Music on Television

Nevermind the Buzzcocks  comedy panel game show with a pop and rock music theme, currently presented by various different guest presenters; previously hosted by Simon Amstell and Mark Lamarr.  It is usually aired on BBC Two, although is regularly repeated on Dave.

Watch and enjoy this classic episode

He really is that stupid

Just when you thought he couldn’t embarrass himself any more...

Title of Show  Where does the title originate from?

Title – Never Mind the Buzzcocks  The title plays on the names of the Sex Pistols' “Never Mind the Bollocks” album, and the band The Buzzcocks.

Sex Pistols / Buzzcocks

 What does this suggest the target audience may be?  What may be the style of the programme based on these bands?

Nevermind the Buzzcocks  The show is infamous for its dry, sarcastic humour and scathing, provocative attacks on the pop industry.  Preston famously walked out of the show after he and his wife were repeatedly picked on at the beginning of the show.

Preston walks out  Is this treatment morally acceptable?

Watch the title sequence carefully Identify the denotations and connotations in the sequence

Simon Amstell  Who is Simon Amstell?  What else has he done?  Why is he the presenter?  Why is he popular?

Bill Bailey  Who is Bill Bailey?  What else has he done?  Why is he on the show each week?  Why is he popular?

Phil Jupitus  Who is Phil Jupitus?  What else has he done?  Why is he on the show each week?  Why is he popular?

Media Values and Ideology  What does Nevermind the Buzzcocks suggest about BBC2.

Audience Reading  To whom is the text addressed? What is the target audience?  To what extent is your reading and evaluation influenced by your age, gender, background etc?

Music Industry  Do you think Nevermind the Buzzcocks helps with album sales?  Why would these stars want to go on the show.

But why would these guys want to go on the show???

Music Industry  Does the show cause negative feedback of some artists?  Would these artists’ target audience be watching the show anyway.

Music Industry  Based on the style and ideology of the show what artists would not be represented?  Write a list of artists you would not expect to want to come on the show.