Super, smashing, grave

Thunderhead

Full Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2016
Messages
3,154
Supports
City
Jim Bowen dead, didn't realise he was only 80, always looked ancient.
 

Kentonio

Full Member
Scout
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
13,188
Location
Stamford Bridge
Supports
Chelsea
This is wierd, I watched some Bullseye at the weekend for the first time in about 20 years. Great flashback to how different life used to be back then.

RIP Jim, I hope there's a Bully Bonus waiting for you on the other side.
 

Honest John

Full Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2002
Messages
8,352
Location
Hampshire
Bowen: "What do you do for a living?"
Contestant: "I'm unemployed Jim"
Bowen: "That's super smashing, great"

RIP
 

Kentonio

Full Member
Scout
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
13,188
Location
Stamford Bridge
Supports
Chelsea
Read Bill Bryson's "Notes From a Small Island", it's a great insight into how anyone "non-English" would consider the horror show that was Bullseye.
Looking back at it now, its surprisingly sweet. When Jim talks to the contestants its like he's actually speaking to them like people, not trying to set up some sneering laugh for the audience, or looking down on them. I was actually surprised by how nice it all felt.
 

12OunceEpilogue

In perfect harmony
Scout
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
18,392
Location
Wigan
Read Bill Bryson's "Notes From a Small Island", it's a great insight into how anyone "non-English" would consider the horror show that was Bullseye.
The 'taches alone are the stuff of nightmares. And as for the men...

It was such a great show, and a real celebration of the English working classes, naff shabbiness and all. Jim was a perfect host for the show; excellent off the cuff and never taking any of it too seriously. The idea he counted the money out in the ad break :lol:

RIP sir.
 

SteveJ

all-round nice guy, aka Uncle Joe Kardashian
Scout
Joined
Oct 22, 2010
Messages
62,851
Looking back at it now, its surprisingly sweet. When Jim talks to the contestants its like he's actually speaking to them like people, not trying to set up some sneering laugh for the audience, or looking down on them. I was actually surprised by how nice it all felt.
TLW said:
So, I'm still watching Bullseye from 1981. And everyone is unemployed. But when they tell Jim this, he doesn't mock them or chide them; he offers his support and asks how bad it is wherever they're from. Like it's a war. Which it was - and they're on the same side.

There's a lesson in there for TV producers today. First, stop all the scornful, demonizing crap about benefits claimants. And then hire some presenters who actually understand what it's like to come from regional, working communities.

A standard opener for Jim is to ask someone where they're from, and then to follow this up by asking if there's much work there. This is a light entertainment show combining darts and trivia, and it shows more care and concern for working communities than anything we have today.
 

The Purley King

Full Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2014
Messages
4,227
It used to take him a long time to count out £150, a full 3-4 minute ad break :)
Absolutely loved that show growing up. My brother and I used to practice all the time to be able to hit 101 or more in 6 darts....
Also, the show was probably responsible for the sudden increase in people from Rotherham owning speedboats!!