alternatively, she really thrives in entertainment formats where she’s reacting in the moment. That’s where she’s at her best.
She added: “It’s not Claudia that’s out of touch, it’s the chat show format that’s struggling to keep up. I’d be very surprised if she isn’t able to bounce back from this. Talent like hers doesn’t disappear, it just needs the right vehicle.”
While there is no official word on whether The Claudia Winkleman Show will continue past its first season, it has been reported that it could be renewed.
According to The Sun, BBC bosses have been pleased with ratings and “are poised to rubber stamp another series – if that’s what Claudia wants”.
Chat show king, Graham, who has hosted his own show for years with much success has now broken his silence on the programme. Commenting on Claudia’s show – which the Irishman’s company, So Television, produces – Graham insisted his pal had ‘nailed it’.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “‘What Claudia did was the Claudia Winkleman show, and that’s what she’s supposed to be doing. She shouldn’t be trying to be me. She should be trying to be Claudia, and she nailed that.”