Eurotrash (TV series)

Eurotrash
Presented by Antoine de Caunes
Jean-Paul Gaultier
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of seasons 16
No. of episodes 160+
Broadcast
Original channel Channel 4
Original run 24 September 1993 – 2007
Chronology
Related shows Rapido
External links
Website

Eurotrash is a 30-minute magazine-format programme in English, presented by Antoine de Caunes and Jean-Paul Gaultier and produced by Rapido Television. It was shown in the United Kingdom on Channel 4 from 1993 and was a late-night comical review of unusual topics mainly from Western and Central Europe; though, despite the title, also around the world. The show averaged around a 20 percent audience share, pulling in around 2-3 million viewers each week, making it the most popular entertainment show on the channel.[1] Channel 4's Slot Average for Eurotrash's broadcast time is around 900,000 viewers, making the show an important hit for the channel.[2]

It ran for 16 series (over 160 episodes) until 2007, making it one of the UK's longest running late-night entertainment shows. Channel 4 infrequently re-runs the series and repeats can be found on the Comedy Central (UK) Channel and Livingit, and on 3e in Ireland. Series 1 is also now available on 4oD. After more than 10 years of broadcast, the show built up a substantial following and Eurotrash has around 15 million fans, and various fan sites.

All intellectual property rights to the series are now controlled by the production company, Rapido Television.[3]

History

The show was conceived in Paris for London-based Rapido Television by producer and director Peter Stuart.[4] Rapido Television makes over 100 programme titles, mostly for Channel 4, and was originally launched with backing by Richard Branson. The first Eurotrash series were presented by Antoine de Caunes and Jean-Paul Gaultier, with narrative voiceovers by British comic actress Maria McErlane.[5] Gaultier left at the end of series 7 and de Caunes then co-presented with a range of guest presenters, including Swedish actress/model Victoria Silvstedt. A number of features and stars survived from series one, including Pepe and Popo, two cardboard giraffes made from toilet paper tubes, and the Belgian singer Eddy Wally. Victoria Silvstedt was a semi-regular during 2003, often appearing in the studio with de Caunes to present the Naked Germans of the Week feature. Graham Norton featured as a roving reporter in series 9, Carla Bruni also appeared.[6][7][8][9] Melinda Messenger appeared in the last series as a "roving reporter", always wearing a Union Jack minidress and bog red boots.

In 2009 digital channel Living TV began airing a series of new compilation episodes under the title 'Eurotrash: The Sexy Bits'. These included new voiceovers from original narrator Maria McErlane.

Content

Despite being a big budget show (around £400,000 per hour to make) the programme was surreal and had a deliberate low budget feel. Bright colourful pop-art studio backgrounds used to be built full size, but in later years chromakey was used with model shots, adding to the comical 'trashy' feel. Studio material was shot in Paris. Topics covered included rabbit-showjumping, singing dogs, 'nude cleaning services', magicians, porn stars (such as the late Lolo Ferrari) and Europe's very worst (but usually popular in their host country) bands and singers.

The series was voiced by Maria McErlane. Davina McCall provided English voice translations in series 1. In later years Kate Robbins provided voiceovers for the strange continental "stars", which she performed in Yorkshire and other British regional accents and similar quirky anglicised effects. Johnny Daukes, former singer and writer with the indie Band FIN in the 1990s, provided male voices in a similar fashion throughout the series.

One issue had an obituary of Lolo Ferrari which was produced and broadcast with a straight voiceover as a mark of respect, which stood out from the usual comic tone of the programme.

References

  1. ↑ Source: Rapido TV website, accessed 16 May 2014 (link)
  2. ↑ Jasper Rees (1999-05-15). "Television Review - Arts & Entertainment". The Independent. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  3. ↑ Imagiz @ Rapido Television. "Welcome to Rapido Television - The Home Of Eurotrash". Rapidotelevision.com. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  4. ↑ Lobrano, Alexander (1994-01-21). "France's 'Eurotrash' - Cross-Channel Humor - NYTimes.com". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
  5. ↑ "Jean Paul Gaultier turns fifty | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. 2002-04-23. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  6. ↑ Peter Allen (2010-05-25). "Carla Bruni 'shocked' as video showing her discussing sex reappears | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  7. ↑ James Rampton (1996-02-17). "Contentious? Moi? - Life & Style". The Independent. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  8. ↑ Film. "Steeckler for accuracy". Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  9. ↑ Serena Mackesy (1997-05-03). "Sads, mads and le lad - Arts & Entertainment". The Independent. Retrieved 2012-09-22.

External links