Gogglebox: Sublime and Ridiculous

In the past six months Channel 4’s Gogglebox has become something of a phenomenon. When the last series ended in its 10pm midweek slot towards the end of 2013 it was soon announced that it was being promoted to Friday night primetime (9pm) this year. Two weeks into the new series and the show has lost none of its appeal as a result.

For those of you not familiar with the Gogglebox format it encompasses TV Burp-style observational quips at the expense of the past week’s TV and the fly-on-the-wall charming homemade-vibe of Come Dine With Me. Essentially, it’s various friends and families from all around England being filmed watching TV. Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it?

In many ways it is ridiculous, but it is also fiendishly entertaining and addictive viewing.  No matter which of the ‘characters’ is on screen you tend to have a reaction to what they’re saying; whether it’s laughing at their observations, being aghast at their often outrageous opinions or being genuinely moved by their interaction with their family and friends.

While the viewer is thrust into the homes of around a dozen families over the course the series there are certainly some stand-out stars among the line-up. First and foremost are Steph and Dom, a pair of toffs from Sandwich in Kent who run a B&B and seem unable to watch TV without consuming a significant quantity of a variety of alcoholic beverages. Their inebriated ramblings coupled with their clearly good-humoured relationship makes for excellent TV.

Also on the line-up are retired teachers, Leon and June who have been married for over 50 years. Leon resembles a slightly randy Victor Meldrew character while June is often visibly wearied by his antics – although they do also have their tender moments too, most recently when Leon got a little bit emotional while watching Titanic. No, really he did.

Larger than life Sandy and Sandra from Brixton also often stand out from the crowd for their extremely animated viewing habits and forthright opinions. However, it is apparent recycling fanatic Sandra’s use of a Pot Noodle carton as a regular drinking vessel that has become something of a trademark. Stephen and Chris from Brighton are among the most acerbic of the group, being less excitable and more cynical about their viewing – however, they are nonetheless often hilarious.

Linda, Pete and George from Clacton make for an intriguing trio – Linda could very well have stepped straight off of the set of Gavin and Stacey, cheeky chappy George seems to be an armchair expert on everything and, when he isn’t nodding off on the sofa, Pete is apparently constantly bewildered by Linda, George, the TV and well, pretty much everything.

Lastly, there is one participant in the Gogglebox phenomenon that has, himself become a cult hero. This is Jay, the boyfriend of Eve from Liverpool who is also featured along with her mum, Viv and Viv’s German partner Ralph. The reason Jay has become a legend in his own lifetime is not because of his hair (which is obviously epic), but because since Gogglebox started he has yet to utter a single word. Every episode of Gogglebox sparks a Twitter furore over when this young chap will finally speak and what is going on inside his hairy head?

I would like it if Jay never spoke until such a time as Gogglebox finishes for good and right at the very end of the final episode Jay utters a few choice words to inspire us all and give meaning to our very existence. Kind of like Vinnie Jones’ silent Sphinx character did in Gone in 60 Seconds. Kind of.

Gogglebox continues Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4.