Better known for voicing Shrek and creating Austin Powers, comedian Mike Myers creates another Brit Tommy Maitland in the ABC network revival of The Gong Show. Shown here with a furry act, Myers/Maitland is the flamboyant host of the series, strutting on stage each episode wearing a matador’s hat to the punchy notes of a killer band.
While non-existent, Tommy Maitland is reportedly a beloved 72-year-old British comedian with a long history of career successes. A small British flag and a picture of a younger Queen Elizabeth adorn a table on the set. Performing in deep makeup, Myers as Maitland presents and champions each act before sending them off for a “nice cup of tea” and another reward which varies. The “presenter” frequently mimics or mocks each act with props and exaggerated expressions during their performance.
This inner joke within a spoof can be quite a hoot, or Snax the Rabbit as the case may be. And by the way, the proper reply to the question of “Who’s a cheeky monkey?” is a resounding response of, “YOU ARE!”
And in closing, we pose the questions:
…Isn’t Snax a great name for a rabbit?
…Aren’t we all Cheeky Monkeys, at least some of the time?
FOXSYLVANIA 