Richard Osman, the creator and co-host of the quiz show Pointless, has criticised television producers from the noughties for their reliance on imitative voiceovers. Osman singled out the sarcastic, humorous narration style popularised by Dave Lamb on Come Dine With Me, noting that many producers have attempted to replicate it with limited success.
“There’s been almost five years’ worth of programmes on daytime TV now where someone’s clearly said: can we do a Dave Lamb-style voiceover, and tried to do a funny voiceover,” Osman said. “And you know what? There’s only one Dave Lamb; it’s really, really hard to do. So sub-Dave Lamb voiceovers would be my turn-off.”
Osman, who also serves as a producer on Pointless, expressed his admiration for Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, describing it as “a lovely slice of Britain.” He confessed a particular fondness for programmes featuring auctions, stating, “I will watch any TV programme that has an auction in it. Literally anything.”
Reflecting on his childhood, Osman recalled The Dukes Of Hazzard as the first programme he adored, watching it with his family on Saturday nights. He added, “I just thought that was the greatest work of fiction anyone’s ever created. I’m not sure if I’ve changed my mind since, actually.”
Osman also expressed regret over missing the opportunity to appear on University Challenge during his university years due to a hiatus in the show’s history. “I’m like the missing generation of University Challenge, in the interregnum between Bamber Gascoigne and Jeremy Paxman,” he said. “I was always a bit gutted about that; I’m not sure I would have got on, but I would have certainly had a crack.”
Despite the perceived rivalry between Pointless and The Chase, Osman declared himself a fan of the latter show and its host, Bradley Walsh. “I’m encyclopedic in my knowledge about Bradley,” he said.
