I
was going to write about the new season of
Weeds; but
Nine decided to pull it from our screens. Then I was going to
review
Viva Laughlin; but it's been axed by both Nine
and its US parent network. So now I'm on to plan-C. That’s
actually quite appropriate now I come to think of it, because
it’s all C-grade on Nine’s
Surprise Surprise Gotcha.
C-grade celebs indulging in C-grade pranks in a C-grade format
make for a tortuous hour of “entertainment”.
The idea is a variation on Candid Camera or, for those unfamiliar
with that old show, the Ashton Kutcher stinker Punk’d.
Essentially, it involves a planned set-up in which some Channel
Nine “personality” will trick another Channel Nine
“personality” into thinking some outrageous situation
is the real deal. Then – surprise, surprise gotcha! –
the truth is revealed much to the mark’s embarrassment.
Oh, happy days. I mean, what a concept. Who coulda thunk up
that one?
Surprise Surprise Gotcha stems from host Matt Tilley’s
radio show on Fox FM in Melbourne where he was touted as the
king of the prank call. This even spawned some CDs – you
can pick one up now in the $2 bin at your local music store.
Of course, the fact the something works in the lowest-common-denominator
world of commercial radio doesn’t mean it will translate
to another medium. But Nine have given it a go.
The result is the televisual equivalent of the old “pull
my finger” joke – only not as funny. The high preponderance
of celebs contracted to the network that produces the program
should give some clue that there’s considerably more obligation
than volition in the making of this particular series.
Set-ups
include things like getting bad service in a restaurant. Wow!
There’s a new one. Oh, the hilarity that must surely ensue
from getting a bad waiter, being filmed and then “gotcha-ed”.
The trouble with the format is – well, first it isn’t
funny – but second, when the “marks” react
with good grace to the situation (something demonstrated recently
by Catriona Rowntree), the whole thing falls flat (with or without
the addition of a laugh track).
Tilley and another radio personality, Jackie O, share the hosting
duties with the kind of breathless enthusiasm you’d expect
of two brought up in the rigours of giving away icy cold cans
of Coke.
The celebs generally are pretty good sports about the whole
thing. The most priceless moment comes at the end of every set-up,
when the “gotcha” happens. It’s always made
very clear what show they’re on. If you watch carefully,
you can see the thought process as they realise that it’s
not just a TV show they’re on, but one made by their own
network. The look of dismay turns to one of false cheeriness
as they intone “aw, shucks” or words to that effect.
Surprise Surprise Gotcha is yet another example of
Australian television networks scraping the bottom of the barrel
when it comes to local content. They’re all guilty, but
then Nine have also given us trash like Sea Patrol
this year. Still, I guess it could be worse – it could
be National Bingo Night.
