[Yudster]

I thought it strayed too far into the self-indulgent. I did enjoy bits of it but at the end of the day it was for Chris, not the audience. I have no problem with giving Chris a special birthday, but if they're going to do it during the show, remember that we are there too...

[R94N]

I thought it was good, actually I don't think there's a show I haven't enjoyed. However the guests were a bit crap.

[neilt0]

Highlights (38m:45s): http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00pb8pt

[hdsport82]

Average at best the orchestra were very good but it sounded (to my ears) like there were some issues with the levels, Richard sounded almost off mic for the first jingle. One Direction/JLS seemed to be there purely to keep the show 'on target' at the expense of any entertainment value.

I would say roll on tomorrow and a 'normal' show but isn't James Corden on so that's an hour I won't be listening to.

[richbrown]

The best bit for me was Cox in the cake.

[neilt0]

[English Bob]

I thought it strayed too far into the self-indulgent.

This was my thought exactly. Seriously, getting an orchestra to play jingles from your own radio show? The Star Wars bit was good, but after that...meh...

[DarroM]

Think James Corden is trying to beat Noel Edwards record of hosting since this is his 3rd time in 4 years! I can't stand that show at all. It's the reason the birthday show isn't on Wednesday but if that what was planned for this year, wouldn't have been great. I still enjoyed 2010's the best from the ones I've listened to live. I found this one boring overall and it's the one show of the year where there is more music than links it seems. I just feel it was a bit too similar to last year's.

[DarroM]

The orchestra was the only good part in what was otherwise a lacklustre show.

[Bonanzoid]

Take the p*** all you like but I LOVED the orchestra doing the jingles - awesome!

I thought the orchestra doing the jingles was ace too. Not a fan of Pixie Lott (her music anyway) but her with the orchestra I thought was brilliant. Good live voice, and as Chris said it did sound a lot like a Bond theme.

[shamrock student]

Loved the orchestra but maybe could have done with a live audience there. The rounds of appluase seem to fall flat to quickly in the big room. Probably not the best Birthday show ever but its hard to outdo every year, year after year! CPC seemed to fall flat thanks to the guests...if thy were regular callers they would be kicked off for being dull!

Best highlight of previous years for me is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUntjVL7 ... re=related
Mr.Barlow's handy work makes this a classic, along with Daves lyrics!

[bwfcol]

The orchestra were brilliant, Pixie sounded great, Coxy bit made me laugh but it was better watching it I imagine.

Playing the jingles was spine tingling, JLS and 1D could have done without but other than that, top notch.

As for self indulgent, it's meant to be, it's always going to be, one show a year is all!

I'll be fast forwarding the show on iPlayer for the first time in ages tomorrow as Corden is on, probably not since the last time Corden was on.

[bmstinton93]

Pixie Lott was FIT!

[Bonanzoid]

Pixie Lott was FIT!

This.

I watched the highlights and was virtually gawping when she was introduced.

[Travis Bickle]

I thought it strayed too far into the self-indulgent. I did enjoy bits of it but at the end of the day it was for Chris, not the audience. I have no problem with giving Chris a special birthday, but if they're going to do it during the show, remember that we are there too...

I agree with this.

I have just finished listening to the show and have seen the highlights video and there were parts that I enjoyed too. Having the orchestra and jingle singers there was a great idea and worked really well in my opinion (and Freya looked lovely ), but the rest of the show was pretty much uninspired and the choice of guests was predictable. The only surprise was that Olly Murs wasn't there.

I am loathe to criticise the show as I have no doubt that a hell of a lot of work and preparation went into it, but it wasn't anything special really. They do shows like this knowing full well that it is self-indulgent and they don't hide that fact, but it did feel a bit cringe inducing in places if I am honest.

Even though James Corden is on tomorrow I enjoyed his interview last year and will be glad to get back to normal.

[Yudster]

Pixie looked gorgeous. And she sang beautifully. But to be honest, I think maybe you had to be there.

[Nicola_Red]

Pixie's song is now also in the sound vault:

http://chrismoyles.net/soundvault/sound ... ileid=2599

[Travis Bickle]

JLS and One Direction which made Chris feel so 'uncomfortable' were obviously there to balance things out but they got about a minute of airtime each... singing happy birthday to Chris.

Irrespective of how long they were on air for they were there to balance things out though. Nobody will convince me that Chris Moyles is a fan of One Direction, JLS and Pixie Lott. Add to that the go-karting with N-Dubz and The Wanted and it is clear that the show uses these acts to keep the show relevant to the younger listeners.

[yummytummy]

I managed to download the video highlights video on the radio 1 website if anyone wants it.

[neilt0]

I managed to download the video highlights video on the radio 1 website if anyone wants it.

How did you do it? PM me if you don't want to do it publicly. For some reason, I can grab every RTMP stream apart from these ones!

[The Deadly]

Far too many records played in the show. I expected more fun and games.

[Turicum]

I managed to download the video highlights video on the radio 1 website if anyone wants it.

Yes please, that would be lovely.

[R94N]

I wish there had been a little more banter.

[DaveBedford]

I thought it strayed too far into the self-indulgent. I did enjoy bits of it but at the end of the day it was for Chris, not the audience. I have no problem with giving Chris a special birthday, but if they're going to do it during the show, remember that we are there too...

Exactly what I was thinking.

What a huge ego massage it was for Chris. Pixie Lott singing "All about Chris Moyles" just took it to a whole new level of sycophancy. It's actually supposed to be all about the license payers who listen to the show. I half expected a grand finale where all the CMS team huddled up on the floor and shimmied in for a group arse kiss on Chris while the orchestra played "Simply the best".

Which is a shame, I enjoyed it last year.

[chrysostom]

I know what you all mean, on my mum's birthday last year she expected us to bake her a cake as if she was some sort of deity - and then demanded that we chanted to recognise the anniversary of the day she was born.

Shortly after, we had to give her gifts which honoured her position in all of our lives.

For a majority of that day, she was waited on hand and foot - and relatives actually phoned from overseas just to verbally acknowledge that they knew it was her birthday!

Bloody Sycophant!