The Fortune-ate Ones

‘WE asked 100 people to name the presenter of the new series of the best gameshow to ever hit the television schedules, Family Fortunes. You said Max Bygraves. Our survey said: Er-er. You said Bob Monkhouse and your aunt Joyce said Les Dennis. And uncle Ted, who replied ”dishwashers”, was also wrong.

”We asked 100 people who my wife was having an affair with…”

For those who want to steal the points, the answer is Andy Collins. He’s the first new face of the show in 15 years, having replaced Les Dennis, who thought it was time for a change.

Les is right, of course, and no one presenter should go on for too long doing the same thing. But Les, who always promised to give a contestant the money himself if the answer was there, will be missed.

And, boy, will he be missed. The new recruit has the suit, the rules off pat, but is visibly sweating. He also has the rare gift of being able to speak faster than the moving parts of his mouth allow.

It’s like watching a Kung Fu movie, only one where the translation is done by a chipper Cockney. To quote Henry Kelly of Going For Gold fame, Andy’s mouth is playing catch-up.

But the show is bigger than one man. And the show will go on to great things. And to prove it we asked 100 people to name the gameshow that still be around in ten years time. And 80 said Family Fortunes, 10 said Weakest Link and 10 more asked for us to repeat the question.

Genius.

‘

Posted: 10th, September 2002 | In: Celebrities Comment | TrackBack | Permalink