Bubble UK: Bigheads, the gameshow with a puppet spin
Think YOU’VE got a big head?
Ever wanted to see a show that’s like a cross between Spitting Image and Takeshi’s Castle? Well, I have to admit that your television entertainment wishes are strange, to say the least, but I can gladly inform you that show now exists. Bigheads is a British game show currently airing on ITV, it pits contestants against each other in silly physical challenges but the gimmick is that they all have to wear giant celebrity puppet heads.
Now, the premise of celebrity caricatures being humiliated on a game show sounds potentially funny on paper but Bigheads lets us down in execution. While these contestants are wearing heads resembling the likes of Donald Trump, Elton John, and Prince Charles, it’s not very satisfying watching them being humiliated, because the show doesn’t go to extra lengths to make the contestants resemble their celebrities counterparts.
The puppet heads are way too nightmarish in design, they’re frozen in one stiff expression (Usually a disturbing serial killer sort of smile) and even though their eyes shift from time to time, their mouths and brows remain stuck. It doesn’t help that the contestants aren’t encouraged to act like their characters and we’re frequently reminded that real people are inside the heads.
You could argue that the novelty of game show comes from seeing the contestants themselves being comically humiliated in good fun, but the heads hide our players and this means that we can’t see their grief or suffering during each game. The reason that something Takeshi’s Castle was funny, was because the contestants’ faces looked genuinely scared or embarrassed when engaging in each wild challenge that General Takeshi threw at them.
The show isn’t sure if the joke is “Haha look at these famous people looking pathetic” or “Haha these contestants are wearing big heads and falling over”, so it bounces between both and we end up feeling uncertain about the root of the comedy. I feel as if the series could have worked better if they went full steam ahead with the idea that these are the real celebrities because it has more comic potential than masked players.
The show is hosted by comedian Jason Manford, he’s pretty much the best aspect because he cuts the nonsense and draws attention to how stupid the series premise is. He does make a few funny comments now and again, plus his banter with contestants is great. Supporting Manford on stage, are commentators Kriss Akabusi and Jenny Powell, who I really have to applaud because they manage to be informative and critical despite the nonsensical chaos taking place.
Host comedian Jason Manford steals the show
As with most game shows, a live audience is present and I’ll admit that it’s cringe-worthy hearing them laugh at things that aren’t THAT funny but it is pretty laborious hearing them boo at the unpopular politician caricatures. I did kind of feel sorry for contestants that got hissed at just because they were forced to wear Trump or Putin’s head but it’s all in good fun at the end of the day.
If you like the idea of seeing willing contestants donning nightmarish celebrity masks while falling over and tripping, then this show is for you and it can be watched on ITV at 7pm every Sunday. However, if my deconstruction of the show’s comedy put you off then you may want to avoid this one.
