Rockbusters

designed by Pilkipedia's Dr Funke

Rockbusters was conceived by Karl Pilkington and was played on Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's long running Xfm radio show in between 2002-2005. It was brought back in 2006 as part of The Ricky Gervais Show podcast.

It debuted on 12 October 2002 as a phone-in but converted to an e-mail competition the following week. Despite its titular pun, the game has very little in common with Blockbusters. It is played by Karl giving three clues, which he considers "cryptic" but are in reality convoluted colloquialisms which often depend on the answer being mispronounced. Steve once aptly referred to them as "craptic" clues. Along with the "clue", Karl includes the initials of the answer. The winners of Rockbusters would win a selection of prizes known simply as the usual tat.

History

Details of previous Rockbusters competitions:

12 October 2002

This young man prepared for his death (WY) = Will Young
Better than the average homeless person (S) = Supertramp
The little girl is hungry; what shall we do? (F) = Feeder
Exploding pet (AK) = Atomic Kitten

19 October 2002

I'll take that book to the toilet with me (LR) = Lou Reed
Blow the candles out before you eat the cake (FL) = Flaming Lips
How can I wash up in something shaped like that? (NS) = N-Sync

26 October 2002

At the moment I'm in a river full of logs (JT) = Justin Timberlake
That lad's got bad asthma (W) = Weezer
I saw that Mousetrap the other night, but the heating was knackered (C) = Coldplay

02 November 2002

I don't like them girls; they shouldn't be allowed in this area (B) = The Bangles
He doesn't like women, yet he's got a couple of kids. That's a bit weird. (PD) = Puff Daddy
That bloke who does sport on telly, he's got a little kid (DC) = Destiny's Child

09 November 2002

That army has got some well nice trenches (DW) = Dandy Warhols
The top of them curtains are wrecked; all the material's worn (HV) = Holly Valance
I was in Texas, I landed on my knees in a puddle (WH) = Whitney Houston

16 November 2002

The fella has only got one badge left (E) = Elastica
The unmarried lady is a friend I eat out with (MD) = Ms Dynamite
I really really love that woman. I love everything she does (M) = Madonna

23 November 2002

from Karls Mum...

This group would be good at doing your hair (TP) = The Platters
This group sound like dinosaurs (TR) = T.Rex
This group like to be by the sand and the sea (TBB) = The Beach Boys
This guy sounds soup-perb (GC) = Glen Campbell

and the official ones...

Stop throwing that fruit about (CB) = Chuck Berry
That Scottish fella has made an error (M) = Mistique
God, you can make a right load of toast with them (G) = Gorillaz

30 November 2002

from Karls Mum...

This group are nice on toast = The Jam
This man liked his wine = Dean Martin
Hope you're not speeding when you meet these = The Police
Sounds like these lads work for the hospital = Gerry and the Pacemakers

and the official ones...

You've been dunking that for too long (LB) = Limp Bizkit
You won't be able to play that game in this pub. The table 'aint big enough (FD) = Fats Domino
Well, I've had a rubbish day so I'm happy it's over (GK) = Gladys Knight

7 December 2002

That'll never get off the ground (LZ) = Led Zeppelin
That womans got her husbands gloves and a pair of her own (HH) = Hermans Hermits
You'll get a load of bacon off them (L) = Longpigs

21 December 2002

There's a load of letters there asking for advice. Put them on Clares desk. Oh and, er, have a good Christmas (F) = Foreigner
Ask your Mum if you should after you've wrapped the presents (S) = Shalamar
A couple of people were arguing in the supermarket at the fruit and veg counter but it's busy in there 'cause it's Christmas and that's probably what brought it on (B) = Bananadrama

28 December 2002

This was a "best-of" episode - the Rockbusters were taken from the show that aired on 09 November 2002

04 January 2003

42 pounds for a torch? That's a bit pricey (D) = Deee-Lite
He'll fit some chocolate to your feet (A) = Aerosmith
Do you think your kid will get that strawberry for me? (WP) = Wilson Picket

11 January 2003

Don't argue with him. He aint gonna change his mind (AA) = Adam Ant
He always gets what he wants and doesn't worry about anyone else (P) = Pixies
I'll have to put that woman in the oven (AB) = Anita Baker

14 June 2003

He's got American coins all the way down his spine. (N) = Nickelback
Jeremy Beadle has got arthritis. What's going on there? (SLF) = Stiff Little Fingers
Foxy, Shipman and some country and western singer on a merry go round (SD) = Spin Doctors

21 June 2003

If you're going to France, you might as well buy your fags on the boat because you'll get 'em a lot cheaper. (BF) = Bryan Ferry
There's a little foreign cafe that's growing its own steak. (D) = Del Amitri
If there was a Jamaican fella on the Titanic, he might have screamed this. (CD) = Chris DeBerg

28 June 2003

The doctor said part of the foot and the leg was no good, so he took 'em off and threw 'em away. (TB) = Tony Bennett
The Scottish monster has got a bit of a tan. (TD) = The Darkness
Well, the 60's singer had a heart attack whilst he was 'avin it away. We won't be seeing him again. (FNM) = Faith No More

05 July 2003

All the police cars are on fire. (BS) = Blazing Squad
The director of "28 Days Later" is shouting about sleeping outside. (DB) = Daniel Beddingfield
He wants to be a sailor. Why is that? (B) = Beyonce

08 November 2003

That Teletubby has got lice. (TP) = The Police

(Karl messed up this clue. It was supposed to be "That Teletubby has got nits.")

I'm saving that money to buy condoms. (JC) = Johnny Cash
When you're making bread, add a bit of color for a change. (D) = Dido

15 November 2003

If you go to Chepstow you will. (S) = Seahorses
ET's upset. What's up with him? (ME) = Missy Elliot
I had a tape with Humpty Dumpty and Hickory Dickory Dock on it, but I broke it. (BR) = Busta Rhymes

22 November 2003

I'm going to the northeast. Why am I doing that? (S) = Seal
She's related to the man in the lamp. (G) = Genesis
The Jamaican fella would love to live there, but it's a bit pricey. (DS) = Dire Straits