Shooting Stars Returns to BBC Two for 2009: Reeves and Mortimer’s Crazy Game Show gets New Series

Just when you think the heads of comedy at the BBC had completely lost their collective mind by canceling genuinely funny sitcom Not Going Out but apparently in talks for a second series of the woeful Horne & Corden they go and commission a new series of Vic and Bob’s mad celebrity game show Shooting Stars. Or maybe this is further sign of a breakdown in judgement.

The show, hosted by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, has been given six episodes, more than enough to test the waters and see if its surrealist humour and celebrity based fun will go down with a modern audience. This news came after the 2008 Christmas special and a humorous reminiscence documentary reminded everyone just how crazy and funny the show was in its heyday.

Once again big baby George Dawes (Little Britain’s Matt Lucas) will be the man with the scores and also be singing more nonsense interlude songs. Celebrity Big Brother 2009 winner Ulrika (-ka-ka-ka-ka) Jonsson will reprise her role as head of team B. Jack Dee, who took part in the Christmas Special, becomes a permanent member as the “sardonic” captain of the opposite team – a post previously held by Mark Lamarr and Will Self.

Dee is a good choice considering he’s always on fine form and was the best thing about Comic Relief Does The Apprentice. But there’s no drunken Johnny Vegas, which can be interpreted either way depending whether or not you’re a fan of his outbursts.

Shooting Stars is different from most panel games by including random guests who have little relevance to what’s going on. In some cases their bemused looks and hesitant reactions to the absurd questions (True or False: Jeremy irons?) make up for the lack of comic input or wit. However, the special did show that there are some famous people like Dragons’ Den’s Peter Jones who have a high regard of their own sense of humour and are just painful to watch.

This brings up the point that six years after being removed from the box – the original ran for five series and ended in December 2002 – can two 50-year-old men hit back with the same energy that made them stars in their own right? Sure the series is held fondly by people who used to watch it during the ‘90s but an up to date rehash could be seen as pointless nostalgia best left to rest, especially with the likes of QI proving panel games can be silly and clever.

Bob Mortimer is optimistic. He said: “We're really looking forward to it. Jack is going to be a great headmaster and Ulrika is as game as ever so it should be a very pleasant evening's journey. We have a new attitude and new rounds and this series will feature a secret weapon which will assist us in re-inventing the panel show again, just as Shooting Stars originally did.”

The new episodes of Shooting Stars will be shown on BBC Two in the autumn. Broadcast dates and times yet to be confirmed.

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Aug 2, 2009 4:27 PM

Guest :

I was in the audience for the filming of one episode of the new series and in my opinion it certainly looks to be back on form. In place of Johnny Vegas there's a new character who looks like a sex offender with greasy hair, NHS specs and a duffle coat. I can't remember his name but I think it was Greek. Guests on this episode were Dave from the Hairy Bikers, Comedian Lee Mack and Kim from Kim & Aggy's How Clean Is Your House (and was the subject of Vic's leg rubbing!) I heard Matt Lucas mention "Geordie Sofas" which although not shown in this episode sounds like it's a continuation of Geordie Jeans and Geordie Jumpers. There's a lot of unbroadcastable gags that will be cut!

Aug 6, 2009 12:33 AM

Steven Cookson :

Thanks for that, it's good to get some insight and I really am looking forward to what they come up. Lee Mack is always on fine form and Vic has been really good on the last few series of QI but I'll have to wait and see.

Sep 17, 2009 12:47 PM

Guest :

Hi, me again. Just seen the episode on TV - They really cut Lee Mack's input down!
He had a Dove from above question they cut out. It was a clip of Tom Cruise (played by Matt Lucas) and the question went like this:

Bob: What does Tom Cruise have tattooed on his bum?
Lee Mack: I love Copraphillia?
Bob: Er... what's that?
Lee Mack: Eating s**t!
Producer: No, we can't use that - start again from Bob's question.
Bob: What does Tom Cruise have tattooed on his bum?
Lee Mack: I love Necrophillia?
Producer: No, we can't use that! And again please.
Bob: What does Tom Cruise have tattooed on his bum?
Lee Mack: I love Philidelphia?
Producer: No, this is the BBC remember? That's product placement! And again.
Bob: What does Tom Cruise have tattooed on his bum?
Lee Mack: I love no particular brand of spreadable soft cheese?
(huge laugh and applause from audience)
Producer: Sorry, we can't use that as it won't make sense.

So it looks like they just gave up using that whole section.