Watch My New Best Friend

My New Best Friend was a hidden camera comedy show that aired on Channel 4 in 2003. The show starred British comedian and actor Marc Wootton, who played a variety of characters to prank unsuspecting members of the public. The premise of the show was that Wootton would befriend someone and then manipulate them into doing increasingly ridiculous and embarrassing things. The show was filmed using hidden cameras, so the unwitting participants had no idea that they were being pranked.

Each episode of My New Best Friend followed a similar format. Wootton would choose his target and then create a persona that he thought would be most likely to win their trust. He would then spend time with them, building up a relationship and getting them to reveal personal information about themselves.

Once he had gained their trust, Wootton would begin to make requests of his new friend that were designed to be absurd or humiliating. For example, he might persuade them to sing a song in public or wear a ridiculous outfit. The show was notable for the lengths that Wootton would go to in order to get his victims to comply with his requests. He was unrelenting in his pursuit of a funny moment, and would often ignore the discomfort of his friend in order to get the reaction he wanted.

Despite the fact that My New Best Friend was a hidden camera show, it was not always clear whether the participants were in on the joke or not. Wootton was a master of disguise, and would often present himself as a series of different characters in order to keep his target guessing. As a result, some of the participants seemed genuinely shocked and horrified by the things that they were asked to do.

Wootton's characters were all distinct and entertaining in their own way. One of his most memorable creations was Gary Garner, a sleazy nightclub owner who would often try to seduce his targets. Another popular character was Brendan Allen, a hapless loser who was perpetually failing to make a success of his life.

Despite the often outrageous nature of the pranks, My New Best Friend never felt mean-spirited. Wootton was always quick to reveal the truth to his victims and would often engage in a friendly chat with them after the prank was over. He seemed genuinely amused by the situations that he was putting people in, but never seemed to want to hurt their feelings.

One of the most interesting aspects of My New Best Friend was the way that it blurred the line between reality and fiction. Wootton's characters were often so convincing that it was hard to know where the performance ended and the genuine personality began. This gave the show a unique edge, as viewers were never quite sure whether what they were watching was real or not.

Overall, My New Best Friend was a hilarious and innovative comedy show that pushed the boundaries of what was possible on British television. Marc Wootton was a master of his craft, and his ability to transform himself into a variety of different characters was truly remarkable. Despite the fact that the show is now almost 20 years old, it remains a classic of the genre and a must-watch for anyone who loves hidden camera comedy.