It’s a Mad Bad Ad world
Now that the distraction of my birthday is done with, and Valentine’s Day will soon be a rather tawdry commercialised memory for another year, it makes sense for me to give you details of the Mad Bad Ad Show, which I recorded for Channel 4 before Christmas and which is now about to ‘hit’ your ‘screens’.
It’s a sort of half-panel show, half funny-business-exercise-like-the-Apprentice affair. Micky Flanagan and I are the team captains; we answer questions about adverts and pitch unpromising products to panels of alarmed industry professionals. We’re joined by guests who are either famous (Lorraine Kelly, Louis Spence), or in advertising. And by various other comedians. Flanagan’s ribald barrow-boy humour is the lynchpin of the show and I provide a foil with my straight-laced Oxbridgeisms. There’s a big futuristic set which looks a bit like a Terry’s Chocolate Orange. Mark Dolan, suave and surprisingly tall, hosts the whole palaver.
There are seven shows and I think it’s reasonable to say that the recordings vary in quality, simply because some combinations of guests are more successful than others. Also, we changed studios halfway through the run and the second studio was more favourable to comedy. So, I suppose what I’m saying is: if you watch one and don’t particularly like it, it might be worth giving it another try.
I felt the show was quite good while we were in the process of making it, but it’s virtually impossible to tell until it’s too late; that’s one of the perils of TV. It’s in a fairly high-profile slot (10pm on Friday), so if people don’t take to it, the online criticism will be swift and brutal. I’m going to deal with this by not really taking any notice of what people think, since it’s well beyond my control at this juncture. At least now you know about it. Do what you will with the information.
Posted by Rachael on February 19, 2012
Worth watching if only for the chocolate orange-style set I’d say. And you getting angry and scaring the worthers grandad. And your advert.
Posted by Kaye on February 17, 2012
The song, please. Need to know the soundtrack to the lovely, winning campaign. X
Posted by Andrew on February 16, 2012
I can but go into it with an open mind, but the mention of the words Louis Spence fills me with dread. He’s enough to make you want to bolt the closet door. I realise he won’t be on every show, but if the people making the programme think he’s the kind of guest they need (and think Mark Dolan, the front man for arguably the worst comedy programme Channel 4 have ever aired (and that is seriously saying something) is the host they need), then it does suggest you will be the odd man out. We shall see.
Posted by Ingrid on February 15, 2012
Yay! Looking forward to it (:
Posted by Megan on February 15, 2012
Excellent news, Mr Watson. Hope this project will continue to go well.
Posted by Lydia on February 15, 2012
I’m looking forward to it
Posted by Misha on February 15, 2012
Excellent, I shall look forward to it.
Posted by Jen on February 15, 2012
Been looking forward to seeing it – looks fun!Jx
Posted by Katie K on February 14, 2012
I hope the show does well, as tiring as it was sitting in on the recordings, I look forward to watching the final edit (the magic of television) and you should get a good rating from people who don’t bother to watch the 10 O’clock news.
Posted by Jennifer on February 14, 2012
I went to the recording of the show. And you may not remember me, but I asked you for an autograph and a picture. It was the greatest birthday present I ever got!
Posted by Suzanne aka Senior Watsonian on February 14, 2012
Footie update on Valentines Day … so, were Bristol City hearts broken???
Not quite … City were 2-0 down to Crystal Palace with only 10 minutes to the final whistle …
BUT, thanks to 2 great goals from Brett Pitman, City gained a point in the heart stopping finale … the equaliser coming as late as the 91st minute!!!
Phew!!!
Posted by Sarah on February 14, 2012
Yay! I was wondering when this would be shown on TV. I came to 3 recordings – the pilot and two others – and loved them all
It’ll be good to watch them on TV and see what made the cut.
Posted by Suzanne aka Senior Watsonian on February 14, 2012
Hmmm, now what will I do with this advance warning info …???
Think I’ll thank you Mark and keep my eye on the Channel 4 schedule every Friday 10 pm slot until it appears … And I’m sure I won’t be the only one doing the same …
I didn’t actually do a Finger Crossing Footie Alert for tonight BUT I thought my hints re Valentine’s Day at Ashton Gate would be sufficient …
My fingers will be crossed all evening anyway …
Posted by amycool on February 14, 2012
I saw an advert for this recently and seeing as I invariably don’t get home from work on a Friday until 8.30pm, there’s a very good chance that I shall be watching this.
The problem this week is that I have to get up at 7am the following day. For more work. But it’s still a good possibility. If I miss it, it will be work’s fault. I prefer relaxing. Can you tell I had a bad day at work today?
But yes, I’m sure it will be great and I really can’t fathom why anyone would sit through a programme they hate just to be able to complain about it. Apart from The Big Questions, the show everyone loves to hate, and even then I wouldn’t go to the effort of actually contacting anyone in relation to the show.