Richard Osman's House of Games Night

Richard Osman's gently charming "House of Games" has become somewhat of a teatime mainstay on the BBC over the last few years - with its mild tone, good array of guests and goofy party games. Inspired by its afternoon success (and the likable host's remarkable rise to bestseller fame as well as its COVID-compatibility) there was a decision made to boost it to "prime time". The studio is much bigger but the content is exactly the same - only it's over weeks not days which rather robs it of momentum and exposes how stiff everything is. Added to that the tremendously awkward "house band" (slightly improved by the addition of David O'Doherty in series 2) and it feels like the same name for much much less like getting a mini bite-size chocolate bar when you expected a normal one. If you like the format, dig into the huge 100-episode-a-series usual show, this is just that anyway but somehow less.

This was fine buried away on BBC2 in the teatime slot, but to 'promote' it to prime time seems a bit uncalled for.

It is however another opportunity for the BBC to trot out their usual suspects in terms of the 'celebs' that appear on it.

Why not give the general public a go?

Not a fan of this I really enjoy the normal House of Games but couldn't get away with this. Not a fan of the irritating band or the pick the guest who fits the answer round.

Totally dumbed down version with too much focus on the band and audience. Most of the questions are far too easy. Love to play along with the games in the original version, but some of the rounds in this version don't allow you to do that. Stick to the original format!

Drags too much. Silly music bits.

New audience round was far too long for 4 questions.

Just watch the daytime show although this is still better than most modern quizzes.