Overview
The Jack Docherty Show was a nightly comedy chat show which aired on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom between 1997 and 1999. Presented by comedian Jack Docherty the programme was one of the first to air on the channel, doing so as part of its opening night schedule on 30 March 1997. The show was recorded at London's Whitehall Theatre during the early evening and would then be broadcast in a late-night slot. It featured a mixture of chat with celebrity guests, comedy, and music, and followed a similar format to shows such as NBC's Late Night with David Letterman in the United States. Accompanying Docherty and guests was a house band, whose line-up changed from time to time. It was first briefly led by Pete Baikie, followed a few weeks later by Richard Allen. They named the studio band Pete Baikie and the Peetles and Richard Allen and the Allenoids respectively. In September 1997 a new house band, Blair, fronted by Blair MacKichan took over the role and remained until the house band was dispensed with some time in 1998. MacKichan was better known for his appearance in the Oxo adverts during the 1980s, although he was also an accomplished musician. Docherty was frequently absent from the programme, usually during school holidays, and when this happened the show was retitled Not The Jack Docherty Show and would be presented by a stand-in. Guest presenters included Phil Jupitus, Graham Norton, Fred McAuley, Carol McGiffin, Melinda Messenger, Rich Hall and Tim Vine. Ironically the role of guest host helped to launch Graham Norton's television career, and won him the award for best newcomer at the 1997 British Comedy Awards. Docherty – who was also attending the ceremony – had expected to win the award himself. Norton went on to front his own series on Channel 4 in 1998 titled So Graham Norton.