Watch This: "Never Mind The Buzzcocks"

Remember panel shows? Probably not, since it's been decades since there's been a decent one in the US of A. They usually feature celebrity guest stars who work in teams or with guest players to play quiz shows, and be their wacky celebrity selves. Perhaps the most popular example is "The Match Game", which aired in the 1970s and is one of Game Show Network's favorite things to re-run.

The panel show has been dead in the States for a while. Who knows why-maybe the idea of a "celebrity" has been expanded too much (if you're rich and get in trouble, congratulations-you've made it!). Maybe it's because the format and style isn't something people want to see anymore. Hell, does Hollywood Squares even still exist?!

Our friends across the pond, however, have made a brilliant revival in the form of "Never Mind The Buzzocks", a music panel/game show that features celebrity and musician-comprised teams that square off on different forms of trivia questions. The series began as far back as 1996, but it's made a comeback in recent years due to it's new hosts and slightly updated style.

The first few series upon it's return in 2006 were hosted by Simon Amstell, a British comedian and TV presenter. The two teams on the show under Amstell were headed by Phil Jupitus and Bill Bailey, also two comedians and writers. The "rounds" consist of different styles of music trivia with a hint of humor-for example, some first round styles have included multiple choice questions about bizarre stories that happen to famous musicians (like Paul McCartney injuring himself after falling through a trap door on stage) or music videos with blurred images that the teams are asked to divulge.

The guests have included musicians and comedians from the US and UK alike, such as Arrested Development's David Cross and Lily Allen. Each team has a total of 3 people, the team head and 2 guests. Unlike a lot of game shows, each team isn't necessarily given a time frame in which to answer a question, leading to a good amount of funny banter from both teams.

 

 

What makes the show work is the humor and style of it-Amstell is himself hilarious, and the guests can be surprisingly funny themselves, as they often times work well off of each other. The humor is fast and sharp, and often biting. Unlike a lot of television that will only say the nicest things about an artist or person in question, Amstell (as well as the team heads and members) will often tear into the person in question. Amstell is even known to rip on his own guests. Still though, it's all in good fun-a bit of ribbing and roasting. Amstell understands this, as do the guests. That's what makes the show so great-there is a biting sense of humor that is understood to be all in good fun. Having a show on American TV that rips into Taylor Swift or Weezer in the same style would probably be viewed as tasteless and maybe even offensive.

You know what I say? Lighten up America! And check out Amstell's first episode below!