When the comedy pop quiz "Never Mind The Buzzcocks" burst onto
screens in November 1996, it reflected a cynical perspective
on pop music, sneering at the Spice Girls, and blaspheming Britpop.
For the best part of a decade it was one of the few programmes
I would make an appointment to watch, and in a rather tough
period growing up, one we were able to watch as a family
regardless of its adult nature.
18 years on, the programme has been given its more than
timely marching orders, in a climate where rather than give
today's pop performers a ribbing, they're treated to a love-in
regardless of their vacuous personas.
Even the guests themselves have found it hard to take.
Rather than bemoan the long decline of the series, here's
five standout shows that have provided mirth within the melodics.
David Van Day (Series 9, 2001)
If you've ever wondered as to why the male half of Dollar
has become an obnoxious tosspot in the last decade,
maybe the constant tauntings of his side-venture as a burger
van vendor are to blame, from his appearance on the show
in the latter half of 2001.
Right from the opening Lamarr and team captain Sean Hughes
fire off the kebab gags to much cringey hilarity.
Even guest Ricky Tomlinson gets in on the act, providing an
amusing reminder of the more raucous period of the Lamarr
era, before he turned into an angry, bitter man towards the end
of his tenure.
Pete Burns (Series 10, 2002)
The series has seen it's fair share of outrageous guests,
but when Pete Burns appeared in Sean Hughes final series,
the Dead Or Alive singer caused a stir not just with his
bitchy behaviour, but his rather shocking facial appearance.
Lamarr later commented that "an inexperienced surgeon mixed
crossply and radial together"
Amy Winehouse (Series 19, 2006)
Slightly biased as I was in the audience for this episode,
though having made a memorable appearance on the showin 2004 around the time of her first album, the singer's
second outing on the show turned out to be more outrageous.
Simon Amstell having settled in well as the new permanent
host for this series picks up on the change in persona
from "the old Amy", as later reflected
in the video for "Back To Black".
Though whilst the episode has it's fair share of funny moments,
it's a tragic reflection of the long-term repercussions of the singer
and many wonder whether Amstell had a point. Well, maybe not
about duetting with Katie Melua.
Donny Tourette (Series 20, 2007)
Screened after the singer's infamous appearance and escape from
the Big Brother house, but recorded before it, this episode cemented
Simon Amstell's position as the definitive host for the show.
I personally thought it overshadowed the episode with Preston
walking out, though unlike the lead singer of the Ordinary Boys,
Patrick Brannan to give him his real name, at least has the courage
to laugh heartily at the jibes made at him.
But taking on Bill Bailey, that's a no-no as the team captain
manages to deal with the childish digs in his ever-hilarious manner.
Even Noel Fielding in his first appearance on the show is amusing,
which is an added bonus.
Frankie Boyle (Series 24, 2011)
For me this is where the show should have ended.
Two series without Amstell, it was clear that they weren't able to find
anyone who could take on the show permanently made even
more evident, by eventually enlisting Rhod Gilbert for it's fateful
final series.
Whilst Boyle would never be asked to take on the permanent mantle,
this episode made up for many a shambolic guest host this series,
and with Boyle being the only one who'd hosted before, he settles in
well, even allowing witty if at times wicked banter with the guests,
namely an impressionable Michelle Williams off of Destiny's Child.
Sadly rather than end the series here, they focused less on getting
a permanent host, and more on unfunny gimmicks and unnecessary
props, allowing the show to become the exact parody of what it
laid into.
With 269 shows to it's belt, Never Mind The Buzzcocks can go
to it's grave knowing it's run for a hundred more shows than
Noel's House Party.
But like said show, if your remember the show at it's prime
with Lamarr and Amstell at their sharpest, you'll be able
to recall it as enjoyable.
I say enjoyable, I mean tolerable...
No comments:
Post a Comment