The series:  'Banzai' is a cult British comedy series that features bizarre Japanese-style games on which
viewers at home are encouraged to bet on the outcome. This games include such classics as The Wig Man
Wager, Ye Olde Supermarket Trolley Jousting, the Michael Jacksons Reverse Race Rendezvous, and The
Great Grange Hill Gravy Gamble. The show also often featured celebrity guests being put in embarrassing
situations, and regular segments included Mr Shake Hands Man, whose mission was to try to shake hands
with a celebrity for as long as possible, with the viewer asked to bet on how long he can keep a handshake
going. The show ran for 25 episodes three seasons on E4, including two specials, between 19 June 2001
and 26 March 2004. It also spawned an interactive DVD board game, book, CD soundtrack and a DVD with
highlights from the first two seasons. Banzai is an acquired taste, and is definitely not suitable for children.

The episode:  The premiere episode of Banzai included games such as the Old Lady Wheelchair Chicken
Challenge, the Small Animal Balloon Lift Challenge and the Wheel of Misfortune. Featured celebrity guest,
Harold Bishop from Neighbours, went around ringing people's doorbell and running away, and viewers had to
bet on how long the resident would take to open the door. Peter Davison appeared in a segment called The
Banzai Polling Booth Big Bet, in which he was asked which other Doctor he would have bottom sex with in
order to save Earth from the Daleks. The choices were Tom Baker (:the one with the very long scarf"), Jon
Pertwee ("the one with the sonic screwdriver"), or Sylvester McCoy ("the one who wasn't very good"). Peter
Davison also appeared in the 6th episode of Season One.

Video clip:  The Banzai Polling Booth Big Bet   4.3mb

 

     
 

 
<< Back to the Peter Davison page