The Inspired Idiocy of Shooting Stars: A Vic and Bob Masterclass
When Vic Reeves – aka Jim Moir – took the stage for The Big Quiz during his Vic Reeves Big Night Out live show, something special was born. The eccentric questions, witty humor, and sheer unpredictability captivated the audience like nothing seen before. Bob Mortimer, writing partner extraordinaire, recognized this unique blend of absurdity and entertainment potential.
"We got lucky," Mortimer recalled, reflecting on the show's serendipitous beginnings. "We were doing a Vic and Bob Christmas TV special when the BBC approached us with an idea for a quiz show." With no prior experience in writing for television, the duo poured their creativity into crafting questions that would leave guests bewildered and amused.
One of the most iconic elements of Shooting Stars was its ability to create memorable guest experiences. The producers would often sabotage seating arrangements or have celebrities participate in activities they couldn't prepare for, like the infamous "cheese drop" challenge. This unpredictability added an element of surprise to each episode, making it a standout among panel shows.
Mortimer and Moir would deliberately keep guests in the dark about what lay ahead, creating an air of anticipation that fueled their reactions. For instance, Vic Reeves, aka Jim Moir, was known for his mischievous antics, such as placing a stink bomb in Stephen Fry's shoe or wearing a stuffed buzzard with a crucifix around its neck.
The show's name, George Dawes, was inspired by the character of Marjorie Dawes, a dreadful dietician from Little Britain. It was only during filming that they discovered George's "Peanuts" song, which left them in stitches. The duo also experimented with sound effects, using phrases like "Eranu" and "Uvavu" to end rounds.
One of the key factors behind Shooting Stars' enduring success was its ability to strike a balance between humor and unpredictability. By embracing absurdity and creative chaos, Mortimer and Moir created an antidote to traditional comedy formats. As Vic Reeves said, "We needed some sound or word to end rounds... Bob said, 'That'll do.'"
The show's legacy extends beyond its original run, influencing the way panel shows approach entertainment. As a masterclass in inspired idiocy, Shooting Stars remains a testament to the power of creativity and absurdity on television.
When Vic Reeves – aka Jim Moir – took the stage for The Big Quiz during his Vic Reeves Big Night Out live show, something special was born. The eccentric questions, witty humor, and sheer unpredictability captivated the audience like nothing seen before. Bob Mortimer, writing partner extraordinaire, recognized this unique blend of absurdity and entertainment potential.
"We got lucky," Mortimer recalled, reflecting on the show's serendipitous beginnings. "We were doing a Vic and Bob Christmas TV special when the BBC approached us with an idea for a quiz show." With no prior experience in writing for television, the duo poured their creativity into crafting questions that would leave guests bewildered and amused.
One of the most iconic elements of Shooting Stars was its ability to create memorable guest experiences. The producers would often sabotage seating arrangements or have celebrities participate in activities they couldn't prepare for, like the infamous "cheese drop" challenge. This unpredictability added an element of surprise to each episode, making it a standout among panel shows.
Mortimer and Moir would deliberately keep guests in the dark about what lay ahead, creating an air of anticipation that fueled their reactions. For instance, Vic Reeves, aka Jim Moir, was known for his mischievous antics, such as placing a stink bomb in Stephen Fry's shoe or wearing a stuffed buzzard with a crucifix around its neck.
The show's name, George Dawes, was inspired by the character of Marjorie Dawes, a dreadful dietician from Little Britain. It was only during filming that they discovered George's "Peanuts" song, which left them in stitches. The duo also experimented with sound effects, using phrases like "Eranu" and "Uvavu" to end rounds.
One of the key factors behind Shooting Stars' enduring success was its ability to strike a balance between humor and unpredictability. By embracing absurdity and creative chaos, Mortimer and Moir created an antidote to traditional comedy formats. As Vic Reeves said, "We needed some sound or word to end rounds... Bob said, 'That'll do.'"
The show's legacy extends beyond its original run, influencing the way panel shows approach entertainment. As a masterclass in inspired idiocy, Shooting Stars remains a testament to the power of creativity and absurdity on television.
"Imagination is the highest pilgrimage we can undertake" - William Wordsworth 
. Did you know that the average episode of Shooting Stars was watched by around 2.5 million people when it first aired? 
That's insane! And, fun fact, the show's iconic "cheese drop" challenge has been viewed over 10 million times on YouTube alone 
. I'm also loving the retro vibe of this new Vic Reeves Big Night Out live show – Vic's style is still so effortlessly cool 
. By the way, have you seen the top 5 most popular questions from Shooting Stars? 
They're all so ridiculously funny! 
. The producers' constant sabotage of guests was just a recipe for awkwardness and discomfort. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to make celebrities do weird challenges they couldn't prepare for? 
. It was just a silly TV show that relied on cheap laughs and awkward moments to get attention. I don't think it's fair to call it an "inspired idiocy" when really it was just a bunch of chaotic nonsense 
! Who wouldn't want to watch Vic & Bob's antics on the big screen? The idea that they got "lucky" with their Christmas TV special is kinda true - it was pure serendipity when the BBC came knocking 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to participate in a quiz show with Vic Reeves' energy? 
. Those guys were comedy geniuses 
, and their legacy lives on in the world of entertainment.
. Like, who even remembers the good old days of Vic & Bob? I mean, their show was literally hilarious and unpredictable - just like how this forum can be at times 
. Can we get some updates on the tech or something? This is getting old 
and buzzards 
. The way Bob Mortimer would just roll with it and make it all work was pure magic 
. And can we talk about the Cheese Drop challenge for a sec? 
. Their ability to stay one step ahead of their guests, keeping them on their toes (literally sometimes 
️. Don't be afraid to take risks and try new things – that's where the real magic happens! And remember, it's okay to look silly sometimes 
. And can we please get back to those epic sound effects 
. It's crazy to think it all started from a Christmas TV special 
"Eranu" and "Uvavu"... still give me giggles! I think what really sets Shooting Stars apart is how they balanced that absurdity with actual cleverness – it's like they were just winging it, but in the best possible way 
.
But is it really "inspired idiocy" or just a bunch of random nonsense? 
.