Johnny Vaughan appeared when the UK audience were not wise to the public-schoolboy-with-mockney-accent media-type. Far from a Nathan Barley figure, however, his enthusiasm lit up the screen.
He would perform three movie synopses - also introducing the members of the public who made up a particular week's reviewer panel (they did the reviewing, the presenter's opinion didn't matter, which was more useful to your hard-earned-cash-bon-voyaging punter) and a feature on a movie genre or aspect of the industry. Later Laurie Pike, the lapis-lazuli-eyed redhead from the same Channel's 'Manhattan Cable' show presented US reports.
Memorable episodes include one where Johnny Vaughan let Steven Seagal show just how much of a self important anus he really is, answering one of Johnny's questions by audibly breaking wind. A show devoted to 'Jurassic Park' went to Spielberg's mom's 'Milky Way Cafe' to interview her, gave a potted filmography of Spielberg and a how-to guide to making a tinpot budget Spielberg movie.
The show reflected the nineties mainstream movie trends, but was also one of the first TV film shows to praise Tarantino and John Waters. Vaughan works best with either a knowing studio crew or on his own - something his post-Big Breakfast bosses never sussed - and he shone in this vehicle. If Vaughan had the kajangas he'd revive it and moor up opposite the anti-Vaughan, Jonathan Ross, in the Channel 4 schedules.
