Bo' Selecta!

Is there any sense in asking why Michael Jackson has been reincarnated as a profane version of his eighties self or why Southampton-born Craig David has a Yorkshire accent or why Michael Douglas sounds like Woody Allen? Is there any point even in pondering why the Transylvanian born Avid sounds Portugese? Of course not, the point of Bo' Selecta is not accurate impressions but of twisting celebrities into grotesques of themselves. That said some of the voices are brilliant, especially Kelly Osbournes oscillating mid-Atlantic accent. Fun also is Avid's obsession with the D-list micro-celebrities that clutter the small screen (the Big Brother contestant being the most perfect example). If there is something wrong with this series is that it's a bit reliant on the scatological content to pad out moment's of surreal genius. Michael Jackson sky-diving dressed as Peter Pan while Martin Bashir ran about on the ground fretting about feeding his baby was a particular highlight.

Avid merrion is the creation of Leigh Francis, a gifted comedian. Avid first appeared in adverts for Big Brother last year, and built up a cult following soon after. Bo' Selecta! is Avid's first show, and it's crude, juvenile and cheap, yet very very funny. The best bits of the show are with Avid Merrion and his celebrity stalking activities; British R'n'B sensation Craig David, who is now from Leeds, is incontinent and has kestrel called Kes; his Michael Jackson, which is nothing like the real Jacko - he is hyperactive, ladens every sentence with profanity ect. And last but not least: Bedtime with the Bear. This is Francis dressed as a little bear, children's TV-style, yet with a distinctly adult twist! First time I saw his "tail" I had the giggles for the next couple of days. It's not all perfect though - The Week in Bits by Jordan's/Jodie Marsh's T*ts, Ricky Jervais, Mel B and Marilyn Manson are pretty darn unfunny most of the time.. Either way, I like it at the moment, but as I'm only 18 I'm still in it's target audience. Give it a few years and we'll see...

Bo Selecta is notable for a number of reasons. It doesn't conform to standard 'set-up, punchline' routines. It's the raw, random nonsense most young men have in their heads. It's the basic things you laugh at when drunk or with a group of mates. 99% of it revolves around sex. Most of the sketches seem to be thought up on set just before they are filmed, although repeating cathphrases is also a large part of the show. There is atleast one laugh-out-loud scene per episode, but too much of it is so, so basic - a man in a rubber mask shouting obscenities - that it wears out it's welcome fast. Worth seeing atleast once just to wonder how such a weak premise has become so popular (in the UK).

Bo Selecta is brilliant. If davideo even watched this show he would know that in the 2nd series the michael jackson character carries around blanket and is always followed by Martin Bashir. Secondly the fact that the characters based on famous people don't actually sound like them makes Bo selecta even more fresh and funny. (Check out Britney, David Beckham and the hilarious Mel B). It is true i do find it hard some times to watch Avid Merrion's transilvanian stalker but he is still very funny.

So Schamone Mother F***er

It wasn't until last Summer that I found out BO SELECTA actually existed . I was completely unaware of the first series and only saw the second one which caused me to split my sides

BO SELECTA isn't a show that can be described as original , it's like ALI G meets SPITTING IMAGE while overdosing on LSD and Spanish fly . Avid Merrion ( Leigh Francis ) is a " stalker " who pursues unsuspecting celebs most of whom are young blond and female . It might not be sophisticated but it is very funny to see the girls from Liberty X telling Avid to " F*** off " . There's also surreal sketches with Francis done up like Mel B , David Beckham and best of all Michael Jackson who isn't the strange creature who lives at Neverland ranch but is a funky homeboy - Rick James meets Samuel L Jackson . It's difficult to describe how funny it appears on screen . I could describe the time Michael went to New York with Blanket Baby - " I call that motherf***er Blanket Baby because I put a blanket over the motherf***er's face . That's right HEE HEE " - and asked if anyone saw a " Lionay " - " Where the motherf***in' lionay at ? You seen the lionay bro ? " , but I'd be unable to do it justice . I'll just say watch it and weep with laughter

Unfortunately Francis has become a victim of his own success and series three reflects this . The format has been changed to a talk show akin to THE MUPPET SHOW where guests like Sean Pertwee , Abi Titmuss , Johnathan Ross etc are in on the joke and most of the series fails because of this . Series two worked so well because guests thought they either talking to a genuine weirdo or they were appearing on a children's show with a puppet bear. Anyone remember Jennifer Ellison's face when the bear's " tail " popped out ?

There are still some good points to the third series like having Michael Jackson appearing in the comedy series PORRIDGE with Ronny Barker " Ronny just said remember the time on Going Live when Five Star were on ? That little motherf***er phoned up at said ' I wanna know why Five Star are so f***in' s**t ? ' That's right "

Mel B might think she's still got it , but I'm unsure if Leigh Francis has