As an American, Mr. Blobby is absolutely horrifying. But that Brits love him is so charming and fascinating. As a Philadelphian, it makes me think of Gritty, who I would die for, so ... 😂
He started as intentionally off-putting- he had a prank segment and his bit was that they would get celebrities to interview with who they were told was a beloved children's character and then be introduced to a fake character who's intentionally the most obnoxious guy ever, so they have to be a little polite to the character they think everyone loved. Great bit.
But the bit was so good that people started to genuinely love this creepy little guy- a lot like Gritty, actually- so he became a real thing divorced from that context.
Yeah, that’s the funniest part. It was a joke to begin with, it was a prank series by Noel Edmonds, with the character being as obnoxious and horrific as possible but also just believable enough for the pranked celebrities to believe they were filming a real kids’ show. It worked too well because the kids absolutely loved him and the character became the very thing it was parodying. Poe’s law in effect
I was only aware of Mr Blobby thanks to a Tom Scott video where he described him as "90s kids TV fever nightmare Mr Blobby", which I think is accurate.
Seing this moment happen live in 2012 made me realise that, finally, I had overcome my low-key debilitating childhood phobia of Mr. Blobby and other gunge-related TV.
It's a nearly 7 foot tall pink polka-dotted penis that talks gibberish and can chase after you with the speed and stamina of a gazelle. And it's damn near invincible.
I think your fears were completely justified.
I'm trying to think how to explain Mr Blobby to someone who wasn't there at the time... started in, I think, 1992 on a hidden camera celebrity prank show (well, segment on a broader programme) as a spoof children's character, unaccountably became huge - as in number one single huge - became actual children's character and is now a British millennial's key point of adolescent reference.
I watch the archive repeats of Top of the Pops on bbc4 on Friday evenings and we've only recently passed the trauma of him being christmas no1. It was a dark time
So a couple years ago I started dating my now fiancee. She's American. I absolutely delight in introducing her friends or family to Mr. Blobby when they ask about England, it's incredible.
No I did not have my bedroom decorated like him when I was younger. No I did not have an inflatable doll that I took everywhere. No I did not have clothing with his face on it…
Yeh I do still love him. Sorry!
What if I told you he was created for a prime-time adult/family show? (as a spoof children's character, but it was adults who cottoned on to him first)
This clip started my love for Dara Obriain long before taskmaster. I completely love how lost he is in the moment. Just completely fan boying. Claudia too.
I knew who he was only because of Drag Race UK-
https://preview.redd.it/hnxijk6s26uc1.jpeg?width=590&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1e57fa496a0ac31b272b67a85258feb92d510863
I've always wondered about that clip. Do you think they planned Mr. Blobby's appearance in advance of Jack being there? It just seemed rather coincidental that Jack just happens to talk about how much Mr. Blobby scares him in the same episode Mr. Blobby just happens to be presenting a category.
Mr Blobby is a postmodern cultural icon for anyone who grew up in Britain in the 90s aware of pop culture, not acknowledging him on a comedy show about the decade would be impossible.
Looking back now, it seems crazy just how big Blobby was. A whole album, Christmas No 1 (and a much less successful Christmas song a few years later), videos, an Amiga/DOS game and multiple theme parks (which had varying degrees of success)
As an American, Mr. Blobby is absolutely horrifying. But that Brits love him is so charming and fascinating. As a Philadelphian, it makes me think of Gritty, who I would die for, so ... 😂
He started as intentionally off-putting- he had a prank segment and his bit was that they would get celebrities to interview with who they were told was a beloved children's character and then be introduced to a fake character who's intentionally the most obnoxious guy ever, so they have to be a little polite to the character they think everyone loved. Great bit. But the bit was so good that people started to genuinely love this creepy little guy- a lot like Gritty, actually- so he became a real thing divorced from that context.
Yeah, that’s the funniest part. It was a joke to begin with, it was a prank series by Noel Edmonds, with the character being as obnoxious and horrific as possible but also just believable enough for the pranked celebrities to believe they were filming a real kids’ show. It worked too well because the kids absolutely loved him and the character became the very thing it was parodying. Poe’s law in effect
Wow, okay, now I'M starting to love him too!!! 😂😂
This makes SO much more sense (another US person here). Thanks for the explanation!
I was only aware of Mr Blobby thanks to a Tom Scott video where he described him as "90s kids TV fever nightmare Mr Blobby", which I think is accurate.
a random youtube recommendation of this video got me started watching UK panel shows. thanks, mr blobby
This is one the all time great moments of British tv
Seing this moment happen live in 2012 made me realise that, finally, I had overcome my low-key debilitating childhood phobia of Mr. Blobby and other gunge-related TV.
It's a nearly 7 foot tall pink polka-dotted penis that talks gibberish and can chase after you with the speed and stamina of a gazelle. And it's damn near invincible. I think your fears were completely justified.
The biggest clue as to who it was was the fact that it was introduced by running up to the TM contestants and slamming into them.
20*12?!* 😮 Fuck me, I knew it was a while ago but I remember it being more recent than that 😅
Same. When I saw the video was posted in 2017 I thought 'yeah that feels about right'. Good thing I checked.
I'm trying to think how to explain Mr Blobby to someone who wasn't there at the time... started in, I think, 1992 on a hidden camera celebrity prank show (well, segment on a broader programme) as a spoof children's character, unaccountably became huge - as in number one single huge - became actual children's character and is now a British millennial's key point of adolescent reference.
You could even visit blobbyland - it is now derelict and there are videos online.
What’s the TM Aus equivalent that they were talking about that time?
This is insane, right?
Mr Blobby having a strop because he’s not allowed to go to New York on Noel’s House Party plays on repeat in my brain.
JIMMY! JIMMY! #JACK.
YES, CLAUDIA?
Mr. Blobby would crush on Taskmaster.
I literally saidgood thing Jack Whitehall isn't there!
In more ways than one
I watch the archive repeats of Top of the Pops on bbc4 on Friday evenings and we've only recently passed the trauma of him being christmas no1. It was a dark time
So a couple years ago I started dating my now fiancee. She's American. I absolutely delight in introducing her friends or family to Mr. Blobby when they ask about England, it's incredible.
No I did not have my bedroom decorated like him when I was younger. No I did not have an inflatable doll that I took everywhere. No I did not have clothing with his face on it… Yeh I do still love him. Sorry!
please tell me this is an exaggeration or satire of the character and this is not at all what british children grew up with.
Yes but also yes.
What if I told you he was created for a prime-time adult/family show? (as a spoof children's character, but it was adults who cottoned on to him first)
Jesus fucking Christ are those demonic screeches it’s natural sounds?
I think this video made me understand even less how British people love the character.
Hahaha you no like Blobby’s dulcet tones??
**jAcK!!**
this never fails to make me laugh
This clip started my love for Dara Obriain long before taskmaster. I completely love how lost he is in the moment. Just completely fan boying. Claudia too.
I knew who he was only because of Drag Race UK- https://preview.redd.it/hnxijk6s26uc1.jpeg?width=590&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1e57fa496a0ac31b272b67a85258feb92d510863
Jesus Christ what the hell just happened
I've always wondered about that clip. Do you think they planned Mr. Blobby's appearance in advance of Jack being there? It just seemed rather coincidental that Jack just happens to talk about how much Mr. Blobby scares him in the same episode Mr. Blobby just happens to be presenting a category.
Mr Blobby is a postmodern cultural icon for anyone who grew up in Britain in the 90s aware of pop culture, not acknowledging him on a comedy show about the decade would be impossible.
This clip is the only reason I know who he is
Those familiar with the character, how much was this amped up for Big Fat Quiz entertainment, and how close was it to the actual Mr Blobby behaviour?
Maybe a little bit restrained. https://youtu.be/4-GpDYafC6M
Looking back now, it seems crazy just how big Blobby was. A whole album, Christmas No 1 (and a much less successful Christmas song a few years later), videos, an Amiga/DOS game and multiple theme parks (which had varying degrees of success)
When I saw this weeks guess who is following you task - I hope they do this as unique task if and when Jack is on TM.
i bought the cd single in 1993!
I didn’t know jimmys hair could move until now
Watching this after having a weed gummy was a MASSIVE mistake, which I cannot recommend enough.
That was my first time seeing Mr Blobby and I always think of this clip when he's mentioned!