How to Make Music Funny (Never Mind the Buzzcocks)

Member Name: blackviolets

Product:	Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Date:	19/08/09 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: a funny and entertaining programme

Disadvantages: simon amstell leaving

**The Basics**

For those of you who don't already know Never Mind The Buzzcocks is one of those comedy panel games which TV producers are so fond of. This one however, is mainly influenced with a pop and rock music theme. It first started off in 1996 so a 13 year panel show isn't bad going. Currently into its 22nd series it has gained in population, especially amongst younger people. Maybe this is down to it's presenter Simon Amstell.

**Hosts and Captains**

I never really watched this when Mark Lamarr was presenting so I can't comment on his style however Simon Amstell fit into the role perfectly. Sarcastic and dry wit are the key to making this a good programme and he even managed to have little digs at some of the guests that came onto the show. All in good nature of course! Sadly he's decided to hang up the coat peg, as of yet I'm not sure who will be taking over the role.

The regular team captains over the years have been Phill Jupitus and before Bill Bailey, Sean Hughes. All three of which have managed to keep the show going by their humour and uses of one liners and random comments. After Bill Bailey left in 2008 there have been a number of guest captains including Stephen Fry, Jack Dee and Davina McCall.

I was particularily looking forward to the next series as it was announced that Noel Fielding, a favourite of mine, was to be a permanent team captain. Then he decided to go and be a complete idiot by taking drugs and then talking about it in a recent interview. I don't enjoy being annnoyed at somebody I like but I do think he's been a bit of a prat.

**Rounds**

There are usually 4 rounds to each 30 minute programme. The first being asked questions or facts about singers and bands. Then there's the intro bit where two people on a team have to do an introduction to a song whilst the other member guesses what it could be. Personally I am awful at this as I can recall the song, just not who it's by. There's an identity parade from past singers although on occassion this round is sometimes replaced and finally a round where the presenter will say a line of a song and the teams have to continue with the next lines.

What I like about this is that they are all mini games which you can sort of join in with, no matter how bad you are. I do find that with the last round the time they are given isn't as long as before, so they don't have many go's although in a lot of cases they start to jabber on so they miss out on precious seconds anyway.

**Overall**

I really enjoy watching this programme which is shown on BBC 2. The actual quiz, like other panel shows, is really just a backboard thing. To give the guests and captains something to mess about with. It's really more of a comedy. For 30 minutes you get your share of jokes and humour as dry or quick witted as you like it. It's just a fun programme with no really intentional bad merit about it. It's sad to see the end of Simon Amstell as I really thought he was a good presenter but we can only wait and see who they have in store for us.

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