Big Break

Popular tv game show where star snooker players try to win money for normal people. it is hosted by none other than jim davidson, one of the most unfunny comedians of the last 30 years. john virgo, former player and current tv commentator, picks the balls out of the pockets. Awful.

If you can avoid the scenes where Jim Davison is trying to be funny, it's actually a pretty entertaining show. The real stars are the guest snooker players showing off their skills and Jim Virgo's trick shots.

I don't even know why this show was axed - the great duo of dour and deadpan John Virgo as the referee, and manic 'cheekie chappie' Jim Davidson as the host and quiz master, plus a mix of general knowledge quiz and snooker - it was never unpopular. The most likely cause of its axing would have to have been the BBC deciding, in its own 'poliitcally correct' manner, that Jim Davidson was an inappropriate figure to be hosting one of their shows. In fairness Jim is a little risqué with his jokes, and the Beeb maybe felt it could not give recognition to someone who makes a living talking about "the bloody frogs" etc, but the point is, as a comedy talent on a family show, Davidson was pretty impressive, especially in his banter with Virgo, which rivals the Paul Merton - Ian Hislop double act on Have I Got News For You.

The format is pretty simple - 4 rounds of different formats whittle down the three initial contestant / snooker pro duos, to eventually find a winner and what that winner will take home. Although the real characters of the game were never given that much scope to entertain, it was nice to see players from the past showing they could still do it - Masters Veterans like Ray Rearden and Dennis Taylor were regular guests. One memorable quirk was when the first contestant to be eliminated could pick up a consolation prize in the 'Trick Shot' round, where John Virgo would demonstrate a trick shot, and invite the contestant to repeat it. This was always done with great enthusiasm and was a real crowd pleaser, especially when the contestant got it right after Virgo had fluffed the demonstration himself! The trivia part was always interesting, as were the skills shown by the various snooker stars who made guest appearances, but the best element was always the John and Him combination. They just looked like they were having such a good time, and that's the point of Saturday night TV, I don't want to know how smart I am (Test the Nation), I don't buy lottery tickets, and every time Ant and Dec hit the screen I reach for my revolver. BB was good clean fun, and its a crime that Aunty saw fit to give it the boot.

My favourite sport to play is snooker. I also like general knowledge quiz shows so combine the two and I am one happy chap.

The entertaining comedian Jim Davidson teamed up with former snooker player John Virgo to present this entertaining snooker game show in which three snooker players would team up with three contestants each week.

The first game went like this-the three contestants would answer general knowledge questions in order to win seconds on the clock for the snooker players. The players would then try to pot as many balls as they could. The player who potted the least balls in 60 seconds would be knocked out along with the contestant.

The second game went like this-the players would try to pot as many balls as they could, each ball worth a particular value (such as £20). The player who potted the least money for his contestant would be knocked out. One contestant left (but not before the defeated contestant would attempt one of John Virgo's trick shots).

The last game was the best (obviously). Each ball corresponded to a prize. A red ball for example may have won the contestant a microwave. Higher balls such as the brown ball may have won the contestant a large cash sum. The player would try and pot all the balls; if the black ball was cleared within a particular time, the contestant would win a mystery star prize (either a car or a holiday). Well, that was Big Break for you. Those were the games in between Davidson and Virgo's banter.

If you like snooker and you like game shows, this is the show for you.

A great idea for family viewing. An imaginative twist to a quiz show and a way to make snooker interesting.

I have nothing but good memories of this program and it needs to come back.

Hands down beats any of the gimmicky game shows we have now. Timed rounds that combined a professional player clearing the table and contestants answering questions, trick shots, and a (then) very popular comedian to keep it entertaining.

The on screen closeness of Virgo and Davidson made the whole show seem that much more relaxed and fun. So I'm thinking Micheal McIntyre needs to make friends with a few snooker players and we could have something wonderful.