Can You Cheat On ‘Phone A Friend’?

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What are the secrets behind filming PMQs? How does phoning a friend on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire actually work? Is there a show bible to track character traits when shows have many different writers? Those questions plus tips on if you’re thinking of becoming a background artist from Richard and Marina.

Producers: Neil Fearn + Joey McCarthy
Executive Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport

Inside This Episode

• Background Artist Tips: The hosts respond to a question about becoming a background artist (extra). They give advice such as being on time, not freelancing, and the importance of taking direction from the first assistant director (AD)
• Funny Background Artist Moments: They share anecdotes about extras who overact or appear in multiple scenes unintentionally. A specific case involving a woman appearing five times in one shot is mentioned, as well as a viral clip involving an overacting extra in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
• Phoning a Friend on Millionaire: A discussion on the process of being a phone-a-friend on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Richard Osman recalls his experience as a phone-a-friend for Alexander Armstrong and a question involving 2001: A Space Odyssey
• The Role of Stand-ins on Set: A detailed explanation of the importance of stand-ins on film and TV sets, including how they help with lighting and blocking scenes when the main actors are unavailable
• Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) Camera Setup: They discuss the intricacies of how cameras are set up in Parliament for PMQs, with strict rules about angles, shot choices, and why the public gallery isn’t shown
• Murder in Successville: Richard describes his experience filming the improvised comedy show Murder in Successville, where he had to solve a fictional murder case involving various celebrities. He shares details of his interactions with cast members and the hilarious nature of the show
• Top 3 Cartoon Mice: Richard reveals his top three cartoon mice, with Danger Mouse as his favourite, followed by Speedy Gonzales and Itchy from The Simpsons

Media Mentions

• Derry Girls
• Skyfall
• Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
• 2001: A Space Odyssey
• Alien
• Murder in Successville
• Danger Mouse
• Speedy Gonzales
• The Simpsons (Itchy & Scratchy)

Hot Takes

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: two-and-a-half-hours I will never get back in my life.”

“[Mickey Mouse is] a shit mouse. He didn’t do anything! He literally has just got a squeaky voice.”

“Jerry [from Tom & Jerry] is a complete psychopath. He is a psycho. There’s abuse.”

“[Murder in Successville was] an absolutely ridiculous show. A million percent the sort of show that wouldn’t get commissioned now.”

Notable Numbers

£125,000 – the amount Richard Osman lost out on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire after not using his phone-a-friend lifeline