Mike Strutter
Encyclopedia
Michael 'Mike' Strutter is a fictional character of an MTV (UK and Ireland)
show, Strutter
. He was created and is played by Paul Kaye
, the comedian and actor behind the character Dennis Pennis. The character debuted in segments on Pennis' show, and is even responsible for the death of Pennis. The MTV series Strutter was co-created and written by Paul Garner
who also features as an actor in the series.
The Strutter series consits of 2 seasons and a total of 16 episodes. Despite the series popularity, they were never released on DVD.
Strutter is an American lawyer who uses violence to solve his cases; he is often seen burying bodies. Strutter speaks with a Brooklyn accent, and dresses in fashion from the late 1970s
. According to what can be gathered on the show, he is 41 years old, loves prostitutes, heavy metal music
and seeing people get hurt, and hates indie music, emo music, Elton John
, skater
s and "cocksuckers
". On his show, Strutter is usually high, and is usually seen snorting cocaine
, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol
. His language tends to be extremely vulgar
, and he makes heavy use of the word "cocksuckers".
During the final Dennis Pennis VHS video "Pennis R.I.P.", Strutter makes his debut appearance as the lawyer
for an imprisoned anti-Pennis campaigner, Tony Cream. Cream realises that Strutter will become homicidal if anyone calls him a "Nana", and thus convinces Strutter that Pennis has been gallivanting around town, calling Strutter this fairly innocuous insult. An incensed Strutter vows to murder Pennis, and we later see this happening, with Strutter throttling Pennis to death with his own microphone cord.
Kaye has suggested that the general demeanour of Strutter, his dress sense, drug addictions and foul language are based on David Kleinfeld, the lawyer played by Sean Penn
in the Al Pacino
film Carlito's Way
.
The show has its own adverts, which consist of either Strutter trying to sell his fictional merchandise http://www.struttergear.com, or a fictional German
couple named Peter and Elkie Zpittvar (the latter being played by Lucy Montgomery
), who mix sex
with Extreme sports.
At the end of some episodes, as the programme music begins, Stutter can be seen breaking down in tears after snorting cocaine, and making comments such as: "I'm fucked up!" or "What the fuck am I doing?, I'm forty one fuckin' years old!".
The final ident of the programme shows Strutter looking down at the camera with a cigarette in his hand and shouting at the viewer, "What the fuck are you looking at?!".
Kaye also performs occasional live gigs as the character, where he fronts a covers band in the guise of Strutter under the banner 'The Mike Strutter Band'. London-based singer Kiria
often joins the group onstage, and be seen dueting with Kaye/Strutter in the video for her single Live Sex On Stage
MTV (UK and Ireland)
MTV is a 24-hour general entertainment channel operated by Viacom International Media Networks.The channel was launched as part of MTV Networks Europe localization strategy in 1997. MTV UK was launched on 1 July 1997. The channel was set up to provide audiences with local artists and more relevant...
show, Strutter
Strutter (MTV Show)
Strutter is a show on MTV broadcast in the UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Sweden, Romania, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland. It stars Paul Kaye as Mike Strutter and Thaila Zucchi as Mrs. Strutter...
. He was created and is played by Paul Kaye
Paul Kaye
Paul Kaye is an English comedian and actor. He achieved notoriety in 1995 portraying the character of Dennis Pennis, a shock interviewer on The Sunday Show...
, the comedian and actor behind the character Dennis Pennis. The character debuted in segments on Pennis' show, and is even responsible for the death of Pennis. The MTV series Strutter was co-created and written by Paul Garner
Paul Garner (comedian)
Paul Garner is a is an English comedian, writer, producer and director.- Radio :Paul started out in radio working with Jo Bunting and Chris Morris at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire....
who also features as an actor in the series.
The Strutter series consits of 2 seasons and a total of 16 episodes. Despite the series popularity, they were never released on DVD.
Strutter is an American lawyer who uses violence to solve his cases; he is often seen burying bodies. Strutter speaks with a Brooklyn accent, and dresses in fashion from the late 1970s
1970s in fashion
1970s fashion, which began with a continuation of the mini skirts, bell-bottoms and the androgynous hippie look from the late 1960s, was soon sharply characterized by several distinct fashion trends that have left an indelible image of the decade ...
. According to what can be gathered on the show, he is 41 years old, loves prostitutes, heavy metal music
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
and seeing people get hurt, and hates indie music, emo music, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, skater
Skater
Skater may refer to:*Skating , various activities:** Skater or skateboarder - someone who practices skateboarding, i.e. someone who rides a skateboard** Skater - someone who rides with rollerskates...
s and "cocksuckers
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
". On his show, Strutter is usually high, and is usually seen snorting cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
. His language tends to be extremely vulgar
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
, and he makes heavy use of the word "cocksuckers".
During the final Dennis Pennis VHS video "Pennis R.I.P.", Strutter makes his debut appearance as the lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
for an imprisoned anti-Pennis campaigner, Tony Cream. Cream realises that Strutter will become homicidal if anyone calls him a "Nana", and thus convinces Strutter that Pennis has been gallivanting around town, calling Strutter this fairly innocuous insult. An incensed Strutter vows to murder Pennis, and we later see this happening, with Strutter throttling Pennis to death with his own microphone cord.
Kaye has suggested that the general demeanour of Strutter, his dress sense, drug addictions and foul language are based on David Kleinfeld, the lawyer played by Sean Penn
Sean Penn
Sean Justin Penn is an American actor, screenwriter and film director, also known for his political and social activism...
in the Al Pacino
Al Pacino
Alfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
film Carlito's Way
Carlito's Way
Carlito's Way is a 1993 crime film directed by Brian De Palma, based on the novels Carlito's Way and After Hours by Judge Edwin Torres. The film adaptation was scripted by David Koepp. It stars Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, Luis Guzman, John Leguizamo, Jorge Porcel, Joseph Siravo, and...
.
The show has its own adverts, which consist of either Strutter trying to sell his fictional merchandise http://www.struttergear.com, or a fictional German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
couple named Peter and Elkie Zpittvar (the latter being played by Lucy Montgomery
Lucy Montgomery (actor)
Lucy Montgomery is an English comedian, actress and writer, best known for her radio and television work.Montgomery is married to fellow comedian Rhys Thomas; they have two daughters – Polly and Rosie Rae – and live in London.-Career:While at Cambridge University, Montgomery was a member of...
), who mix sex
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
with Extreme sports.
At the end of some episodes, as the programme music begins, Stutter can be seen breaking down in tears after snorting cocaine, and making comments such as: "I'm fucked up!" or "What the fuck am I doing?, I'm forty one fuckin' years old!".
The final ident of the programme shows Strutter looking down at the camera with a cigarette in his hand and shouting at the viewer, "What the fuck are you looking at?!".
Kaye also performs occasional live gigs as the character, where he fronts a covers band in the guise of Strutter under the banner 'The Mike Strutter Band'. London-based singer Kiria
Kiria (musician)
Kiria is a British singer, songwriter and guitarist, born and currently based in LondonHer debut album Radio was released in October 2010, by independent record label Koochie Coo Records.-Musical style:...
often joins the group onstage, and be seen dueting with Kaye/Strutter in the video for her single Live Sex On Stage