Sticky Moments
Encyclopedia
Sticky Moments was a satirical British
television game show
that aired on Channel 4
from 17 October 1989 to 19 December 1990. It was hosted by comedian Julian Clary
.
, and was produced by Clary's production company Wonderdog Productions (named after his beloved pet whippet
, "Fanny the Wonderdog", who also regularly appeared on the show).
Clary was accompanied by two co-hosts: his "steadfastly heterosexual" pianist, Russell Churney
, who provided musical accompaniment and a foil for Clary's teasing; and announcer/scorekeeper/assistant "Hugh Jelly" (played by actor Philip Herbert
) – a large man with a booming voice, usually dressed almost as flamboyantly as Clary himself. Further musical accompaniment was provided by the duo Barb Jungr
& Michael Parker, who assisted Clary when he performed a musical number at the end of each show.
The questions, answers, challenges and cheap prizes were deliberately off-centre, and rife with gay innuendo
and double entendre
s, played for laughs rather than actual competition.
Contestants were eliminated round-by-round, based on Clary's mostly arbitrary point allocation. Losing players were given a plaster bust of Fanny the Wonderdog as a consolation prize, with the eventual lucky winner receiving a prize of barely more value (wine/champagne, flowers, plastic tiara, etc.). At the end of each show, following a musical number by Clary and co, the winner was then seen stepping into a chauffeur-driven car, whilst the runner-up was left to go home in less glamorous circumstances (bicycle, wheelbarrow, etc.).
The first series was a success and Channel 4 commissioned a second series that followed in late 1990. The second series was officially titled "Sticky Moments on Tour with Julian Clary", though the format was essentially identical to the first series with the addition of painted studio backdrops and props to humorously pretend the show was taking place in more exotic locations (France, Australia, Scotland, and an episode based at the less exotic Newport Pagnell).
Clary also performed a live version of Sticky Moments on his UK national stage tour in 1990, with contestants plucked from the audience.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
that aired on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
from 17 October 1989 to 19 December 1990. It was hosted by comedian Julian Clary
Julian Clary
Julian Peter McDonald Clary is an English comedian and novelist, known for his deliberately stereotypical camp style, with a heavy reliance on innuendo and double entendre.-Early life and education:...
.
Cast and crew
The series was devised and written by Clary with fellow comedian and writer Paul MertonPaul Merton
Paul Merton is a British comedian, writer, actor and television presenter. Known for his improvisation skill, his humour is rooted in deadpan, surreal and sometimes dark comedy...
, and was produced by Clary's production company Wonderdog Productions (named after his beloved pet whippet
Whippet
The Whippet is a breed of dog in the sighthound family. They are active and playful and are physically similar to a small Greyhound.- Description :...
, "Fanny the Wonderdog", who also regularly appeared on the show).
Clary was accompanied by two co-hosts: his "steadfastly heterosexual" pianist, Russell Churney
Russell Churney
Russell Churney was an English composer, pianist, arranger and musical director. He was also a member of the legendary comedy/cabaret group, Fascinating Aïda...
, who provided musical accompaniment and a foil for Clary's teasing; and announcer/scorekeeper/assistant "Hugh Jelly" (played by actor Philip Herbert
Philip Herbert (actor)
Philip Herbert is an English actor and mime artist, best known as his comedic alter ego, Hugh Jelly, a sidekick to gay comedian Julian Clary on the 1989 quiz show Sticky Moments with Julian Clary....
) – a large man with a booming voice, usually dressed almost as flamboyantly as Clary himself. Further musical accompaniment was provided by the duo Barb Jungr
Barb Jungr
Barb Jungr is an English singer-songwriter, composer and writer, of Czech and German parentage. She is perhaps best known as a chansonnière, or singer of chansons—in the sense of classic, lyric-driven French songs; in the broader sense of European songs in the cabaret style; and in the even...
& Michael Parker, who assisted Clary when he performed a musical number at the end of each show.
Premise
Clary, in customary full make-up and dressed in a new outrageous outfit each week, would select contestants for the night's show from the audience members queuing outside. Once in the studio, contestants would be introduced by him and were then subjected to some light-hearted teasing based on their personal details.The questions, answers, challenges and cheap prizes were deliberately off-centre, and rife with gay innuendo
Innuendo
An innuendo is a baseless invention of thoughts or ideas. It can also be a remark or question, typically disparaging , that works obliquely by allusion...
and double entendre
Double entendre
A double entendre or adianoeta is a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways. Often the first meaning is straightforward, while the second meaning is less so: often risqué or ironic....
s, played for laughs rather than actual competition.
Contestants were eliminated round-by-round, based on Clary's mostly arbitrary point allocation. Losing players were given a plaster bust of Fanny the Wonderdog as a consolation prize, with the eventual lucky winner receiving a prize of barely more value (wine/champagne, flowers, plastic tiara, etc.). At the end of each show, following a musical number by Clary and co, the winner was then seen stepping into a chauffeur-driven car, whilst the runner-up was left to go home in less glamorous circumstances (bicycle, wheelbarrow, etc.).
The first series was a success and Channel 4 commissioned a second series that followed in late 1990. The second series was officially titled "Sticky Moments on Tour with Julian Clary", though the format was essentially identical to the first series with the addition of painted studio backdrops and props to humorously pretend the show was taking place in more exotic locations (France, Australia, Scotland, and an episode based at the less exotic Newport Pagnell).
Clary also performed a live version of Sticky Moments on his UK national stage tour in 1990, with contestants plucked from the audience.
Original series
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Special
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External links
..- Sticky Moments at BFI.
- Sticky Moments on Tour at BFI.
- Sticky Moments at ukgameshows.com.