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Fonejack/ v. 1. to seize control of a telephone conversation by farce esp. to divert it from reason and logic
Fonejacker is a BAFTA award-winning British comedy programme broadcast on Channel 4 featuring a series of prank calls involving a number of different characters performed by Kayvan Novak. It first appeared in May 2006, although it did not become a full series until 2007.
The show is based around a Mysterious Malevolent Masked Man known only as the Fonejacker (Kayvan Novak), and the numerous prank calls he makes, under the guise of various characters in attempts to confuse or annoy unsuspecting members of the public.
The show entered its third series under the name "Facejacker" and with a different format: instead of making prank calls The Fonejacker adopts various disguises, in a similar manner to Da Ali G Show.
This series provides examples of:
- Absurd Brand Name: Some of the companies Mike calls from, such as Lube Up Your Butthole and Dance the Fandango Entertainment Services Ltd.
- Acronyms Are Easy as Aybeecee: Mr Doovdé struggles with acronyms. In one call, he goes from "Pʊk World" (the retail chain PC World) to "Picicsé World".
- B-Roll Rebus: Most of the calls are presented using static images as visual gags.
- Bears Are Bad News: Vishka! Vishkofski! And his amazing dancing bear!
- Candid Camera Prank: Of the phone scam variety.
- Comically Small Bribe: Most of George's scam attempts involve this, and he insists on using the victim's bank account details to transfer £82.57.
- Dictionary Opening: Using the quote at the top of this page.
- Early-Installment Weirdness: In the pilot, the Fonejacker wears a plain black woolen mask instead of the red bobble-hat that would become his trademark.
- Fauxtivational Poster: Mr Broadbandings' manager has a poster in his office saying "The customer is not right, he is talking bloody bollocks."
- For Inconvenience, Press "1": The Flatline. Later, Moira's Fish and Chips.
- One character thinks the cinema chain Odeon's telephone line is this, but he's actually gotten through to a real person.
- Funny Foreigner: Mr Doovdé, George Agdgdgwngo, the Chinese DVD Gang, Vishka Vishkofski, Mr Broadbandings... most of the characters.
- Mad Libs Dialogue: The Fonejacker imitates the stilted cadence of automated telephone systems in the flatline/ticketline calls.
- Operator from India: The Internet/Mobile Network/Relationship/Fish and Chips Service Providings man.
- The Unpronounceable: Agdgdgwngo.