King Stupid
Synopsis
A silly panel game, not a million miles removed from the original concept of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, but with young-ish people on it. It seemed to be universally despised at the time, at least by the people who wrote in to Feedback about it, for two main reasons:
1) it was part of a season of unpopular shows commissioned by new Radio 4 controller James Boyle (only X Marks the Spot and Puzzle Panel survived more than a couple of years), and
2) some people thought that the title was intended to trip up the continuity announcers by saying "And now on Radio Four, King Stupid. The producer denied that was his plan.
Van Dyck, who seems to be only known for one TV appearance (in the Return of Mr Bean in 1990), was rather low key for the show. With a change of host, it re-emerged as The 99p Challenge and lived happily ever after, despite the involvement of Peter Baynham.
Trivia
The final episode contained a joke so rude* that James Boyle cancelled the programme. After much pleading, it was reincarnated in spirit as The 99p Challenge.
*What was so rude? In a round about inventing new tourism slogans for UK places, Peter Baynham quipped: "Come to Beachy Head and toss yourself off."
