Vic and Bob's Unhinged Genius: The Inspired Idiocy Behind Shooting Stars
For Bob Mortimer, the first time he saw Vic Reeves doing The Big Quiz during Vic Reeves Big Night Out live was a defining moment. It was a chaotic mix of meaningless questions, attitude, and unpredictability that captivated him. He recalls thinking, "There must be something we could do with that." That intuition led to the creation of Shooting Stars, which became an instant hit and redefined the parameters for fun on panel shows.
The show's writers, Vic Reeves (aka Jim Moir) and Bob Mortimer, poured their hearts into crafting true or false questions that were both absurd and hilarious. They spent hours brainstorming and experimenting until they nailed it. The result was a format that was equal parts anarchic and infectious.
One of the most memorable aspects of Shooting Stars was its guests, who were often unaware of what to expect. Vic would sabotage their seats, and the team captains, Mark Lamarr and Ulrika Jonsson, would be caught off guard by the challenges. The show's infamous stink bomb incident, which left Stephen Fry reeking in the studio, is a testament to Vic's mischievous nature.
The show's success was not limited to its guests; it also influenced the format of panel shows as a whole. Shooting Stars proved that you could have fun and be unpredictable without sacrificing quality or wit. The duo's willingness to take risks and push boundaries created a unique viewing experience that people couldn't get enough of.
As for Vic, he's still an avid fan of the show, even if it's not always what he expected. He recalls creating characters like George Dawes, whose mum was Marjorie Dawes, the dietician from Little Britain. The stuffed buzzard with a crucifix around its neck, which left Christians aghast, remains one of his most memorable pranks.
For Bob, the show's success was a result of its ability to balance absurdity with wit and charm. He praises Mark Lamarr, who had an effortless deadpan style that added to the show's humor. Ulrika Jonsson, on the other hand, proved to be a pleasant surprise, displaying a competitive spirit that elevated the show.
Throughout the production process, Vic and Bob would often take feedback from their guests and colleagues with a grain of salt. They'd tell them to "have a go" back at them, knowing it would lead to some memorable moments. The result was a show that not only showcased its own unique brand of humor but also created a sense of camaraderie between the guests and the hosts.
Shooting Stars has left an indelible mark on British comedy, and its influence can still be felt today. As Vic Reeves quips, "The show was an antidote to comedy. It was a format people could get their head around – and then we went sideways with it."
For Bob Mortimer, the first time he saw Vic Reeves doing The Big Quiz during Vic Reeves Big Night Out live was a defining moment. It was a chaotic mix of meaningless questions, attitude, and unpredictability that captivated him. He recalls thinking, "There must be something we could do with that." That intuition led to the creation of Shooting Stars, which became an instant hit and redefined the parameters for fun on panel shows.
The show's writers, Vic Reeves (aka Jim Moir) and Bob Mortimer, poured their hearts into crafting true or false questions that were both absurd and hilarious. They spent hours brainstorming and experimenting until they nailed it. The result was a format that was equal parts anarchic and infectious.
One of the most memorable aspects of Shooting Stars was its guests, who were often unaware of what to expect. Vic would sabotage their seats, and the team captains, Mark Lamarr and Ulrika Jonsson, would be caught off guard by the challenges. The show's infamous stink bomb incident, which left Stephen Fry reeking in the studio, is a testament to Vic's mischievous nature.
The show's success was not limited to its guests; it also influenced the format of panel shows as a whole. Shooting Stars proved that you could have fun and be unpredictable without sacrificing quality or wit. The duo's willingness to take risks and push boundaries created a unique viewing experience that people couldn't get enough of.
As for Vic, he's still an avid fan of the show, even if it's not always what he expected. He recalls creating characters like George Dawes, whose mum was Marjorie Dawes, the dietician from Little Britain. The stuffed buzzard with a crucifix around its neck, which left Christians aghast, remains one of his most memorable pranks.
For Bob, the show's success was a result of its ability to balance absurdity with wit and charm. He praises Mark Lamarr, who had an effortless deadpan style that added to the show's humor. Ulrika Jonsson, on the other hand, proved to be a pleasant surprise, displaying a competitive spirit that elevated the show.
Throughout the production process, Vic and Bob would often take feedback from their guests and colleagues with a grain of salt. They'd tell them to "have a go" back at them, knowing it would lead to some memorable moments. The result was a show that not only showcased its own unique brand of humor but also created a sense of camaraderie between the guests and the hosts.
Shooting Stars has left an indelible mark on British comedy, and its influence can still be felt today. As Vic Reeves quips, "The show was an antidote to comedy. It was a format people could get their head around – and then we went sideways with it."
. The way Vic & Bob would take risks and push boundaries was so refreshing - it's like they took all these preconceived notions about what comedy should be and threw them out the window 
. And let's not forget those guests who were always caught off guard, which added to the hilarity! I think that's why shows like Taskmaster & 8 Out of 10 Cats are still so popular today - they're all inspired by Shooting Stars' crazy brand of humor 
. Anyway, what's not to love about a show that's just unapologetically silly and entertaining? 
I'm all for the nostalgic vibes of Shooting Stars 
but gotta say, sometimes those stunts feel like a bit too much 
especially when it comes to Ulrika Jonsson's reactions 
. Still, can't deny that the show was pure genius in its own brand of chaotic brilliance 
. Vic Reeves' unpredictability is still unmatched to this day, but sometimes I wonder if his antics were more of a clever ruse than actual genius 
I remember watching Shooting Stars back in the day 
. The stink bomb incident still cracks me up 
. They just clicked and that added to the hilarity 
I've got to say, I still catch myself watching clips of the show on YouTube 
and still can't help but giggle at Vic's silly impressions 
. And Mark Lamarr's deadpan style was just perfect for the show – the guy's got a great sense of timing.
.
that guy's got some serious skills, even if the writers are all about taking ridiculous risks. mark lamarr and ulrika jonsson were total pros though, they held their own against vic's antics 
& bob mortimer was just genius in getting all those wild ideas together 
She totally brought a different vibe to the show, and her competitive spirit added an extra layer of excitement. And Mark Lamarr's deadpan style is still the best 
.
And that's something we could all learn from 
also i love how vic still creates characters to this day it's like he's still pulling Vic's tricks on us 
the format itself was pure genius, all that unpredictability & absurdity mixed with wit & charm = pure comedy gold 
and can we talk about mark lamarr's deadpan style? 
it's still one of the funniest things I've ever seen! Vic Reeves is a genius in my book, his crazy antics and pranks always kept me on the edge of my seat. And can we talk about Mark Lamarr for a sec? 
anyhoo, shooting stars was one of those shows that was genuinely special & left its mark on british comedy 
Did you know that in 2024, the UK's national TV ratings saw a significant increase in comedy shows? 
I wonder how Vic and Bob's creative process worked? 
it was like they all became part of this crazy family, pushing each other to be more ridiculous.
.
[Image of Vic Reeves' silly face with a question mark above his head]
! 
. And honestly, some of the characters they created are just ridiculous... like George Dawes' mum Marjorie, who sounds like a total legend 
. I guess what I'm saying is that Shooting Stars is either the most brilliant comedy show ever or a bunch of nonsense 
. Can't decide!