There are many awesome things that British television has to offer. One of these things is the panel show. For those who don't quite understand the format, here's how a panel show works: celebrities compete in a sort of game show, sometimes they are in teams, other times not. The main goal in a panel show is not to get points for correct answers, but to get laughs for funny answers. The best known shows in this format are the BBC quizzes Never Mind the Buzzcocks and QI, both of which are huge in both the ratings and youtube hits. There have been many themes for panel shows, ranging from Sports (A Question of Sport) to Politics (Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You), but there is a very obvious panel show theme that has never been made: television. British TV producers noticed this, and now there are two: BBC One's As Seen on TV and Channel 4's You Have Been Watching. Of course, as with any two extremely similar things, there can only be one left standing, so the question is which program is better? (Note: it's going to be You Have Been Watching, I'm just using this as an opportunity to drag As Seen on TV through the mud as far as I can)
Hosts:
As Seen on TV is hosted by Steve Jones, whom I've really never heard of. According to Wikipedia, the Spout of Truth, he is a Welsh presenter/actor/model. His on screen persona is as bland as his name, although he's trying to come across as snarky, he actually comes across as smug as boring.
You Have Been Watching is hosted by the better well known Charlie Brooker, whose claims to fame include writing Nathan Barley and Dead Set, hosting BBC Four's Screenwipe and Newswipe, and writing a regular column in the Guardian. Despite looking rather ordinary for a television personality (ok, he's rather ugly. Sorry, Charlie. I'd still do you.), he is extraordinarily smart, witty and engaging.
Winner:
You Have Been Watching clearly has the better host.
Panelists:
As Seen on TV has a team format, with two captains, or regular team members. They are well known tv presenter Fern Britton and award winning comedian Jason Manford. Britton is really not suited to this type of show, and even though Manford tries his best to punch up what he has to work with, he too falls flat. In addition, the other panelist featured on this show are lackluster and unfunny at best (for example, Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen and Denise from Eastenders.) The funniest panelist this show has had in its short run was comedian Peter Serafinowicz and not even he could make the show entertaining.
You Have Been Watching has more of a QI format (i.e., no teams) and its guests have been more suited to the panel format (for example, Frank Skinner, Frankie Boyle, even former pop star Jamelia is more suited to the format than fucking Denise from Eastenders).
Winner:
You Have Been Watching has the better panelists.
Format/Questions
As Seen on TV is more of a straight quiz, the panelists pick a category, Jones asks a question, and they get it right or wrong and someone gets points. This would be fine, if this was a regular quiz show and not a panel show. The opportunity for comedy is very rare, and when it does come up it is usually wasted.
You Have Been Watching has more of a Buzzcocks format, and contestants are given as much time to be funny as is possible, rendering the program more enjoyable for viewing.
Winner:
You Have Been Watching (obviously).
So in conclusion, You Have Been Watching kicks As Seen on TV's ass (or as the British say, "arse") and will continue to do so for the remainder of time. Also, As Seen on TV has one of the most obnoxious set designs that I have ever seen. Fuck you, As Seen on TV!
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