Review: Fuckwits – Newcastle Stand

Fuckwits, the spoof game show from former Viz duo Alex Collier and Simon Donald [pictured], continues to develop in its monthly Sunday afternoon sessions at the Newcastle Stand. This time, host Donald was joined by team captains Gavin Webster and Seymour Mace, with Ben Crompton and David Kay.

For the uninitiated, Fuckwits is a game show without questions or clues. The show opens, for example, with a blank crossword grid which the contestants complete with neologisms and their definitions. After a few turns, audience members are invited to contribute answers.

A recent addition to the format is a duck called – you guessed it – Duckwits. Just as people could look after the school gerbil or hamster for a little while, audience members can take custody of Duckwits until the next show, and the photographic evidence of the duck’s exploits are displayed on the screen. This month, Duckwits had visited the derby match between Newcastle and Sunderland.

A nice interactive idea here, which almost caused me to almost miss a round as I daydreamed about days out with Duckwits. Don’t worry, little duck; you’ll get your fun evening in Heaton Community Centre one day…

Sunday’s session opened with the ominous warning that the previous month’s show overran. Indeed, the show has acquired an extra hour since my last visited in November, running to about three hours. But the two intervals – and Mace’s acknowledgement that people might have other places to be (i.e. it’s OK to leave) – meant that the extended length was comfortable enough.

A good, broadcastable half hour could easily be compiled from a 2 hour performance (excluding the Duckwits bit and intervals), and all in all, this is a pleasant and affordable way to spend your Sunday afternoon.