Heh Heh Verrrryyy Poooor! (Vic Reeves Big Night Out)

Member Name: utero

Product:	Vic Reeves Big Night Out
Date:	15/09/05 (1260 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Original, Barmy, Classic Catchphrases, Unforgettable characters

Disadvantages: Not for everyones tastes

Back in the early nineties Channel 4 showed half an hour of complete insanity. Anyone who tuned in blind would wonder what the hell was going on

This insanity went by the name of Vic Reeves Big Night Out. It was the comedy show that defied convention and spawned catchphrases that entered the student world before the likes of the Fast Show even existed.

Hosted by Vic Reeves, the show can only be described as an incredibly offbeat variety show. Vic would sit behind a desk armed with various props. Along the way various characters would join him. Along the way various acts would turn up on stage, Vic and sidekick Bob Mortimer would play out these acts. Ambling on in the background would be the bald headed simpleton Les – a man wearing a lab coat who would smile at the sight of a spirit level.

Join me now as we take a trip to Novelty Island as re-live some of my favourite characters.

* MAN WITH THE STICK*

Man with the stick would bound onto the stage with a large stick, on the end of it would be a hobo-like bundle. The crowd would always greet him with “What’s on the end of the stick Vic?”

Mr Stick’s only expression would be the one drawn on his large paper head. He would often tell Vic of his exploits with his best mate Terry, however Mr Stick was incredibly naive and it was always apparent that Terry was a charlatan. Fans will remember Mr Stick’s descent into dark depression by series two when he contracted his children to Vic for fire range testing and ‘underwater shark testing for Volvo’.

*THE LIVING CARPETS*

Two men sit around a table talking, only their faces are carpets. Their verbal sparring incorporates such outrageous claims as “I wrote Lord of the Rings for a daft laugh!” and “I cause eclipses of the sun with my enormous table tennis bat”. Every sentence would be fobbed off with the immortal catchphrase “You lying get!” Often surreal but very funny.

*MORRISSEY THE CONSUMER MONKEY*

Morrissey was a glove puppet with the face of Smith’s frontman Morrissey. He would often pop up to assist Vic with his opinions on consumer products. His affection was always nice, as he would give Vic a little kiss with the occasional tongue.

*GLEN MITCHELL*

Glen Mitchell was a golden Labrador who would pop up from time to time. He would often tell of his various business dealings before descending into desperation as he realizes his wife’s going to kill him after he realizes the business deal was actually not that great.

*JUDGE LIONEL NUTMEG*

Lionel Nutmeg dealt Justice out with a fair hand. He would wheel onto the stage and make audience members swear oath on the Daktari annual before having all their sins confessed. The punishments always fitted the crime with audience members having to be praised by the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar or simply having a giant bookcase strapped to their back.

The show always had it’s audience and after all these years it still as bizarre and different as ever. There were always people who didn’t get it but you would always laugh at the complete absurdity of everything on show.

Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer defected to the BBC after a couple of series and their brand of humour carried on to a grander scale in the Smell of Reeves and Mortimer and of course Shooting Stars.

Someone has now had the brilliant idea of released Big Night Out on DVD and I for one will be putting it on my Christmas list.

Should you have no idea what the characters I’ve mentioned look like then checkout the following website which is probably the best fansite out there for Vic and Bob.

http://www.vicandbob.net/

Hope you enjoyed the read, I must go as it about this time of night where I like to sprinkle some golden grahams onto a shrimps eye.

Summary: Genius comedy of the nineties that won't let it lie!