Deano's After Dark Show

Image via Wikipedia

Last night we drove all the way to Hammersmith's Riverside Studios to see a new TV show being 'tested'. With the same actors and writers of Garth Merengi's Dark Place (one appearing in Nathan Barley), it seemed great on paper.

After a great bar meal and beer to warm us up, we took our seats ready for the show. I knew they were front seats but these were in breathing space of the actors which freaked us out alittle. The 'set' was simply a scabby old settee, a bar stool and a couple of mics on stands. In the corner was a camera to record the action.

With everyone settled, the producer walked on and announced the concept of the show mentioning that it was going to filmed in the future for Channel 4 and that today's show was to practise their material and to see if it was that funny - therefore we didn't need to force any laughter. He said the set would be completely different - hmmm, good idea!

So Deano, who I think was Garth Merengi's agent, was host to his 'chat show' and was expecting his guest, a folk singer to arrive any minute. Deano went on to describe how he knew his guest through shamelessly plugging his bar/club with special offers where alot of funny innuendos cracked up the crowd. Then came on the folk singer played by the same actor as Garth Merengi and went straight into a couple of songs on his guitar. He played really well and drew a few good laughs from his depressing lyrics and character playing.

The interview stage was a good piece of scripted banter followed by an improv Q and A. At first I thought there would be stooges to ask these but quickly realised they were true fans. It was quite tricky to think of any questions to a fictional character having to rely on a quite a brief introduction. Still the actors handled it very well still getting the crowd to laugh.

The only disappointment of the show was the time it lasted. Only the one guest and 50 minutes of entertainment for £4 - we wanted more! Still, looking forward to seeing the edited jokes in the real thing whenever that comes along.