SpecialsTarget Disturbing yet enthralling

SincereFinest disgusting, overrated, pointless

WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

themovieman3000 Balls of Steel has now had two runnings on Friday night Channel 4, its first outing being in August/ September 2005 and its latest effort in February and March 2007.I have to say, this is fun stuff. No matter what people say about how rude or childish it might be, its entertainment at its best, taking much of the idea from hidden camera shows and targeting members of the public.There are several acts, some did not return for Series 2, a shame really and were replaced by people such as The Escapologist and Mr. Inappropriate. It would have been nice if the World's Worst had returned, you may recall the barman and taxi driver jobs were damn funny from the first series.Anyway, there are six acts on each episode and the studio audience vote for a winner although I'm not sure whether their votes really count, because the actual winners are usually not what i would say were the best acts each week.My personal favourites include Neg and his Urban Sports, the Burger Bowl Off and the first series Urban Sprinting were some of the best, then there's Alex Zane and his Game Shows which are bloody hilarious, perhaps some of the first series game shows were the best and for me, 3rd place has to be handed to the Militant Black Guy.There are other decent acts including the Annoying Devil, Olivia Lee's Prank TV and another decent one, by former All Stars singer (a failed band), Thaila Zucchi or something like that - the bunny boiler where she tries to pull other people's boyfriends.Some of the acts do get a little repetitive but I would welcome back another series, perhaps with a few fresh acts, anyday, but they would have to keep Neg, Alex Zane and the Militant Black Guy.Good Fun.

paulhupfield Balls of Steel. Channel 4, 19 August 2005, 22:30, 2 September 2005, 23:05; 16 September 2005, 22:30; 23 September 2005, 22:30.Introduction Balls of Steel was a new late-night comedy series on Channel 4, featuring a number of regular acts performing stunts, either before a studio audience or in pre-recorded items. At the end of each show, the studio audience voted for the most daring and amusing act. The first programme in the series drew 71 complaints, regarding one or more of the following three regular features: "The Pain Men", "The Annoying Devil" and "Neg's Urban Sports". We also received complaints about these features in subsequent editions in the series.Neg's Urban Sports: This feature involved a young man, Neg, inventing and demonstrating new 'sports', involving interaction with members of the public.40 viewers complained about the Urban Sports item in the 19 August 2005 edition, called 'Big Stranger Rodeo', in which Neg jumped on the back of a passer by and stayed on as long as he could before being thrown off. Complainants were concerned about copycat behaviour, making reference to 'happy slapping', and the possibility of assault and injury. Two other "Urban Sports" items later on in the series attracted one complaint each.Response Channel 4 said that it had a tradition of showing challenging late night comedy aimed at a young adult audience and therefore did not believe that the target audience for Balls of Steel would be unduly shocked or upset by the programme or find it offensive. The programme was deliberately scheduled in a late Friday night timeslot, which had historically been the place for alternative comedy and entertainment, eg Ali G, Graham Norton and Bo' Selecta. Warnings were broadcast to flag the show's content, both immediately before the start of the programme and at relevant points within it, so that viewers could make an informed choice about whether or not to watch the programme.Channel 4's specific comments are summarised below: Neg's Urban Sports Channel 4 explained that the people featured in the 'Big Stranger Rodeo' item were set up by their friends. The production team researched them prior to filming and were careful to select people who would take the prank in the spirit that it was intended in and who did not suffer from a condition which might make the stunt harmful for them. All participants were happy to be included in the programme. The presenter warned viewers not to attempt to copy Neg's actions, and the angry reaction of the 'victims' would have underlined the obvious stupidity of repeating this stunt.However, Channel 4 accepted that, with the benefit of hindsight, viewers would have been less likely to have been offended if they had known that the 'victims' had been set up by friends. It had therefore decided that it would provide viewers with appropriate information about similar stunts in future shows to make them aware of the pre-researched and set up element to Neg's sketches.Decision In considering complaints under Section Two (Harm and Offence) of its Broadcasting Code, Ofcom must also have regard to the broadcaster's right to freedom of expression. Moreover, Channel 4 has a specific remit to ensure that its programmes are innovative, experimental and challenging and that its service has a distinctive character. Its programmes are not intended to appeal to all viewers.We welcome the fact that Channel 4 took on board viewers' concerns regarding both the "Annoying Devil" and Neg's "Urban Sports". While the broadcaster had scheduled the show responsibly, that is, well after the watershed, we could understand why some viewers were worried about emulation, in particular "Big Stranger Rodeo", where jumping on the back of a stranger could have unforeseen consequences. Appropriate information explaining that these stunts were to some extent 'set up' would help allay concerns in this regard as well as minimising offence arising as a result of health and safety concerns. In view of the actions taken by Channel 4 in response to Ofcom's inquiries, we consider the complaints regarding the "Annoying Devil" and Neg's "Urban Sports" resolved.

Jackson Booth-Millard I thought I had seen a lot of idiotic stunt work in Jackass, but I was wrong! Basically Mark Dolan hosts a talent show for twelve new comedians, six chosen every week to each perform an act of stunt work in front of the public, and the audience choose the winner who has the best Balls of Steel. Memorable comedians have included The Annoying Devil (Jason Attar, replaced by Barrie Hall), Alex Zane, Neg (Dupree), The Big Gay Following (Eric Page), Toju (Okorodudu) The Militant Black Guy, The Pain Men (Dirty Sanchez's Matthew Pritchard and Mike "Pancho" Locke), Olivia Lee, The Bunny Boiler (Thaila Zucchi), Mr. Inappropriate (Tim Shaw), (Meet) The F***ers (Tony Parsons, Kelly Burgess), Randy Campbell (Chris Stapp) and Dick Johansonson and The Man Tester (Dawn Porter). It was number 74 (for Olivia Lee's moments), and number 29 for Alex Zane's Cleverness Game on The 100 Greatest Funny Moments. Very good!

vischebaste (and I have a mortal fear of open heart surgery) A handful of comedy wannabes try to make a name for themselves by outdoing each other in sub-Beadle style pranks. One wannabe interviews celebrities and semi-celebrities with a dildo instead of a microphone. Another wannabe pretends to steal things from shops and then runs away from the pursuing security guards while shouting "come on, fatty!" at them. Another wannabe seduces people's boyfriends on a beach. Another one gets into taxis and does something. A couple of people staple themselves to things. There may have been some other wannabes involved, but I'd begun channel flipping by the point they would have appeared. Mark Dolan (poor man's Clive Anderson) - who was slightly funny in "The Richard Taylor Interviews" - will obviously do anything to reappear on television, regardless of its quality. Please don't watch this - you'll only encourage them.