Poll Result: who is your favourite chat show host?

Last week I asked you to name your favourite chat show host, and the results are now in! There were 51 votes and here's the outcome:

NO VOTES

Alan Carr (above-right), Chelsea Lately, Jimmy Fallon (above-left), Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Leno, Larry King, Craig Kilborn & Paul O'Grady.

ONE VOTE

Alan Titchmarsh* (2.50%) for his daytime ITV chat show.

6th – David Letterman, Ellen DeGeneres,
Piers Morgan & Stephen Colbert (2.56%)

A surprisingly low entry for David Letterman, who's one of the big-name US chat show hosts; a surprise show of support for Ellen DeGeneres (one of very few female chat show hosts); a slightly disappointing show of love for Stephen Colbert (the fact his show's not airing in the UK may be to blame); and a nod for Britain's own Piers Morgan now he's taken over from Larry King on CNN. (Americans still haven't realized he's an oily, sycophantic rat.)

5th – Conan O'Brien (5.13%)

In many ways more famous for the furor over his Tonight Show stint, which saw him replaced by his own predecessor, Jay Leno, after they both flopped in their new roles. Conan's always been the hipper alternative to the likes of Letterman and Leno, and it's no surprise he's popular in the UK because his style's perhaps closest to that of British chat show hosts. Still, his new TBS show isn't available to UK audience, which perhaps hampered his position in this poll

4th – Jon Stewart (7.69%)

More a satirical comedian and presenter than a chat show host, if we're honest, but The Daily Show has been a cult hit in the UK for a few years now—although that era was dealt a blow recently, when More4 stopped airing it.

3rd - Jonathan Ross (20.51%)

Like Conan, perhaps more famous for behind-the-scenes turmoil just lately (after his radio scandal with Russell Brand), but Ross has been chatting with the rich and famous for over 20 years to great acclaim in the UK. His recent show Friday Night was a highlight of the TV week (particularly in the mid-'00s), as his flippant and saucy attitude often charmed and astonished those on his sofa—particularly American stars, who were often visibly  amazed at how risqué and unrehearsed the conversation could get. It's just a shame Ross slowly became a parody of himself in later years (often overstepping the line and just becoming embarrassing), before the BBC effectively neutered him after his radio prank backlash.

2nd - Craig Ferguson (25.64%)

A very surprising entry, to me! Craig Ferguson's a very interesting case—as he's essentially found a way to bring some of his British-born wit and attitude to the strict format of the venerable US chat show. It's perhaps not surprising he has a strong British following, given his Scottish roots, and perhaps Americans appreciate his irreverence because it's in some way refreshing?

1st – Graham Norton (28.21%)

The clear winner was Graham Norton, who's on something of a roll just now with his Friday night chat show, which recently won a BAFTA. It also helps that his show gets aired in the US on BBC America, only a few weeks behind the UK broadcast. Norton's never quite managed to better his Channel 4 series So Graham Norton, which was considerably more rude and daring, but his BBC show has started to find a good balance just lately. In particular, the format of having three guests on together (usually a big US star, a UK star, and a comedian) has been a real masterstroke. The four-way conversation works surprisingly well and can be very entertaining if the dynamic is right between the celebs, and the ensemble feel to the chat is like a breathe of fresh air in chat show terms. It also helps that the guests are apparently plied with booze beforehand, so everyone's very relaxed and often more daring with their anecdotes. Norton himself is an acquire taste perhaps, but his impish good humour works well to assure guests they're in safe hands, assured of a good time, and can perhaps go that extra mile.

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Poll: who is your favourite chat show host?

This week, I want to know who your favourite chat show host is. The only stipulation is they need to have fronted a chat show within the past two years, so you can't choose past masters like Michael Parkinson or Johnny Carson.

I've prepared a list below that covers most of the major chat show hosts in the UK and US. You can choose ONE from my list, or vote for your own as the "other" vote. (And yes, I've included Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, even though their shows only include a chat show element, because I know they'll be popular.)

To stoke discussion in the comments: what actually makes a good chat show host? Do you like the serious approach of a Piers Morgan or his predecessor Larry King, or do you prefer the playfulness of Graham Norton and Paul O'Grady? Do comedians make the best chat show hosts, or journalists? Why are there so few female hosts? Do you think the US have this format down to a fine art, or do you think the likes of Letterman and Leno stagnated long ago?

It seems to me that most US chat shows are very rehearsed (rarely are a guest's anecdotes impromptu), whereas British chat shows seem to ply the guests with booze and have fun. I've lost count of the amount of times a big American guest looks genuinely delighted by the lack of restrictions placed on them during their UK appearances—and not just in terms of our relaxed attitude to profanity. They can honestly kick back and have a laugh, assured that the host will find time to plug their wares, and they'll come across as likeable human beings in the process. Is that fair to say?

Also, do any Americans here watch Graham Norton on BBC America? If so, what are your thoughts on that show and the difference in style between someone like Norton and someone like, say, Jimmy Fallon?

Vote below!




This poll will close on 1 July. The results will be made available here shortly after. To ensure good results, it would be helpful if you could help this poll go viral using Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon, Google+1, etc. This is a direct link to the poll itself.

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Poll Result: who is your favourite TV father?

To celebrate Father's Day (which is today, if you've forgotten), I asked you to name your THREE favourite dads from television last week. There were 85 votes collected, with the results compiled below:

ONE VOTE

Mike Brady, Jim Royle, Arrested Development's George Bluth Sr, Seinfeld's Frank Costanza, Cliff Huxtable, 2.4 Children's Ben Porter, Archie Bunker, Kyle XY's Stephen Trager*, Fringe's Walter Bishop*, Louis C.K*, Hawaii Five-O's Danny*, The Middle's Mike Heck*, Little House On The Prairie's Charles Ingalls*, Peep Show's Mark*, Modern Family's Phil Dunphy*, Dexter's Harry Morgan*, Doctor Who's Rory*, Dawon's Creek's Mitch Leery*, Smallville's Jonathan Kent*, The Walton's John Walton*, The Courtship Of Eddie's Father's Tom Corbett* & Home Improvement's Tim Taylor*

TWO VOTES

Frasier's Martin Crane, Hank Hill, Roseanne's Dan Conner, Glee's Burt Hummel & Friday Night Light's Eric Taylor*

THREE VOTES

Breaking Bad's Walter White, Outnumbered's Pete Brockman, Heroes' Noah Bennet, Happy Days' Howard Cunningham, My Family's Ben Harper, Al Bundy, Veronica Mars' Keith Mars* & Richard Castle*

5th - FOUR VOTES

Arrested Development's Michael Bluth, Del Boy & Albert Steptoe

4th - FIVE VOTES

Malcolm In The Middle's Hal, Game Of Thrones' Ned Stark
& Star Trek Deep Space Nine's Ben Sisko

3rd - SIX VOTES

Family Guy's Peter Griffin

2nd - EIGHT VOTES

Battlestar Galactica's Bill Adama

1st - ELEVEN VOTES

Homer Simpson

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Poll: who is your favourite TV father?

To celebrate Father's Day on 19 June, this week's mega-poll wants to know your THREE favourite television dads. Ideally, this should be a character who's somewhat defined by being a father, not just someone who's fathered children but it has no huge impact on his personality or motivations.

I've compiled a list below to get your mental juices flowing. You can choose THREE from my list, or add some of your own as the "other vote" (remember to separate multiple unique answers with commas).

And to inspire some discussion below, it dawned on me as I was compiling this list that there are plenty of typical "TV dads" on US TV, but not so many in the UK. Why is that? Are Brits less interested in the institution of fatherhood, or do we just make TV shows where characters are less pigeon-holed as parents? And of the British fathers I could think of, most of them are... well, very questionable father-figures!




This poll will close on 18 June @5PM GMT. The results will be revealed on Father's Day itself. As always, it would be a great help if you share this poll online, so click one of the social networking buttons on the left to try and get this viral.

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Poll Result: who is your favourite fictional investigator?

Last week I asked you to name your FIVE favourite fictional investigators/detectives. There were 187 votes and the results are amassed below, with asterisks denoting unique "other votes" that were received:

NO VOTES

Alex Cross, Jack Ryan, Ducky Mallard, Quincy, Dalziel, Father Dowling, Horatio Caine, Inspector Lestrade, Wexford, Sonny Crockett, Jessica Fletcher, Mac Taylor & Perry Mason. Sorry guys, but people don't think you could catch a cold.

1 VOTE

Prime Suspect's Jane Tennison, Ashes To Ashes' Alex Drake, Rebus, Father Brown, Harry Dresden, The Mentalist's Patrick Jane, Peter Boyd, Marlowe, Precious Ramotswe, Sandra Pullman, Bergerac, Magnum, Jessica King*, City Homicide's Simon Joyner*, Psych's Shawn Spencer*, Dexter's Debra Morgan*, The Name Of The Rose's William of Baskerville*, Batman*, The Saint's Simon Templar*, John Shaft*, House*, Moonlight's Mick St John*, Commander Dalgliesh*, The Closer's Brenda Leigh Johnson*, Charlie Jade*, Eureka's Sheriff Carter*, Melrose Plant* & Lisbeth Salander*

2 VOTES

Christopher Foyle, Whitechapel's Chandler, Cracker's Fitz, Midsomer Murders' Barnaby, Inspector Lynley, Inspector Morse, Jim Rockford, Kay Scarpetta, Sam Spade, Life's Charlie Crews*, Takeshi Kovacs* & Castle's Richard Castle*

10th - 3 VOTES
Adrian Monk, Dana Scully, Brother Cadfael, Inspector Gadget, Jonathan Ames, Miss Marple & Rick Deckard

Quite a crush of differing investigators for 10th place; from obsessive compulsive Adrian Monk to skeptical Dana Scully, through pious Brother Cadfael and goofy Inspector Gadget, continuing with Bored To Death's hipster Jonathan Ames and genteel Miss Marple, and finishing with the smoldering Rick Deckard from Blade Runner.

9th - 4 VOTES
Hercule Poirot

Agatha Christie's second detective in the top 10, and undoubtedly her most famous--it's Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, most famously played by David Suchet. Even his mustache has you certain he'll be able to crack whatever case you throw his way.

8th - 5 VOTES
Gil Grissom

I've only seen a handful of CSI episodes in my entire life, so I can't really comment on the prowess of Gil Grissom. Does he leave it all to forensic science, or does he have a remarkable deductive brain?

7th - 6 VOTES
Agent Dale Cooper

When the small-town of Twin Peaks became the scene of a young girl's murder, it was initially a worry when they sent eccentric FBI Agent Dale Cooper to investigate. But his obsession with coffee, cherry pie, and bizarre dreams about a backwards-talking dwarf made him equally as quirky as the townsfolk he met there..

6th - 7 VOTES
Benton Fraser, Dirk Gently & Jonathan Creek

It's a three-way tie for sixth place, with Due South's Mountie Benton Fraser, author Douglas Adams' oddball detective Dirk Gently (who finally made the transition to TV last year with Stephen Mangan in the role), and mop-haired eccentric Jonathan Creek.

5th - 8 VOTES
Fox Mulder & Columbo

The X Files' Fox Mulder beats his partner Scully be a considerable amount (I guess people didn't vote for them as a pair!), and is joined by San Francisco's finest in Lieutenant Columbo--the gumshoe with the glass-eye and raincoat who always let the city's criminals underestimate him.

4th - 9 VOTES
Angel & Sam Tyler

I haven't seen Angel, but the comments last week suggested he was a terrible detective, so I'm not sure what he's doing here. Oh, that's right--the power of fangirls online. He shared fourth place with Life On Mars' Sam Tyler, who found himself stuck in the '70s after a car accident in 2006 and helped clean up Manchester's streets with the help of another cop in the top 10...

3rd - 12 VOTES
Gene Hunt

... yes, that's Gene Hunt. The unofficial Sheriff of Manchester (and later London in the Ashes To Ashes spin-off), who helped protect innocent citizens with a combination of anger, brute force, political incorrectness and a cherry red For Quattro.

2nd - 16 VOTES
Veronica Mars

Second place goes to Californian girl Veronica Mars, who solves crime while attending high school. This isn't a show I've seen (although it's been on my catchup list for awhile), but her success in this poll is very interesting..

1st - 32 VOTES
Sherlock Holmes

The winner, by a landslide, was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's greatest detective in the world, Mr Sherlock Holmes of 221B Baker Street. Played by a variety of top actors in the past (from Basil Rathbone to Jeremy Brett), he's most recently been given a modern-day update in the form of Benedict Cumberbatch--endearing Sherlock to a whole new generation of fans. Deerstalker and pipe, optional.

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Poll: who's your favourite fictional investigator?

It's been awhile, so here comes another of those mega-polls that gives everyone a headache! This time, I'm after your favourite fictional investigator/detective. As usual, the poll's options below are extensive, but I'm sure I missed a great many.

In a change to the usual procedure, you can now select FIVE favourites. The "other vote" only allows for ONE answer, but you can actually add as many as you want by separating your answers with a comma (eg: answer 1, answer 2, answer 3). I will happily count five unique answers in the "other" field.

Feel free to discuss your answers in the comments below. This poll will close on 4 June @5PM GMT, with the results posted here shortly after.

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Poll Result: which one-season wonder deserved seconds?

Last week I asked you to select your favourite "one-season wonder" (a TV series that only lasted a year, before it was prematurely axed.) I know it was a very tricky proposition, but the response was fantastic, with 85 people registering their vote. The results are below, with "other votes" marked with an asterisk:

ONE VOTES – 1.09%

Adventures Of Brisco County Jr, Boomtown, FlashForward, Karen Sisco, Kings, Lights Out, Now & Again, Profit, Rubicon, Time Tunnel, Undeclared, Wonderland, Eleventh Hour*, Lucky Louie*, Zen*, This Is Not My Life*, North Square*, Bionic Woman* & Outcasts*.

6. American Gothic, The Dresden Files,
Invasion, Krod Mandoon & Moonlight – 2.17%

An intriguing bunch of shows, two of which come from writer-producer Shaun Cassidy, who was behind small-town horror American Gothic (about a Sheriff who may be a demon), and small-town sci-fi Invasion (about a Sheriff who may be an alien). Can you spot the subtle motif? I'm a little confused by the affection for unfunny medieval comedy Krod Mandoon, and pretty certain the Alex O'Loughlin fanbase gave Moonlight a minor boost. The Dresden Files is a more appealing one-season wonder, particularly as the concept of magic-in-the-real-world is very popular with this season's pilots. Was it ahead of its time?

5. Lone Star, The Middleman & Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip – 3.26%

I didn't expect Lone Star to be this high, but I'm guessing people just hated how it was taken off-air after two meager episodes. Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip was a show I didn't like, growing quickly bored by mid-season and dropping it from review, but I guess Aaron Sorkin has his fans. The Middleman is very much a cult hit that's started to develop an underground resurgence of interest lately. I agree it's a shame that show never got a chance to bloom fully.

4. Ultraviolet – 4.35%

Now we're talking! Ultraviolet, a late-'90s UK vampire drama that was way ahead of its time; modernizing vampires in ways that pop-culture in the '00s would later embrace. It also gave the world Idris Elba, who filmed the pilot for a US remake of Ultraviolet and then decided to stay in America. Whatever happened to him? Also notable for an early appearance by True Blood's Stephen Moyer, again playing a vampire.

3. Terriers, Whites & Wonderfalls – 5.43%

Maybe the success of Whites is more DMD became a little focal point for the 'Bring Back Whites' campaign awhile ago? But still, great to see that recent BBC comedy has its supporters. Wonderfalls isn't a show I've seen, but I always hear good things about it. Terriers, of course, received a lot of attention last year for its critical acclaim failing to translate into actual viewers.

2. Freaks & Geeks – 7.61%

I'm overjoyed this late-'90s geek comedy-drama is still pulling in the votes. Freaks & Geeks was a wonderful drama with real heart to it, reminding me of The Wonder Years. It was also a notable hotbed of talent, with many of the cast/crew going on to great things: Jason Segel, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Busy Phillips, et al.

1. Firefly – 31.52%

Oh, you guys were too damned predictable. Joss Whedon's sci-fi western Firefly was the expected runaway success, despite the fact it got itself a movie. I suppose it's the one show you can easily imagine having a long, productive, fruitful life if Fox had treated it better, and audiences had latched onto it. A part of me thinks audiences had just had enough of the Star Trek model of sci-fi, and were looking for something totally fresh. Firefly wasn't it. Battlestar Galactica was. Thoughts?

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Poll: which one-season wonder deserved seconds?

The demands of television often means fantastic shows don't last more than a season, before a network pulls the plug in the face of terrible ratings. There are times when a show only airs a few episodes, before it's yanked off-air. Others are just victims of in-house politics and don't get renewed because there are fresher shows in the pipeline, or a change in management means a popular show falls out of corporate favour. It's a particular problem in the US, where success in the ratings is often the bottom line above critical acclaim and creative excellence, but there are occasional examples of British shows that don't last more than a year.

This week's poll aims to celebrate the "one-season wonder"; television shows that only lasted one season, never to return (with the rare exception of specials and a movie.) Below is a list of some notable one-season wonders, mostly from the past 20 years. Simply vote for your favourite, which can be a choice of your own as the "other" vote at the bottom.

To try and swerve any foregone conclusions here, really try to argue the merit of each one-season wonder in your mind, and whether or not it deserved another season. For instance: I'm sure many, many people will be voting Firefly. But that show DID get a feature-length movie and is still a big deal in fan circles. Didn't another show, perhaps much less known, deserve more of a chance to bloom?

It may also be worth considering if a one-season wonder told its story, satisfactorily, and didn't actually scream out for another season. Even if any such show was a particular favourite of yours.

Basically, no knee-jerk reactions! Give it some thought. Over to you...




Apologies if I've missed some favourites of yours, but it's nigh impossible to remember everything, and I don't want these polls becoming TOO unwieldy. Remember: if there's something you're annoyed is absent, simply make that your "other" vote.

This poll will close on Saturday 7 May @5PM GMT. The results will be posted here shortly afterwards.

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Poll Result: who's your favourite resurrected character?

Last week I asked you to vote for your favourite resurrected fictional character (i.e a character who "cheated clinical death".) There were 52 votes, with the results below:

ONE VOTES - 1.92%

The Crow's Eric Draven, RoboCop's Alex Murphy, Alien's Ellen Ripley, X-Men's Jean Grey & Torchwood's Owen Harper, Misfits' Nathan Young, Skulduggery Pleasant & 24's Jack Bauer (who was revived after his heart stopped beating in season 2.)

5. Herrick, Kenny & Spock – 3.85%

Quite surprised by the support for Being Human's vampire Herrick, seeing as his resurrection wasn't popular with some fans. Fun to see South Park's Kenny make the top 5, as he dies in nearly every episode and his resurrection is never actually explained. Spock is by far the best choice here, as his return to life after an iconic death scene in Star Trek II became the basis for the entire third movie.

4. Gandalf – 11.54%

Gandalf the Grey was apparently killed in a free-fall punch-up with the Balrog in The Fellowship Of The Ring, but returned as Gandalf the White for The Two Towers -- wielding such awesome magical powers as... um, the ability to reflect light into the eyes of enemies with his staff. Yeah, he's overrated.

3. Arnold J. Rimmer – 13.46%

Red Dwarf's vending machine attendant died with the rest of the mining ship's crew after a radiation leak he caused, only to be resurrected 3,000,000 years later as a sentient hologram based on the memories of his physical self. But he was still a smeg head.

2. Buffy Summers – 17.31%

I don't know the circumstances behind Buffy's death, as I never watched Buffy The Vampire Slayer that much in the '90s. But she did die. Um, temporarily. Anyone wanna fill us in, without spoiling things too much?

1. The Doctor – 30.77%

The obvious choice, certainly. Technically you can argue The Doctor never actually dies -- he just regenerates before he physically expires, to repair life-threatening injuries. But, for the purposes of this lighthearted poll, most people believe Time Lords resurrect themselves. So far, The Doctor has done this 10 times since the character was introduced 48 years ago.

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Poll: who's your favourite resurrected character?

In celebration of Easter, where Jesus Christ rose from the dead after being crucified, this week's poll is all about fictional characters who were resurrected from beyond the grave...

Please note: ghosts can't be included, because they're still dead. This needs to be people who were clinically dead, but somehow revived to live again, in whatever form.

You can choose ONE favourite from MY suggestions below, which includes potentially voting for ONE of your own as the "other vote".




This poll will close on Easter Monday @5PM GMT. The result will be posted shortly after.

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Poll Result: who's your favourite TV doctor?

Last week I asked you to vote for your favourite TV doctor – a question that caused confusion, strangely. Movie doctors and people who happen to call themselves "Doctor" don't count, as the post made clear. And yes, it's Professor Farnsworth, but "professor" is a job title, so he's still a doctor of science.

Anyway, 103 people voted in this poll ("other votes" denoted by asterisk), with the results below:

ONE VOTES – 1.89% each

Lost In Space's Dr Smith, Torchwood's Tosh, Bones' Dr Brennan, Firefly's Dr Tam, Doc Martin, Big Bang Theory's Leonard, Futurama's Professor Farnsworth, Green Wing's Dr Secretan, Frasier Crane, Dr Finlay, Chuck's Ellie Bartowski, The West Wing's Dr Bartlet, Doctor Who's River Song*, Stargate Atlantis's Dr McKay*, M*A*S*H's Hawkeye* & Futurama's Dr Zoidberg*.

5. Perry Cox, Jack Shepherd, Gaius Baltar, Devon Woodcomb – 3.77%

An odd mix! I'm not a fan of Scrubs, but crazy Dr Cox wouldn't be a doctor I'd like to have treating me. The villainous Gaius Baltar from Battlestar Galactica also seems like a strange choice to me! More acceptable would be laid-back Devon Woodcome (aka Captain Awesome) from Chuck, but I'm more taken with the ineffable goodness of Lost's Jack Shepherd. A man who's a born leader, handy when it comes to detonating hydrogen bombs, capable of performing spinal surgery on an island, helps women give birth, and stitches wounds on a beach. What a guy!

4. Dr Walter Bishop & Dr Dana Scully – 5.66%

How appropriate that Dr Walter Bishop shares fourth place with Dr Dana Scully from The X-Files, a show that clearly inspired Fringe. I'd rather have Scully giving me a checkup over Walter, though – who would probably be distracted by a tasty strawberry milkshake, or have me tripping in an isolation chamber to cure 'flu.

3. The Doctor & Dr McCoy – 7.55%

Another very apt joint-place, with two doctors from opposite ends of the Star Trek canon. Original USS Enterprise physician Dr Leonard "Bones" McCoy, and tetchy holographic medicine man The Doctor from Star Trek Voyager. Both would be good company if you're complaining of a phaser burn, right?

2. Sheldon Cooper – 9.43%

Wha--? A very surprising second-place to Sheldon Cooper from geekcom The Big Bang Theory! You could be forgiven for not knowing he's a scientist, really. I'm guessing people were voting more for him as a funny character than a commendable doctor, though. Right?

1. Dr Gregory House – 16.98%

I thought he'd be a popular choice, and he ended up winning the whole poll. Hugh Laurie's limping, quick-tempered Dr House may not be the smiling face of sympathy you want to see when you're sick, but you can't deny you're 95% certain to be cured under his care. Even if your illness is incredibly rare and sounds fictional, it'll only take him an average of three incorrect diagnoses until he cracks it!

So what have we learned this week? (1) TV doctors who aren't seen practicing their craft on-screen can still be very popular, (2) female doctors aren't very popular, and (3) the most popular doctors come from sci-fi shows like Star Trek, not realistic hospital dramas like ER.

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Poll: who's your favourite TV doctor?

Following the success of last week's "who is your favourite fictional captain" poll, here comes the follow-up: "who's your favourite TV doctor?"

Specifically, fictional doctors/professors of science and medicine on TV, who are practicing experts -- so Doctor Who's The Doctor cannot be included. You can choose ONE of my fairly extensive suggestions below, or add your own as an "other vote". Why not peruse this Wikipedia article to help jog your memory?




This poll will close on Saturday 9 April @5PM GMT. The result will be posted shortly afterwards. As always, helping to spread the word about this poll via Facebook/Twitter would be much appreciated. Or direct people here.

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