Series synopsis
Distraction is an American reality television series that premiered on Channel 4 on October 31, 2003. It ended on December 29, 2010. It stars Jimmy Carr.
Distraction is a game show that aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom from 31 October 2003 to 11 June 2004. Presented by comedian Jimmy Carr, the show involves contestants answering questions while being distracted in various bizarre, painful and humiliating ways.
Carr is aided by "distractors", who as the name suggests, attempt to distract the contestants painfully or emotionally. Examples include losing contestants, nudists, creepy carny guys, tattoo/piercing experts, professional wrestler ...
Premise
Distraction is a game show that aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom from 31 October 2003 to 11 June 2004. Presented by comedian Jimmy Carr, the show involves contestants answering questions while being distracted in various bizarre, painful and humiliating ways.
Carr is aided by "distractors", who as the name suggests, attempt to distract the contestants painfully or emotionally. Examples include losing contestants, nudists, creepy carny guys, tattoo/piercing experts, professional wrestlers, midgets, Roller Derby girls, professional hockey players, professional volleyball players, paintball players, and a large bouncer-type male nicknamed "Tiny". Occasionally, a number of female assistants helped with some of the distractions; depending on the stunt being played, they could be referred to as "Jimmy's interns", "farmer girls", "schoolgirls" or "ammo ladies."
A quiz book, featuring most of the distractions seen on the show, was released by Carlton Books in late 2004.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 26 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 12 | October 8, 2010 | October 15, 2010 |
| Season 2 | 14 | December 25, 2010 | December 29, 2010 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 In the opening show, the four volunteers must avoid being distracted by a food cannon - and by the dubious antics of several middle-aged nudes. |
October 8, 2010 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Can four contestants rise above distraction caused by bubble machines, mousetrap buzzers and some unusual piercings? |
October 8, 2010 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Jimmy Carr hosts a game show that tests the contestants' physical endurance and mental strength with a host of fiendish challenges. |
October 9, 2010 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 The contestants face the food cannon, witness a 15-strong parade of middle-aged nudes and have to save their prize money before it's toast. |
December 25, 2010 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Four intrepid contestants are distracted by mousetrap buzzers, bubble machines and piercings on their way to a (car) smashing finale. |
December 26, 2010 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 A peg-face treatment, electrocution and the Golden Shots all feature in this shocking episode. |
December 27, 2010 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Channel 4 |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 31, 2003 |
| Last aired | December 29, 2010 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | Ended |