A Very British Experience Trivia Quiz

Answer: Turned his back on her

Unlike many chat shows, where the host faces all the guests, Russell Harty sat in the middle of his. This meant that to talk to a guest on his right he had to turn his back on the guest on his left, and vice versa. In an infamous episode in 1980, Grace Jones took exception to this.

When Russell Harty turned away from her to talk to another guest she started physically assaulting him, slapping his back and head and telling him not to ignore her. It was one of those television moments that gets replayed time and again whenever nostalgia chat show programmes are shown.

Answer: The Bee Gees

Clive Anderson, a former barrister, hosted his own chat show on Channel 4 for some time. He was noted for making jokes at the expense of his guests. In 1997 the Bee Gees were doing an interview when they took their microphones off and stormed off the set after a series of jokes sniping at their singing style and career. That was not the only incident during the history of the show. Richard Branson poured a glass of water over Anderson's head in one episode, and he once famously asked novelist Jeffrey Archer, "Is there no beginning to your talent?"

Answer: David Blaine

Eamonn Holmes was undoubtedly expecting just another ten minute celebrity interview when David Blaine was booked to appear on GMTV. Instead the illusionist just sat there, giving every indication of being on another planet. He didn't answer any questions, just mumbled incoherently every so often, and kept showing an eye drawn on his hand to the camera. He claimed this protected him from death. Eamonn Holmes later described this as one of the strangest five minutes of his career.

In 2003 David Blaine was back in London hanging in a see through box over the River Thames where he starved himself for 44 days. Unfortunately not everyone who came to see him was impressed. Several people had to be stopped from hitting golf balls at the box from Tower Bridge, and others threw beef burgers at him.

Answer: David Icke

David Icke was a professional footballer and sports reporter. In 1990 he claimed he was contacted by a psychic who told him he had been placed on Earth for a special purpose and the spirit world would be passing messages to him. He started dressing entirely in turquoise, as this was a healing colour.

In 1991 he appeared on Terry Wogan's early evening chat show predicting that the world would be devastated by tidal waves and earthquakes and that he was the "Son of the Godhead". Unfortunately the audience, and the public at large, did not take him seriously, and he later said that was the show that turned him into someone who was laughed at whenever he appeared in public.

He did however continue to write and carry out public speaking engagements, mainly on the theme of a secret, reptilian, global elite.

These he claimed are descended from aliens and are the true rulers of Earth.

Answer: Michael Parkinson

Of all the British chat show hosts, Michael Parkinson was the most respected. He interviewed politicians, the greatest Hollywood stars, the best entertainers and writers. In 1976 a guest on his show was Rod Hull, complete with his large emu puppet. Rod Hull was very popular at the time, so it was natural he would appear on Parkinson's show. Emu was noted for being aggressive, and during the course of the interview attacked Michael Parkinson, wrestling him to the ground.

He was clearly furious. Rod Hull then let Emu start to turn his attention to Billy Connolley, the other guest, but a very clear warning as to what would happen if he continued was enough to stop him in his tracks.

Answer: Swore on live television

Bill Grundy was host of a regional news programme broadcast at 6pm. In December 1976 the Sex Pistols appeared as a last minute replacement for Queen. The show was broadcast live with no time delay or "bleep" button. In a way Bill Grundy was the architect of his own downfall as he goaded the band, in his words, "to say something outrageous". What he got was an interview littered with swear words, with the "f" word being used several times. That would not be acceptable now, and in 1976 it was enough to wreck his career.

He was immediately suspended, and the whole show was cancelled around two months later. He never again worked on a prime time television show.

Answer: Kissed her

"After Dark" was a late night Channel 4 panel discussion show that looked at some quite serious subjects. Oliver Reed had been invited to appear to discuss why men are sometimes violent. He arrived drunk, swore at fellow guests and drank wine from a half pint glass. After blacking out the show for twenty minutes to try and get him to behave, transmission resumed. At this point Reed fell over the back of a sofa where feminist author Kate Millet was sitting, grabbed her head in both hands and planted a wet, drunken kiss on her lips. She was furious and demanded he leave, a demand which was backed up by the other guests. At this point he walked, or rather staggered, out.

It was not the only time he turned up drunk on a show. In an appearance on a chat show hosted by Michael Aspel, he turned up singing and dancing, holding a large jug of vodka and orange, which he kept drinking from.

Answer: George Best

One of the most talented footballers ever seen, George Best unfortunately also suffered from alcoholism. In September 1990 he turned up drunk on Terry Wogan's prime time chat show. He swore a lot and also said he felt like having sex with someone. He did later issue an apology, saying it was one of the low points of his fight with alcohol. Unfortunately even a liver transplant could not stop him drinking and he died in November 2005 of a lung infection and multiple organ failure.

Answer: Graham Norton

Mark Wahlberg was on the February 2013 show to promote his new film. He appeared to be fine when talking about this, but when other guests Michael Fassbender and Sarah Silverman came on, he constantly interrupted them. He also flirted with Ms. Silverman, and ended up sitting on Graham Norton's lap where he appeared to be playing with his nipples.

Many viewers commented that he was very red in the face and wondered if he was drunk. He had however seemed sober enough when talking about his own movie.

Answer: Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan was on the show to publicize her movie "In the Cut". It was a complete departure from her normal romantic comedy type roles, and she was obviously uncomfortable being asked about it. The interview descended into long silences and one word answers, with Meg Ryan turning her back on the other guests on the show.

She said later she felt as though Michael Parkinson was being like a "disapproving father" over the fact that she appeared naked in the film, and that she was offended by him. Parkinson described it as the worst ten minutes of his television career.