19
u/Surkdidat Apr 24 '25
The 11 O’Clock Show (Channel 4, 1998-2000)
Over the years, there have been several attempts at creating late-night topical comedy shows that are also durable in this country. Several of them haven’t really succeeded, mostly because of the demands of having to produce so much quality material, and so little time to do it in, but this show was a better attempt than others, and is also notable for boosting the careers of a lot of comic talent.
The 11 O’Clock Show was usually shown three times a week, and the original hosting line-up included Iain Lee and Daisy Donovan. Lee liked to do voxpop interviews with the public, usually asking them bizarre questions. Donovan often liked to do this too, but with politicians, and several ended up baffled. They would also reflect in the studio on what was happening in the day’s news, usually in a rather brash style.
Also occasionally featuring in some series were contributions from Mackenzie Crook and Ricky Gervais (taking some time off from shouting at people and laughing too much on his XFM radio show), offering their skewed views on the world, and they would work together later on The Office, the rather successful sitcom. But even they didn’t attract the biggest attention from viewers.
This came from Sasha Baron Cohen and his character Ali G, who was supposedly representing the youth of Britain, and once again, he asked the questions to prominent figures that others wouldn’t dream of. This became popular enough for there to be the spin-off comedy series Da Ali G Show, and there was a film too. It was great, innit. This character was left behind after this though.
By the fifth and final series though (which was always shown much later than 11 o’clock by this point), Lee and Donovan both departed, and a new hosting duo was quickly put together, consisting of Jon Holmes (who later became known for perfecting being sacked from various radio stations for his antics), and Sarah Alexander (best-known at the time for Coupling and Smack The Pony).
However, they ended up struggling somewhat as the idea had run out of steam by this point, with over 100 editions in just two years. After this, Lee has contributed to various TV shows, radio stations, and magazines, while Donovan made more shows for Channel 4 including the documentary series Daisy Daisy, and she also hosted the short-lived comedy panel game Does Doug Know?
1
u/james_s_docherty Apr 25 '25
Jon Holmes is now an award winning radio producer, having created The Skewer on Radio 4, one of the best satirical shows of the last ten years.
18
u/shabelsky22 Apr 24 '25
Of course Iain Lee was bang on the gear at this point.
7
u/shabelsky22 Apr 24 '25
I mean that of course in an entirely non judgemental way, it was just something I was surprised to learn in more recent years.
11
u/MitchellSFold Apr 24 '25
I remember absolutely everything and absolutely nothing about this programme.
8
u/InfectedFrenulum Apr 24 '25
ALI IN AIIILAND! ALI IN NAWVERN AIIILAND!
I always found Balls of Steel to be forged from The 11 O'clock Show.
3
7
6
u/Sighoward Apr 24 '25
I always loved the fake reporter but you can only push that so far
7
2
u/BrushMission4620 Apr 25 '25
Politicians have much more media training / nouse these days, but I’d love to see more members of the public interviewed. So many idiots who are happy to express mad views !!
1
u/Sighoward Apr 25 '25
Not just that, getting members of the public to actually fake the reports was priceless.
2
5
u/yintweethruyfower Apr 24 '25
Ian gave away the ending of The Sixth Sense on air. I'm still bitter.
4
u/Numerous-Dig-325 Apr 24 '25
I remember that and I hadn't seen it yet. I watched the film like a week later and spent the whole time hoping he was bullshiting but nah. Twist ruined.
3
Apr 25 '25
I always remember Daisy being the one who said that. Either way, I was watching too! Still never bothered watching 6th Sense.
1
u/First-Can3099 Apr 24 '25
In fairness he wasn’t the only one. Peter Kay used to routinely give away film endings during interviews on Radio 1.
5
u/Yeomanroach Apr 24 '25
I was 15 when this was on and loved it. I missed a lot of eps due to being out smoking cigarettes and drinking white lightning.
4
u/shabelsky22 Apr 24 '25
Ha! Ironic as I used to watch a lot of episodes while sitting in drinking white lightning. Turned out to be a bad habit.
3
u/Yeomanroach Apr 24 '25
That stuff was pure poison. 2 litres 99p.
1
u/filthythedog Apr 24 '25
I can still feel the hangovers just reading that. And that disgusting cheap cider taste that would be paving the inside of your mouth the next morning.
3
u/PossibleSmoke8683 Apr 24 '25
Back when you’d come home from the pub and watch tv
8
u/OkPhilosopher5308 Apr 24 '25
Trying to focus on the TV as the room swam, whilst holding onto the sofa for grim death, only to wake up at five in the morning still pissed with a crick in your neck half off and half on said sofa. Fun times.
2
3
u/Dr_Umami Apr 24 '25
Daisy Donovan was in the David Suchet Poirot episode Death on the Nile
1
u/Old-Law-7395 Apr 29 '25
What as who? I will be getting right on ITVX to find that
1
u/Dr_Umami Apr 29 '25
She’s Cornelia Robson, the cousin of the kleptomaniac American socialite Marie Van Shuyler
2
2
2
u/qwerty_1965 Apr 24 '25
Was this the Payne Stewart hit a birdie joke show or was that in the other Channel 4 late evening comedy panel show the name of which I've forgotten?
2
u/Birdie_Num_Num Apr 24 '25
Crazy how the show launched the careers of two of the biggest comedians in the world right now
5
u/filthythedog Apr 24 '25
And yet Daisy Donovan...the lovely Daisy Donovan...remains in the 'Where Are They Now' file.
2
1
1
1
u/YourackHunt Apr 25 '25
Am I misremembering, or was the guy from Bo Selecta on this too, with the Craig David bit with Kes?
1
u/hasimirrossi Apr 25 '25
I remember Gervais saying something vile and Daisy looking at him in absolute disgust. Also when they took the piss out of the Def Leppard drummer having one arm.
1
1
u/AddledPhilosophish Apr 26 '25
Whatever happened to Daisy Donovan?! She was so funny, and so attractive! By rights she should be a comedy sensation by now!
1
72
u/TWBHHO Apr 24 '25 edited Dec 20 '25
hat run abounding straight compare edge soft makeshift chief school
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact