Never Mind the Buzzcocks

[Thursday Next]

I thought it was time this show had its own thread, rather than just hijacking the Torchwood thread...

http://www.ukgameshows.com/page/images/1/13/Never_mind_the_buzzcocks_06_logo.jpg

Humorous music quiz Never Mind the Buzzcocks returns to our screens soon (see the bbc press release (http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/09_september/14/buzzcocks.shtml)). Sadly, Simon Amstell isn't coming back, they are going down the Have I Got News For You 'guest presenter' route. Which I'm not sure about. But one of the guest presenters is going to be Alex James, apparently, so I'm on board with that...

Bill Bailey quit some time ago and so Noel Fielding, who filled in for Bailey when he was on a break before, takes over on a permanent basis. But Phill Jupitus remains an ever-constant presence.

Most excitingly (for me, anyway), I might be going to be in the audience for one show, a friend of mine has got tickets for a filming in November. :D

[honeykid]

I heard about Noel Fielding taking over and, when that whole drug thing kicked off a couple of weeks ago, the BBC decided against it but, sadly, it seems they've relented and the muppet will be a permenant fixture. :(

I'm sure it'll still be good, but it appears that this programme will keep on its downward spiral. It's a shame because I used to think it was hysterically funny most of the time whereas now there are editions that are barely funny. On the plus side, Simon's gone. :)

[adidasss]

Time for a best of vids methinks:
Donny Tourette...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btx0aoH2uKI&feature=related

"You think me a small penis?" http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc220/diezelpower/radosnice.gif

He makes Preston leave the show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHJgFJTEHLI&feature=related

Antony Costa from Blue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI1_Hm41BXw

[n3wt]

I love the show :yup: The newest presenter is a legend!

[Thursday Next]

I heard about Noel Fielding taking over and, when that whole drug thing kicked off a couple of weeks ago, the BBC decided against it but, sadly, it seems they've relented

I don't think that was ever true, it was only ever reported in the Sun (always a reliable source of information :rolleyes:)

On the plus side, Simon's gone. :)

You don't like Noel or Simon? :suspicious:

I think Noel will be good, he was when he was on it before. Although I also think Tim Minchin would have made a good Bailey substitute.

[honeykid]

I hate The Mighty Boosh with a passion. Sorry, but it's just not funny to me.

Simon I've never liked. Didn't like him on T4, didn't like him as a guest on Buzzcocks and didn't like him as host. I will say that I got used to him being there, as I'm sure I will with Noel (though he's such a twat that, even when he's funny, I still want to flatten him) but I never liked him and I'm pleased to see him go.

Thanks for the info about Noel and the drugs. I read it but I don't remember looking at the source. That'll teach me. :D

[adidasss]

But he's cute and has great hair and wears sweaters...:(

[Thursday Next]

I hate The Mighty Boosh with a passion. Sorry, but it's just not funny to me

I love the Boosh! I get that some people don't get it. It's often odd rather than laugh out loud funny. I find it endearing but I can see how some people wouldn't. But I don't know why you should hate them with a passion :(

I didn't like Simon Amstell much on T4 but I thought he was really good on Buzzcocks. Maybe because he wasn't having to try to be so kid friendly.

[honeykid]

But he's cute and has great hair and wears sweaters...:(

What!?!?!?

I love the Boosh! I get that some people don't get it. It's often odd rather than laugh out loud funny. I find it endearing but I can see how some people wouldn't. But I don't know why you should hate them with a passion :(



Well, I guess it's really just Noel than the other guy. That and the fact that I just don't get it. But them, I don't get much comedy of the last 10 years or so. :(

[Thursday Next]

But he's cute and has great hair and wears sweaters... :(What!?!?!?

He means Simon... Noel rarely wears sweaters ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWmNTtJ-OPI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5N4Zw0c63c

It won't be quite the same without Simon...

[adidasss]

How can anyone not find that funny?! :laugh:

[honeykid]

He means Simon... Noel rarely wears sweaters ;)

I knew which one he meant, I just can't believe anyone thinks he's got great hair?!?!? :D

Moving the discussion on a bit, what do you guys think of Phil Jupitus? Whenever I read boards discussing NTB, he always gets a real pasting from most of the posters.

I think he's ok, he has his moments and, even though it is a comedy programme, it's good to have someone who really knows about music on the panel. Obviously when the programme started this was the case with the host and, to a certain extent, Sean and definately with his replacement Bill Bailey, but has lessened since and will probably do so even more in the series to follow.

I'm guessing he'll take on a different role now, as not only is he the only original member but also the 'cast' has moved on another generation and, with the guest host format, my guess is that he'll be there to 'babysit' the poorer ones through it.

[Thursday Next]

I think you're right, it is useful to have someone who knows a lot about music on there. I'm still not convinced about guest hosts...just seen a trailer for the new series (Thursday 9.30, BBC2) where they're making a big thing of the lack of permanent presenter.

[honeykid]

Yeah I saw that too, but then, last series they made a big deal out of Bill not being there. Hopefully, unlike the last series, that won't become a feature of the programmes themselves. How horrible was all that "Where's Bill?" and the singing and everything. Thank God for Sky +.

[Thursday Next]

Urgh. James Corden as guest presenter was awful. At least he was only there for one week... Bring back Simon!

[honeykid]

He wasn't good, but then he pretty much did the Simon spiel, so what can you expect? ;) This was a poor episode though, regardless of the host.

[Thursday Next]

Yeah, it really wasn't great.

[honeykid]

In fact, so poor that it appears that neither of us really has anything to say about it. Here's hoping for a better one this week.

[honeykid]

Looking forward to tonight's episode as it's hosted by Rhod Gilbert. I don't know what he'll be like as host, but his stand-up is really funny.

Gabby Logan's on one of the teams tonight, so there's another reason for me to watch. ;)

[undercoverlover]

im a huge buzzcocks fan and ive seen it filmed twice and if u think the shows funny, u should see what theyre not allowed to show.

i thought Corden wasnt bad but im looking forward to seeing who else is gonna host. i did get annoyed at how he kept mispronouncing Janeane Garofalo's name and that there wasnt much guest humour.

Also, didnt the show used to be longer, or is it just me?

[honeykid]

It's the same length, but they appear to have shortened the Next Lines round. But that's been the case for the last few series of it.

Liked Rhod Gilbert a lot as host. Much, much better than last weeks effort.

[42ndStreetFreak]

The trouble with new presenters each episode is that that you lose the build up of the act, the waaaaaay a presenter relates to things.
Ah, it's okay. But I wonder what the **** Simon is going to do other than this.

[honeykid]

I think this answers your question, 42nd. I'm sure Adi and TN will be interested also.

BBC Two has commissioned a Simon Amstell-penned sitcom called Grandma's House.

The project, which marks Amstell's writing and acting debut, has been greenlit by the broadcaster for six 30-minute episodes.

The series - co-written by Dan Swimer, who Amstell previously worked with on PopWorld and Never Mind The Buzzcocks - is apparently inspired by the comic's own life, with each episode focusing on his family at his grandmother's home in Essex.

BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow said: "Simon Amstell is a great comic talent and I am looking forward to his venture into sitcom. The script is very funny and I can't wait to see it brought to life on BBC Two."

Linda Bassett, Geoffrey Hutchings, Rebecca Front and Nicola Walker have been confirmed to star.

Filming on the series is slated to begin in February, with transmission scheduled for later in 2010.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a181625/bbc-two-commissions-simon-amstell-sitcom.html

I'm also assuming that he'll be carrying on with his stand-up.

[honeykid]

Tonight's wasn't very good, was it? Noel was embarrassingly bad and, when Peter Serowhatsmyname is the funniest bloke on either panel, you've really got trouble. That said, he really did make me laugh a couple of times, especially the bit about 911 breaking up live on air being their 9/11. Very good.

I thought Alex was ok, though obviously not a good presenter, he's good natured enough to handle the whole thing on charm alone. Just wished they hadn't tried to shoehorn in a 'game'. It never, never works.

[Thursday Next]

I like Alex a lot and he was, as you say, good natured enough to handle it although I agree not really a presenter. I miss Simon.

I don't think Noel was embarrassingly bad at all, I thought the bit with the fruit was the funniest bit...

[Used Future]

I hate The Mighty Boosh with a passion. Sorry, but it's just not funny to me.

Ditto.

Simon I've never liked... I will say that I got used to him being there... (though he's such a twat that, even when he's funny, I still want to flatten him)

It's not just me then. I stopped watching after (original twat) Mark Lamarr left. Simon was just unbearably smug and cocky; more infuriating than funny. I'm a pacifistic kind of guy, but I'd end up wanting to chin the little wanker if I met him in real life.

Anyway I've never really rated the show that highly. Phil Jupitus is about as funny as cancer, and the format is dull. Plus most of the obnoxious humour is at other people's expense; a vile show if you ask me. I'll take Mock the Week all day over Buzzcocks.

[honeykid]

... I don't think Noel was embarrassingly bad at all, I thought the bit with the fruit was the funniest bit...

I guess this is why we disagree on him. For me, that was Noel at his most pathetic, the kind of thing I'd expect from a 6th form pupil who wasn't popular, desperately wanted to be, but had no idea how to go about it.

I miss Simon too, but my aim is getting better.


... Plus most of the obnoxious humour is at other people's expense; a vile show if you ask me. I'll take Mock the Week all day over Buzzcocks.

You may find the humour obnoxious, but surely you can't back MTW over NTB because it finds its humour at the expense of others? MTW is the king of that and fabulous for it. Shame Frankie's left. It's just not going to be the same without him.

BTW, I loved Mark Lamarr. Part of the reason I hate Amstell on NTB so much was because he was, at least on the show, Lamarr lite and a very pale immatation at that.

[Used Future]

Maybe, but I get a real vibe of snideness off Never Mind the Buzzcocks, that I don't get from Mock the Week.

[Thursday Next]

Ok, so last night I went to the filming and it was awesome! So much so that it's making me use words I don't normally use, like awesome.

The episode we saw filmed was a Doctor Who themed Christmas special (Noel: "I always associate Christmas with time travel.") to be shown on Christmas Eve. Guest host was David Tennant who was brilliant. Really funny and really host-y. Phill's team were Jo Whiley and Bernard Cribbins (so surreal that Noel invited him to join the Boosh) and Noel had Jamie Cullum and Catherine Tate, who was actually very funny although I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, she was just so absolutely completely, endearingly useless at the quiz and claimed to nothing about music or Doctor Who. Noel was wearing that stupid hat he has with donkey ears on whcih was a bit odd. There were a few guest appearances from Doctor Who aliens and a running joke about Tennant actually liking Coldplay.

My friends and I were all surprised, considering the series so far hasn't been the strongest, at just how funny it was. There was probably about an hour and a half of filming, including reshooting some of Tennant's links, and it was pretty much all funny, there wasn't really any dead time. We had a great time, anyway :)

[adidasss]

Wow. Sounds awesome...;) Can't wait to see it...(:

[honeykid]

Glad to hear that you had a good time and found it so funny. I'm hoping for the best, from what you've said, but...


The episode we saw filmed was a Doctor Who themed Christmas special (Noel: "I always associate Christmas with time travel.") to be shown on Christmas Eve. Guest host was David Tennant...

... Noel had Jamie Cullum and Catherine Tate...

http://www.fallen-legion.eu/news/data/upimages/DoubleFacePalm.jpg

BTW, was there any warning given that NTB was moving to Wednesdays? The week of the move I suddenly realised that it hadn't been on Thursday (that's how good this series has been) and recorded the weekend repeat thinking it was an old one. Realised that it was a new one and wondered what had happened to it.

I also didn't see any trailers announcing a new series of HIGNFY and, therefore, missed the first episode of this series. :(

[Pyro Tramp]

Everything Honeykid said. Just glad that i watch all my BBC helpings on the iplayer

[Thursday Next]

I didn't see/hear any warning about the move, although some people I know said they mentioned it at the end of the previous week's episode. It seems an odd place to put it, sandwiched between Andrew Marr and Newsnight. Why is there no comedy on BBC2 anymore?

And yeah, I know Jamie Cullum and Catherine Tate doesn't sound like a good thing. I never really liked her, but she was funny, just in how hopeless she was. Somehow it doesn't surprise me at all that you don't like David Tennant, honeykid...

[honeykid]

... Somehow it doesn't surprise me at all that you don't like David Tennant, honeykid...

I'm not surprised that you're not surprised, TN. :) I used to watch Dr. Who before he became the Doctor, although I did watch a couple of episodes, in a failed attempt to work through it. Never have liked him. I think it's his stupid, skinny legs and 'boggy' eyes. If it's not, then they're certainly the things that annoy me most about him.

Anyone else think that there's been a huge improvement in the last couple of Buzzcock shows? I really enjoyed last weeks (with Frank Skinner) and tonights was good too, though I confess to being bias as it was hosted by, the delightful, Ms Claudia Winkleman. *sigh* :love:

[Thursday Next]

Well, I liked this week's. Noel Fielding, Tim Minchin and Shingai Shoniwa all on one team...nice (although, as Mr. Next pointed out, bet it took a long time to do the hair of that team...). Not sure what was going on with the host. He looked like a young David Baddiel. Is he the bloke off that annoying cider advert? Amusing when he forgot to pass over the cards, glad they kept that in.

[honeykid]

Mark Watson's a comedian, often found on panel shows (especially Mock The Week). I liked this week's too (despite that line up ;) TN ) and, it appears, that the programme's finally hitting its stride. I hope it continues in this vein.

[42ndStreetFreak]

I keep missing this now!


Anyway...There is a 'Best of' DVD coming out soon. With unseen bits and some NEW footage filmed by Amstell and Phil Jupitus.
It's got an '18' rating (!?)

[honeykid]

Whether I get that or not all depends on how much Lamarr (especially the early Sean Hughes stuff) is on there. The rest if repeated often enough for me.

Is the Mock The Week dvd a new one? If so, I might get that. I love Mock The Week.

[Thursday Next]

I liked this week's too (despite that line up ;) TN ) and, it appears, that the programme's finally hitting its stride. I hope it continues in this vein.

You don't like Tim or Shingai either, honeykid? I think the only way we're going to agree on the guests is if Drew Barrymore turns up!

Even Mr. Next laughed at Noel this week and he normally moans that he's not funny, so it must be getting better.

[honeykid]

You don't like Tim or Shingai either, honeykid? I think the only way we're going to agree on the guests is if Drew Barrymore turns up!

I don't like Tim much (never have, although he's getting better with age. That or I'm getting used to him) but I've no idea who the other guy was. :confused: TBH, I can't really remember him.

I think one of the big reasons things have picked up is because we've had better presenters. Proper presenters, if you will. Three stand-ups (all of whom will be used to live performance, interruptions, heckles, etc) and a professional presenter. A marked difference from an actor and a bass player/farmer.

[42ndStreetFreak]

Whether I get that or not all depends on how much Lamarr (especially the early Sean Hughes stuff) is on there. The rest if repeated often enough for me.


I think it's just the Amstell stuff, as he is the only one on the front cover.

[honeykid]

Thanks for the info, 42nd. That's a shame, unless I see it really cheap or get it as a pressie, I won't bother.

[Thursday Next]

I've no idea who the other guy was. :confused: TBH, I can't really remember him.

Which other guy? There was Donal McIntyre who is apparently some kind of undercover watchdog-type programme guy (nope, me neither) and Daniel Merriweather who is a singer (did he do that Smiths cover with Mark Ronson?). I was talking about the girl on Noel's team, though, Shingai. She's the singer from the Noisettes. I love them and I think she's just brilliant.

[honeykid]

Oh, I see. I had no idea who she was. :o That's not a big surprise though, as I often don't know who the guests are. That said, I did know who Donal McIntyre was. :D

[honeykid]

So, last nights edition? Comments?

I always like it when Dappy's on, he's like a musical Jade Goody. Friendly, well meaning, but not the sharpest tool in the box. Thought Martin Freeman did a decent job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNrwJWCJXxk
*Go to about 24 seconds to pass the crappy music*

[Thursday Next]

Gosh, this thread has died a bit hasn't it? Sorry for not coming on here and disagreeing with HK about all the guests ;)

I liked last night's ep. I'm not a massive fan of Frankie Boyle. When he's funny, he can be very very funny but most of the time he just uses bad language, general misanthropy and references to sexual abuse in the hope that being offensive is the same as being funny all the time. He's a bit hit and miss. The guests weren't brilliantly interesting. I have lost respect for both Richard Herring and Noel Fielding for not recognising The Pixies.

Doctor Who Christmas Special next week!!

[Pyro Tramp]

I don't like how the writing of the presenter shows through, all seem like emulation of Amstel/Lamar opposed to individual personalities. So liked Frankie Boyle, being Frankie Boyle.

[honeykid]

Gosh, this thread has died a bit hasn't it? Sorry for not coming on here and disagreeing with HK about all the guests ;)

Well, quite. You can't expect me to argue with myself, y'know. Then I'd just be arguing for the sake of arguing. :D

I liked last night's ep. I'm not a massive fan of Frankie Boyle. When he's funny, he can be very very funny but most of the time he just uses bad language, general misanthropy and references to sexual abuse in the hope that being offensive is the same as being funny all the time.

That's why I like him. :laugh: I've not watched last nights yet.

I have lost respect for both Richard Herring and Noel Fielding for not recognising The Pixies.

You shouldn't have respect for either of them. Though I do have to give credit to Richard Herring for writing with Al Murray. I don't know if he helps with his stand-up, but he wrote a lot for (and helped out with) the tv programme Time, Gentlemen Please.

Doctor Who Christmas Special next week!!

I know. Here's hoping.

I don't like how the writing of the presenter shows through, all seem like emulation of Amstel/Lamar opposed to individual personalities. So liked Frankie Boyle, being Frankie Boyle.

That's one of the reasons that I didn't like Amstel. Lamarr lite as far as I was concerned and a very pale imatation at that.