Monday, May 25, 2009

Relevant

As you probably don't know, I am slightly enamoured with David Mitchell, the less conventionally attractive (and much nerdier, neurotic, and black-humoured) half of the Mitchell & Webb comedy duo. He and Robert Webb (voted 88th sexiest man in the world, as I learned watching Would I Lie to You?) star in The Mitchell & Webb Situation, That Mitchell & Webb Look, and Peep Show, which are all awesome and worth watching right this very moment.

Despite the similarities and heavy borrowing between US and UK television, they've got one sort of programming over there that's no longer around over here: panel shows. These are part game show, part chat show -- basically, a game show with no prizes whose contestants are minor celebrities, TV personalities, and comedians. The entertainment lies in the competition and the contestants saying funny and ostensibly off-the-cuff stuff. Would I Lie to You? is one, along with my favorite, QI, which is hosted by Stephen Fry and would never take off in the US because of its emphasis on knowledge and wit. David is a regular on WILTY? and frequently appears on QI -- there are more, god knows. While most of the TV comedians here (Mencia, Larry the Cable Guy, Colin fucking Quinn) totally suck, many of those on these shows are actually funny and quick witted (plus they can swear): Jimmy Carr, Rob Brydon, etc.

ANYWAY. In my hunting around for more of Mitchell's work, I found this, even though it's sponsored by some eco-friendly Euro equivalent of Axe body spray or something:



Go watch all of them right now.