By Andy Simon @AndySimon55

The Big Questions. Yes; that show has most definitely asked some right whoppers over the years since it first aired on that innocent little Sunday morning back in September 2007.

According to the BBC's programme website, the show describes itself as, "A series of moral, ethical and religious debates on topical issues, hosted by Nicky Campbell."

Sounds good doesn't it? Of course it does!
But you'd be completely wrong. It's utterly bonkers! 

So you really should watch it.

I mean where else (apart from say; Question Time or Newsnight) could you gather together a splendid array of complete and utter crackpots from all walks of life, and from a variety of cultures to debate, discuss, argue, rant and rave, about a mesmerising multitude of subjects, few people really, know much about? 

It's great telly.

Fore example; here's a few of these "Big Questions' this Sunday morning discussion show has asked over the last ten years . . .

Did Man Create God?
Are We Facing The End Of The World?
Can All Religions Be Right?
Should We Tolerate The Intolerant?
Has Feminism Bred Violent Women?
Does Hell Exist?
Does Heaven Exist?
Is Islam Bad For Britain?
Does God Have A Big Nose?

Sorry; made that last one up.
But the list goes on.

And of course, the real stars of the show are those carefully chosen guests they invite to take part, to speak and debate the topics or topic, as sometimes, more often than not, the whole hour long show is devoted to just one specific question.

Usually; a religious one. And that typically in my opinion, is when the watchability needle goes right off the scale.

Now just a little here on the guests, the producers of The Big Questions, take great care, in choosing to appear on the show. They have had a variety of Professors, Doctors, College Lecturers, Theologians, Authors, Scientists, Lawyers, Journalists, Catholics, Rabbis, Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Crackpots, Weirdo's, Loonies and those who are quite simply, stark raving mad.

I've seen them all on here. Wouldn't be a show without them. I've found it fascinating viewing for some time.

Nearly always (Because it's a Sunday I assume) The Big Question is typically religious. True; the show has covered other topics and issue's be they philosophical, spiritual, sexual, political, moral, ethical, medical and so on.

But the best one's to watch, are the religious episodes. They truly are the most entertaining, and here's why.

I remember one episode where they had that barmy cleric Anjem Choudary, spouting his so called Islamic rhetoric and religious claptrap none of which to those watching, and who hopefully, had more than half a brain cell, realised that what Choudary was saying, had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Islam.

But he continued to rant on, regardless, to anyone and everyone he could interrupt, accuse and abuse, or talk over.

I believe he's currently doing 5 years at Her Majesty's pleasure? 

Then there was that (how can I put it without being blasphemous to Catholics) rather eccentric priest from Ireland, who on one episode, vehemently said, we were all utterly doomed to Hell, forever, if we didn't get  down on our knees, and except Jesus. 

Then there was another episode, where a chap (who's name escapes me) said he was (allegedly) in direct contact with Jesus, and as such, according to this chap, the Holy Messiah was very much alive and well, and living quite happily, on the planet Venus.

Right you are then, keep taking the tablets mate; you'll be fine. Then there is Liz Weston and Kate Smurthwaite.

Liz Weston, of Christ Church, Southampton, after Nicky asked if it would not be a torment for her, knowing that those she cared for were in Hell, and not with her, replied, "No, it won't, because I will be with Jesus. The person that I love the most, is Jesus."

Right. Ok . . .

Nicky continued, "Do you then become insensitive and uncaring about them if they're in Hell, can you not see that being in Heaven would then be a torment?". Liz replied, "No I can't see that." 

Oh. Really? . . .

Nicky then  asks, "So you'll stop caring?" To which Liz replies, "I don't stop caring, they [her friends and relatives] have chosen that path, it's their choice."

How charming!

So there it is. Although Liz would initially be sad, it would be short lived, because she would be in Heaven, up Jesus's bottom. 

I bet the famous old carpenter's son can hardly wait!

She spent the rest of the show, entitled, "Does Hell Exist?"", relatively quiet, and scanning the entire studio audience with a self satisfied, and rather smug, self righteous, holier than thou, expression on her face.

What a lovely lady. Finally; Kate Smurthwaite. 

Kate Smurthwaite; stand-up-comedian, radical feminist, satirist and political activist, appeared in an episode entitled, "Does Heaven Exist". Kate; in response to a point made by another guest speaker, an Imam, for me brilliantly defined, religion in a nutshell. 

It was brilliant telly, and I quote . . .

"We've got people here from different faiths and who all believe in some kind of Heaven in a different sense, and every single one of them believes in this Heaven on the basis of faith. And faith by definition, is believing in things without evidence, and personally, I don't do that, because I'm not; an idiot." 

It was beautifully delivered. Kate, I love you.

You see? You never know what's going to happen! It's bonkers. And this is but a tiny sample of what this show has to offer.

The weekly subject matter for each episode is quite predictable really, despite the parameters generally speaking; being fairly large.

The discussions taking place on the show, which is typically broadcast live every Sunday morning however, is as unpredictable as the weather. 

You simply don't know how it's going to play out.

Nicky Campbell; a fine journalist in his own right, does what he can to keep the proceedings in order, and to steer the debate in the right direction.

Unfortunately, he's not always successful.
However I think he had an easier time, during last Sunday's show.

Last Sunday's episode saw Nick in Bradford West Yorkshire, where on this occasion, the show was asking three questions, "Is The System Stacked Against Women? Does Prison Work, and Should Religion Have Any Role In Politics?"

I have to say after watching Sunday's episode, that by the show's standards, it was way too civilized. The guest speakers were way too polite, nice, and courteous to each other.

That frustrated me. I wanted a right good argy-bargy!

Where's the ranting and raving, the interruptions, the pompous arrogant, "I'm better than you" comments, and defiant stares from those taking part, where was all that famed, studio anarchy?! 

It's early days in this tenth series, so I'm hoping things will liven up considerably more by the time we get to say, episode nine. 

But without doubt, The Big Questions typically for a Sunday morning is for the most part, good telly, not just for the anarchy that can very often occur during a heated debate, but you can also  learn a thing or two, when you're not howling with laughter, as Nicky Campbell,, tries his best to keep his head, when all about him, are losing theirs, and blaming it on each other.

Like I said; the show is bonkers, but well worth watching.

The BBC's, "The Big Questions", continues next Sunday morning at 10 O'Clock. Grab yourself a cup of tea, settle down on that comfy sofa, and hopefully, depending on the topic being discussed, enjoy an hour of barmy banter, rantings and ravings, on one of the best  and sometimes hilariously funny debate shows, that's ever to have  come to your Sunday morning TV screen.

Trust me; it's well worth a look.

Now then. I wonder if God, really does have,
a big nose? Guess I'll find out; one day.

Thanks for reading.

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