Many considered the show self-indulgent and esoteric, with Evans creating features that were more for the amusement of himself, his guest and/or the studio audience than for the viewers at home.

A notable example of this came during an appearance by James Nesbitt, Evans brought on a pub band— whom the pair had seen playing on a night out—to perform.

In one memorable incident, during the second episode, Evans held up a sign asking celebrity guests to call in, admitting on air that they hadn't booked anyone, which many critics viewed as a desperate move.

Originally, there were plans to feature a tribute band who were chosen by Evans as the best in the country to appear on this edition, but this segment was scrapped by UMTV following the two unaired pilot episodes of the main series filmed in early November.

The first pilot episode was filmed on 6 November 2005 at ITV London Studios, with Jodie Kidd as the main guest and three U2 tribute bands: Us4//U2, Achtung Baby and Unforgettable Fire.