RYAN Sampson may be a recognised face on our TV screens – but he has no qualms about taking the micky out of the industry that employs him.
The star of hit BBC sitcom Plebs is back tonight with a brand new series, Glitchy, which parodies much loved and recognisable television shows with efforts such as Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Hand Model, 24 Hours in A Phone Box and Date My Daughter.
Sampson and a raft of up-and-coming comics rope the public into taking part in these bizarre formats, being embarrassed by phone competitions and shady characters – including unwelcome encounters with Mezmo, a petty thief-turned-creepy street magician.
And Sampson, 29, revealed to The Sun that he finds TV a bit boring today, and that wanted to create a fast-paced sketch show with “a little more bite”.
He said: “What the hell is going on with TV? It’s become boring and too safe. You can see the hand of producer so clearly in things like the X Factor and Towie, so it’s about time someone burst that bubble a little bit.
“I don’t care if people think I am biting the hand that feeds me – I think they’ll see it as a wry nudge to say ‘don’t take yourself too seriously’.
“I’m a trash TV addict. I like women who batter people until they cry, huge characters who present shows such as Tyra Banks, who if you meet in real life will be absolute monsters.
“I’ve met a few in the industry who you think, ‘I can’t believe you’re a real person stood in front of me’.
“Apart from the likes of Charlie Brooker and Brass Eye, why aren’t we seeing more meta television that is poking fun at itself?’”
Sampson deliberately created characters with “deep personality flaws,” but also admits to relishing having a platform that he can show off on, after playing dim-witted slave Grumio in Plebs, which is currently in filming for its third series.
He added: “You’ve got to have a show off every now and then. I would want to see actor go as far as possible and get away with it in the real world.
“I’ve made this for me, to laugh at people. I find it funny and I hope others do. I’ve created monstrous people – and I just get to selfishly go about wearing wigs!”
The first episode of Glitchy is on ITV2 tonight at 10pm.