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Friday Night Fever
Back in February 2005, the American author and journalist Hunter S. Thompson was found dead in his Colorado home, Pope John Paul II had continued specialist hospital treatments and tests in Rome, and after over a decade of existence, pop/punk phenomenon Blink-182 decided to go on an "indefinite hiatus". Bad times. However, this was also the point in history that gave birth to the Friday Night Project. Good times.The Friday Night Project is no ordinary chat show. Each week the comic genii presenters that are Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins are joined by a celebrity guest host. Currently in the midst of the sixth series, tonight’s show will show off the 53rd different FNP guest host. From the first guest host (Gordon Ramsay) to the latest (Elijah Wood), the celebrities have been entertaining to say the least. Seeing A-listers taking part in bonding exercises with Alan and Justin and then appearing in their sordid fantasies was never going to be dull viewing and add to this the sight of them reading entertainment news and appearing in a “Big Fun Gameshow”, and well, you’ve got TV gold.
So, Channel 4 Comedy put three questions out there, to both the general public and to Alan and Justin… Who has been the best guest host? Who has been the worst? And who would be your dream guest host?
Best Guest Host
Rupert Everett
In August 2006, Rupert Everett made his first appearance on the show. Rupert wowed Alan, Justin and the great television viewing populace so much that he was invited back to be the guest host once again in July 2007. One viewer called him “unexpectedly funny”, which may sound like a backhanded compliment at first glance, but it’s worth remembering, Rupert did star in Inspector Gadget the movie.
David Tennant
The dashing David Tennant is the only other celeb to have had two stints as the FNP guest host. The Doctor Who actor made his second appearance opening the latest series and had the audience in raptures with his off the wall banter and willingness to really get into the spirit of the show. Fans of FNP have already been calling for a third Tennant-sy agreement.
Kanye West
When we interviewed Alan and Justin last year, they couldn’t contain their excitement about having Kanye on as a guest host. “Kanye is so hot right now, we’re totally in awe!” said Alan. Justin agreed, “With Kanye you can’t argue can you?”Worst Guest Host
Kanye West
Well Justin, it appears you can argue! Some of the folks dwelling on the forums thought that Kanye West seemed “uncomfortable” on the show, some thought he didn’t get the humour, and some people thought he came across as “arrogant”. Still, that didn’t stop him going on to win four grammys later that year.
Steven Seagal
Prompting such comments from the general public as “bloody awful”, “like pulling teeth”, the ball busting action hero Steven Seagal proved to be a less than popular guest host. His music venture, Steven Seagal and Thunderbox on the other hand…
Christian Slater
Christian Slater, the man famous for roles in True Romance, Heathers, and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius: Jet Fusion, Parts 1 & 2, guest host slot didn’t go down to well in the eyes of Alan and Justin. “I don’t think he got it to be honest,” explained the mercurial hosts.Dream Guest Host
Russell Brand
We can’t argue one iota with this suggestion; Russell Brand would be the perfect guest host for the show. His charm, flamboyance and flirty ways would bounce perfectly off Alan and Justin’s personalities. The show could potentially be camper than Christmas.
Boris Johnson
A bit of an odd proposition from one of the forum folks here, but bear with the explanation, we think it could work. “I think the show's probably at it's best when those kind of unexpected hosts step up to the stage - people you wouldn't think would have the inclination to do it... So maybe someone like Boris Johnson cropping up would be a fun one.”
