First off, an apology. I had wanted to get this out shortly after the Comedians You Should Know feature on Marcus Brigstocke because that’s where I got the idea. But it’s here now with a handy refresher in case you’ve forgotten or didn’t see the Marcus Brigstocke piece.
The new feature, called “Well I Never” is based on a BBC Radio 4 series called “I’ve Never Seen Star Wars”, which later had one series on BBC Four, both in the UK. The concept was created by Bill Dare and based on the idea that he had never seen Star Wars even though most people have. On both the radio and telly programs, host Marcus Brigstocke invited well known British personalities to try several things they had never tried before, chosen by the celebrities themselves. These new experiences could be as mundane as playing the lottery or reading a book (“Pride and Prejudice” and “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus” were both chosen) to more extreme dares like getting a tattoo, eating roadkill or having a colonic irrigation. The guests then rated their experiences on a scale of one to ten.
As an example, here’s comedian Hugh Dennis discussing his experience reading Jeremy Clarkson’s (the big, shouty one on “Top Gear”) book, “For Crying Out Loud!” After that is the first part of the segment where Dennis tries a three-course meal of roadkill. The next part (with Dennis actually eating roadkill) can be found on Marcus Brigstocke’s CYSK entry.
Our new “Well I Never” feature is going to be a bit like that. But with less risk of picking up a disease (we hope.) We’ve got a big list of books, movies, TV and other experiences geeks should have seen or done to maintain their geek cred. Of course, it’s a rare (probably housebound) geek who’s done everything on the list, so everyone who takes part will have a good selection of new geeky experiences to try. Personally, I’ve never seen the original The Day the Earth Stood Still from 1951, so that will be my first “Well I Never”. I hope to have it up for everyone to see and enjoy soon!
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If you have a suggestion for things to add to the big “Well I Never” list, please let us know! We’re always open to new ideas!
