Fighting talk over Fighting Talk
Hello.
I’m about to record another Mark Watson Kicks Off and, although this is a bit boring, I thought I would quickly clarify why the show is so awfully similar to Fighting Talk, on Five Live. This is of no interest to most people who read this blog, but every time the show’s on TV, several people on Twitter tweet me to say ‘you appear to have nicked the idea for the show from Fighting Talk’. It’s time-consuming to respond each time, but I don’t like to let the reputation for plagiarism gather around me. I’d rather be known as an innovator. Then when I DO have to nick an idea, I should get away with it.
So. Fighting Talk is made for Five Live by a production company called World’s End (Johnny Vaughan’s company, in fact). They invented the show and own the rights to it. They approached ITV – because the BBC had already had a go at doing a TV version, and failed. ITV commissioned it. World’s End approached me to host the show, because Colin Murray (who hosts the radio show) is tied up with BBC, and I am the replacement who looks like the most like Colin Murray.
But the new show couldn’t be called Fighting Talk as the BBC wouldn’t allow it to be the same as one of their ongoing radio shows. So it’s Mark Watson Kicks Off.
And that’s that. No stealing. Just a re-brand. You can’t steal your own property. I tried to nick £400 from myself recently and it soon turned up in my account again.
I realise this has not been very exciting but it means every time someone tweets me about this, I can now send them a link to this blog rather than expend 33 tweets trying to summarise this story.
So if you’re reading this blog because I sent you here to settle a dispute – I hope from now on we can have happier times together. I’m here every day. And now I’m going to do what people often do to ME when I receive a link to a website, and spam the hell out of you.
AMAZING TREATMENT REALLY WORKS! GUYS I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS ONLY $40! I MAKE 80K GUARANTEED WORKING FROM HOME! SHE WILL LOVE YOUR AMAZING NEW COCK! THE BEST MEDS AT HALF THE PRICE! MY DEAR FRIEND, I AM WRITING SINCERELY TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP.
Thank you.
Posted by Laura on November 10, 2010
There are definitely worse people to look like than Colin Murray – he’s lovely.
Posted by Ingrid on November 9, 2010
I dont think you look a hell of a lot like Colin Murray… you both have dark hair and glasses, and thats about it! Well i’d never heard of fighting talk but thanks for clearing that up. x
Posted by Rachael on November 9, 2010
I thought that you had been pretty clear about this from the beginning to be honest, maybe some people need to pay more attention!
Posted by Mariam on November 9, 2010
I won’t lie to you, my eyes jumped straight to the word “COCK”.
Posted by Tracey on November 9, 2010
I saw your show the other week Mark and enjoyed it. Just ignore thses negative people who pop up every so often. They’ve usually got nothing better to do than say people nicked an idea, or complain about a joke that was ok on the original show but not apparently ok on a repeat. Just ignore them. You are creative. Have a good day. Tracey x
Posted by Pippa Hennessy on November 9, 2010
Hey, been reading your blog since the start – excellent stuff… just thought I’d drop by to say I’ve finally got round to reading Eleven, and I wish I’d read it earlier so I could have read it again by now – a really impressive book, beautifully plotted and written, I’m quite envious. (I’m a creative writing student – wish I could write that well).
Posted by Josh on November 9, 2010
Make That Your Girl was Happy:
If you have a small penis is your girlfriend is not happy with 99$!
And she will look for a big penis in 70$!
Posted by A lot of Rach[a]els on November 8, 2010
I like both shows (didn’t know what to comment)
Posted by JontyLarr on November 8, 2010
I think the reasons why it looks like it could be nicked rather than the same people are two-fold. 1. It’s only really the first round that mirrors FT and 2. Your name is on the product, which kinda makes it seem like you’re laying claim to the format. I must say, I found the naming of the programme a little odd, given its parentage.
I enjoy both shows anyway. I probably prefer FT, partly because I just prefer radio as a format and partly because it’s an entire show based on talking bull, which is my favourite kind of comedy (hench my love of Andy Zaltzman, who you should totally get on the show if you can). MWKO is a good laugh too, and a rare occasion of a panel show where the contestants aren’t constantly talking over each other.
I’m not sure you asked for opinions, but balls to it.
Posted by Carl on November 8, 2010
P.s. I’m aware it’s in the Daily Mail – that’s was the choice of the insurance company, not my family!
Posted by Misha on November 8, 2010
There’s another difference between the two I reckon, in that I quite like MWKO and fighting talk just doesn’t do it for me.
Posted by Carl on November 8, 2010
To be honest, I enjoy both shows very much. It doesn’t bother me that they are similar in theme. I’m aware you did not steal the idea, I just feel that some people enjoy starting fights etc because they’re bored. ‘Ooh a show I enjoy is quite like another show I enjoy. I can’t believe it!’ Shut up and enjoy it.
On a completely different note; I just wanted to share something with you, Mark (and any Watsonian who remembers me saying I will be doing a sky dive next year in order to raise money for testicular cancer – something that affected my family at the end of last year).
My brother-in-law and sister had a bit of good news this year and it was in the paper yesterday. It’s nice to know good things happen to good people sometimes, and hopefully it will raise some much needed awareness.
Here’s the story:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/article-1327297/130-000-insurance-joy-husband-battling-cancer.html
Anyway, I hope you’re well.