Rock Profile

Last updated

Rock Profile
Rokprofile.jpg
DVD cover of the Rock Profile series 1-2
Genre Satire
Created by Matt Lucas
David Walliams
Written byMatt Lucas
David Walliams
Directed by Michael Cumming
Presented by Jamie Theakston (Series 1–2)
Dermot O'Leary (Series 3)
Miquita Oliver (Series 3)
Vernon Kay (2022 special)
StarringMatt Lucas
David Walliams
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes31 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time10-45 mins
Original release
Network UK Play (Series 1)
BBC Two (Series 2)
Funny or Die UK (Series 3)
BBC One (2022 Special)
Release25 December 1999 (1999-12-25) 
18 March 2022 (2022-03-18)
Related

Rock Profile is a British television comedy show written by and starring comedy partnership Matt Lucas and David Walliams, both later widely known for the sketch show Little Britain . Rock Profile first appeared on the channel UK Play in 1999, directed by Michael Cumming, before moving to BBC Two in 2000. The show was revived for a one-off special for Comic Relief in 2022.

Contents

The show comprises a series of spoof interviews, involving Jamie Theakston questioning Lucas and Walliams who play famous musicians. The interviews are often bizarre and involve broad, unflattering caricatures or fictional characteristics. They are often interspersed with videos by the featured artist, including humorous captions and congratulations from other impersonated celebrities.

Broadcast history

The first series was broadcast in 1999, comprising 13 episodes, on digital channel UK Play. The series was then picked up by BBC Two, with a second series of 13 episodes following in 2000. Series one was later shown on BBC Two. In November 2001, a special 45-minute episode of the series was broadcast, entitled Rock the Blind . The episode followed Gary Barlow (Lucas) and Ronan Keating (Walliams) as they recorded a charity single. Ted Robbins appeared as Pete Waterman, and Sara Cox as herself. Following the episode, the series saw a break of two years.

In October 2001, several sketches were featured in the re-launch of Top of the Pops , entitled The All-New Top of the Pops. All of the sketches were filmed backstage, featuring characters which had appeared in the previous two series. People who were unaware of the show at the time did not understand the segments and complaints were made regarding the sketch with Lucas as Elton John, where he was verbally harassed by an audience member. The sketch was subsequently cut from all future repeat screenings of the episode, it now can only be seen as an extra on the DVD release.[ citation needed ]

In 2009, a third series was recorded by Walliams and Lucas and was made available on the website Funny or Die for free viewing. [1] The third series replaced host Jamie Theakston with new host Dermot O'Leary. The first episode aired virally on 11 May 2009, and featured a mock interview with Jordan and Peter Andre. [2] A one-off special aired as part of Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2022, with Vernon Kay as host interviewing Lucas and Walliams portraying Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, Adele, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Lewis Capaldi, Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus, and Post Malone. [3]

Examples of musicians parodied

Reception

Rock Profile has been well received by critics. Radio Times described the show as "truly silly and truly inspired". Sunday Mirror described it as "excellent comedy". [4]

DVD release

Both original series of Rock Profile was released on DVD in 2005, which also included Rock the Blind and the sketches made for TOTP and The Ralf Little Show; all commercial music was excised from the DVD version of the series.

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References

  1. "Lucas and Walliams revive Rock Profiles". broadcastnow.co.uk. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  2. "Rock Profile:Peter Andre & Jordan Pt.1". Funny or Die. Archived from the original on 29 July 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  3. "Iconic British comedy, Rock Profile returns to our screens for a one off special, all in the aid of Comic Relief". BBC Media Centre. BBC. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  4. Rock Profile (Media notes). BBC DVD. 2005.