Debuting in March 1997, Channel 5 presented Scottish comedian Jack Docherty in this five-night-a-week US-style late-night chat show. The show was broadcast from the Whitehall Theatre in London.
From September 1997 the show dropped to four nights a week (Monday to Thursday), then three in March 1998 after Monday’s episode was also dropped. By September 1998 the series only aired on Tuesday and Thursday nights,
The show was finally reduced to just one night a week, finishing with a special hour-long episode on Wednesday 23 June 1999.
Special guests took over as host of the show from time-to-time (usually during school holidays), including Graham Norton, Melinda Messenger, Phill Jupitus, Tim Vine and comedian Rich Hall. When guests hosted the show, the title was changed to Not The Jack Docherty Show. The role of guest host helped launch Graham Norton’s television career, and won him the award for best newcomer at the 1997 British Comedy Awards.
Guests who appeared on the show included Kylie Minogue, David Bowie, Glen Campbell, The Spice Girls, Samuel L Jackson, Barbara Windsor, The Lightning Seeds, Samantha Fox, George Clooney, Sandra Bullock, Ray Liotta, Billy Bragg, Malcolm McDowell, Rita Tushingham, Jane Birkin, Morrissey, Uri Geller, Julian Lennon, and David Soul.
