I've Never Seen Star Wars (radio series)
| Genre | Comedy talk show |
|---|---|
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Country | 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 |
| Creator(s) | Bill Dare |
| Producer(s) | Bill Dare |
| Air dates | 18 September 2008 to Present |
| No. of series | 6 |
| No. of episodes | 36 |
| 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]
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
Five series of I've Never Seen Star Wars have been broadcast.[8]
Series 1
| # | Guest | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - 1 | Phill Jupitus | 18 September 2008 |
| 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 - 2 | Paul Daniels | 25 September 2008 |
| Magician Paul Daniels cooks a meal, reads some feminist literature, learns how to swim and experiences the film The Great Escape. | ||
| 1 - 3 | Mark Steel | 2 October 2008 |
| Comedian Mark Steel attempts to assemble a flat-pack stool, goes to watch Hamlet, takes tea at the Ritz Hotel, and has a shave at a barbers shop. | ||
| 1 - 4 | Eve Pollard | 9 October 2008 |
| Journalist Eve Pollard reads Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, learns how to play poker, watches The Rumble in the Jungle and drinks a cocktail | ||
| 1 - 5 | Tim Brooke-Taylor | 16 October 2008 |
| Comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor buys a pornographic magazine, tries some unusual seafood, listens to a hip hop record, and makes a phone call. | ||
| 1 - 6 | Esther Rantzen | 23 October 2008 |
| 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
| # | Guest | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 2 - 1 | Barry Cryer | 4 February 2009 |
| Comedian Barry Cryer attempts to change a baby's nappy, reads The Catcher in the Rye, listens to Back in Black, watches Friends, and sings karaoke. | ||
| 2 - 2 | Arthur Smith | 11 February 2009 |
| Comedian Arthur Smith watches Top Gear, eats a Pop-Tart, watches Les Misérables, reads a Mills and Boon book, and learns how to play the piano. | ||
| 2 - 3 | Dame Joan Bakewell | 18 February 2009 |
| Journalist Joan Bakewell listens to Arctic Monkeys, has a beat boxing lesson, places her first horse racing bet, reads The Rules, and watches Mamma Mia!. | ||
| 2 - 4 | Jan Ravens | 25 February 2009 |
| Impressionist Jan Ravens learns to box, has her eyebrows threaded, builds a brick wall and reads Bravo Two Zero. | ||
| 2 - 5 | Suggs | 4 March 2009 |
| Singer Suggs learns to tap dance, reads A Brief History of Time, listens to Vivaldi, watches Titanic and changes the oil in a car. | ||
| 2 - 6 | Sandi Toksvig | 11 March 2009 |
| Comedian Sandi Toksvig eats a Pot Noodle, wears high heels, walks on stilts, listens to Purple Rain, and watches a football match. | ||
Series 3
| # | Guest | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 3 - 1 | Sanjeev Bhaskar | 9 March 2010 |
| Comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar views the Crown Jewels, reads P. G. Wodehouse and plays Subbuteo. | ||
| 3 - 2 | Jon Culshaw | 16 March 2010 |
| Impressionist Jon Culshaw has a salad, goes to a casino and listens to Woman's Hour. | ||
| 3 - 3 | Jenny Eclair | 23 March 2010 |
| Comedian Jenny Eclair listens to Charlie Parker and has a bikini wax. | ||
| 3 - 4 | Ardal O'Hanlon | 30 March 2010 |
| Comedian Ardal O'Hanlon takes some herbal remedies and tries Twitter. | ||
| 3 - 5 | John Lloyd | 6 April 2010 |
| Writer John Lloyd does some stand-up comedy and watches The Wire. | ||
| 3 - 6 | Kate Adie | 3 March 2011 |
| Reporter Kate Adie watches The Sopranos, tries Yoga and goes to a bingo hall. | ||
Series 4
| # | Guest | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 4 - 1 | Ian Hislop | 5 September 2011 |
| Satirist Ian Hislop buys a pair of jeans, plays Grand Theft Auto, tries Buddhist meditation, and bakes a cake. | ||
| 4 - 2 | Frank Skinner | 12 September 2011 |
| Comedian Frank Skinner has a spray tan, eats Jugged Hare, changes a car tyre and watches Inspector Morse. | ||
| 4 - 3 | Alan Davies | 19 September 2011 |
| Comedian Alan Davies sings in public, has a pedicure and reads The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. | ||
| 4 - 4 | Giles Coren | 26 September 2011 |
| Writer Giles Coren goes vegan, reads some Harry Potter and dances in public. | ||
| 4 - 5 | Kathy Burke | 3 October 2011 |
| Actress Kathy Burke visits Harrods and proves the first guest to match the programme's title. | ||
| 4 - 6 | Sarah Millican | 10 October 2011 |
| Comedian Sarah Millican eats with chopsticks, watches Some Like it Hot and visits the Natural History Museum. | ||
Series 5
| # | Guest | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 5 - 1 | Meera Syal | 1 January 2013 |
| Actor/writer Meera Syal eats snails, reads the Bhagavad Gita, watches Last Tango in Paris, and attends a football match. | ||
| 5 - 2 | Dave Gorman | 8 January 2013 |
| Comedian Dave Gorman enjoys a "water cooler moment", rides a horse, reads A Tale of Two Cities, and visits a strip club. | ||
| 5 - 3 | Benjamin Zephaniah | 15 January 2013 |
| Writer Benjamin Zephaniah drinks coffee and tea, reads The House at Pooh Corner, plays with a Scalextric, and listens to Take Me Home. | ||
| 5 - 4 | Les Dennis | 22 January 2013 |
| Les Dennis eats cheese, reads The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, listens to a Rolling Stones album, and watches The Inbetweeners. | ||
| 5 - 5 | Jenni Murray | 29 January 2013 |
| 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 - 6 | Evelyn Glennie | 5 February 2013 |
| Percussionist Evelyn Glennie watches herself performing in the Olympic opening ceremony, drives a Go-Kart, watches Downton Abbey, and throws a pot. | ||
References
- ↑ Campling, Chris (2008-09-13). "Radio Head: a Star Wars abstainer". The Times (London). Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "24 October 2008". Feedback. 2008-10-24.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Redmond, Camilla (2008-10-27). "Radio review". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ↑ "I've Never Seen Star Wars (The TV series)". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
- ↑ "I've Never Seen Star Wars (The radio series)". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ↑ Campling, Chris (2008-09-23). "Bill Dare wins with I've Never Seen Star Wars". The Times (London). Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ↑ Mahoney, Elisabeth (2008-09-19). "Radio review". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ↑ "I've Never Seen Star Wars — Episode Guide". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
