"Bo' Selecta!" (2002) TV series 2002-2004

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | unknown

Release Date:

6 September 2002 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Thank you, please!

Plot:

Comedy Involving celebrity stalker Avid Merrion and whole host of "Celebrities".

Awards:

6 nominations

Cast

Leigh Francis

...

Various Characters (26 episodes, 2002-2004)

Also Known As:

Bo' Selecta! Vol. 3 (UK) (third season title)

Runtime:

UK:30 min (including commercials)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:15 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Crystal Palace Swimming Club, Crystal Palace, London, England, UK

Company:

Bellyache Productions

Trivia:

To achieve shots where the viewer can't see the body of Leigh as the bear when there's no padding behind him, Leigh's head was through a blue screen and was then keyed in in post production.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the Michael Jackass episode where Michael Jackson is "Moonwalking", the camera crew is reflected in some shop windows as the pass.

Quotes:

Mel B: Ola! That's Spanish for how do, yer bastards, yer!

Movie Connections:

Spin off "Keith Lemon's Very Brilliant World Tour" (2008)

I'm Not Sure If Avid's Still Got It

It wasn't until last Summer that I found out BO SELECTA actually existed . I was completely unaware of the first series and only saw the second one which caused me to split my sides

BO SELECTA isn't a show that can be described as original , it's like ALI G meets SPITTING IMAGE while overdosing on LSD and Spanish fly . Avid Merrion ( Leigh Francis ) is a " stalker " who pursues unsuspecting celebs most of whom are young blond and female . It might not be sophisticated but it is very funny to see the girls from Liberty X telling Avid to " F*** off " . There's also surreal sketches with Francis done up like Mel B , David Beckham and best of all Michael Jackson who isn't the strange creature who lives at Neverland ranch but is a funky homeboy - Rick James meets Samuel L Jackson . It's difficult to describe how funny it appears on screen . I could describe the time Michael went to New York with Blanket Baby - " I call that motherf***er Blanket Baby because I put a blanket over the motherf***er's face . That's right HEE HEE " - and asked if anyone saw a " Lionay " - " Where the motherf***in' lionay at ? You seen the lionay bro ? " , but I'd be unable to do it justice . I'll just say watch it and weep with laughter

Unfortunately Francis has become a victim of his own success and series three reflects this . The format has been changed to a talk show akin to THE MUPPET SHOW where guests like Sean Pertwee , Abi Titmuss , Johnathan Ross etc are in on the joke and most of the series fails because of this . Series two worked so well because guests thought they either talking to a genuine weirdo or they were appearing on a children's show with a puppet bear. Anyone remember Jennifer Ellison's face when the bear's " tail " popped out ?

There are still some good points to the third series like having Michael Jackson appearing in the comedy series PORRIDGE with Ronny Barker " Ronny just said remember the time on Going Live when Five Star were on ? That little motherf***er phoned up at said ' I wanna know why Five Star are so f***in' s**t ? ' That's right "

Mel B might think she's still got it , but I'm unsure if Leigh Francis has