Board of Excitement 12th-18th June 2011

By | June 12, 2011
17 Comments

Right then:

  • Splatalot – Dick and Dom’s Kid’s Total Wipeout. There’s actually a few episodes up on Youtube of the Canadian version, it’s actually a co-production from channels in the UK, Canada and Australia, of which CBBC is one of them. What is most striking about the Canadian version is how similar it is to Wipeout in terms of styling, not just in the fact it’s two commentators standing in front of a blue screen but in it’s commentary rhythm and direction as well. To make it a bit different to Wipeout, there is a rotating regular cast of defenders to chuck stuff at the kids whilst acting comically. The two daily episodes don’t appear to be repeats of each other. (7:45am, 4:30pm, Weekdays, CBBC Channel)
  • The Amazing Race Australia – Last week’s was the weakest episode so far. Still, though. (Monday, Seven Network)
  • Fort Boyard 2010 – This week at the non-comedy time of 8pm bang on. (8pm, Monday, TV5 Monde)
  • Odd One In – Bradley Walsh returns with the show no-one was expecting to get a recommission. (7:15pm, Saturday, ITV1)
  • Penn and Teller’s Fool Us – Loved the pilot so looking forward to this a lot. Magicians perform in front of Penn and Teller, and if Penn and Teller can’t work out how it’s done, they pay them to go to Vegas and open their act. (8pm, Saturday, ITV1)
  • The Marriage Ref – It’s Judge the Grudge from The Big Breakfast applied to married couples, basically. Dermot O’ Leary makes the decisions aided and abetted by three celebrities. (9pm, Saturday, ITV1)
  • The Bother Series of Poker – IT’S THE GRAND FINAL! Look out for details of the one-off HORSE Hilarity afterwards, to be played July 3rd, with $100 added to the prizepool. You can buy in now – Full Tilt, $20 + $2, T ID #239881938 Password: onlyconnect

Watching Telly: Red or Black

By | June 10, 2011
29 Comments

OK then, the first stage of Red or Black is at Wembley Arena tomorrow and Sunday and four different shows will be filmed, two a day.

I’m hoping to get in the audience for one of them, but if you’re in the audience or even (particularly!) if you’re a contestant then we’re always very interested in your experiences and what you thought of the show. We’re interested in what things happen, although please don’t spoil actual results if you can help it. Feel free to use a pseudonym if necessary.

Edit: I’m bailing out, I think I will be wasting a train ticket. Therefore we’re now VERY interested in your experiences!

Watching Telly: The Marriage Ref UK

By | June 9, 2011
23 Comments

I actually thought the first episode of this filmed tonight thinking today was Wednesday, but in fact it is Thursday and it filmed last night. Richard Osman informs me it was very funny, did anyone go? It is actually recording tonight (and indeed Wednesdays and Thursdays for the following three weeks) as well.

I’ve come to the conclusion it might do quite well, or certainly better than I had originally anticipated, if only because the Brits quite like to pry. It starts June 18th.

Memory and interpretation

By | June 7, 2011
47 Comments

In the week I’m dubbing “boring week” I think we need the super excitement of the Krypton Factor Super Round:

Didn’t mind it, didn’t fit though. Good music. Can’t believe nobody has put up a full episode of Krypton Factor 1995 yet.

I think this is going to be one of those quiet weeks where not much goes on.

By | June 6, 2011
12 Comments

The Marriage Ref with Dermot starts filming Wednesday night, and on Wednesdays and Thursdays for the next few weeks, if you go along do let us know if it’s any good.

This Saturday and Sunday is the Wembley Arena stage of Red or Black and I’m hoping to get into the audience for one of them. I know of several people who have been selected to play but can’t decide if they can be bothered to make the trip, so I’m intrigued to see what sort of contingency plans they have if nobody turns up.

Er, a new season of Lingo starts on US GSN tonight, in the past they’ve put full episodes up to watch on the website, maybe they’ll do the same for this one.