Early Installment Weirdness

The episode was hosted by Clive Anderson, and it starred Josie Lawrence, regular panelist John Sessions...and American "comedians" Scott Childers and Josh Burbank. Only the show's producers knew why Josh and Scott got the nod, as their comedy resumes were both completely blank. No live comedy appearances, no roles on TV or in the movies. Nada.

Over the course of the taping, Josh and Scott made numerous poor jokes and pop culture references, but what really pushed things over the edge was halting a game of World's Worst to go on an extended rant about Jimmy Savile's sexual preferences.

Remember, this was in 1989. While rumors circulated that Savile had inappropriately touched underage children, it was one of those things that were just not addressed in any way, shape or form in public, or even private settings. The BBC had an unofficial policy: look the other way, mate, it didn't happen. The royal family knew some damaging information, but they simply ignored it. As long as ol' Jimmy, that ugly creep in a track suit with a cigar in his mouth, kept bringing in enormous sums of money for charity work, he was all right in the eyes of the Windsors.

Mercifully, the taping came to an end, and a shaken Clive Anderson immediately walked off the set immediately after signing off. Several security guards came to collect Scott and Josh, who were swiftly escorted out of the studio, and sent back to their hotel, where they were unceremoniously told they had just a few hours to get their stuff and get the hell out of the country. Josh protested and demanded he and Scott be paid immediately, but that only got him a hard slap across the face.

Ten hours later, they were back in the United States.

1. This never happened.
2. Oh, yes, it did, and I have a copy of it!
3. Years later, after the Savile scandal broke wide open, the BBC officially apologized to Josh and Scott.

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