Papa & Nicole
Encyclopedia
'Papa' and 'Nicole' were fictional characters created to advertise the Renault Clio
in the United Kingdom between 1991 and 1998. The "Papa!" "Nicole" and "Nicole!" Papa" verbal exchanges between Nicole and her father during the advertisements were adapted from an original exchange between Nicole Bonnet (played by Audrey Hepburn
) and her father (played by Hugh Griffith
) in the 1966 film How to Steal a Million
. Surveys by Channel 4 and ITV award the series as the most popular car advertisements ever made. In 1996, one survey found that Nicole was recognised by more Britons than Prime Minister John Major
, Bob Hoskins
or Chris Evans. Renault was found to be the most persuasive advertiser in five European countries in 1994. The advert was designed by the Publicis
agency.
Skornik had not passed her driving test when the first Clio advertisements were made. Penny Mallory
, a precision stunt driver and television presenter, played both Nicole and Papa in each of the driving scenes.
The final installment can be viewed on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwqEpwO-5PE
Much publicity and speculation surrounded the question of whom Nicole would marry. Socialite and 'it girl' Tara Palmer-Tomkinson
noted, "I can't understand what she is doing getting married. I mean, she is giving up everything. She is one of the most beautiful, stunning, eligible girls around. She must be off her rocker. I mean, she had everything going for her, driving around the country in her Renault Clio, all at Daddy's, or rather Papa's, expense. I should be so lucky."
The finalé was itself a spoof of the film The Graduate
. Wearing a dress by Deborah Milner and a hairstyle by Nicky Clarke
, with her ring designed by Stephen Webster, Nicole was led down the aisle to the as-yet-unseen groom. Played during the advertisement break between Coronation Street
on 29 May 1998, an estimated 23 million viewers watched Nicole leave Vic Reeves at the altar and start a new life with Bob Mortimer in his new Renault Clio.
Throughout the entire series, only five words were spoken: Papa, Nicole, Maman, Bob, and 'YES!'.
". Each used a variation of the song, most notably Martin Taylor
's acoustic interpretation (an alternate version of which he released on his album 'Spirit of Django' and Renault's promotional compilation, 'Miles More Music.')
Renault Clio
The Renault Clio is a supermini car produced by the French automobile manufacturer Renault. Originally launched in 1990, it is currently in its third generation...
in the United Kingdom between 1991 and 1998. The "Papa!" "Nicole" and "Nicole!" Papa" verbal exchanges between Nicole and her father during the advertisements were adapted from an original exchange between Nicole Bonnet (played by Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century...
) and her father (played by Hugh Griffith
Hugh Griffith
Hugh Emrys Griffith was a Welsh film, stage and television actor.-Early life:Griffith was born in Marianglas, Anglesey, Wales, the son of Mary and William Griffith. He was educated at Llangefni County School and attempted to gain entrance to university, but failed the English examination...
) in the 1966 film How to Steal a Million
How to Steal a Million
How to Steal a Million is a 1966 heist comedy film, directed by William Wyler and starring Peter O'Toole, Audrey Hepburn, and Hugh Griffith. It is set and filmed in France, though the characters speak entirely in English...
. Surveys by Channel 4 and ITV award the series as the most popular car advertisements ever made. In 1996, one survey found that Nicole was recognised by more Britons than Prime Minister John Major
John Major
Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
, Bob Hoskins
Bob Hoskins
Robert William "Bob" Hoskins, Jr. is an English actor known for playing Cockney rough diamonds, psychopaths and gangsters, in films such as The Long Good Friday , and Mona Lisa , and lighter roles in family films such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Hook .- Early life :Hoskins was born in Bury St...
or Chris Evans. Renault was found to be the most persuasive advertiser in five European countries in 1994. The advert was designed by the Publicis
Publicis
Publicis Groupe is a French multinational advertising and communications company, headquartered in Paris, France. It is one of the world's three largest advertising holding companies . Its current president is Maurice Lévy. Publicis Groupe S.A...
agency.
Cast
- 'Nicole' - Estelle SkornikEstelle SkornikEstelle Skornik is a French actress.In the United Kingdom she is best remembered for playing "Nicole" alongside Max Douchin in a range of Renault Clio advertisements that at one point also featured the comedians Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.She also starred as "Ada" in the film version of From...
- 'Papa' - Max Douchin
- Unnamed - Vic ReevesVic ReevesJames Roderick Moir , better known by the stage name Vic Reeves, is an English comedian, best known for his double act with Bob Mortimer . He is known for his surreal and non sequitur sense of humour....
- 'Bob' - Bob MortimerBob MortimerRobert "Bob" Renwick Mortimer is an English comedian and actor, who is best known for his double act with Vic Reeves...
Skornik had not passed her driving test when the first Clio advertisements were made. Penny Mallory
Penny Mallory
Penny Durban Mallory was the first woman in the world to drive a World Rally Car, a rally car specification introduced in 1997.Mallory became National Ladies Champion Rally Driver in 1993 and went on to be one of the UK’s top rally drivers...
, a precision stunt driver and television presenter, played both Nicole and Papa in each of the driving scenes.
Advertisements
- ('Interesting', 1991)
- ('The meeting', 1992)
- ('Skiing', 1993)
- ('Transformation', 1994)
- ('Mum', 1995)
- ('Moved on', 1996)
- ('Parallel lives', 1997)
- ('The Wedding', 1998)
The final installment can be viewed on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwqEpwO-5PE
Finalé
An all-new second generation Renault Clio was launched in 1998 and with it came the finalé of Nicole's Provençale story.Much publicity and speculation surrounded the question of whom Nicole would marry. Socialite and 'it girl' Tara Palmer-Tomkinson
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson also known as T P-T, is an English socialite, "it girl", television presenter, columnist and model...
noted, "I can't understand what she is doing getting married. I mean, she is giving up everything. She is one of the most beautiful, stunning, eligible girls around. She must be off her rocker. I mean, she had everything going for her, driving around the country in her Renault Clio, all at Daddy's, or rather Papa's, expense. I should be so lucky."
The finalé was itself a spoof of the film The Graduate
The Graduate
The Graduate is a 1967 American comedy-drama motion picture directed by Mike Nichols. It is based on the 1963 novel The Graduate by Charles Webb, who wrote it shortly after graduating from Williams College. The screenplay was by Buck Henry, who makes a cameo appearance as a hotel clerk, and Calder...
. Wearing a dress by Deborah Milner and a hairstyle by Nicky Clarke
Nicky Clarke
Nicky Clarke OBE is an English hair stylist and media personality, who owns well known hair salons. He initially became famous for styling the hair of various celebrities on several television shows, before earning fame in his own right....
, with her ring designed by Stephen Webster, Nicole was led down the aisle to the as-yet-unseen groom. Played during the advertisement break between Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
on 29 May 1998, an estimated 23 million viewers watched Nicole leave Vic Reeves at the altar and start a new life with Bob Mortimer in his new Renault Clio.
Throughout the entire series, only five words were spoken: Papa, Nicole, Maman, Bob, and 'YES!'.
Soundtrack
Each of the advertisements featured Renault's 1980s and 1990s signature tune, Robert Palmer's "Johnny And MaryJohnny and Mary
"Johnny and Mary" is a song written by Robert Palmer and was recorded in 1980 at Compass Point Studios, New Providence, in the Bahamas. The song was featured on Palmer's album Clues . "Johnny and Mary" only went to #44 on the UK Singles Chart, but did reach #18 on Billboard's Club Play Singles chart...
". Each used a variation of the song, most notably Martin Taylor
Martin Taylor
Martin Taylor, MBE is a British jazz guitarist who has performed in groups, guitar ensembles and as an accompanist to many of the world’s most famous musicians...
's acoustic interpretation (an alternate version of which he released on his album 'Spirit of Django' and Renault's promotional compilation, 'Miles More Music.')
Trivia
- A contestant on Blind DateBlind Date (UK TV series)Blind Date is a British dating game show produced by London Weekend Television. An unscreened pilot was made with comic Duncan Norvelle as presenter but it was eventually hosted by Cilla Black, who already hosted the LWT series, Surprise, Surprise...
with Cilla BlackCilla BlackCilla Black OBE is an English singer, actress, entertainer and media personality, who has been consistently popular as a light entertainment figure since 1963. She is most famous for her singles Anyone Who Had A Heart, You're My World, and Alfie...
and episodes of Birds of a FeatherBirds of a FeatherBirds of a Feather was a British sitcom that was broadcast on BBC1 from 1989 until 1998. Starring Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph, it was created by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, who also wrote some of the episodes along with many other writers.The first episode sees sisters...
and The Mary Whitehouse ExperienceThe Mary Whitehouse ExperienceThe Mary Whitehouse Experience was a British topical sketch comedy show produced by the BBC in association with Spitting Image Productions. It starred two comedy double acts - David Baddiel and Rob Newman, and also Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis, all of whom had graduated from Cambridge University...
have referred to Papa and Nicole. - The £350 dress worn in the first advertisement inspired a £37.99 copy at Selfridges.
- Caroline QuentinCaroline QuentinCaroline Jones known by her stage name Caroline Quentin, is an English actress. Quentin became known for her television appearances in Men Behaving Badly, playing Dorothy, and playing Maddy Magellan in Jonathan Creek for three years.-Early life:...
made a reference to Papa and Nicole during an improvised scene in the popular improvisational show Whose Line Is It Anyway?Whose Line Is It Anyway?Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a short-form improvisational comedy TV show. Originally a British radio programme, it moved to television in 1988 as a series made for the UK's Channel 4, for a 10 series run...
. - Comedy Duo SmithMel SmithMelvin Kenneth "Mel" Smith is an English comedian, writer, film director, producer, and actor. He is most famous for his work on the sketch comedy shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones along with his comedy partner Griff Rhys Jones.- Early life :Smith's father, Kenneth, was born...
& JonesGriff Rhys JonesGriffith "Griff" Rhys Jones is a Welsh comedian, writer, actor, television presenter and personality. Jones came to national attention in the early 1980s for his work in the BBC television comedy sketch shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones along with his comedy partner Mel Smith...
parodied the ads in a sketch showing "Papa" kerb-crawling looking for a prostitute and accidentally attempting to hire the services of a girl who turns out to be "Nicole". The sketch was written by Martin Curtis. (Brown) - A mid-1990s British Rail advertisement for Intercity Trains featured lookalikes of Nicole and Papa in a humorous pastiche. "Papa's" train-traveling companion wonders who the young lady is and remarks, "I thought you weren't married."
- The 1966 film "How to steal a millionHow to Steal a MillionHow to Steal a Million is a 1966 heist comedy film, directed by William Wyler and starring Peter O'Toole, Audrey Hepburn, and Hugh Griffith. It is set and filmed in France, though the characters speak entirely in English...
" contains a scene with the classic lines "Nicole?" - "Papa!" - In the 1993 sketch program The Smell of Reeves and MortimerThe Smell of Reeves and MortimerThe 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 titular flatulent Frenchmen in the recurrent Corbussier et le Papin sketches can be heard to be uttering dialogue consisting only of the words "papa" and "Nicole." Reeves & Mortimer of course later went on to star in the famous wedding advert featuring Papa and Nicole for the last time.
Sources
- Clio TV stars mark the public launch of new Clio Renaultsport 197, easier.com, July 2006
- CAP Online, Nicole? Papa!, Autumn 1995
- CAP Online, Nicole and Papa: a 1990s retrospective, 1999
- BBC, Motor show move struggles to create spark, July 2006
- Nicole and Bob: the inside story, The Birmingham Magazine, Number 10 October 1998