The Steve Show

The goggle-eyed freak finally got his own show

This article refers to The Steve Show. For the radio shows that Karl Pilkington did with Russell Brand, see 6Music Shows.

The Steve Show was the unofficial name for Steve's show on BBC 6Music, which ran from January 2007 to April 2009. In the show, Steve was joined by long-time friends Dan, Harry, and Rufus who were, in the best possible sense, nobodies. The show focused on music more than banter but was not without its comedic and anecdotal elements. Steve brought some old Xfm features into his show, including Hip-Hop Hooray and Mr Cover-Cover (formerly known as Cover Me Up). The show also introduced many of its own unique features such as 'Songs to Seduce Women By','The Fiendishly Difficult Music Question', and 'Songs to Nurse a Broken Heart'.

Due to its early "laddish" nature, Steve and his mates conducted a search for a "She-J" in the spring of 2007, accepting tapes and mp3s from women wanting to join them regularly in the studio. Ultimately Steve and his mates selected Sammy who quickly became an essential part of the team.

On April 2009, Steve announced the end of The Steve Show, saying they had no further plans for a show on 6Music and citing the need for a break in order to work on a movie (Cemetery Junction) with partner Ricky Gervais. The 6Music bids him a fond farewell on their site: "Our man's off to glamorous tinseltown, where the Hollywood execs will puzzle over what on earth he's talking about with that Brizzle accent! Bon voyage, Stephen, see you at 6 Music again soon...remember, we understand you!".

Episodes Series 1

	Title	With	Download	#
	14 January 2007	Dan, Harry, Dave the Walker	Download Page	1
	Introductions all round, as we are welcomed to Steve's mates. We get to see the return of a couple of old features and a new one where Dan and Harry's musical tastes are pitted against each other. Also, Steve's mate Dave calls, on his way to walk from Land's End to John O' Groats for no particular reason. This weeks Mr Cover Cover is Love The One You're With by The Isley Brothers
	21 January 2007	Dan, Harry, Dave the Walker	Download Page	2
	This weeks Song To Seduce Women By is First Day Of My Life by Bright Eyes. This weeks Mr Cover Cover is Wonderwall by Ryan Adams.
	28 January 2007	Dan, Harry, Dave the Walker	Download Page	3
	Steve is introduced to Super Furry Animals. This weeks Song To Seduce Women By is Northern Sky by Nick Drake. This weeks Mr Cover Cover is Crazy by Ray Lamontagne.
	4 February 2007	Dan, Harry, Dave the Walker, Vik Sharma	Download Page	4
	Steve is introduced to Maxïmo Park. This weeks Song To Seduce Women By is I'll Sing A Love Song To You by Candi Staton and this weeks Mr Cover Cover is Because The Night by Patti Smith.
	11 February 2007	Dan, Harry, Dave the Walker, Stewart Lee	Download Page	5
	This week's show was pre-recorded which Steve thinks takes some of the energy out of the show - and it's hard to disagree really. Comic Stewart Lee drops by to share his musical choices, and as usual we'll have four listener picks championed by Dan and Harry. This weeks Song To Seduce Women By is A Case of You by Joni Mitchell while this weeks Mr Cover Cover is One by Johnny Cash.
	18 February 2007	Dan, Rufus, Dave the Walker	Download Page	6
	During this episode apparently some of the equipment started to smoke whilst playing a song and everyone had to change to a different station room. This weeks Song To Seduce Women By is The Sweetest Thing by U2 while this weeks Mr Cover Cover is Pleasant Valley Sunday by The Wedding Present.
	25 February 2007	Rufus, Sarah	Download Page	7
	Dan and Harry are away so Rufus returns along with the new voice of Sarah. Such features as Songs to Seduce Women and Richard's Fiendishly Difficult Music Quiz re-appear along with the weekly catch-up with Dave the Walker.
	4 March 2007	Dan, Harry, Dave the Walker, Vik Sharma	Download Page	8
	This weeks Song To Seduce Women By is Catch by The Cure and this weeks Mr Cover Cover is Downtown Train by Everything but the Girl.
	11 March 2007	Harry, Dan	Download Page	9
	Rufus unveils his impressive range of accents and the Seduction track is Minnie Riperton's Inside My Love.
	18 March 2007	Dan, Harry, Rufus, Dave the Walker, Kirsten O'Brien	Download Page	10
	Kirsten O'Brien is in the studio to help launch the search for Steve's She-J. Dave the Walker completes his Land End to John o' Groats walk.
	25 March 2007	Rufus, Harry, Dan, Dave the Walker, Adam Buxton.	Download Page	11
	Adam Buxton is in the studio, as is Dave the Walker, celebrating the completion of his mammoth walk from Land's End to John O'Groats.
	01 April 2007	Rufus, Harry	Download Page	12
	Some She-J applications are played and analysed, including one from a certain Geordie, Sammy, and the Seduction song is Cherry by J J Cale.
	08 April 2007	Harry, Vik Sharma	Download Page	13
	Vik Sharma is in the studio and this week's Mr Cover Cover is Victoria by The Fall.
	15 April 2007	Harry, Kirsten O'Brien	Download Page	14
	Kirsten O'Brien is in the studio, to check on progress in the search for a She-J.
	22 April 2007	Rufus, Harry	Download Page	15
	Steve surprises Rufus with a tape he recorded 20 years ago for his brother.
	29 April 2007	Rufus, Dan, She-J Sammy	Download Page	16
	Sammy makes her first appearance as the first of the She-Js to come into the studio and chooses a track by Gomez.
	06 May 2007	Rufus, Harry, She-J Sarah	Download Page	17
	Australian She-J Sarah joins the show this week with tales of meeting Prince Charles and the Arcade Fire.
	13 May 2007	Rufus, Harry, She-J Lolita	Download Page	18
	A pre-recorded show as Steve was on holiday, allowing for lots of swearing. They also discussed Myspace and Facebook, and were joined by hopeful She-J Lolita, who chose a track by M Ward and had a present for everyone.
	20 May 2007	Harry, Dan, She-J Hope Eternal	Download Page	19
	Steve discusses his holiday in Morocco and brings in a fez for tiny Dan to wear, and the team is joined by potential She-J Hope Eternal, who plays a track by Sundae Club.
	27 May 2007	Dan, Harry, Rufus, Sammy	Download Page	20
	Aqualung perform live in the 6Music Hub and Steve talks about his night at the BAFTAs.
	03 June 2007	Dan, Harry, Rufus, Sammy	Download Page	21
	Sammy returns as the new permanent She-J!
	10 June 2007	Harry, Sammy	Download Page	22
	The gang talk about TV show Britain's Got Talent, unpleasant challenges for Harry and Rufus at Glastonbury and Steve puts out a plea for a helicopter to take him to the festival.
	17 June 2007	Harry, Rufus, Sammy	Download Page	23
	Guest star Rashida Jones of the American Office in the studio.
	24 June 2007	Harry, Rufus	Download Page	24
	Steve, Harry, and Rufus are live from Glastonbury.
	1 July 2007	Harry, Sammy	Download Page	25
	Vik Sharma is in the studio and chooses tracks by Caribou, Lupe Fiasco and Sexton Blake.
	8 July 2007	Harry, Rufus, Sammy	Download Page	26
	More chat from the gang, including talk of an intimate Foo Fighters gig.
	15 July 2007	Dan, Harry, Rufus, Sammy	Download Page	27
	Sammy talks about her upcoming film, Dogging: A Love Story.
	22 July 2007	Dan, Sammy, Kirsten O'Brien	Download Page	28
	Kirsten O'Brien comes in again to see how the She-J is getting on, Steve chats to Eddie Argos of Art Brut and retells a classic Pirates of Penzance anecdote.
	29 July 2007	Dan, Harry, Rufus, Sammy	Download Page	29
	All the gang are present and playing some favourite tracks from the last few months of the show to celebrate the end of Series 1, before a month long break.

Episodes Series 2

	Title	With	Download	#
	2 September 2007	Dan, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	30
	Steve is back after a month-long break. Sammy has some trouble getting to the studio and they play a live session from Aimee Mann with flirtatious interview.
	9 September 2007	Harry, Sammy, Rufus	Download Page	31
	Rufus is back for Steve's second show after the month-long hiatus. Joining him are Steve Show regulars Sammy and Harry, who discuss their night at the GQ Awards with Steve.
	16 September 2007	Harry, Rufus, Sammy	Download Page	32
	Rufus breaks the news of his recent engagement leading to discussion of propositions and weddings.
	23 September 2007	Rufus, Sammy, Tony MacMurray	Download Page	33
	Steve's acting friend Tony MacMurray joins the gang in the studio, and the listener's choice is 'Count of Monte Christo' by Noisettes.
	30 September 2007	Rufus, Sammy, Vik Sharma	Download Page	34
	Steve discusses his appearance on Blockbusters that has made it onto the net (See it here) and Steve's opponent, Roopam, phones the show.
	7 October 2007	Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	35
	Harry returns after a break and they read out listeners' embarrassing anecdotes.
	14 October 2007	Harry, Dan, Sammy, Rufus	Download Page	36
	Rufus wows everyone with his Bob Dylan impression, pigeonhole tracks are from Lethal Bizzle, M.I.A. and The Go! Team.
	21 October 2007	Harry, Rufus, Sammy	Download Page	37
	In an attempt to appear more cultured, Steve brings in his writer friend Matt Thorne to talk about the Booker Prize list.
	28 October 2007	Harry, Rufus, Sammy	Download Page	38
	Everyone chooses a pop track this week, Harry and Sammy are in trouble for not giving a book review but Rufus redeems the show with an excellent analysis of Ian McEwan's 'On Chesil Beach'.
	4 November 2007	Harry, Rufus, Sammy	Download Page	39
	Steve discusses his new found love for fireworks displays, Johnny Flynn performs live in the studio and there is controversy when Rupert Brooke is confused with Wilfred Owen.
	11 November 2007	Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	40
	A live session from Gideon Conn.
	18 November 2007	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	41
	Sammy gets very excited when Duke Special performs a live set in the studio.
	25 November 2007	Rufus, Dan, Sammy, Vik Sharma	Download Page	42
	Vik Sharma comes in to talk about music and the internet.
	02 December 2007	Rufus, Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	43
	Steve talks about his entry in Heat magazine's Weird Crush competition.
	09 December 2007	Harry, Rufus, Sammy, Ron and Elaine Merchant	Download Page	44
	Steve's parents pop into the show for a bit and Ron Merchant gives advice on plumbing.
	16 December 2007	Rufus, Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	45
	Pigeonhole tracks from Hot Chip, Radiohead and Kanye West
	23 December 2007	Rufus, Harry, Sammy, Rob Brydon	Download Page	46
	In this special Christmassy episode Frank Turner is performing live in the studio, and is joined by comedian Rob Brydon, who is Steve's guest for the show.
	30 December 2007	Rufus, Harry, Dan, Sammy, Michael Sheen	Download Page	47
	Final show of the year before some time off, Michael Sheen joins them in the studio.

Episodes Series 3

	Title	With	Download	#
	03 February 2008	Harry, Sammy, Dave Gorman	Download Page	48
	The gang return after a break for the new year, and Dave Gorman comes in to talk about his new TV show.
	10 February 2008	Rufus, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	49
	The wonderful Laura Marling performs 'Ghosts' and 'Alas I Cannot Swim' live.
	17 February 2008	Martin Freeman	Download Page	50
	Martin Freeman sits in while Steve's off ill after a dodgy sausage.
	24 February 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	51
	Doug Walker performs live in the studio and Steve embarrasses himself thinking Ipswich is in the North.
	02 March 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	52
	Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly perform a live session and Rufus provides a Gentleman's Guide for anyone facing dilemmas of social etiquette.
	09 March 2008	Rufus, Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	53
	All of Steve's cronies are present and they dedicate the show to film producer Brian Glazer, in an attempt to provide him with the cultural attache he is apparently looking for. Comedian Richard Herring is on the phone talking about Lemsip, stand up and women.
	16 March 2008	Rufus, Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	54
	The full gang are present for another show, featuring pigeon hole tracks from Elbow, Neon Neon, and the long forgotten James.
	23 March 2008	Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	55
	Steve almost misses the show after being stranded in France by poor weather and Sharon Horgan guests to talk about the new series of her comedy show 'Pulling'.
	30 March 2008	Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	56
	A Ricky anecdote, some rapping, and Nizlopi perform live in the studio.
	06 April 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	57
	Sammy shocks everyone with the revelation that she's previously done a nude photo shoot and Steve tests out the gang's skills with a music quiz.
	13 April 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	58
	Music from Fiona Apple, Nancy Sinatra and The Divine Comedy.
	20 April 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	59
	Steve bets against himself in the BAFTAs and turns to Harry for advice on working out percentages.
	27 April 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	60
	Live music from Conil, illusionist Derren Brown is in the studio and Steve chats about his BAFTA experience and serial killers.
	18 May 2008	Rufus, Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	61
	Steve reports on his trip to Cambodia, including being blessed by a monk and reveals the hat he bought to wear on the trip, inspiring much mockery. They also discuss playing Simply Red at a party and James King is on the phone to give us news from the Cannes Film Festival.
	25 May 2008	Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	62
	Eurovision is the topic of discussion, which leads to the question what is Britain good at these days? Turns out, not a lot. Mark Dolan is on the phone to discuss his current TV show about the tallest and shortest people in the world. The gang review Scarlett Johansson's new single, and it gets SLAMMED.
	01 June 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	63
	The gang discuss songs which changed their lives, music journalist Sophie Harris, one of the contributors to the book 1000 Songs To Change Your Life joins them to discuss it.
	08 June 2008	Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	64
	The gang are in London, Steve is in New York City! LL Cool J is this week's interviewee, and Steve busts some sweet sweet rhymes for him. The Duke Spirit are also in for a live session.
	15 June 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	65
	Steve is back and has picked up another hat whilst in New York, which evokes much derision. They discuss brilliant 'huffs' including a Christmas story featuring a young Steve.
	22 June 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	66
	Rufus has returned from Bath with tales about Steve as told by Elaine "Mum" Merchant, documentary-maker Jon Ronson is in the studio to walk about his various projects, and Athlete are in for a live session.
	29 June 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	67
	It's Glastonbury weekend and the gang are LIVE... from the 6music studios in London. Not that they are bitter, much, they discuss the least Glastonbury things they can think of and plan their own festival, Steve-fest aka Festeve-al.
	6 July 2008	Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	68
	Bad news from Harry and Sammy, he's had his bike stolen and she's been under attack from spiders and zips. Steve asks for suggestions for his Inside The Actor's Studio style list of questions and The Zombies are in for a pre-recorded interview and session.
	13 July 2008	Sammy	Download Page	69
	Steve and Sammy are all on their own this week, Harry is on holiday, Dan is working and Rufus is hiding from Pilkipedians. Comedian Mark Watson joins them to discuss his eclectic body of work, Steve discusses various urban legends from the world of music and film and Minotaur Shock aka Dave Edwards joins them on the line for an interview.
	20 July 2008	Harry, Sammy	Download Page	70
	Harry's missus has been making reverse shopping lists, Sammy's dad has been hacking up a dead cat and Steve resurrects an Xfm classic, the "Please welcome to the stage..." band name test and applies it to listener suggestions. James from The Brute Chorus comes in for a solo session, while the rest of the chorus have a lie-in up North and Steve tells an anecdote about listening to Ricky on the radio.
	27 July 2008	Rufus, Harry, Dan, Sammy	Download Page	71
	Dan is offered 200 camels for his girlfriend, the gang discuss 18-30's holidays and Teddy Thompson is live in session.
	3 August 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	72
	Comedian Louis CK drops in to talk about his UK stand-up tour.
	10 August 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	73
	Steve and all the gang are live from the Summer Sundae Weekender in Leicester.
	17 August 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	74
	Steve recounts the previous nights antics at Rufus's stag party, brings in a professional hairdresser to help him give Sammy a new look and plays The Steve Show gang's cover of Jacko's Black and White, recorded the previous week. Also mad Jude's last ever show!
	31 August 2008	Rufus, Harry, Sammy	Download Page	75
	The Steve Show crew are all back to chew the musical fat with Scroobius Pip, plus Steve recounts Rufus's wedding.
	05 October 2008	Sammy, Dan and Ricky Wilson	Download Page	76
	The Steve Show crew are back from their mini break!

Episodes Series 4

	Title	With	Download	#
	30 November 2008	Rufus, Dan, Harry, Sammy and Ben Folds	Download Page	77
	It's a shambles as the Steve gang return to the airwaves. Steve shares stories about D. "the Rock" J. and racialist drivers, plus Ben Folds is in the studio for a chat.
	07 December 2008	Rufus, Harry and Sammy	Download Page	78
	Steve and the team are joined by Howling Bells live in the 6 Music Hub. Plus, Rufus auctions off his belongings in Latin - informative, educational and entertaining!
	14 December 2008	Rufus, Harry, Dan and Sammy	Download Page	79
	Steve and the gang are this week joined by South London poet, MC and all round Shakespeare fan Excentral Tempest.
	21 December 2008	Rufus, Harry and Sammy	Download Page	80
	Madcap tomfoolery aplenty from Stephen and the team and Rachel Unthank And The Winterset perform live in the hub.
	28 December 2008	Rufus, Dan and Sammy	Download Page	81
	The Steve Show gang look back at some of the best Steve Show moments of 2008, with the help of Michael Sheen.
	04 January 2009	Rufus, Harry and Sammy	Download Page	82
	Steve and the gang bring in the new year with new music as they predict which acts they think will be destined for success this year.
	11 January 2009	Rufus, Harry, Dan and Sammy	Download Page	83
	Steve and gang are joined by film critic James King as they cast their eye over this year's biggest film releases, including X Men Origins: Wolverine and Frost/Nixon.
	18 January 2009	Rufus, Harry and Sammy	Download Page	84
	Steve and the gang discuss a life of crime and if they would survive in prison, plus Pete & The Pirates are live in the Hub.
	25 January 2009	Harry, Dan and Sammy	Download Page	85
	Steve and the gang try to cater to everyone (even those not listening) to make up for the "out of control" BBC.
	01 February 2009	Rufus, Harry and Sammy	Download Page	86
	Steve and gang yearn for press attention, Amanda Palmer performs live in the hub and there's also the weekly delve into the Pigeon Hole for brand new releases.
	08 February 2009	Harry, Dan and Sammy	Download Page	87
	Steve reveals his obsession with the Fonz and Eugene McGuinness performs live in the 6 Music hub.
	15 February 2009	Harry, Dan and Sammy	Download Page	88
	Harry Shearer joins Steve and the gang to talk about his Grammy nominated album, The Simpsons and Spinal Tap plus there's a game of the True Or False Life Quiz with Sammy's dad!
	01 March 2009	Harry and Sammy	Download Page	89
	Quit yo jibba jabba fool and listen to Steve chatting to Mr T and M Ward is in session. There's also three more tracks from the Pigeon Hole and Steve's tales of his recent trip to India
	08 March 2009	Harry and Sammy	Download Page	90
	Rob Brydon talks about his new single for Comic Relief, Radio 4 presenter Evan Davis discusses his recent stand up routine plus Ruarri Joseph perform live in the studio.
	15 March 2009	Rufus, Harry, Dan and Sammy	Download Page	91
	Super Posh Rufus returns after his hiatus and the gang talk about weird fanmail and Michael Jackson, plus they have Polly Scattergood playing live in the hub.
	22 March 2009	Rufus, Harry and Sammy	Download Page	92
	Rob Brydon is back on the phone to relive his live Top Of The Pops appearance for Comic Relief and how it feels to land the #1 spot in the UK charts and Bleech play live in the hub.
	29 March 2009	Harry and Sammy	Download Page	93
	Steve, Harry and Sammy find out which bands you were there for before their careers took off, plus Steve remembers the good old days of interviewing porn stars.
	05 April 2009	Rufus, Harry and Sammy	Download Page	94
	Steve and cohorts interview interesting listeners, Harry, Sammy and Rufus all have a musical choice and the Pigeon Hole produces one of the worst songs ever heard on the show.
	12 April 2009	Rufus, Harry and Sammy	Download Page	95
	The gang set out to rid Sammy of her alcohol allergy with some malted beverages and MC Xander, human beatboxer extraordinaire, is on hand to accompany Steve on a demonstration of his "impeccable flow".
	19 April 2009	Rufus, Harry and Sammy	Download Page	96
	Southport indie-rockers Gomez are in session, plus top class Brit actor David Tennant pops in for a chat about TV, stage and life post-Dr Who.
	26 April 2009	Rufus, Harry and Sammy	Download Page	97
	Chicago band Casiotone For The Painfully Alone take a break from their extensive European tour to play in session for Stephen and pals. Plus, a chat with comedian, director, writer, producer, blah blah blah...it's bloomin' Simon Pegg!
	03 May 2009	Rufus, Harry, Dan and Sammy	Download Page	98
	Brighton electro rockers Fujiya and Miyagi play in session for Stephen. Plus, all the usual fabulous tuneage and merriment with Sammy, Rufus and Harry. Final show.

See Also

• The Steve Show Downloads

External links

• The official site for Stephen Merchant's 6 Music show

• Stephen Merchant 6Music on Myspace (unofficial)

• Stephen Merchant - The best thing to happen to 6Music, A Facebook Group

• Steve's mate Dave's blog, with entries following his walk from Land's End to John O'Groats

• Steve Show Posse - A music themed blog created by members of the Steve Show crew after the show's end