The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson

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The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson
The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson Series 3 title card.png
Series 3 title card
Genre Comedy, satire
Directed byAngie de Chastelai Smith
Starring Jon Culshaw
Debra Stephenson
Opening theme God Put a Smile upon Your Face by Mark Ronson (Series 1-2)
"The Impressions Show theme" (Series 3 onwards)
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of series3 + Christmas special in 2010
No. of episodes21 (list of episodes)
Production
ProducerRichard Webb
Running time30 minutes
Release
Original network BBC One
Original release31 October 2009 (2009-10-31) 
21 December 2011 (2011-12-21)

The Impressions Show (also known as The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson) is a British comedy sketch show which stars impressionists Jon Culshaw and Debra Stephenson. A second series began broadcasting on 14 November 2010 and ended on 23 December 2010. [1] A third series started on 26 October 2011 at 8.30pm on BBC One. The show was nominated for a National Television Award in the category of Comedy in 2011, however it failed to make the top 4.

Contents

Characters

This is not the complete list but a list of the most common celebrities parodied in the show.

Bad Jobs for Celebrities
15. Kate Winslet, air traffic controller
29. Brian Blessed, librarian
29. Daniel Craig, mobile phone salesman
31. John Barrowman, funeral director
35. Lorraine Kelly, assassin
42. Amy Winehouse, shopkeeper
54. Ian Hislop, strip-o-gram
61. Michael McIntyre, artist's model
64. John Bishop, Bishop
73. Harry Hill, UN peace negotiator
92. Noel Edmonds, pizza delivery man

Episodes

Series 1 (2009)

#TitleOriginal air dateViewers (millions) [2]
1"Series 1 Episode 1"31 October 2009 (2009-10-31)4.59
Gene Hunt meets Jane Austen, Ross Kemp investigates the Famous Five, and Michael McIntyre sorts out a strange noise and what is Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall up to these days?. Plus who is Alan Sugar pointing the finger at this time?
2"Series 1 Episode 2"14 November 2009 (2009-11-14)4.55
Viewers see a snapshot of Wayne and Coleen Rooney's home life, witness Gordon Brown rapping and learn the tragic story behind Simon Cowell. Ross Kemp infiltrates another notorious gang whilst Kylie and Dannii watch as their lesser-known sister Daggy hatches a plot to become famous.
3"Series 1 Episode 3"21 November 2009 (2009-11-21)3.60 (overnight)
The myriad characters this week include Tess Daly and Vernon Kay, who pick up an unexpected holiday hitch-hiker; Jonathan Ross, who delivers a great speech; and Fiona Bruce, who is up to her old tricks again on Antiques Roadshow. Nick Knowles also makes an appearance at the local hardware store and Lorraine Kelly debuts in "Bad Jobs for Celebrities". Kirstie and Phil try to relocate a man who gave evidence against a Russian Mafioso. Colleen takes Wayne to the vet. Ross Kemp meets morris dancers.
4"Series 1 Episode 4"28 November 2009 (2009-11-28)3.13 (overnight)
Amy Winehouse auditions for Doctor Who , Michael McIntyre makes his debut in Bad Jobs for Celebrities, and Tess Daly and Vernon Kay try to continue their holiday with an unwanted third party. Culshaw and Stephenson also turn their attentions to Davina McCall, Dominic Littlewood, Paris Hilton and Jonathan Ross. And DCI Gene Hunt crashes an episode of Poirot . Meanwhile, with the impressionists' assistance, Simon Cowell reads an unlikely bedtime story.
5"Series 1 Episode 5"5 December 2009 (2009-12-05)3.90 (overnight)

The impressions include Gordon Ramsay's version of Goldilocks and the three bears and Madonna's version of The Pied piper; Kate Winslet appearing in the Bad Jobs for Celebrities slot; Davina McCall and Claudia Winkleman having yet another dilemma; and Kirstie and Phil from Location, Location, Location getting themselves into a bit of a pickle. There's also a showdown between Simon Cowell and Anne Robinson; Ant & Dec trying to find their way in the jungle; and Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are also parodied.

Also Mr. Bean gets in a pickle with Sir Alan Sugar and celebrities keep auditioning for the role as the new Doctor Who including DCI Gene Hunt, Nick Knowles, Michael Winner and Bruce Forsyth.
6"Series 1 Episode 6"12 December 2009 (2009-12-12)3.30 (overnight)
Jon Culshaw and Debra Stephenson continue running the gamut of celebrity culture with their inimitable impressions. There's an audience with the Minogues, what's inside Simon Cowell's Warehouse, DCI Gene Hunt meets Robin Hood, and John Barrowman debuts in Bad Jobs for Celebrities. There's also Paris Hilton, The One Show, Top Gear and Ray Mears, plus Eamonn Holmes wreaks havoc on the Chelsea Flower Show. Also what's one man breeding on Celebrity Farm and the kidnapped Countryfile presenter tries to get away. Catherine Zeta-Jones also reads Beauty and the Beast
7"Series 1 Episode 7"24 December 2009 (2009-12-24)3.45 (overnight)

Jon Culshaw and Debra Stephenson bring viewers a compilation of the best moments from the series. Eamonn Holmes, Bruce Forsyth, Tess Daly and Vernon Kay receive a ribbing, as do Ross Kemp, Amy Winehouse, Michael McIntyre and David Cameron.

Autumnwatch, Cheryl Cole, Wayne Rooney and The Apprentice also come in for the typical Culshaw and Stephenson treatment.
8"Series 1 Episode 8"8 January 2010 (2010-01-08)4.20 (overnight)
Viewers can enjoy a look back over the series highlights, which sees Jon Culshaw and Debra Stephenson impersonating favourites including Claudia Winkleman, Davina McCall, Michael McIntyre, Simon Cowell, Ricky Gervais, the Minogue sisters, Brian Blessed, Lorraine Kelly, Amanda Holden and Philip Glenister's Gene Hunt.

Series 2 (2010)

#TitleDirectorOriginal air date
9"Series 2 Episode 1"Angie De Chastelai Smith14 November 2010 (2010-11-14)
New series of the Impressions Show starring John Culshaw and Debra Stephenson. With some old favourites from the previous series and some new impressions. This episode stars new characters Katie Price, who plans her wedding to Michael Winner, Bruno Tonioli becomes a very cheeky boy and Lady Gaga goes shopping. Also there are old favourites like Davina McCall who gets stuck in a lift, and Michael McIntyre brings out a new fitness DVD.
10"Series 2 Episode 2"Angie De Chastelai Smith21 November 2010 (2010-11-21)
In this episode Katie Price marries Ronnie Corbett however she gets frustrated because he keeps disappearing and Bruno goes on a cheeky rampage. And Heston Blumenthal, Gary Barlow, and Fabio Capello enter the series. We also find out what bad things have happened to celebrities
11"Series 2 Episode 3"Angie De Chastelai Smith28 November 2010 (2010-11-28)
In the third episode of the series, Lady GaGa visits a chicken shop, Anne Robinson tries to frighten the viewer, Joanna Lumley visits Jerusalem, The Nile Valley, Nepal and one of Europe's finest destinations, Katie Price appears on the Graham Norton show and Cheryl Cole marries a serial killer.
12"Series 2 Episode 4"Angie De Chastelai Smith5 December 2010 (2010-12-05)
In the fourth episode, Sophie Dahl goes to a ball, Bruno orders a pizza, Kirsty Young before she was famous, Jennifer Aniston appears on the Graham Norton Show, Bill Gates shows us what life is like in the Microsoft office with iPads and iPhones and James May creates his own Top Gear.
13"Series 2 Episode 5"Angie De Chastelai Smith12 December 2010 (2010-12-12)
Jimmy Carr and Piers Morgan are among the famous faces getting the Culshaw and Stephenson treatment. Plus the delicious period drama Sophie reaches its conclusion, and the audition for a new presenter on Loose Women yields surprising results.
14"Series 2 Episode 6 (Christmas Special)"Angie De Chastelai Smith23 December 2010 (2010-12-23)
Jon Culshaw and Debra Stephenson get festive in a special edition of the comedy sketch show. Katherine Jenkins and friends sing the classic Christmas number ones, Ian Hislop meets Santa, and old favourite Ross Kemp returns to meet a deadly gang with a seasonal twist.

Series 3 (2011)

#TitleOriginal air dateViewers (millions)
15"Series 3 Episode 1"26 October 2011 (2011-10-26)TBA
The new series of the impression show begins. New impressions include X Factor judges Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos, Claudia Winkleman (which is dropped without explanation halfway through the series) and Gregg Wallace among favourites including Davina McCall and Simon Cowell. The dragons from Dragons Den buy coffee, with a twist, Ann Widdecombe shares all her passions. and Paul McCartney's super pop group sing "Hello". We also find out what Paul O'Grady thinks of babies, Phillip Schofield is run by The Cube, the truth behind Mary Portas's visits to grade shops and how much Arlene Phillips misses Len Goodman.
16"Series 3 Episode 2"2 November 2011 (2011-11-02)TBA
New impressions including Jo Brand and Prince Charles come under the firing line. Plus Nick Robinson is pranking 10 Downing Street, Fabio Capello gives us his guide to England and Gok Wan makes a re-appearance selling his Gok Wan Wok Gun. Plus how does Harry Hill finds clips for You've Been Framed, Pat Butcher stars in her own movie and the Masterchef Judges prepare the contestants tasks. Meanwhile Bruce Forsyth runs into Arlene Phillips, Simon Cowell's bodyguard quits and Janet Street Porter publicises her new iPhone app.
17"Series 3 Episode 3"9 November 2011 (2011-11-09)TBA
No celebrities are safe with Culshaw and Stephenson about. In this episode we all get some parenting tips from Elton John, Michael McIntyre loses his most treasured possession and Ross Kemp goes to meet the gang known on the streets as The Towies. Also Stacey Solomon is on the red carpet, Louis Walsh realises he should retire as an X Factor judge and Katie Price tells us the weather. Also Pat Butcher brings a man home, Tony Blair meets Kylie Minogue, Gok Wan stars in his own movie and Simon Cowell teachers us all how to make the big money.
18"Series 3 Episode 4"16 November 2011 (2011-11-16)TBA
In the fourth episode of the third series there's a fight in the BBC Newsroom, Jennifer Aniston's career takes a drastic new turn and Katie Price starts her own new finishing school. Also Ian Hislop opens up his own toy enporeum, Boris Johnson shows how loony he is and Anne Robinson publicises her new 'I Phone Insult app'. Also thrown into the mix is Brian Cox on a trip to a volcano, Ricky Gervais discusses new programme ideas, Davina McCall hosts a slant on the Million Pound Drop and Dominic Littlewood fills in on The One Show.
19"Series 3 Episode 5"7 December 2011 (2011-12-07)TBA
Culshaw and Stephenson poke more fun at famous faces. In this episode John Bishop's amazed when he becomes a bishop, Jimmy Carr is an unexpected guest at a funeral and Ross Kemp goes on his most dangerous mission to date. Also, Kirsty Allsopp proves a distraction for a group of busy firefighters, Lorraine Kelly tells us the weather and Alan Carr hosts his own saucy show.
20"Series 3 Episode 6"14 December 2011 (2011-12-14)TBA
In this episode Nancy Dell'Olio pops up in unexpected places, Alan Carr gets on with his day job and Ken Barlow and Pat Butcher are in the middle of an un-expected romance.
21"Series 3 Episode 7 (Best Of)"21 December 2011 (2011-12-21)TBA
A summary of some of the best clips and impressions from Series 3 of the hit impressions show.

Future

As of January 2015 the BBC is yet to announce if the programme is to return for a fourth series.

DVD releases

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References

  1. "Episode 1". BBC Online . Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  2. Top 30 programmes