Holly Willoughby’s new YouTube series, titled *Holly Willoughby Together with Joy*, has drawn criticism following the release of its debut episode, which aired recently. The lifestyle programme, designed to leverage Willoughby’s familiarity from her long-running role on ITV’s *This Morning*, has been described by viewers and commentators as lacking the engaging elements that have characterised her previous work.
Set in a domestic-style kitchen, the show features a muted color scheme of beige and blush pink, with cookware prominently displayed, including items from Stanley Tucci’s own range. Willoughby appears alongside Tucci as the sole guest in the first installment, which is centered around preparing a simple courgette pasta dish with just five ingredients. The episode unfolds slowly, with some moments highlighting technical difficulties with kitchen equipment and a casual, informal filming style involving visible crew members and handheld cameras.
In an attempt to present a more relaxed and unscripted atmosphere, the show opens with Willoughby interacting with the production team in a candid manner, even using mild swearing and pouring a glass of wine on camera. The production notably departs from the lively format of *This Morning*, omitting co-host banter, live segments, and a magazine-style approach that allowed for varied content. Instead, viewers encounter an elongated cooking demonstration interspersed with ad breaks—one notably promoting Voy, a provider of weight-loss injections, without thorough explanation.
The dynamic between Willoughby and Tucci appears friendly and familiar, with the pair sharing anecdotes, including a story where Willoughby made Tucci a toffee vodka using an unconventional method involving a dishwasher. However, despite Tucci's efforts to maintain momentum, including discussing nostalgic British foods like Pot Noodle and a Greggs sausage roll, the pacing has been described as slow, with extended focus on minor details such as locating bottles or opening packaging.
Midway through the episode, Willoughby’s energy visibly wanes, prompting a segment where she and Tucci read aloud the ingredients from a Fray Bentos steak and kidney pie tin—a moment emblematic of the programme’s uneven rhythm. Wooden spoons marked with questions are also used as prompts in an effort to spark conversation.
The series is produced by Willoughby’s husband, Dan Baldwin, who appears intermittently on screen. Critics have pointed out that the relaxed, low-budget feel and lack of scripted engagement may not meet audience expectations, especially when compared to other recent lifestyle series that have incorporated a broader range of activities and dynamic presentation styles.
Future episodes are expected to explore topics such as fashion and beauty, potentially offering more variety to the show’s format. For now, *Together* has sparked discussion about the challenges faced by established presenters when transitioning to digital platforms with less structured programming.