Channel 4 orders more episodes of The Big Narstie Show
David Farnor | On 22, Aug 2018
Big Narstie is coming back to Channel 4 for a second season of The Big Narstie Show.
The alternative late night anarchic entertainment show, presented by the Grime musician plus stand-up comedian Mo Gilligan, combined celebrity guests and musical performances alongside straight-talking segments on the news of the week, TV, showbiz, trends and food and laugh out loud sketches. While that sounds conventional, though, Big Narstie’s presence in front of the camera was anything but.
The studio series, from Expectation and Dice Productions Entertainment, won fans with its fresh, unusual approach to a late night programme.
“His talk show taps perfectly into that persona, essentially giving him an hour of airtime to talk about how little he knows about presenting on TV and hunt around his neon-lit set for a towel,” we wrote in our review of the series. “The fun here lies in just how ramshackle the whole thing is. Big Narstie could say anything at any point, and is clearly enjoying that fact. The chances are you will too.”
The result resonated with viewers on Friday nights, up 94% on share of 16-24 years old viewers, up 129% on share for BAME viewers and up 144% on share for black audiences.
Guests across the first season included Ed Sheeran, David Schwimmer, Thandie Newton, Richard Ayoade, Craig David, Not3s, Giggs, Krept and Konan and Lady Leshurr.
Now, Ed Havard, Head of Entertainment with Syeda Irtizaali, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment and Events and Shaminder Nahal, Commissioning Editor, Specialist Factual, have commissioned a second season – and, before then, a Christmas special.
Big Narstie says: “If you thought the first series was GASSED this ones gonna be MAJORLY gassed with some intergalactic flavours with base.”
Syeda Irtizaali, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 adds: “Six episodes of The Big Narstie Show wasn’t quite enough to showcase the inimitable and captivating talents of Big Narstie and Mo Gilligan so we’re delighted to be bringing it back for a second run. Every week of series one was an adventure in itself and I can’t wait to see how series two develops.”
The series is a co-production with Expectation and Dice Productions Entertainment, executive produced by Ben Wicks for Expectation and Obi Kevin Akudike and Nathan Brown for Dice Productions Entertainment and series produced by Aoife Bower.