Bullseye 2024

Year 2024
Jamie Rea: Producer
John Patrick: Music
Freddie Flintoff: Presenter
Luke Littler: Professional Guest
Richard Ashdown: Scorer
Dom Robinson: Scorer

Introduction to Bullseye

Bullseye is a darts based light entertainment show screened on ITV from 1981 through to 1994. ITV have produced specials in various formats since the series ended the latest being the Christmas 2024 Bullseye special hosted by Freddie Flintoff.

Hedgehog reader Ant G has sent us a review of the revamped 80’s TV classic . Enjoy…

Warning Spoilers

Opening credits

Let’s start with the opening credits. In the original series, the cartoon introduction told the story of darts players leaving the Village Pub (The Bullseye) and venturing, by coach to the studio, all in 36 seconds. Presuming that the audience has no clue, or doesn’t care, ITV simply goes for a snippet of the theme tune overlaid on top of live audience applause . I felt the new credits were way too short - I blinked and missed them. Having the whole of the opening theme tune played is what made the show a household name.
ITV - Don’t shorten it!!!

The contestants

Next, introducing the contestants. Glad there were no politically incorrect Jim Bowen insults here, but you could tell Freddie is not a natural interviewer. The introductions were quite short, and we didn’t really get to know much about the contestants who all seamed to have been picked from the North of England. .

The first round – The category board.

I thought this round was particularly good, although I was hoping the iconic podium (from which the questions used to be taken) would return, instead we had Freddie holding the cards.

The only disappointing part,(this may seem harsh) was that a team of contestants was not eliminated at the end of this round.

The second round – Pounds for Points.

This round started well, but carrying all three teams into this round made it feel a lot longer than it was.

The audience participation was great, I liked the way they tried to engage the audience and bring some of that professional darts area atmosphere to the show. The last part of this round was, let’s say unfair - bringing a pro darts player in to throw the darts, and then have the team who couldn’t score over 12, get the question correct and win was a miscarriage of justice in my view.

Charity Interlude

Continuing the show’s tradition of having a round that not only entertains, but raises money for charity, the 2024 revival drops the old 9-dart challenge in favour of a newly designed segment called ‘Throwing for Charity.’

This was in my view the best change of the new series.

Getting the pro darts player - Luke Littler and Freddie to go around the board in number order, with alternative throws of 3 darts until they reach the bullseye within a time frame, was a lot more entertaining than the pro just throwing 9 darts. Especially as the professional could only hit doubles or triples, and the pressure got to him!

Well done to whoever came up with this.

The Prize Board

I thought this was a very good part of the show, again with Luke Littler helping out. I hope this was only done as a special moment for the Christmas special, and if there is a series commissioned, then the pro should be restricted to the throwing for charity round.

The Final Round

Bully’s Special Prize. I was half expecting another appearance from Luke Littler, but he was not brought back on. Looks as if he was there to help only one team and this felt odd. The winning team decided not to ‘Gamble’ and left with their winnings. This gave the second place couple a chance at the prize.

Unfortunately, they didn’t win, but who wants an electric car anyway?! plus it gave Freddie a chance to say the iconic line “Look at what you could have won!”

Bullseye: Overall Thoughts

Overall, Freddie started off nervous, but grew into the role as the show went on. There was canned laughter from time to time, but this didn’t affect my enjoyment of watching Bullseye. I think the audience participation similar to the Darts League was great. I am also glad they got rid of that 3 spinning board rubbish they had in the Alan Carr reboot. As mentioned earlier, if there is a series, they should limit the pro darts player to just the charity round and not upstage the contestants in other rounds. Although keep the charity round to throwing round the board, as in this show. One final item to note is that I don’t know how much editing was done when Freddie hit the bullseye twice in the show, I hope none, but you never know unless you were there. I definitely think Freddie should host a series, how well it will do – who knows, but I for one, am glad to see him, and Bullseye, back on screen.

The Silver Hedgehog Rating: 4 'Recommended'

Super Smashing Great
🦔🦔🦔🦔


I for one, am glad to see him, and Bullseye, back on screen.

Words Ant G
Editor JJ
Editor Garry Llewellyn

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