I've Never Seen Star Wars (radio series)

Last updated

I've Never Seen Star Wars
GenreComedy talk show
Running time30 minutes
Country of origin United Kingdom
Language(s) English
Home station BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 4 Extra
TV adaptations I've Never Seen Star Wars
Starring Marcus Brigstocke
Created by Bill Dare
Produced byBill Dare
Original release18 September 2008 (2008-09-18) – 3 February 2015 (2015-02-03)
No. of series6
No. of episodes36
Opening theme"Enjoy Yourself (It's Later than You Think)" by The Specials
Website Official website

I've Never Seen Star Wars is a comedy talk show broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Hosted by comedian Marcus Brigstocke, each episode features a celebrity guest trying out experiences that are new to them, but common to many others. The title comes from the show's producer and creator, Bill Dare, having never seen the Star Wars films. [1] The series has been the subject of controversy due to the questionable taste of some of the experiences. [2] [3]

Contents

The show has been adapted for television and was first broadcast on BBC Four in early 2009. [4]

Format

Each episode features a guest presenting a list of things to Brigstocke that, until coming on the show, they had never done before but many others have. Generally the show is structured around one each of certain types of experiences; reading a new book, listening to some new music, watching a new film or television programme (for all of these, the guest is often given an example of a genre they've never sampled before), eating a new food and taking part in a new leisure activity. Examples of the latter include comedian Phill Jupitus having his first colonic irrigation, magician Paul Daniels learning how to swim and Goodies star Tim Brooke-Taylor buying his first pornographic magazine. [5]

Reception

The series has a mixed reception. Critics have praised the format. Chris Campling said I've Never Seen Star Wars is, "one of the most invigorating new comedy series of the 21st century." [6]

Elisabeth Mahoney in The Guardian wrote about Jupitus' appearance saying: "He also tried colonic irrigation, and the recording of that was one of the funniest bits of radio this year. The therapist explained the process in a deadpan manner that was quite majestic, especially when she let her "tubing clamps" make their worrying sound effect. Jupitus fretted that she'd find "some hidden G-spot of delight" and that he'd become "sexually addicted to having my arse pumped out". Rather worryingly, then, he has already booked his next appointment." [7]

However, the series has been attacked because of some of the experiences which have appeared. Jupitus' colonic irrigation and eating foie gras, and Brooke-Taylor buying pornography are amongst the moments which have been cause for complaint. Dare appeared on BBC Radio 4's listener complaints show Feedback to defend I've Never Seen Star Wars. Dare stated the choices were all made by the guests and were not designed to offend listeners. During the interview with host Roger Bolton, Dare was asked, "if he could reassure listeners that there'd be no heavy breathing in future." Dare mocked both Feedback and Bolton saying: "Only if we get an asthmatic on, I suppose. But now asthmatics are going to ring up and say, how dare you make fun of our condition?" [2] [3]

Episodes

Six series of I've Never Seen Star Wars have been broadcast. [8]

Series 1

#GuestOriginal airdate
1–1Phill Jupitus18 September 2008 (2008-09-18)
Comedian Phill Jupitus tries eating foie gras with a Findus Crispy Pancake, has colonic irrigation, attempts to be a hairdresser, reads Jane Austen and drinks absinthe.
1–2Paul Daniels25 September 2008 (2008-09-25)
Magician Paul Daniels cooks a meal, learns how to swim, experiences the film The Great Escape and reads some feminist literature.
1–3Mark Steel2 October 2008 (2008-10-02)
Comedian Mark Steel takes tea at the Ritz Hotel, attempts to assemble a flat-pack stool, goes to watch Hamlet and has a shave at a barbershop.
1–4Eve Pollard9 October 2008 (2008-10-09)
Journalist Eve Pollard watches The Rumble in the Jungle, learns how to play poker, reads Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and drinks a cocktail.
1–5Tim Brooke-Taylor16 October 2008 (2008-10-16)
Comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor makes a phone call, tries some unusual seafood, listens to a hip hop record and buys a pornographic magazine.
1–6Esther Rantzen23 October 2008 (2008-10-23)
Broadcaster Esther Rantzen joins Facebook, attempts to iron a man's shirt, listens to The Dark Side of the Moon , tries reflexology and reads Scoop .

Series 2

#GuestOriginal airdate
2–1Barry Cryer4 February 2009 (2009-02-04)
Comedian Barry Cryer watches Friends , eats vegetarian and vegan food, reads The Catcher in the Rye , listens to Back in Black , attempts to change a baby's nappy and sings karaoke.
2–2Arthur Smith11 February 2009 (2009-02-11)
Comedian Arthur Smith watches Top Gear , learns how to play the piano, reads a Mills and Boon book, eats a Pop-Tart and watches Les Misérables .
2–3Dame Joan Bakewell18 February 2009 (2009-02-18)
Journalist Joan Bakewell places her first horse racing bet, listens to Arctic Monkeys, reads The Rules , watches Mamma Mia! and has a beat boxing lesson.
2–4Jan Ravens25 February 2009 (2009-02-25)
Impressionist Jan Ravens learns to box, reads Bravo Two Zero , builds a brick wall and has her eyebrows threaded.
2–5Suggs4 March 2009 (2009-03-04)
Singer Suggs changes the oil in a car, listens to Take That and Vivaldi, reads A Brief History of Time , watches Titanic and learns to tap dance.
2–6Sandi Toksvig11 March 2009 (2009-03-11)
Comedian Sandi Toksvig wears high heels, eats a Pot Noodle, watches a football match, listens to Purple Rain and walks on stilts.

Series 3

#GuestOriginal airdate
3–1Sanjeev Bhaskar9 March 2010 (2010-03-09)
Comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar views the Crown Jewels, watches Sex and the City , plays Subbuteo, reads P. G. Wodehouse and goes to a Pentecostal service.
3–2Jon Culshaw16 March 2010 (2010-03-16)
Impressionist Jon Culshaw has a salad, goes to a casino, watches Turandot , listens to Woman's Hour and watches The Bridge on the River Kwai .
3–3Jenny Eclair23 March 2010 (2010-03-23)
Comedian Jenny Eclair reads Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway , eats eels, listens to Charlie Parker, has a bikini wax and watches Apocalypse Now .
3–4Ardal O'Hanlon30 March 2010 (2010-03-30)
Comedian Ardal O'Hanlon takes some herbal remedies, attempts bell ringing, reads Sir Terry Pratchett, joins Twitter and tries Spinning.
3–5John Lloyd6 April 2010 (2010-04-06)
Writer John Lloyd attempts to milk a goat, does some stand-up comedy, watches The Wire and revisits his old school.
3–6Kate Adie3 March 2011 (2011-03-03)
Reporter Kate Adie has porridge, watches The Sopranos , goes to a bingo hall, reads Swallows and Amazons and tries Yoga.

Series 4

#GuestOriginal airdate
4–1Ian Hislop5 September 2011 (2011-09-05)
Satirist Ian Hislop buys a pair of jeans, plays Grand Theft Auto , tries Buddhist meditation and bakes a cake.
4–2Frank Skinner12 September 2011 (2011-09-12)
Comedian Frank Skinner has a spray tan, eats Jugged Hare, watches Inspector Morse and changes a car tyre.
4–3Alan Davies19 September 2011 (2011-09-19)
Comedian Alan Davies has a pedicure, sings in public, reads The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and watches The Jeremy Kyle Show .
4–4Giles Coren26 September 2011 (2011-09-26)
Writer Giles Coren goes vegan, dances in public, reads some Harry Potter and listens to the charts as an adult.
4–5Kathy Burke3 October 2011 (2011-10-03)
Actress Kathy Burke tries seafood, does life drawing, proves the first guest to match the programme's title and visits Harrods.
4–6Sarah Millican10 October 2011 (2011-10-10)
Comedian Sarah Millican eats with chopsticks, reads The Joy of Sex , visits the Natural History Museum, watches the 1959 film Some Like It Hot and punches Marcus Brigstocke.

Series 5

#GuestOriginal airdate
5–1Meera Syal1 January 2013 (2013-01-01)
Actor/writer Meera Syal eats snails, reads the Bhagavad Gita , watches Last Tango in Paris and attends a football match.
5–2Dave Gorman8 January 2013 (2013-01-08)
Comedian Dave Gorman enjoys a "water cooler moment", rides a horse, reads A Tale of Two Cities and visits a strip club.
5–3Benjamin Zephaniah15 January 2013 (2013-01-15)
Writer Benjamin Zephaniah drinks coffee and tea, reads The House at Pooh Corner , plays with a Scalextric and listens to Take Me Home .
5–4Les Dennis22 January 2013 (2013-01-22)
Les Dennis eats cheese, listens to a Rolling Stones album, reads The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and watches The Inbetweeners .
5–5Jenni Murray29 January 2013 (2013-01-29)
Jenni Murray has a lesson in dog training, watches Reservoir Dogs , cooks a healthy meal of tofu, lentils and brown rice and watches a Frankie Boyle DVD.
5–6Evelyn Glennie5 February 2013 (2013-02-05)
Percussionist Evelyn Glennie watches herself performing in the Olympic opening ceremony, drives a Go-Kart, watches Downton Abbey and throws a pot.

Series 6

#GuestOriginal airdate
6–1Ann Widdecombe30 December 2014 (2014-12-30)
Politician Ann Widdecombe tries camping, watches the political drama The Thick of It , has a lesson in magic and tries a Jägerbomb.
6–2Roy Walker6 January 2015 (2015-01-06)
Comedian Roy Walker tries bantering with the audience, watches his first Shakespeare play and has his first acting lesson.
6–3Rebecca Front13 January 2015 (2015-01-13)
Comedy actress Rebecca Front rides a motorbike, reads her first book about science, attends her first cricket match and watches Mrs. Brown's Boys .
6–4Gyles Brandreth20 January 2015 (2015-01-20)
Gyles Brandreth spends a day doing nothing at all, watches Breaking Bad and writes a pop song (performed by Jess Robinson as Miley Cyrus).
6–5Reece Shearsmith27 January 2015 (2015-01-27)
Actor Reece Shearsmith eats frogs legs, has a driving lesson and tries wallpapering.
6–6Dame Kelly Holmes3 February 2015 (2015-02-03)
Athlete Dame Kelly Holmes makes a chocolate fondue, eats a deep-fried Mars bar and a chocolate-covered scorpion, attends hypnotherapy for a fear of drowning and tries reflexology.

Related Research Articles

<i>Im Sorry I Havent a Clue</i> BBC radio comedy panel game

I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue is a BBC radio comedy panel game. Billed as "the antidote to panel games", it consists of two teams of two comedians being given "silly things to do" by a chairman. The show was launched in April 1972 as a parody of radio and TV panel games, and has been broadcast since on BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service, with repeats aired on BBC Radio 4 Extra and, in the 1980s and 1990s, on BBC Radio 2. The 50th series was broadcast in November and December 2007.

<i>Never Mind the Buzzcocks</i> British comedy panel game television show

Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a British comedy panel game show with a pop music theme. It has aired on Sky Max since September 2021, having originally aired between November 1996 and January 2015 on BBC Two. The original series was first hosted by Mark Lamarr, then by Simon Amstell, and later by a number of guest presenters, with Rhod Gilbert hosting the final series. It first starred Phill Jupitus and Sean Hughes as team captains, with Hughes being replaced by Bill Bailey from the eleventh series, and Bailey replaced by Noel Fielding for some of series 21 and from series 23 onward. The show returned six years later, now hosted by Greg Davies, with Daisy May Cooper as the new captain and Fielding returning as a captain. The show is produced by Talkback. The title plays on the names of the Sex Pistols album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols and the band Buzzcocks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phill Jupitus</span> British comedian

Phillip Christopher Jupitus is an English stand-up and improv comedian, actor, performance poet, cartoonist and podcaster. Jupitus was a team captain on all but one BBC Two-broadcast episode of music quiz Never Mind the Buzzcocks from its inception in 1996 until 2015, and also appears regularly as a guest on several other panel shows, including QI and BBC Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Mortimer</span> English comedian, television presenter and actor

Robert Renwick Mortimer is an English comedian, author, television presenter and actor. He is known for his work with Vic Reeves as part of their Vic and Bob double act, and more recently the Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing series with Paul Whitehouse. He has also appeared on panel shows such as Would I Lie to You? and Taskmaster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Brigstocke</span> English comedian, actor, and satirist

Marcus Alexander Brigstocke is a British comedian, actor and satirist. He has worked in stand-up comedy, television, radio and musical theatre. He has appeared on many BBC television and radio shows.

<i>The Now Show</i> British radio comedy show

The Now Show is a British radio comedy broadcast on BBC Radio 4, which satirises the week's news. The show is a mixture of stand-up, sketches and songs hosted by Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis. The show used to feature regular appearances by Jon Holmes, Laura Shavin, a monologue by Marcus Brigstocke, and music by Mitch Benn, Pippa Evans or Adam Kay, but now features a much wider range of contributors.

Bill Dare is an English author and creator/producer of radio and television comedy programmes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hattie Hayridge</span> British comedian and actress (born 1959)

Hattie Hayridge is a British comedian and actress, best known for the role of the female version of Holly in Red Dwarf during the third, fourth and fifth series. She was described as a "cult figure in a beloved sit-com" by The List in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Walker (comedian)</span> Northern Irish comedian

Robert "Roy" Walker is a Northern Irish television personality and comedian, who worked for many years as both a television presenter and comedy actor. He is best known as the original host of the game show Catchphrase between 1986 and 1999, and as one of the stars of the comedy showcase The Comedians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alun Cochrane</span> British comedian

Alun Cochrane is a British comedian, and actor. He was born in Glasgow and raised in Mirfield, West Yorkshire. He was a co-presenter on The Frank Skinner Show on Absolute Radio (2011-2022).

The Museum of Curiosity is a comedy talk show on BBC Radio 4 that was first broadcast on 20 February 2008. It is hosted by John Lloyd. He acts as the head of the (fictional) titular museum, while a panel of three guests – typically a comedian, an author and an academic – each donate to the museum an 'object' that fascinates them. The radio medium ensures that the suggested exhibits can be absolutely anything, limited only by the guests' imaginations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerry Godliman</span> English actor and comedian

Kerry Anna Godliman is an English actor and comedian best known for her roles in Derek, Bad Move and After Life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holly Walsh</span> English comedian

Holly Dione Walsh is an English comedian and comedy writer.

Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive is a British radio comedy programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2005 with a second series in 2006, a third in 2007 and a fourth in 2008. Series 2, 3 and 4 of the show were broadcast in the popular Friday evening slot, which it has shared with The News Quiz and The Now Show. It is hosted by comedian Armando Iannucci and each week a panel of fellow comedians make satirical and surreal observations on current events. Vaughan Savidge provides voice overs.

Argumental is a British improvised comedy panel game hosted originally by John Sergeant and later Sean Lock, alongside two teams captained by Marcus Brigstocke and Rufus Hound, followed by Robert Webb and Seann Walsh, debating and arguing on various topics with help from various guests. It is made by independent production company Tiger Aspect Productions for Dave and made its debut on 27 October 2008. Series three was commissioned for Dave and four episodes from the second series aired on BBC Two, making it UKTV's most successful commission in terms of reach of audience.

<i>Just a Minute</i> British radio programme

Just a Minute is a BBC Radio 4 radio comedy panel game, hosted by Sue Perkins since 2021. For more than 50 years, with a few exceptions, it was hosted by Nicholas Parsons. Following Parsons' death in 2020, Perkins assumed the host's chair permanently, starting with the 87th series. Just a Minute was first transmitted on Radio 4 on 22 December 1967, three months after the station's launch. The programme won a Gold Sony Radio Academy Award in 2003.

I've Never Seen Star Wars may refer to:

<i>Ive Never Seen Star Wars</i> (TV series) British TV series or programme

I've Never Seen Star Wars is a comedy chat show broadcast on BBC Four and BBC Two, first broadcast on 12 March 2009. Created and produced by Bill Dare and hosted by Marcus Brigstocke for the 2009 episodes and Jo Brand for the 2011 special episode, each episode features a celebrity guest trying out new experiences. Based on the original radio version broadcast on BBC Radio 4, the title comes from the fact that Dare has never seen the Star Wars films. An eight part series was recorded in March 2009, with guests including John Humphrys, Esther Rantzen, Rory McGrath and Hugh Dennis.

<i>Mark Steels in Town</i> Radio comedy show

Mark Steel's in Town is a stand-up comedy show on BBC Radio 4, co-written and performed by Mark Steel. The series, which was first broadcast on 18 March 2009, is recorded in various towns and cities in the United Kingdom and occasionally elsewhere. Each episode is tailored to the town in which it is recorded, and the show is performed in front of a local audience.

7 Day Sunday is a British comedy radio talk show hosted by Al Murray on BBC Radio 5 Live. Broadcast weekly on Sunday mornings, the show takes an irreverent look at the topical news stories of the past seven days.

References

  1. ↑ Campling, Chris (13 September 2008). "Radio Head: a Star Wars abstainer". The Times . London. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  2. 1 2 "24 October 2008". Feedback. 24 October 2008.
  3. 1 2 Redmond, Camilla (27 October 2008). "Radio review". The Guardian . Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  4. ↑ "I've Never Seen Star Wars (The TV series)". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
  5. ↑ "I've Never Seen Star Wars (The radio series)". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  6. ↑ Campling, Chris (23 September 2008). "Bill Dare wins with I've Never Seen Star Wars". The Times . London. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  7. ↑ Mahoney, Elisabeth (19 September 2008). "Radio review". The Guardian . Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  8. ↑ "BBC Radio 4 - I've Never Seen Star Wars - Episode guide" . Retrieved 24 January 2022.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.