5.4 / 10 (based on 14 reviews)
Comedy clip show in which sports presenters Jack Bullman (played by John Thomson) and Nicky Brimble (Jessica Knappett) introduce home video footage as if it was major sporting events.
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: John Thomson, Jessica Knappett, Luke Kempner
Creators:
Directors:
Writers:
1 season, 6 episodes, 30-minute runtime
Shows Most Like Zone of Champions (2019)
Drifters (2013)
7 / 10 (based on 1722 reviews)
After graduating from university, twenty something year-olds Meg, her cousin Bunny and their friend Laura share a flat and face the ups and downs of love and life.
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Jessica Knappett, Lydia Rose Bewley, Lauren O’Rourke, Bobby Hirston
Creators: Jessica Knappett
Directors:
Writers:
4 seasons, 24 episodes, 23.0-minute runtime
Meet the Richardsons (2020)
7.3 / 10 (based on 722 reviews)
Mockumentary focusing on real-life comedy couple Jon Richardson and Lucy Beaumont, who play aptly fictionalised versions of themselves, their home and work lives, and relationships with their Hebden Bridge neighbours and celebrity friends.
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Lucy Beaumont, Jon Richardson, Damion Priestley, Emma Priestley
Creators:
Directors:
Writers:
3 seasons, 27 episodes, 40.0-minute runtime
Hitmen (2020)
5.5 / 10 (based on 1148 reviews)
Fran and Jamie are best friends and business partners – they just happen to kill people for a living. Having stumbled into a career in contract killing, the misfit duo are definitely not your typical killers for hire.
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Main Cast: Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins, Katherine Parkinson, Asim Chaudhry
Creators: Joe Markham, Joe Parham
Directors:
Writers:
2 seasons, 12 episodes, 30.0-minute runtime
Complaints Welcome (2021)
5.6 / 10 (based on 48 reviews)
Comedians Tom Allen, Jessica Knappett and Munya Chawawa join forces to assemble a “Complaints Committee” of viewers with plenty to say about the television shows getting the nation talking each week.
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Tom Allen, Munya Chawawa, Jessica Knappett, Dave Lamb
Creators:
Directors:
Writers:
1 season, 6 episodes, 65.0-minute runtime
The First Team (2020)
6.1 / 10 (based on 884 reviews)
The misadventures of three young football players at a fictional Premier League club.
Genre: Comedy, Sport
Main Cast: Jake Short, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, Jack McMullen, Chris Geere
Creators: Damon Beesley, Iain Morris
Directors:
Writers:
1 season, 6 episodes, 30.0-minute runtime
Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun (2020)
7.9 / 10 (based on 6726 reviews)
In their new sketch series, Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun take viewers along for an absurdist adventure through their everyday lives.
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly, Zachary Ruane, Scott Aukerman
Creators: Aunty Donna
Directors:
Writers:
1 season, 6 episodes, 20.0-minute runtime
Live at the Electric (2012)
5.4 / 10 (based on 64 reviews)
None
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Tom Palmer, Russell Kane, Totally Tom, Two Episodes of MASH
Creators:
Directors:
Writers:
3 seasons, 24 episodes, 30.0-minute runtime
GameFace (2017)
7.7 / 10 (based on 2280 reviews)
Marcella is an aspiring actress recovering from a relationship break up. Despite her optimistic attempts, and with help from her friends, therapist and driving instructor, she is unable to get her life back on track.
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Roisin Conaty, Damien Molony, Caroline Ginty, Dylan Edwards
Creators: Roisin Conaty
Directors:
Writers:
2 seasons, 12 episodes, 24.0-minute runtime
In the world of television, where genres blend and boundaries blur, there’s a show that stands out for its unique premise and execution: “Zone of Champions” (2019). This British comedy series, which aired on ITV, is a mockumentary that parodies sports broadcasting. The show is helmed by the comedic duo of John Cleese, who voices the CGI character Ian Nutter, and Tom Rosenthal, who plays his sidekick, the former international gymnast, Kriss Craig. Together, they navigate the fictional world of competitive sports, featuring bizarre and humorous events.
The Premise
At its core, “Zone of Champions” is about the absurdity of sports commentary and the lengths to which broadcasters go to keep audiences engaged. The show takes viewers through a series of fictional sports events, each more ridiculous than the last. From underwater pole vaulting to zero-gravity ping pong, the series leaves no stone unturned in its quest to mock the seriousness of sports broadcasts.
The Characters
Ian Nutter
Voiced by the legendary John Cleese, Ian Nutter is a CGI character who embodies every stereotype of the over-the-top sports commentator. His enthusiasm for the ludicrous events he covers is unmatched, and his commentary is filled with the kind of wit and sarcasm you’d expect from Cleese. Nutter’s character is a brilliant satire of how traditional sports commentators often elevate mundane moments to epic proportions.
Kriss Craig
Played by Tom Rosenthal, Kriss Craig is the perfect foil to Ian Nutter. As a former gymnast, Craig brings a level of faux expertise to the commentary that adds to the humor. His earnestness in analyzing the absurd events as if they were legitimate sports adds a layer of irony to the show. Rosenthal’s portrayal of Craig is spot-on, capturing the essence of a retired athlete turned commentator who takes his job a little too seriously.
The Events
What truly sets “Zone of Champions” apart are the fictional sports events it covers. Here are a few examples:
Underwater Pole Vaulting: Imagine athletes attempting to vault over a bar, underwater, with the added challenge of buoyancy. It’s as ridiculous as it sounds, and the commentary treats it with the gravity of an Olympic final.
Zero-Gravity Ping Pong: Picture a ping pong match where the ball floats freely in a zero-gravity environment. The players float around, trying to hit the ball in slow motion. It’s a visual treat and a comedic goldmine.
Extreme Sitting: Competitors sit on various objects, from cacti to ice blocks, and the last one to stand up wins. The commentators analyze their posture, endurance, and choice of sitting surface with earnest seriousness.
These events, among others, showcase the creativity of the show’s writers and their ability to find humor in the most unexpected places.
The Humor
The humor in “Zone of Champions” is multi-layered. On one surface, it’s a straightforward parody of sports broadcasting. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a critique of modern sports culture and the media that covers it. The show pokes fun at how anything can be turned into a spectacle with the right commentary and production values.
Moreover, the dynamic between Ian Nutter and Kriss Craig adds another dimension to the comedy. Their interactions, filled with misunderstandings, sarcasm, and one-upmanship, are reminiscent of classic comedy duos. The contrast between Nutter’s bombastic style and Craig’s earnest analysis creates a comedic tension that’s a joy to watch.
Why It Stands Out
In a television landscape filled with similar-looking and feeling content, “Zone of Champions” is a breath of fresh air. It’s not just a comedy show; it’s a commentary on the absurdity of sports culture and the media that glorifies it. The show doesn’t just make you laugh; it makes you think about why you’re laughing.
Its uniqueness lies in its ability to take something familiar—sports broadcasting—and turn it on its head. By exaggerating the characteristics of sports commentary to absurd levels, “Zone of Champions” highlights how ridiculous it can be, all while entertaining its audience with its wit and creativity.
Conclusion
“Zone of Champions” is a hidden gem in the world of television comedy. Its unique premise, combined with the comedic talents of John Cleese and Tom Rosenthal, makes it a must-watch for fans of satire and sports alike. The show’s ability to mock the seriousness with which we treat sports, all while inventing hilariously absurd events, is a testament to the creativity of its writers and producers.
Whether you’re a sports fanatic or someone who can’t tell a football from a frisbee, there’s something in “Zone of Champions” for you. It’s a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, inviting viewers to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. In a world where sports can sometimes feel like life or death, “Zone of Champions” is a reminder not to take it all too seriously. After all, it’s just a game—or in this case, a very funny show.