From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Argumental
Format	Panel game
Created by	Ricky Kelehar
Directed by	Ian Lorimer Geraldine Dowd
Presented by	John Sergeant
Starring	Marcus Brigstocke Rufus Hound
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Language(s)	English
No. of series	3
No. of episodes	33 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Gary Chippington Clive Tulloh
Producer(s)	David Taylor Dominic English
Editor(s)	Steve Andrews Tim Ellison Jamie Shemeld Damon Tai
Location(s)	The London Studios
Running time	30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	Dave
Original run	October 27, 2008 (2008-10-27) – present
Chronology
Related shows	Have I Got News for You Mock the Week The News Quiz
External links
Official website

Argumental (or working title Whose Side Are You On?) is a British improvised comedy panel game in which two teams captained by Marcus Brigstocke and Rufus Hound debate and argue on various topics. John Sergeant hosts the game. It is made by independent production company Tiger Aspect Productions for Dave and made its début on 27 October 2008.^[1] Two series have aired and four episodes from the second series have aired on BBC Two,^[2] beginning on 22 November 2009. A third series started on the 2nd of February at 10:20pm on Dave.

Participants

The programme is chaired by journalist John Sergeant whose post-journalistic career at the time the series began was on the rise in part to his appearance on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. He is joined by team captains Marcus Brigstocke, the host of The Late Edition, and comedian Rufus Hound. Each team captain is accompanied by a guest panellist who have included Jimmy Carr, Sue Perkins, Reginald D. Hunter, Phill Jupitus, Charlie Higson, Johnny Vegas, Lucy Porter, Dara Ó Briain, Sean Lock and Frankie Boyle.^[3]

Format

Each episode comprises a series of rounds in which each team takes its turn debating a variety of topics, whilst also trying to be amusing. Topics have included: 'recycling is a waste of time' and 'the Royal Family serve no purpose'. After each round the team members often make humorous observations about what has just been said, before the studio audience votes for who they thought put forward the best case. Voting is done by holding up a red or blue paddle to vote for the red or blue team respectively. The votes are tallied before the winner of the round is decided.

Rounds

Classic debate

A representative from each team takes their turn to argue for or against a given motion, respectively. After the main arguments have been put forward the teams are invited to discuss the subject further to reinforce their team's argument or attack their opponent's.

Visual aids

Team members try to argue over a topic while incorporating pictures from a slideshow that they have never seen before into their case.

Flip-flop

Each team is given a different topic to argue about in this round. The team representative must argue for the motion until a buzzer sounds at which point they must argue against the motion. The contestant continues to alternate between for and against until the end of round buzzer is sounded. This round does not appear in every episode.

Popular Culture round

In series one, this round was similar to the 'classic debate' round except the topic involves a famous person or celebrity. The person being debated was represented by a life sized cut-out placed in the centre of the performance stage. Past celebrities have included Piers Morgan, Victoria Beckham, Amy Winehouse, Wayne and Coleen Rooney, Simon Cowell and Jeremy Kyle.

Since series two, this round has not only feature cardboard cut-outs. In some episodes, real-life people (e.g. a body builder) comes on stage instead.

Final Picture round

This round doesn't involve any arguing per se, alternatively contestants are shown pictures for which they must invent a motion to suit. Unlike the other rounds, both teams remain seated throughout.

Episodes

Guest appearances

The following have appeared on the show as a guest (up to March 9, 2010).

References

External links

• Argumental series 1 at Dave
• Argumental series 2 at Dave
• Argumental at the Internet Movie Database
• Argumental at TV.com
• Argumental at the British Comedy Guide
• Argumental at UKGameshows.com