Rock Profile

A spoof interview show in which major pop/rock artists are quizzed about their life and work. The interviewer is Jamie Theakston and the cast of famous stars (including Elton John, George Michael, U2, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Bucks Fizz, Blur and Sean Ryder) are all played by Matt Lucas and David Walliams.

Sometimes cruel and unfair but undeniably funny, Rock Profile took a machete to the egos, pomposity, eccentricity and grumpiness of mega-rich stars. Theakston acquitted himself well as the hapless interviewer facing the outrageous behaviour of his interviewees, and Lucas and Walliams turned in some credible impersonations.

Notes. The show originated on BBC cable/satellite channel UK Play (later Play UK), where considerably more than six episodes have been screened. The first series there, 13 editions, was launched on 7 June 1999; a second, a further 13, ran from 4 September 2000.

A highlights compilation, The Best Of Rock Profile, was screened by BBC2 on 30 December 2001.