WHAT THE PAPERS SAID

The Eye on Theatre

Vic Reeves first appeared on The Tube in the late Eighties, but was soon given a series of his own. Independent reviewer Stephen Pope recognised his star potential in this preview of the first episode, dating from 25 May 1990.

VIC REEVES BIG NIGHT OUT (10.30pm C4) opens and closes with the worst sub-Sinatra (or is it Monkhouse?) vocal rendition you'll ever hear. In between are some meaningless variety spoofs and dreadful Light Ent double-acts, topped with host Reeves's incomprehensible Geordie smarm. But against the odds, it's the funniest cabaret circuit TV transfer yet.

Reeves and Mortimer's `Shooting Stars' began a 41-date national tour yesterday (1 Nov) and runs until 19 December.