Big Break (II) (1990–2002) User Reviews

Prime time slot, 11 year total run, an odd premise that worked perfectly.

[sicklittlebunny · 8/10 · 16 May 2021]

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.

Saturday night will never be the same if you can't 'sink the pink' and 'down the brown'

[crawfrordboon · 8 October 2005]

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.

''I'm gonna be snookering you tonight!''

[Rabical-91 · 10/10 · 13 December 2017]

Controversial comedian Jim Davidson surprised audiences in the early '90's by putting his blue stand-up persona on hold in favour of family entertainment. He first rose to this task in 1991 when he was chosen to host this wonderful snooker based BBC1 game show 'Big Break', along with deadpan snooker player John ''You've got to pot as many balls as you can!'' Virgo. The basis for the show was a mixture of snooker playing and general knowledge, though unsurprisingly, some stand-up comedy routines found their way in the show, For instance, Jim would on occassion make light hearted jibes towards John Virgo such as when Jim remarked: ''I gave John a birthday cake once and he ate it so quick that I had to prize his mouth open to blow the candles out!''. Jim also made fun of his personal life, in particular his numerous marriages and driving offences.

During each half hour there were four rounds that the players and contestants would have to complete - 'Red Hot' ( which was a general knowledge round ), 'Virgo's Trick Shot' ( in which Virgo would set up a trick shot for the contestant who was losing ), 'Pocket Money' ( in which each ball that was potted was worth a particular amount of money ) and 'Make Or Break ( which was a prize winning round ).

Regardless of whether the players or contestants lost, they would go home with at least a 'Big Break' trophy and a snooker cue.

With its fantastic theme music provided by Captain Sensible, wonderful comic hosting from both Virgo and Davidson. 'Big Break' is a prime example of when game shows used to be good fun back in the '90's. Unlike in today's game shows, all those involved looked as though they were having a right good time, something that seemed to be communicated to the studio audience. Such was the show's success that the BBC later tried another sport themed game show entitled 'Full Swing' ( hosted by the insufferable Jimmy Tarbuck ). It flopped!

'Big Break' ran up until 2002 before it was cancelled. Thankfully, there have been no attempts to remake the show with a new host. Say what you will about Jim, but when he was doing this sort of stuff, television was a much happier place.

My Favourite Sport Combined With A General Knowledge Quiz Show-Fantastic!

[Big Movie Fan · 16 March 2003]

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.

You've got to pot as many balls as you can

[Zerbey · 16 January 2003]

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.

the insufferable jim davidson

[baz-15 · 23 November 2001]

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.

Nice Snooker Stars . Oh Dear

[Theo Robertson · 30 April 2004]

Snooker is a game similar to billiards played on a table 12 foot long by 6 foot wide . Six coloured balls make up a " T " with fifteen red balls shaped like a triangle placed about three quarters down the length of the table . The idea is to pot a red ball , then pot a coloured ball , red , coloured , red , coloured in that sequence with the player getting the most points winning that game which in snooker lingo is called a " frame " . It was absolutely phenominal in its popularity in the early 1980s and BIG BREAK is a quiz show cashing in somewhat belatedly on the popularity of the sport

The show is introduced by boring unfunny comedian Jim Davidson and former ( Not very successful ) snooker star John Virgo and the show revolves contestants answering general knowledge questions and depending how well they do the snooker player has to pot a certain amount of balls . If you`ve watched a single edition of this show you`ll know what the format is since - Like Davidson`s jokes - the format remains the same

My main gripe about the show is the very boring snooker players they have on the show . This sport has brought us some rogues over the years who have made more headlines on the front pages of newspapers than the back ones . I guess the producers don`t want to upset the contestants or have any scandals and that`s why Tony Knowles always gets paired up with the senior citizen . Yeah it`s only boring players like Steve Davis , John Parrot , Matthew Stevens and John Higgins . It`s a great pity the wild man of snooker Alex " Hurricane " Higgins never gets invited on , but I suppose that`s to do with the health concerns of the contestants , presenters , fellow snooker pros and audience members . I also doubt after this year`s world championship we`ll see Quintan Hann and Andy Hicks appear on the same show