Top 40 Greatest TV Moments of 2006 #40-31
So now time for the Top 40 Greatest TV Moments of 2006. This might be a little premature as we've still got two weeks TV left but looking at the Christmas Radio Times, I can't see there being any major televisual events that will be missed out. Well, apart from the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures of course.
My Top 40 Singles list was pretty easy to compile thanks to sites like this, which lists every song that charted this year. Of course, there isn't any site that lists every single TV programme shown so I've had to do the unreliable thing and use my actual memory, which is why I'm sure there's some blatant omission. But anyway, whether it's a series, a particular episode or just a particular scene, these are the most entertaining TV moments that I can remember.
31) David Mitchell on TV Heaven, Telly Hell
Another generic rip-off of Room 101, TV Heaven, Telly Hell invited comedians to ramble on about their best and worst TV shows. Nothing too spectacular about that but when you give the likes of David Mitchell free reign, it becomes comedy gold. Mitchell comes across as just as anal and uptight as his Peep Show character and is all the funnier for it, particularly his rant about the banality of the Heaven and Earth show.
Another generic rip-off of Room 101, TV Heaven, Telly Hell invited comedians to ramble on about their best and worst TV shows. Nothing too spectacular about that but when you give the likes of David Mitchell free reign, it becomes comedy gold. Mitchell comes across as just as anal and uptight as his Peep Show character and is all the funnier for it, particularly his rant about the banality of the Heaven and Earth show.
32) Time Trumpet - University Challenge Sketch
The Armando Ianucci Show is one of my favourite comedy shows of all time so there were high hopes for Time Trumpet, a spoof of all those I Love 1974-type shows, which was set in the year 2032, looking back at the TV of the noughties. Confusing, yes. But whereas Ianucci’s surrealism worked so well on his self-titled show, it all fell a bit flat here. It did have its moments though, the future lookalikes of Anne Robinson and David Beckham were spot on but it’s the University Challenge Venezuela sketch that was the highlight. Totally silly but hilarious at the same time.
The Armando Ianucci Show is one of my favourite comedy shows of all time so there were high hopes for Time Trumpet, a spoof of all those I Love 1974-type shows, which was set in the year 2032, looking back at the TV of the noughties. Confusing, yes. But whereas Ianucci’s surrealism worked so well on his self-titled show, it all fell a bit flat here. It did have its moments though, the future lookalikes of Anne Robinson and David Beckham were spot on but it’s the University Challenge Venezuela sketch that was the highlight. Totally silly but hilarious at the same time.
33) Never Mind The Buzzcocks
Never Mind The Buzcocks stopped being funny about eight years ago – Mark Lamarr’s venemous humour coming across as vindinctive and cruel rather than funny. Which is why Simon Amstell’s appointment as his successor was perfect. He may have looked a little too young to host an “adult” show but he held his own against captains Phil Jupitus and Bill Bailey and also managed to tread the thin line between gently poking fun at guests like Vanessa and Anthea Turner and completely anhialating them. The booking of guests was also inspired, particularly the final show where the ever-catty Jamelia, calling Javine a slag for doing the dirty on her mate Alesha, and almost came to blows with "not sure whether to like her/loathe her" Lily Allen.
Never Mind The Buzcocks stopped being funny about eight years ago – Mark Lamarr’s venemous humour coming across as vindinctive and cruel rather than funny. Which is why Simon Amstell’s appointment as his successor was perfect. He may have looked a little too young to host an “adult” show but he held his own against captains Phil Jupitus and Bill Bailey and also managed to tread the thin line between gently poking fun at guests like Vanessa and Anthea Turner and completely anhialating them. The booking of guests was also inspired, particularly the final show where the ever-catty Jamelia, calling Javine a slag for doing the dirty on her mate Alesha, and almost came to blows with "not sure whether to like her/loathe her" Lily Allen.
34) Trust Me... I’m A Holiday Rep
It may have been completely brainless viewing but Channel 5’ themed “let’s get celebrities to do some actual work” reality show provided quite a few memorable TV moments. Whether it was the original Clare from Hollyoaks acting all diva-like J-Lo-style, Rowland Rivron showing us more than anyone wanted to see or Paul Burrell proving that all the hatred towards him is fully jusfified. The star of the series though was Nancy Lam, who thanks to her broken English, became unintentionally hilarious and one of the most loveable reality stars this year.
It may have been completely brainless viewing but Channel 5’ themed “let’s get celebrities to do some actual work” reality show provided quite a few memorable TV moments. Whether it was the original Clare from Hollyoaks acting all diva-like J-Lo-style, Rowland Rivron showing us more than anyone wanted to see or Paul Burrell proving that all the hatred towards him is fully jusfified. The star of the series though was Nancy Lam, who thanks to her broken English, became unintentionally hilarious and one of the most loveable reality stars this year.
35) Poker Face
ITV might as well be renamed the Ant and Dec Channel. As well as the usual Takeaway & I’m A Celeb, they’ve hosted Celebrity Football, Celebrity Golf and Poker Face, the best quiz show idea since Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
The idea is that the contestants don’t have to answer any questions right, they just have to make their opponents think they have. Unlike Millionaire, the week-long series guaranteed a millionaire at the end and unlike most quiz shows, you got to see the personality of the contestants which gave you someone to root for and someone, like the arrogant finalist Julian, who you were quite happy to see them go home with nothing.
ITV might as well be renamed the Ant and Dec Channel. As well as the usual Takeaway & I’m A Celeb, they’ve hosted Celebrity Football, Celebrity Golf and Poker Face, the best quiz show idea since Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
The idea is that the contestants don’t have to answer any questions right, they just have to make their opponents think they have. Unlike Millionaire, the week-long series guaranteed a millionaire at the end and unlike most quiz shows, you got to see the personality of the contestants which gave you someone to root for and someone, like the arrogant finalist Julian, who you were quite happy to see them go home with nothing.
36) Shameless
It may have suffered slightly from the departure of James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff, but Shameless is still the best homegrown drama on terrestrial TV. In a way, the absence of Steve and Fiona allowed other characters, such as Carl and Debbie to come to the forefront. The third series dealt with everything from teenage pregnancy, suicide and bodies under the patio but still manages to be hilarious as well as moving.
It may have suffered slightly from the departure of James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff, but Shameless is still the best homegrown drama on terrestrial TV. In a way, the absence of Steve and Fiona allowed other characters, such as Carl and Debbie to come to the forefront. The third series dealt with everything from teenage pregnancy, suicide and bodies under the patio but still manages to be hilarious as well as moving.
37) Chris Moyles’ elimination on The X Factor
Chris Moyles has always been egotistical but he somehow manages to get away with it on radio. But it’s a different story when he makes the transition to TV, where he becomes devoid of any sense of humour or personality. Despite soundng like a very average pub singer at best – he thought he had the Celebrity X Factor victory in the bag. Which is why his total disbelief at being eliminated in the semi-final is absolutely priceless.
Chris Moyles has always been egotistical but he somehow manages to get away with it on radio. But it’s a different story when he makes the transition to TV, where he becomes devoid of any sense of humour or personality. Despite soundng like a very average pub singer at best – he thought he had the Celebrity X Factor victory in the bag. Which is why his total disbelief at being eliminated in the semi-final is absolutely priceless.
38) Argentina World Cup Goal
This year’s World Cup was a bit of an anti-climax – another dismal England display, meaningless final group games, tedious “play-for-penalties” knockout stages and a lackulstre final between two countries far from their best. However, there were more breathtakingly superb goals than any other World Cup I can remember. Whether it was Lahm’s opening goal against Costa Rica, Czech Republic’s Rosicky’s stunner against USA or England’s very own Joe Cole’s volley against Sweden. The best though, and one which football purists are still probably harping on about is Argentina’s 2nd goal against Serbia and Montenegro. A goal which consisted of 24 straight passes finished off superbly by Campiasso, it will go down as one of the greatest World Cup team goals ever. They really did look unstoppable.
This year’s World Cup was a bit of an anti-climax – another dismal England display, meaningless final group games, tedious “play-for-penalties” knockout stages and a lackulstre final between two countries far from their best. However, there were more breathtakingly superb goals than any other World Cup I can remember. Whether it was Lahm’s opening goal against Costa Rica, Czech Republic’s Rosicky’s stunner against USA or England’s very own Joe Cole’s volley against Sweden. The best though, and one which football purists are still probably harping on about is Argentina’s 2nd goal against Serbia and Montenegro. A goal which consisted of 24 straight passes finished off superbly by Campiasso, it will go down as one of the greatest World Cup team goals ever. They really did look unstoppable.
39) Nicki French's jaw-droppingly bad video
I'm not sure whether this should be classed as a TV moment as I’m pretty sure it’s not been on TV. I don’t think even Flaunt would touch this with a bargepole. Making Tracy Shaw’s legendary crappy video look like a Hype Williams multi-million dollar budget MTV award winner, the video to Nicki French’s never-ending re-release of her only hit “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” is tragically hilarious from start to finish. Whether it’s the circa 1992 computerised background or the grandma dancing at a wedding “choreography” everything about it is so utterly stupendously awful, it’s actually good.
40) Bo In The USA – The Pete Doherty biscuit sketch
Leigh Francis still hasn’t figured out that his rubber mask creations are the only thing worth watching in his otherwise painfully unfunny show. The first two series of Bo Selecta were comedy genius but since then, for some reason, the masks have been relegated to make way for the cringeworthy Keith Lemon and The Bear. But stuff like the Pete Doherty sketch makes wading through all the rubbish worthwhile. While not quite up to the classic standard of Trisha "when I say rice, you say and pea" Goddard, having the waste of space addicted to Nice Biscuits and Bourbon Creams was an inspired and very funny move.
Leigh Francis still hasn’t figured out that his rubber mask creations are the only thing worth watching in his otherwise painfully unfunny show. The first two series of Bo Selecta were comedy genius but since then, for some reason, the masks have been relegated to make way for the cringeworthy Keith Lemon and The Bear. But stuff like the Pete Doherty sketch makes wading through all the rubbish worthwhile. While not quite up to the classic standard of Trisha "when I say rice, you say and pea" Goddard, having the waste of space addicted to Nice Biscuits and Bourbon Creams was an inspired and very funny move.
posted by Static&Silent at
1:21 PM
2 Comments:
Can I fill my top 40 TV moments entirely from the numerous appearances David Mitchell has made perchance?
Both he and Mr Webb are very funny, it's a shame they're neglected by the media while people like Gervais get all the attention.
By
RichardAM, at 7:26 PM
I did think Mitchell could do no wrong...until I saw the woeful Blunder a few weeks ago. Why on earth he's degrading himself to that level, I don't know.
I agree about Gervais being over-rated, although I have to admit there is one Gervais-related moment coming up. At least Peep Show finally got recognised at the Comedy Awards last week.
By
Static&Silent, at 8:16 PM
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