Bang Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer
Encyclopedia
Bang Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer was comedy double act Vic & Bob's third television sketch show. It aired during January 1999 on BBC2
in the United Kingdom. While maintaining certain elements from The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer
, the show was very different in many ways.
As with the previous sketch show, a song kicked off the proceedings, and once again the duo sat at their trademark desk. However, the desk was almost completely bare, (as opposed to their previous prop-covered ones), and had a transparent front, through which the moving form of a naked man (in interviews, the duo explained that he was "a homunculus
") could be seen. The studio set was different too, the huge R&M letters replaced with large representations of the pair behind warped glass. The duo's humour had evolved too, their chat at the desk seemed more improvised, but also more obtuse.
There were also changes in the double-act dynamic. Vic's character was frequently unhinged and waved guns and large blunt objects around with relish, while Bob played a slightly baffled innocent most of the time. As usual, however, they would tend to fall out very easily, which would result in one of their trademark slapstick fights, which grew more absurd, violent and freeform as the series progressed. One memorable instance involved Vic's head becoming grotesquely mutated after a spin in a tumble dryer. Bob then gleefully set about the hunchbacked, pathetic Vic with a baseball bat.
There were also a number of pre-recorded sketches, all of which heightened the obtuse, unusual nature of much of the show. These would often feature Charlie Higson
, Morwenna Banks
, Matt Lucas
and David Walliams
in supporting or cameo roles.It was a firm favourite with Vic and Bob's cult following, but confused and unsettled many new fans who had joined them after viewing their more accessible game show spoof, Shooting Stars
. With this in mind, it is perhaps ironic that the duo confessed that they originally set out to make Bang Bang a genuine attempt to create a show that did not polarize people's opinions as much as before. The duo themselves are very proud of the show, Bob stating that "We have this hope that if there's anyone left bothered about us in fifty years' time, that will be the one they'll remember".
These extremely odd slapstick sketches would see the duo driving around an idyllic location only to park their car between two immovable objects (two trees, two other parked cars, a ship's engine, a petrol pump etc.), resulting in a protracted bout of "very frustrating" door-opening attempts, after which the duo would have to resort to other methods. Usually, at some point the boot or the windscreen wipers would fly off the car and explode in a nearby field, and in the last one, the duo found themselves engaging in a bout of staring with some grief-stricken monkeys on their way to a baptism. In these sketches, someone was always killed in a strange way, ejecting an egg from their mouths before vanishing into thin air. The duo explained that the eggs were "their souls". This recurring joke even extended to the desk, where Vic accidentally shot himself with a gun, disappearing and leaving an egg behind, which Bob then greedily ate.
Fun, Fun, Fun
Tom Fun and his best friend Derek (revealed in the last sketch to be the former drummer of Roxy Music
) were shown in these oddly touching sketches wandering aimlessly around a city centre at dawn, having been "thrown out of our lodgings" for generally unclear reasons involving Derek's behaviour (one example given being the upset caused by Derek's public attempt to eat an arctic roll "like a pelican might eat it"). Their quest to find something "fun" to do was very childlike and knew no bounds, from going down the drains, prizing up cobblestones and rooting around in a skip. Each of these segments opened with the "fun fun fun" refrain from the song "Five Get Over Excited" by the Housemartins
.
The Club
The main event on Bang Bang was this spoof-docusoap, which took us behind-the-scenes at Baron's Nightclub, the "4th best club in Hull." Paul Baron (Vic) was the dodgy, oafish proprietor who kept all the keys for the premises on impractically short "luxury chains" about his person, while his long-lost brother Tony (Bob, with a bizarre Chinese accent) was in charge of the day-to-day running of the club, often expressing "serious reservations" about Paul's half-baked ideas. The compere was an insane American called Kinky John Fowler (Vic), whose "plucking peppercorns" routine was not one of Tony's favourites. After a disastrous "Erotic Night," and an even more calamitous "Talent Night" (which consisted of a man with a fox on his head and a man frightening ducks with a strange hydraulic machine), things took a turn for the better when boy band
Mandate played a successful set, and Paul managed to secure the services of Les Dennis
for one night only. However, a jealous Kinky John got "shit-faced" and threatened everyone with a large gun.
The club's weird bouncers, Carl & Chris, as well as Kinky John (who returned as DI Fowler) would be given their own series in Catterick
.
The Stotts
Once again, the Stotts returned, developing their celebrity interviews, which always started with "a little explosion" to "warm things up". Damon Hill
was asked "When you are in a motor race, do you have a map, or just follow everyone else?". Sinéad O'Connor
was given a full-frontal view of what lurked within Davey's kilt, a truly baffled Paul McKenna
was asked if peanuts were soluble, Caprice
was told that Davey's long pointy shoes were offered to him by the King of Spain in retribution for him "attacking his wife with a fish slice
," while Michael Winner
was quizzed on whether a human could leave fingerprints on a parsnip! One recurring question that was asked, often by Donald (Bob), was whether the guest, after work or at the end of the day, had, "A nice relaxing poo." At the end of every interview, the pair would abandon the celebrity onstage leaving them alone to the sounds of the adagietto from Mahler
's fifth symphony
.
"Never Previously Considered Funny Enough To Broadcast..."
A recurring series of bizarre sketch scenarios, usually involving parodies of celebrities. They were always introduced by narrator Patrick Allen
, who would conclude each narration with "What happened that day has never previously been considered funny enough to broadcast...until now!"
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
in the United Kingdom. While maintaining certain elements from The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer
The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer
The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer was a BBC TV sketch show written by and starring double act Vic Reeves & Bob Mortimer. Its first series appeared in 1993 following the duo's move to the BBC after parting company with Channel 4...
, the show was very different in many ways.
As with the previous sketch show, a song kicked off the proceedings, and once again the duo sat at their trademark desk. However, the desk was almost completely bare, (as opposed to their previous prop-covered ones), and had a transparent front, through which the moving form of a naked man (in interviews, the duo explained that he was "a homunculus
Homunculus
Homunculus is a term used, generally, in various fields of study to refer to any representation of a human being. Historically, it referred specifically to the concept of a miniature though fully formed human body, for example, in the studies of alchemy and preformationism...
") could be seen. The studio set was different too, the huge R&M letters replaced with large representations of the pair behind warped glass. The duo's humour had evolved too, their chat at the desk seemed more improvised, but also more obtuse.
There were also changes in the double-act dynamic. Vic's character was frequently unhinged and waved guns and large blunt objects around with relish, while Bob played a slightly baffled innocent most of the time. As usual, however, they would tend to fall out very easily, which would result in one of their trademark slapstick fights, which grew more absurd, violent and freeform as the series progressed. One memorable instance involved Vic's head becoming grotesquely mutated after a spin in a tumble dryer. Bob then gleefully set about the hunchbacked, pathetic Vic with a baseball bat.
There were also a number of pre-recorded sketches, all of which heightened the obtuse, unusual nature of much of the show. These would often feature Charlie Higson
Charlie Higson
Charles Murray Higson , more commonly known as Charlie Higson - also Switch - is an English actor, comedian, author and former singer...
, Morwenna Banks
Morwenna Banks
Morwenna Banks is a British comedy actress, writer and producer.Banks is perhaps best known in the UK as a cast member of the British Channel 4 comedy series Absolutely, where her best-known character was a schoolgirl who sat on the edge of a desk.She appeared as the Keeper of the Rules in the...
, Matt Lucas
Matt Lucas
Matthew Richard "Matt" Lucas is an English comedian, screenwriter and actor best known for his acclaimed work with David Walliams in the television show Little Britain; as well as for his portrayals of the scorekeeping baby George Dawes in the comedy panel game Shooting Stars, Tweedledee and...
and David Walliams
David Walliams
David Edward Walliams is an English comedian, writer and actor, known for his partnership with Matt Lucas on the TV sketch show Little Britain and its predecessor Rock Profile...
in supporting or cameo roles.It was a firm favourite with Vic and Bob's cult following, but confused and unsettled many new fans who had joined them after viewing their more accessible game show spoof, Shooting Stars
Shooting Stars
Shooting Stars is a British television comedy panel game broadcast on BBC Two as a pilot in 1993, then as 3 full series from 1995 to 1997, then on BBC Choice from January to December 2002 with 2 series before returning to BBC Two for another 3 series from 2008 until its axing in 2011...
. With this in mind, it is perhaps ironic that the duo confessed that they originally set out to make Bang Bang a genuine attempt to create a show that did not polarize people's opinions as much as before. The duo themselves are very proud of the show, Bob stating that "We have this hope that if there's anyone left bothered about us in fifty years' time, that will be the one they'll remember".
Recurring Sketches
Lunch-Hour Capers (The Car Door Blokes)These extremely odd slapstick sketches would see the duo driving around an idyllic location only to park their car between two immovable objects (two trees, two other parked cars, a ship's engine, a petrol pump etc.), resulting in a protracted bout of "very frustrating" door-opening attempts, after which the duo would have to resort to other methods. Usually, at some point the boot or the windscreen wipers would fly off the car and explode in a nearby field, and in the last one, the duo found themselves engaging in a bout of staring with some grief-stricken monkeys on their way to a baptism. In these sketches, someone was always killed in a strange way, ejecting an egg from their mouths before vanishing into thin air. The duo explained that the eggs were "their souls". This recurring joke even extended to the desk, where Vic accidentally shot himself with a gun, disappearing and leaving an egg behind, which Bob then greedily ate.
Fun, Fun, Fun
Tom Fun and his best friend Derek (revealed in the last sketch to be the former drummer of Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
) were shown in these oddly touching sketches wandering aimlessly around a city centre at dawn, having been "thrown out of our lodgings" for generally unclear reasons involving Derek's behaviour (one example given being the upset caused by Derek's public attempt to eat an arctic roll "like a pelican might eat it"). Their quest to find something "fun" to do was very childlike and knew no bounds, from going down the drains, prizing up cobblestones and rooting around in a skip. Each of these segments opened with the "fun fun fun" refrain from the song "Five Get Over Excited" by the Housemartins
The Housemartins
The Housemartins were an English indie pop band that was active in the 1980s. Many of the Housemartins' lyrics were a mixture of Marxist politics and Christianity, reflecting singer Paul Heaton's beliefs at the time .-Formation:The band was formed in late 1983 by Paul Heaton and...
.
The Club
The main event on Bang Bang was this spoof-docusoap, which took us behind-the-scenes at Baron's Nightclub, the "4th best club in Hull." Paul Baron (Vic) was the dodgy, oafish proprietor who kept all the keys for the premises on impractically short "luxury chains" about his person, while his long-lost brother Tony (Bob, with a bizarre Chinese accent) was in charge of the day-to-day running of the club, often expressing "serious reservations" about Paul's half-baked ideas. The compere was an insane American called Kinky John Fowler (Vic), whose "plucking peppercorns" routine was not one of Tony's favourites. After a disastrous "Erotic Night," and an even more calamitous "Talent Night" (which consisted of a man with a fox on his head and a man frightening ducks with a strange hydraulic machine), things took a turn for the better when boy band
Boy band
A boy band is loosely defined as a popular music act consisting of only male singers. The members are expected to dance as well as sing, usually giving highly choreographed performances. More often than not, boy band members do not play musical instruments, either in recording sessions or on...
Mandate played a successful set, and Paul managed to secure the services of Les Dennis
Les Dennis
Les Dennis is an English comedian, television presenter and actor best known as the host of Family Fortunes for 15 years.-Early life:...
for one night only. However, a jealous Kinky John got "shit-faced" and threatened everyone with a large gun.
The club's weird bouncers, Carl & Chris, as well as Kinky John (who returned as DI Fowler) would be given their own series in Catterick
Catterick (TV series)
Catterick, aka Vic and Bob in Catterick, is a surreal 2004 BBC situation comedy in 6 episodes, written by and starring Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, with Reece Shearsmith, Matt Lucas, Morwenna Banks, Tim Healy, Mark Benton and Charlie Higson. The series was originally broadcast on BBC Three and...
.
The Stotts
Once again, the Stotts returned, developing their celebrity interviews, which always started with "a little explosion" to "warm things up". Damon Hill
Damon Hill
Damon Graham Devereux Hill OBE is a retired British racing driver. In 1996 Hill won the Formula One World Championship. As the son of the late Graham Hill, he is the only son of a world champion to win the title...
was asked "When you are in a motor race, do you have a map, or just follow everyone else?". Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U"....
was given a full-frontal view of what lurked within Davey's kilt, a truly baffled Paul McKenna
Paul McKenna
Paul McKenna is an English hypnotist and self-improvement author.McKenna has written and produced books and multimedia products, hosted self-improvement television shows and presents seminars in hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming, weight loss and motivation.-Career:Paul McKenna started in...
was asked if peanuts were soluble, Caprice
Caprice Bourret
Caprice Bourret is an American supermodel, actress, television personality and businesswoman. She currently resides in the United Kingdom where she runs her company By Caprice Lingerie Ltd.- Early life :...
was told that Davey's long pointy shoes were offered to him by the King of Spain in retribution for him "attacking his wife with a fish slice
Fish slice
Fish cake or fish slice is a commonly cooked food in southern China and overseas Chinese communities. The fillet is made of fish that has been finely pulverized. It is made of the same surimi used to make fish balls.-Usage:...
," while Michael Winner
Michael Winner
Michael Robert Winner is a British film director and producer, active in both Europe and the United States, also known as a food critic for the Sunday Times.-Early life and early career :...
was quizzed on whether a human could leave fingerprints on a parsnip! One recurring question that was asked, often by Donald (Bob), was whether the guest, after work or at the end of the day, had, "A nice relaxing poo." At the end of every interview, the pair would abandon the celebrity onstage leaving them alone to the sounds of the adagietto from Mahler
Gustav Mahler
Gustav Mahler was a late-Romantic Austrian composer and one of the leading conductors of his generation. He was born in the village of Kalischt, Bohemia, in what was then Austria-Hungary, now Kaliště in the Czech Republic...
's fifth symphony
Symphony No. 5 (Mahler)
The Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor by Gustav Mahler was composed in 1901 and 1902, mostly during the summer months at Mahler's cottage at Maiernigg. Among its most distinctive features are the funereal trumpet solo that opens the work and the frequently performed Adagietto.The musical canvas and...
.
"Never Previously Considered Funny Enough To Broadcast..."
A recurring series of bizarre sketch scenarios, usually involving parodies of celebrities. They were always introduced by narrator Patrick Allen
Patrick Allen
John Keith Patrick Allen was a British film, television and voice actor.-Life and career:Allen was born in Nyasaland , where his father was a tobacco farmer. After his parents returned to Britain, he was evacuated to Canada during World War II where he remained to finish his education at McGill...
, who would conclude each narration with "What happened that day has never previously been considered funny enough to broadcast...until now!"