"Brand New Vision"

22 June 2023

90s

Platform parody.

What if Channel 4 became Channel Zhuzh? That's the premise of this super piece of work for the streaming service once known as All4 and 4OD.

Once the foundation’s laid—thanks to a pair of content quacks from across the pond—the fun can begin. Since everyone on Earth is the target audience, they present new and, erm, improved versions of Channel 4 favourites.

Thus, we get 'The Great Pottery Throwdown' as a garish game how (complete with Tear Time graphics) ; 'Derry Girls' crossed with an American teen sitcom; and a fiery countdown of Paul Hollywood's best handshakes. If this lot are dumbed down, others get dumbed up.

In a stroke of Nordic noir genius, 'Hollyoaks' becomes 'Höllyoåxs', with Tony (Nick Pickard) and Mercedes (Jennifer Metcalfe) in uncharted territory. If you wanted to see Greg Davies as a murderous, medieval Taskmaster, now's your chance.

This is not the Channel 4 way though, and who better to vocalise this than 'Gogglebox' siblings Pete and Sophie Sandiford. The fact that they bring a sofa and an armchair into the boardroom shows Channel 4 mean business their way.

UK

TV Stations