Slow start to ‘Be My Guest’

Press, 14 March 1978, Page 17

Slow start to ‘Be My Guest’

By

KEN COATES

Sharon Crosbie’s show on TVI, “Be My Guest,” began rather tentatively on Sunday night, and m:s«ed opportunities to make the talk come alive. On the show was a viewer from Blenheim,

who had written asking for Davina Whitehouse, of radio drama fame, to be interviewed. But it did not exactly help the show to get moving to have the viewer ask general questions of the gracious and rather modes’ Miss Whitehouse. Proceedings were not exactly set alight by the old water-colour painting of Miss Whitehouse as a child. But it was intriguing to learn that she had been an actress in the movies of the 19305, appearing in parlour-maid roles. It looked for a moment w two as though she might be tempted to tell some of the stories she must know about film

people. But viewers bad j no such luck. Peter Harcourt, also of [ vast radio experience, was on hand, too, and there was a hint that we might have seen how they produce all those marvellous noises of rain, wind, and horses hooves in radio i drama. Again, no. Tony Williams appeared j very late in the piece, and ' barely had time to an- ! nounce that he plans an- j other film, again with a i character role for Davina Whitehouse. “Be My Guest” demonstrated all too clearly the difficulties inherent in the “chat show” type of programme. Sharon Crosbie herself appeared rather anxious, and a little too tentative. Much of the show’s sue- | cess will depend on her i undoubted skill as a f catalyst and astute ques- i tioner. To come in with just the right comment or query at the right time requires concentration, sensitivity, and judgment. The show cannot be left to an enthusiastic viewer-amateur, even for a short time.