Wikipedia

Never Mind the Buzzcocks

Never Mind the Buzzcocksis a Britishcomedypanel game showwith apop musictheme. It has aired onSky Maxsince September 2021, having originally aired between November 1996 and January 2015 onBBC Two.[1]The original series was first hosted byMark Lamarr,then bySimon Amstell,and later by a number of guest presenters, withRhod Gilberthosting the final series. It first starredPhill JupitusandSean Hughesas team captains, with Hughes being replaced byBill Baileyfrom the eleventh series, and Bailey replaced byNoel Fieldingfor some of series 21 and from series 23 onward. The show returned six years later, now hosted byGreg Davies,withDaisy May Cooperas the new captain and Fielding returning as a captain. The show is produced byTalkback.The title plays on the names of theSex PistolsalbumNever Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistolsand the bandBuzzcocks.

Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Also known asBuzzcocks
GenreComedypanel game
Created byBill Matthews
Simon Bullivant
Presented byMark Lamarr
Simon Amstell
Rhod Gilbert
Greg Davies
StarringPhill Jupitus
Sean Hughes
Bill Bailey
Noel Fielding
Daisy May Cooper
Jamali Maddix
Sophie Willan
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No.of series32
No.of episodes319(list of episodes)
Production
Production locationsBBC Television Centre(1996–2012, 2022–)
Riverside Studios(2013)
Elstree Studios(2014–15)
BBC Elstree Centre(2021)
Running time30 minutes (1996–2015)
45 minutes (2021–23)
60 minutes (2024–)
Production companiesTalkback(1996–2005, 2012–15, 2021–)
Talkback Thames(2006–12)
Original release
NetworkBBC Two(1996–2015)
Sky Max(2021–)
Release12 November 1996(1996-11-12)–
present

The show was known for its dry,sarcastichumour and scathing, provocative attacks on people and objects. It had some controversial guests throughout its initial 18-year run.[2]On 26 May 2015, it was announced that theBBChad decided not to recommission the show, in order to "create space for new entertainment formats".[1][3]In September 2020, it was announced thatSkywas reviving the show.[4]In June 2021, Sky confirmed that eight episodes and a Christmas special would be shown later in the year, with Davies hosting.[5]

History

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The show ran on the BBC from 1996 until 2015. From its inception until December 2005, it was presented byMark Lamarr(who also produced the show from 2004 until his departure).Simon Amstellstarted hosting in October 2006. Regular team captains includePhill Jupitus,Sean Hughes(until May 2002),Bill Bailey(September 2002 – February 2008),Noel Fielding(October 2009 – December 2014), and also theguest captains(October 2008 – January 2009). Bill Bailey had appeared as a guest in series 4 on Phill Jupitus' team and series 5 on Sean Hughes's team.[citation needed]

At the end of 2005, it was announced that Mark Lamarr was to take a break from the show after 150 episodes, to concentrate on other projects. The series that aired in early 2006 was hosted by guest presenters, before being permanently handed over to Simon Amstell, who had appeared twice as a panellist (series 13, episode 8andseries 16, episode 11), and once as a guest presenter (series 18, episode 2). The first time Amstell appeared as a panellist under Lamarr's tenure, coincidentally, Lamarr jokingly accused him of "stealing his act".[citation needed]

Following series 20 (Amstell's second as regular host), a highlights show was broadcast, presented byAlan Yentobas a parody of his own arts seriesImagine.The highlights programme was sub-titledImagine… A Mildly Amusing Panel Show.From then on, every series included a compilation highlights show, usually including somemockumentary-style "behind the scenes" footage.[citation needed]

Series 20 ofNever Mind the Buzzcocksconcluded on 7 March 2007. The show began its 21st series on 15 November 2007[6]with Simon Amstell as host and Phill Jupitus and Bill Bailey as team captains, although Noel Fielding temporarily replaced Bill Bailey for three episodes of series 21.[7]Series 21 concluded on 14 February 2008.[citation needed]

On 18 September 2008, the BBC announced that Bill Bailey would be leaving the show, after eleven series, to concentrate on other commitments. While Simon Amstell and Phill Jupitus returned for the show's 22nd series, Bailey was replaced by a series of guest captains, including comediansBob Mortimer,Jack Dee,Frank Skinner,Stephen Fry,James Corden,Mark Watson,Russell Brand,producerMark Ronsonand television presentersDermot O'LearyandDavina McCall.[citation needed]

On 25 April 2009, Amstell announced via his internet mailing list that he would not be hosting another series ofNever Mind the Buzzcocksbecause of his desire to concentrate on his live tours and performances instead.[8] The new series began 1 October with Noel Fielding as a new permanent captain. Guest hosts includedAlex James,Dermot O'Leary,Jack Whitehall,Rhod Gilbert,David Walliams,Claudia Winkleman,Frank Skinner,Frankie Boyle,James Corden,Mark Watson,Martin FreemanandDavid Tennant.[9]

In 2010, guest hosts continued to present the show's 24th series, includingMark Ronson,Jack Dee,Josh Groban,Terry Wogan,Tim Minchin,Robert Webb,Tim Westwood,Catherine Tate,Frankie Boyle (hosting for the second time) andDavid O'Doherty,who also hosted a compilation show transmitted on 11 January 2011.[10]On 16 July 2011, the first ever liveNever Mind the Buzzcocksspecial was hosted at Latitude. It lasted roughly two hours, was hosted by David O'Doherty, had the team captains Phil Jupitus and Noel Fielding, and featured guestsSeann Walsh,Charlie Baker,Paloma FaithandRobert Milton(standing in forSeasick Steve,who was supposed to be there but never arrived).[citation needed]

On 9 July 2014, it was confirmed thatRhod Gilberthad been named the next permanent host, beginning with series 28 in autumn 2014.[11]

Between 3 June and 22 July 2013, a special eight-part retrospective programme calledWhat a Load of Buzzcockswas aired, with narration byAlex James.The showrevisited key yearsand events through classic moments and clips from the show's 16-year history.[12]

Phill Jupitus was the only performer to have appeared in almost every original-run episode ofNever Mind the Buzzcocks,missing only the recording ofseries 25, episode 6,whereFrankie Boylefilled in as team captain, and aspecial episodefilmed as part ofComic Relief's24 Hour Panel People.[citation needed]

Never Mind the Buzzcocksreturned in 2021 onSky Max,with Noel Fielding the only returning panelist;Greg Davieswas the new host,Daisy May Cooperthe first female team captain, andJamali Maddixwas a regular team member in every episode.[13]

Rounds

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The show usually consists of four rounds. Thefirst roundchanged multiple times over the course of the show. In early series it was oftenFreeze Frame(where a music video was paused at a key point and teams had to guess what happened next) orI Fought The Law(where teams had to guess which of a given list of crimes or lawsuits a pop star had been involved in, and whether they'd won or lost their case). Later, it usually consisted of the teams being asked a question concerning a unique fact about a musical artist or artists, such as "Why didGirls Aloudonce have to cancel a show? "or" What have wepixelatedin this still from a music video? "Sometimes the teams are given options to pick from; at other times they have no help. Alternatively, the first round was 'Connections' in which the teams are asked to identify the connection between two bands or artists. Series 25 introduced sets of props for the guests to identify as being part of the answer.

The second round is theIntros Round,wherein two members of a team (the captain and usually the musical guest) were asked to convey the introduction of a songa cappella(but using vocal sounds for instruments rather than words) for their teammate to guess. During the Christmas specials, the teams were often given instruments with which to play, though they are usually inappropriate or toy instruments.

The third round is usually theIdentity Parade,though this was occasionally replaced by a few other alternative rounds. The audience was shown a video of a musician (often a member of an old band or a "one hit wonder"singer), and the teams have to pick the correct person from a line-up of five people. The audience and people at home are the only ones to see the video, making it harder for the contestants. The host will go through each member of the line-up, giving them humorous names based on either the name of the musician in question or their song. When the series returned in 2021, the Identity Parade instead sometimes included multiple members of a band or even the entire band.[14]

The final round is calledNext Lines,in which the host speaks a line of a song and the team has to name the next line of the song. Often the songs chosen are ones mentioned in earlier rounds and ones recorded by panel members. In the latter case, guests often prove incapable of reciting the lyrics to their own songs; for example,Romeo StodartofThe Magic Numbersfailed entirely to recognise a line from a song which he joked was "like theB-sidefrom our first single ".

For the Christmas Eve 2006 Bumper Edition, the Next Lines round was omitted in order that the teams, plus a guest band and members of that show's Identity Parade, performed a particular song (chosen, in a short skit, by adreidel). Phill's team, with theUkulele Orchestra of Great Britain,performedRachel Stevens' "Some Girls",and Bill's, with the Bollywood Pandits (aBollywoodBhangraband), performed theRednex's "Cotton Eye Joe".

In the first series of 2005, Mark Lamarr introduced a new segment after the end of the quiz proper, wherein Lamarr tells the audience out-of-contextpunchlineswhich weren't used during the show. Often these have included incongruous references to fingerless gloves.

In most of the episodes in the Spring 2006 series, there was an intro or outro sketch where Phill, Bill andAthelston Williams(a frequent member of the lineup in theIdentity Paraderound) played in a pub band called "Fat, Gifted and Black" (a play onYoung, Gifted and Black), or "Athelston, Lake and Palmer" (a play onEmerson, Lake & Palmer). The guest presenter would usually be the lead singer for this segment (e. g.Lauren LaverneandRicky Wilson).

A running joke of the show was for Noel or Phill to remark on passing comments as "good band names", an example of this being "The Diabetic Squirrels".

Cast

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See also:List of Never Mind the Buzzcocks presenters
Series
Year(s) 		1–10
(1996–2002) 		11–17
(2002–05) 		18
(2006) 		19–21
(2006–08) 		22
(2008) 		23–27
(2009–13) 		28
(2014) 		29–31
(2021–23) 		32
(2024)
Presenter Mark Lamarr Guests Simon Amstell Guests Rhod Gilbert Greg Davies
Team captains Phill Jupitus Daisy May Cooper Sophie WillanandGuests
Sean Hughes Bill Bailey Guests Noel Fielding
Regular panellist Jamali Maddix

Until series 18,Never Mind the Buzzcockswas chaired byMark Lamarr.Until series 10, the team captains werePhill JupitusandSean Hughes.After series 10, Hughes departed and was replaced byBill Bailey.Lamarr left after series 17, and series 18 was chaired by a series of guest hosts. One of these, satirical comedian and formerPopworldpresenterSimon Amstell,took over as presenter from series 19 to series 22. Amstell sent an email to his fans on 24 April 2009, stating "I am Simon Amstell. Here is some news, should you be interested in this sort of thing. I will not be hosting another series of the fun pop quiz, ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’. When I first took on the role of hosting ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’, my only hope was to bring joy and laughter to the world and if I was lucky, put an end to war, disease and poverty. Now that I have achieved that, I plan to concentrate on my live work." Series 23 was chaired by a series of guest hosts which continued for series 24 because "none of the guest hosts were good enough" according to the comedic voice over on the first episode of series 24. In July 2014, it was announced thatRhod Gilbertwould be the next permanent presenter for the 28th series.[11]

Bill Bailey was unable to attend filming at the beginning of series 21, so Noel Fielding provided cover for three episodes starting 22 November 2007.[15]Bill Bailey officially left the show after series 21 to pursue other commitments.[16]His role as team captain was filled by several 'guest captains' for series 22 and permanently filled by Fielding from series 23 onward. Apart from one episode in series 25, and the 2011 Comic Relief special, Phill Jupitus appeared in every episode of the programme from its debut in 1996 until it was cancelled in 2015. Jupitus did not return for the revived series on Sky in 2021, making series 29 the first series in which he is not a regular team captain. In series 29,Greg Daviestook over as host,Daisy May Cooperreplaced Jupitus as team captain andJamali Maddixjoined as a regular panellist.[17]In series 32, Daisy May Cooper does not appear on the show apart from the Christmas episode and is replaced regularly bySophie Willanand guest captains includingMel BandCourtney Love.[18]

Walk-offs and non-airings

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There have been some instances of guests walking off the show, or episodes being pulled from broadcast due to guest behaviour:

  • In episode 2 of series 3,LemmyofMotörheadwalked off the show near the end of the episode, purportedly after he realised that Mark Lamarr and most of the other panellists' jokes were making fun of him (as well as formerBucks FizzsingerJay Aston). Lemmy's walk-off was not shown on air however as by this time, main recording for the show had already finished and only retakes were being shot.[19]
  • In episode 3 of series 20,The Ordinary Boys' lead singerPrestonwalked off the show after Simon Amstell read extracts from the autobiography of Preston's then-wife,Chantelle Houghton.[20]He was replaced by audience member Ed Seymour, picked out by Bill Bailey (on the grounds that he was of the closest physical resemblance that could be found), and credited as "special guest". Bailey's instructions to Seymour were "look surly and, every time [Amstell] mentions Chantelle, say 'that's out of order'".[21]Coincidentally, Preston had been sitting in the same seat as Lemmy, leading it to be called the "ejector seat" by Phill in the next episode. In an August 2009 interview, Preston admitted that he regretted walking off the show and said that he would return to the programme if asked, saying "I'm struggling to think why I would have acted so weird".[22]
  • Russell Brandrecorded an appearance as guest captain for series 22,[23]but due to theAndrew Sachsprank call scandal that surrounded him,and his suspension—and then resignation—from theBBC,the episode was not broadcast until 19 January 2011.[24]
  • In episode 7 of series 27, during the Next Lines round,Huey MorganofFun Lovin' Criminals(who had also been sitting in the "ejector seat" and had made frequent prior appearances on the show, including as a guest host in 2006), smashed a mug and walked off at the end of the show just as his team was announced as the winner.[3]Morgan's behaviour was believed to be due to guest hostsRizzle Kicksgiving his team Fun Lovin' Criminals lyrics (even though musicians on the show had frequently been given lyrics to their own songs in the round). Both Rizzle Kicks and Noel Fielding made fun of the incident shortly afterwards.
  • One episode of series 30 (scheduled for 26 October 2022) was not shown after guestLady Leshurrwas charged withactual bodily harmafter a 22 October 2022 incident; the postponed episode wasburnt offat 2:15 a.m. and was never made available for streaming or download.[25][26]

International versions and similar shows

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  • In 1998–1999 the Dutch-language Belgian TV channelCanvasaired one series of the pop quizNonkel Popthat was based onNever Mind the Buzzcocks,featuring an intros round, next lines, and similar panels of contestants. The show was hosted byBart Peeters.The name of the show, which translates as 'Uncle Pop' was a play on Nonkel Bob (Uncle Bob—real nameBob Davidse), a legendary children's TV presenter from the early days of Belgian television. Bart Peeters made his television debut as a child on one of Nonkel Bob's shows.[citation needed]
  • In 1999DweezilandAhmet Zappahosted a short-lived one-hour music-themed game show with a somewhat different format on theUSA NetworkcalledHappy Hour(not to be confused with the sitcom of the same name).[citation needed]
  • In 2002, an American version of the show onVH1with the same title, hosted by comedianMarc Maron,lasted for a month. VH1 has since played airings of the classic episodes with Mark Lamarr.[citation needed]
  • An official Dutch version,Doe Maar Normaal(which translates to "Just act normally", part of the Dutch proverb "Just act normally, that'll be silly enough", and is also a combination of famous Dutch bandsDoe MaarandNormaal), ran for five seasons from 2007 to 2012. It was broadcast byBNN.Regular panel members included TV presenterDennis Weeningand comedianRuben van der Meerand it was hosted byRuben Nicolai.[citation needed]
  • A popularAustralianshow,Spicks and Specks,hosted by stand-up comedianAdam Hillsand presented in a similar style but with different question formats was broadcast on theABCfrom 2005 until 2011. It returned for one more season in 2014 with comedian Josh Earl as host.Adam Hillsappeared onNever Mind the Buzzcocksin 2005.[citation needed]
  • Despite persistent efforts byFoxtel,particularly byDarren Chauduring his tenure asthe Comedy ChannelGroup Programming Director, the programme could not be cleared for broadcast in Australia. Finally by 2012, the programme was cleared and launched in Australia on the Foxtel platform 16 July.[27]It started to broadcast on ABC2 on 3 October 2013.[citation needed]
  • ProSieben,aGermannetwork, airedPopclubbetween 2002 and 2003. Hosted by comedianThomas Hermanns,the show's major difference fromNever Mind the Buzzcockswas the absence of constant team captains. Every episode featured two teams that had to present a name and a battle cry for themselves. Additionally, at the start of each episode, each member showed the very first record they ever bought.[citation needed]

Merchandise

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Books

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In 1999,BBC WorldwidepublishedNever Mind the Buzzcocks: The Book, the CD, the Brief Intense Rush (followed by a feeling of paranoia and insecurity).The book includes famous moments from the first five series of the show, from selectedIdentity Parades,I Fought the Law,Word UpandConnectionsrounds, along with collections ofMark Lamarr's one-liners from the show. The book also features new material, including comic strips (one explaining the origin ofThe Human LeaguefrontmanPhilip Oakey's hairstyle) and "Great Moments in Rock History", in which photos of famous musical moments are altered to imply that line-up regularAthelston Williamswas present. The CD features severalIntrosrounds from the show, in the format of a game to play at home.[citation needed]

Board game

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In 2000,Paul Lamond Gamesreleased theNever Mind the Buzzcocksboard game, licensed from theBBCandTalkback.The board game is played as follows: the players arrange themselves into two teams. They have two counters each on the board—one as a point marker along the edge of the board and the other to select the round they have to play on the roll of a die.[citation needed]There are six rounds that can be played:

  • In the Style of...,where the team leader has to sing a song in the style of someone notable, e. g. "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"in the style ofMick Jagger,or "Start Me Up"in the style ofJeremy Clarkson.
  • When I Was Famous,where the team leader asks a trivia question, and the other team members have to guess the answer.
  • Introsround, the only surviving round from the TV show. Each team gets two intro per round.
  • Vital Vinyl,where the team leader asks a trivia question about a song or an album, and anyone from either team can answer.
  • Songs in One Sentence,where the team leader divides their team into two, and one section of the team has to describe a song without mentioning the song title or any lyrics in the song, and the other section has to guess what the song is. This game was played once in the first series of the TV show.
  • Your Number's Up,where the team leader reads the category on the card to the opposite team, for example,name four songs that mention American states in their titles,for which you might answer "New York Mining Disaster, 1941"(Bee Gees), "Hotel California"(Eagles), "Ohio"(Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young), and "Sweet Home Alabama"(Lynyrd Skynyrd).

The teams earn the number of points given for the round on the card. For "In the Style of…", it is always one point for the song, and two points for the artist they are doing the song in the style of. At the end of their turn, the team moves their counter on the outer ring clockwise, by the number of points they scored.[citation needed]

The team that overtakes the other on the squares on the edge of the board wins the game.[citation needed]

In 2015 Paul Lamond Games released an updated version of the board game.[28]

Video and DVD

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In 1998, a video titledNever Rewind the Buzzcockswas released, containing an episode of the show that was specially-recorded for the video.[citation needed]

A best of DVD including some of the unbroadcastable scenes from the Simon Amstell series was released on 16 November 2009. The DVD contains 3 specials including:

  • Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Imagine... a mildly amusing panel show(a parody of the BBC'sImagineseries, withAlan Yentobacting as host)
  • Never Mind the Buzzcocks – A Moving Tribute
  • Never Mind the Buzzcocks – Technically, the Best Series Ever

The DVD also includes best of clips, and scenes that were not broadcast, with a compulsory commentary bySimon AmstellandPhill Jupitus.[citation needed]

Transmissions

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Main article:List of Never Mind the Buzzcocks episodes
  • ◀– Phill/Daisy series win
  • ▷– Sean/Bill/guests/Noel series win
  • —– Series drawn

References

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  1. ^abDenham, Jess (26 May 2015)."Never Mind the Buzzcocks axed after 18 years".The Independent.Archivedfrom the original on 18 June 2022.Retrieved26 May2015.
  2. ^Plunkett, John (27 May 2015)."Never Mind the Buzzcocks: top five moments".The Guardian.Retrieved22 March2020.
  3. ^ab"Never Mind The Buzzcocks to end after 18 years".BBC News.26 May 2015.Retrieved26 May2015.
  4. ^Richardson, Jay (10 September 2020)."Never Mind The Buzzcocks being revived by Sky".British Comedy Guide.Retrieved11 September2020.
  5. ^Anderton, Joe (14 July 2021)."Never Mind the Buzzcocks returning to screens – and announces new host and team captains".Digital Spy.Retrieved22 July2021.
  6. ^"Never Mind the Buzzcocks".Radio Times.Retrieved8 November2007.
  7. ^"Fielding to guest captain on 'Buzzcocks'".BBC Press Office.29 October 2007.Retrieved15 November2007.
  8. ^"Amstell quits Buzzcocks".Chortle.co.uk. 25 April 2009.Retrieved25 April2009.
  9. ^"New look Buzzcocks returns to BBC Two".BBC Press Office.14 September 2009.Retrieved9 October2009.
  10. ^"jupitusphillip: #buzzcockshosts2010 include".Twitter. 15 September 2010.Retrieved10 July2013.
  11. ^ab"Comedian Rhod Gilbert to host Never Mind The Buzzcocks".BBC Online.9 July 2014.Retrieved9 July2014.
  12. ^Fletcher, Alex (13 May 2013)."Blur's Alex James to narrate 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks' spinoff".Digital Spy.Retrieved10 July2013.
  13. ^"Never Mind the Buzzcocks is back and coming exclusively to Sky and NOW with Greg Davies as host".
  14. ^"Interview: Daisy May Cooper On Never Mind The Buzzcocks".Beyond The Joke.14 September 2021.
  15. ^"UK TV listings schedule - What's on TV tonight? - Radio Times".RadioTimes.
  16. ^"All new Buzzcocks as Bill Bailey bows out".BBC Press Office.18 September 2008.Retrieved18 September2008.
  17. ^Ryan, Gary (16 September 2021)."The return of 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks':" It was chaos "".NME.
  18. ^Crutchley, Joe; Delaney, Zoe (20 July 2024)."Daisy May Cooper replaced on Never Mind the Buzzcocks in huge show shake-up".My London.Retrieved30 October2024.
  19. ^Scarlett, Elizabeth (22 March 2022)."That time Lemmy appeared on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, laughed at The Clash and stormed off".Louder.Retrieved9 August2022.
  20. ^"Singer Preston storms off TV quiz".BBC News Online.11 January 2007.Retrieved13 February2007.
  21. ^"My night on Never Mind the Buzzcocks".BBC News Online.14 February 2007.Retrieved14 February2007.
  22. ^"Preston 'regrets' show walk out".BBC News.6 August 2009.
  23. ^This would originally have been episode 5 but became episode 13.
  24. ^"Russell Brand's Buzzcocks to be screened".BBC News.17 January 2011.
  25. ^"Never Mind the Buzzcocks - UKGameshows".ukgameshows.
  26. ^Guide, British Comedy."Never Mind The Buzzcocks Series 30, Episode 9".British Comedy Guide.
  27. ^"Airdate: Never Mind the Buzzcocks".TV Tonight.20 June 2012.
  28. ^Paul Lamond Games website,Link Retrieved 1 August 2016.
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