Editions of Wipeout with Bob Monkhouse begin with him chatting with all three contestants, and factoring in related jokes to the topics they bring up.
There is an element of illusion behind it, as Bob would briefly meet the contestants beforehand - despite claiming not to - and so would be aware of their hobbies/interests, and would have at least an idea of what gags he would tell. (Known as the "million joke man", with a notebook of one-liners, he would have material to draw on for numerous different topics.)
However, the start of this edition sees a very contrived moment where he segues into a joke off the back of a contestant who tells him she likes tarot cards, claiming: "Tarot? Oh, I got a free pack of tarot cards with ummm... the almanac", before going into a routine about Old Moore's Almanack. The forced nature of the joke is made even clearer by Bob rubbing his nose, his body language self-conscious.
There is an element of illusion behind it, as Bob would briefly meet the contestants beforehand - despite claiming not to - and so would be aware of their hobbies/interests, and would have at least an idea of what gags he would tell. (Known as the "million joke man", with a notebook of one-liners, he would have material to draw on for numerous different topics.)
However, the start of this edition sees a very contrived moment where he segues into a joke off the back of a contestant who tells him she likes tarot cards, claiming: "Tarot? Oh, I got a free pack of tarot cards with ummm... the almanac", before going into a routine about Old Moore's Almanack. The forced nature of the joke is made even clearer by Bob rubbing his nose, his body language self-conscious.
The first Auction Grid - female prime ministers around the world - had previously appeared in Episode #2.12 (1995). The difference between the two came down to just three countries: the original featured India, Israel and the UK as options, whereas this revised version features Burundi, France and Turkey in their place.
The grid concept would appear again in Episode #7.33 (2000), with even more changes to the available countries.
The grid concept would appear again in Episode #7.33 (2000), with even more changes to the available countries.
The second Auction Grid - shows produced by Gerry Anderson - had previously appeared right at the start of the programme in Episode #1.7 (1994).
However, only half of the options were the same on both grids: Fireball XL5, Space: 1999 (listed without the colon in both instances), Space Patrol, Star Cops, Supercar and UFO.
However, only half of the options were the same on both grids: Fireball XL5, Space: 1999 (listed without the colon in both instances), Space Patrol, Star Cops, Supercar and UFO.
The grid subjects featured on this edition are:
Main Grids: Crackerjack! presenters; European countries that qualified for the 1998 World Cup.
Auction Grids: Female prime ministers around the world; Shows produced by Gerry Anderson; Parts of the nose.
Final Grid: Films with British directors.
Main Grids: Crackerjack! presenters; European countries that qualified for the 1998 World Cup.
Auction Grids: Female prime ministers around the world; Shows produced by Gerry Anderson; Parts of the nose.
Final Grid: Films with British directors.
The first main grid on this edition - presenters of Crackerjack! (1955) - would be reused as a main grid in Episode #6.89 (1999).
10 of the 16 answers were the same on both grids: Eamonn Andrews, Michael Aspel, Ronnie Corbett, Leslie Crowther, Jack Douglas, Stu Francis, Peter Glaze, Derek Griffiths, Ed Stewart and Little and Large.
10 of the 16 answers were the same on both grids: Eamonn Andrews, Michael Aspel, Ronnie Corbett, Leslie Crowther, Jack Douglas, Stu Francis, Peter Glaze, Derek Griffiths, Ed Stewart and Little and Large.
