themovieman3000 Balls of Steel has now had two runnings on Friday night Channel 4, its first outing being in August/ September 2005 and its latest effort in February and March 2007.I have to say, this is fun stuff. No matter what people say about how rude or childish it might be, its entertainment at its best, taking much of the idea from hidden camera shows and targeting members of the public.There are several acts, some did not return for Series 2, a shame really and were replaced by people such as The Escapologist and Mr. Inappropriate. It would have been nice if the World's Worst had returned, you may recall the barman and taxi driver jobs were damn funny from the first series.Anyway, there are six acts on each episode and the studio audience vote for a winner although I'm not sure whether their votes really count, because the actual winners are usually not what i would say were the best acts each week.My personal favourites include Neg and his Urban Sports, the Burger Bowl Off and the first series Urban Sprinting were some of the best, then there's Alex Zane and his Game Shows which are bloody hilarious, perhaps some of the first series game shows were the best and for me, 3rd place has to be handed to the Militant Black Guy.There are other decent acts including the Annoying Devil, Olivia Lee's Prank TV and another decent one, by former All Stars singer (a failed band), Thaila Zucchi or something like that - the bunny boiler where she tries to pull other people's boyfriends.Some of the acts do get a little repetitive but I would welcome back another series, perhaps with a few fresh acts, anyday, but they would have to keep Neg, Alex Zane and the Militant Black Guy.Good Fun.

info-4119 This show is a competition of comedians from England for the coveted "Balls of Steel" trophy wherein each contestant tries to outdo the others with audacious acts of insolence on an unsuspecting public. Think Candid Camera meets Jackass. This show will make you belly laugh until the tears stream down your face. Each character is distinctive in their acts and ultimately the spirit of the show is well meaning and innocent in a silly way. Hosted by Mark Dolan, each contestant comes on to a talk show sound stage to set up their act for a live audience and play their filmed clip to be voted on at the end of the show. It features practical jokes, ambush journalism and mind games that titillate the voyeur in all of us to the most hilarious degree.The sensibility is tamer than Jim Rose yet more sophisticated than Just For Laughs Gags, with each comedian adept to a media savvy, telegenic obsessed t.v world.For the risible, curmudgeon or dogmatic idealist, this show is funnier than anything I've seen.

paulhupfield Balls of Steel. Channel 4, 19 August 2005, 22:30, 2 September 2005, 23:05; 16 September 2005, 22:30; 23 September 2005, 22:30.Introduction Balls of Steel was a new late-night comedy series on Channel 4, featuring a number of regular acts performing stunts, either before a studio audience or in pre-recorded items. At the end of each show, the studio audience voted for the most daring and amusing act. The first programme in the series drew 71 complaints, regarding one or more of the following three regular features: "The Pain Men", "The Annoying Devil" and "Neg's Urban Sports". We also received complaints about these features in subsequent editions in the series.Neg's Urban Sports: This feature involved a young man, Neg, inventing and demonstrating new 'sports', involving interaction with members of the public.40 viewers complained about the Urban Sports item in the 19 August 2005 edition, called 'Big Stranger Rodeo', in which Neg jumped on the back of a passer by and stayed on as long as he could before being thrown off. Complainants were concerned about copycat behaviour, making reference to 'happy slapping', and the possibility of assault and injury. Two other "Urban Sports" items later on in the series attracted one complaint each.Response Channel 4 said that it had a tradition of showing challenging late night comedy aimed at a young adult audience and therefore did not believe that the target audience for Balls of Steel would be unduly shocked or upset by the programme or find it offensive. The programme was deliberately scheduled in a late Friday night timeslot, which had historically been the place for alternative comedy and entertainment, eg Ali G, Graham Norton and Bo' Selecta. Warnings were broadcast to flag the show's content, both immediately before the start of the programme and at relevant points within it, so that viewers could make an informed choice about whether or not to watch the programme.Channel 4's specific comments are summarised below: Neg's Urban Sports Channel 4 explained that the people featured in the 'Big Stranger Rodeo' item were set up by their friends. The production team researched them prior to filming and were careful to select people who would take the prank in the spirit that it was intended in and who did not suffer from a condition which might make the stunt harmful for them. All participants were happy to be included in the programme. The presenter warned viewers not to attempt to copy Neg's actions, and the angry reaction of the 'victims' would have underlined the obvious stupidity of repeating this stunt.However, Channel 4 accepted that, with the benefit of hindsight, viewers would have been less likely to have been offended if they had known that the 'victims' had been set up by friends. It had therefore decided that it would provide viewers with appropriate information about similar stunts in future shows to make them aware of the pre-researched and set up element to Neg's sketches.Decision In considering complaints under Section Two (Harm and Offence) of its Broadcasting Code, Ofcom must also have regard to the broadcaster's right to freedom of expression. Moreover, Channel 4 has a specific remit to ensure that its programmes are innovative, experimental and challenging and that its service has a distinctive character. Its programmes are not intended to appeal to all viewers.We welcome the fact that Channel 4 took on board viewers' concerns regarding both the "Annoying Devil" and Neg's "Urban Sports". While the broadcaster had scheduled the show responsibly, that is, well after the watershed, we could understand why some viewers were worried about emulation, in particular "Big Stranger Rodeo", where jumping on the back of a stranger could have unforeseen consequences. Appropriate information explaining that these stunts were to some extent 'set up' would help allay concerns in this regard as well as minimising offence arising as a result of health and safety concerns. In view of the actions taken by Channel 4 in response to Ofcom's inquiries, we consider the complaints regarding the "Annoying Devil" and Neg's "Urban Sports" resolved.

Theo Robertson This show hit the headlines well before it was transmitted due to a prank played on Tom Cruise where he was squirted in the face during a mock interview . Ah you remember seeing that on the news don't you ? Someone playing a prank on Tom Cruise , the same Tom Cruise who is legendary as being a great guy , someone who goes out of his way to meet his fans , someone who bends over backwards for an adoring public and who is recognised as the most sincere , genuine and nicest guy in Hollywood today and someone plays a prank on him . As people picked up on this the question was quickly asked " Why didn't they try that with Russell Crowe ? " After watching a couple of episodes of BALLS OF STEEL the answer is quite simple - The jokers are total and absolute cowardly spivsThe format is almost identical to JACKASS, TRIGGER HAPPY TV and BEADLE'S ABOUT except that presenter Mark Dolan comes out with laughable hyperbole that " Britain's rising comedy stars put their arse on the line for your entertainment " , laughable because none of the people on the show are any kind of " rising star " of comedy or anything else , while " entertainment " should come under the trades description act but most laughable of all is the claim that anyone put " their arse on the line " because: THIS SHOW IS 100% STAGED - IT'S TOTALLY FAKE The producers will deny this of course thereby insulting the public even more but it's very easy to see through this charade . Someone invents a new game called " human rodeo " where a man jumps on the backs of passers by . If you want to give it a name I think " Assualt " would be a better title . Strange that no one caught up in this game thinks of calling the police or giving their assailant a bloody good kicking . There's also another game called " Urban sprint " where a man goes out of a shop with a tag that causes the alarms to go off and he's pursued by security men who strangely never catch him and the game ends with the man running into a fast food joint and telling the staff to " Give me a f--ckin' cup of coffee you f--kers " Are we to honestly believe that these sequences are genuine ? Of course their not . Shops and fast food joints in shopping malls would only be too happy to see Channel 4 approach them asking if they'd like to take part in " a dangerous stunt show " since it gives them free publicity . It's the same with members of the public who happy with a few seconds of fame agree to let a man jump on their back , or take them on a dodgy taxi ride or allow a hot brunette to chat up their boyfriend . These victims are in on the joke and for the producers of this unfunny POS to claim that they're not is a blatant lie One of the most insulting television shows to have been produced . Hopefully the " stars " of this crap will never be seen again