Entertainment at its Finest

Five Top Shows We Watch For No Reason Whatsoever

You Bet Your Life, Channel Four

Ludicrously scheduled game show featuring good parent Bill Cosby and gorgeous assistant Renfield (played by Robbie Chong). Complete strangers are paired, take turns re-telling rehearsed stories, then fluff easy questions in the race for the jackpot. Between banter, Bill slips in clever Afro-American references. Absolutely awful and spellbinding stuff.

Out of This World, ITV

Life's a gas for Evie Garland. She possesses other-world powers inherited from her alien Dad. Her mum who is her best friend re-defines ugly, and the town police wander into their home at the drop of a hat. Never more that three sets per episode. Totally un-missable.

Top of the Pops, BBC1

The BBC just don't get it, do they? The seven inch single format has clearly had it's day. However, it's always worth a check to giggle at Sonia's elephantiasis or maybe at an appearance by St. Etienne. Also to witness the sad Oreo presenter perfecting his street-jive.

The Late Show, BBC 2

Hands up whoever watched the Late Show's "No Nirvana" special and thought, "Bollocks! I'll never be caught again." Well, months have passed since that show, and I haven't seen a good band on it since. Did Jools Holland pinch them all? Anyway, I did learn a lot about the construction of London's Waterloo terminal from one show.

That's Life, BBC 1

After running for donkeys years with a charming selection of oddballs, extroverts and wheeler-dealers, Esther and Co have been pulled. It's a national scandal.

More Phat Stuff

This is state51. For a full run-down, hit The Hub.