Dom Joly’s new show is ringing a bell
Long before Simon Cowell’s annual search for the latest poor sucker to help line his coffers became a blight on Saturday night viewing, there was a far simpler way of life.
Back then the late Jeremy Beadle would don a cunning disguise and set out in search of some unsuspecting member of the public to ritually humiliate for our viewing entertainment, via the means of hidden cameras.
Afterwards the prankster would sidle up to the crestfallen individual, whip off his disguise and stick a microphone in their face into which they uttered some incredulous, obligatory (bleeped out) profanities as we all guffawed on our sofas at home.
This souped-up Beadle’s About, fronted by comedian Dom Joly – armed with hidden cameras and canny disguises – does stoke the flames of nostalgia.
In the opening episode of the new series the Trigger Happy star pokes fun at the nation’s confusion with modern rules, passion for queuing and crippling inability to complain. Disguised as an unorthodox vicar Joly causes havoc by stealing an ambulance and pushing an old lady off a bridge.
Joly, who spent hours in make-up each day getting assorted fake noses, wigs and contact lenses applied, has admitted that making the show threw up some unexpectedly awkward moments.
“The worst is when people are wandering around with people they shouldn’t be with,” he said. “You’d be amazed at how many people seem to be having affairs.”