| Newzoids | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Comedy Satire |
| Voices of | |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes (inc. adverts) |
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV |
| Release | 15 April 2015 (2015-04-15) – 8 October 2016 (2016-10-08) |
| Related | |
| Spitting Image 2DTV Headcases Dead Ringers | |
Newzoids is a British topical satiricalsketch show, which was co-produced by Citrus Television and Factory forITV and broadcast for two series between 15 April 2015 and 8 October 2016.[1][2][3]
The programme operated in a similar format toSpitting Image,[4][5] in its use of puppets and comedic impersonations of celebrities across different fields, such as politics and entertainment, and in basing sketches on current events. However, it differed in that each puppet featured no moveable eyes or mouths, as these were applied with the use ofCGI during editing.
Newzoids featured the voice actorsJon Culshaw,Debra Stephenson andLewis MacLeod, all from theBBC Radio 4 comedyDead Ringers, and featured satirical appearances byNigel Farage,Boris Johnson,Jeremy Clarkson andPrince George of Cambridge.
The first series aired during the2015 United Kingdom general election and spoofed the politicians involved.[6]
All the celebrities featured in the show are portrayed through the mixed use of live-action puppets andcomputer-generated imagery effects; the puppets are filmed first, with the footage later enhanced with computer-generated eyes, eyebrows and mouths. The depictions are caricatures. One eye of the-thenUK Independence Party leaderNigel Farage’s puppet occasionally swivels around,Donald Trump's hair is represented as a cat on his head, andPrince George of Cambridge is depicted with a strongCockney accent, bossing about his younger sister,Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.[4][5] George's catchphrase is “oi oisaveloy”, which loosely references the Cockneyfootball chant.
Theresa May appears in trailers for a new film calledDespicable May (a reference to the animated filmDespicable Me), in whichDavid Davis,Philip Hammond andBoris Johnson play herminions. They also very occasionally feature as minions in other sketches.
Nigel Farage also appears in trailers for another new film, calledUKIP: Fully Loaded (a reference to the filmHerbie: Fully Loaded), in which his “tampered”Volvo V70 playsHerbie and the politician plays the role of Nigey Farton (referencing the Maggie Peyton character played byLindsay Lohan in the Herbie film).[7][8]
Another new film which is promoted isPretty Brexiteer (a reference to the filmPretty Woman), in which Farage plays the role of Nigen Ward (referencing the Vivian Ward character played byJulia Roberts inPretty Woman).[9][10] The film that is promoted the least isRunaway Tory (a reference to the filmRunaway Bride), in which Farage plays the role of Nigey Carpenter (referencing the character of Maggie Carpenter, played by Julia Roberts in the film).[11][12]
| Series | Start date | End date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 April 2015 | 20 May 2015 | 6 |
| 2 | 3 September 2016 | 8 October 2016 | 6 |
Newzoids received mixed reviews. Most professional reviewers compared the show negatively toSpitting Image, but it was better received on social media.[13] Tending towards the positive,The Guardian wrote that it was "noSpitting Image, but a step in the right direction", lauding the show's "sparkiness" but adding "its lack of depth feels like a wasted opportunity" in comparison toSpitting Image.[14]The Telegraph wrote thatNewzoids had "flashes of promise" and that the showbusiness takedowns in particular "really connected", but commented that the show often "swung at easy targets".[15]
In a more negative review,The Independent mentioned howNewzoids andSpitting Image both had shaky, unfunny starts, but that "the puppets (ofNewzoids) are not intrinsically funny", remarking "Oh dear!".[16]VICE pannedNewzoids, and said that "it was absolutely untenable. It was lazily, beguilingly shit, each gag so obvious you'd already written the punchline in your head before it was delivered.", asking "how was this allowed to be made?".[17]
Idris Elba, whose puppet was featured in aLuther sketch, reacted positively to his appearance on the show, posting a video on Twitter of him laughing behind the camera as the scene plays on TV, with a caption oflaughing emojis.[18]