Bob Downe - FIREBALL XL5 (TV Theme, 1996)

[hezaen]

Tenia 5 anhios (years) cuando veia esta serie en blanco y negro y sin traduccion en Peru. Muchos recuerdos. El 2012 va a cumplir 50 anhios(years).

[paulemt91]

lol nice job, Bob

[jmen4ever]

Boy, this is something! one either loves it or hates it greatly! I like it.

[Nefarioso]

Leslie Nielsen would've liked it.

[FoxPlant2006]

There's a fine line between tribute and satire. This jumps the shark.

[bobdowne4real]

And that fine line is just where I like to dance lightly along.

[SovereignStatesman]

@FoxPlant2006

In this case, that "fine line" is the Great Wall of China. This is insulting mockery.

[FoxPlant2006]

This guy is obviously insulting the song and the show.

[bobdowne4real]

And who are you - the freakin' Taliban?

[iowa61]

@bobdowne4real The Taliban watching an episode of Fireball XL-5... Would love to see that bent scene...

[darvinion]

@FoxPlant2006

Nonsense! I think it's a very amusing tribute to the song....and the series. :-)

[flippinecc]

If only all drugs worked like that.

[finalmind]

Bob your freaking hilarious!!... met you at the Hats Off '11 ..Fantastic!! lololol

[ziggycat2008]

i was in second grade when fireball xL5 came out.loved that show and the song is great

[billyshoepack]

reminds me of louie spence somewhat XD

[saikyoryu]

The song's catchy, but the guy singing it reminds me so much of the lead singer from the B-52's. BTW, what happened to Nick at Nite? It's fallen apart so badly over the last 10 years or so.

[joeblowthehot]

cute and funny

[leesagrrl]

I LOVE this song! (The original is so much better)

I was in a band that did a cool punkish version. I heard that XTC did it too!

I may be wrong but I think the lyrics are "I'd fly you 'round the Universe..." and "...conquerers of the stars."

[Janeblueheaven7]

F*cking hilarious!

[mavericstud]

The gay Steve Zodiac

[gojira2006]

Bob Downe is so funny . . . !

[Starman117]

What aliens are the band supposed to be? The one on the left looks likea bit like a Klingon but I can't see the others very clearly.

Awesome cover as well.

[NZ1J]

Great

[Sarahfreckle]

Sacriledge!

[M35kriegsmarine]

Not only was this highly amusing and very entertaining, but he also did a pretty good version of this classic song from a classic show. Well done! Long live FIREBALL XL5. Cheers, Marc

[DollyAU]

I am here because of you Bob I adore you :)

[eusebius65]

I always thought that Bob was more a Captain Scarlet kinda guy....cool vid

[leoseries]

Bob Downe? Is he a relative of Ben Dover ?

[YEP321S]

If you mean the Ben Dover character of traditional american Vaudeville, I'd definitely agree. 8)

[YEP321S]

Even has the Lounge Lizard croon down to a 'T' from the original theme. ^_^

[igotbored44]

imagine the horror of being locked in a room with that guy O_o

[bobdowne4real]

The feeling would be mutual darling.

[igotbored44]

Aw no, no no no no no no, it will not be. It would be suicidle.

[happymundo]

@igotbored44 ...funny

[mcflurey667]

@igotbored44 hahahaha ! rofl

[ManiaCop100]

class!!!

[SuperMansBFF]

This is also one of "Coast 2 Coast AM" songs they play during the break, good song

[AnnaProphetess]

I'm here because of Craig Ferguson!

LOL

[kosicekat]

Me too! :)

[skaterdavid]

hahahahhaaha me too

[KommieKillah]

Me too. GOD BLESS CRAIG. I hope he takes Letterman's spot when he retires.

[bobdowne4real]

I luv Craig too - but I'm wondering why you guys are here cos of him?

[BenoitDery]

Because he started one of his shows with him lip-syncing to this song a couple months ago.

[bobdowne4real]

Schweeeet! ;-)

[jmessy007]

Classic! :) GREAT POST! :D

[tonymontana1974]

Is this the fella whos in "summer heights high" im sure i recognize him from somewhere.

[bobdowne4real]

I'm actually in KATH & KIM - as 'Darryl' the menswear salesman. When I'm not being Bob that is!!

[kpuc1973]

Isn't Kath & Kim a documentary? They seem exactly like most sheilas I know.

[siypic]

PRISCILLA .... Queen of the .. er universe .. is it not

[seasa42]

I LOVE BOB DOWNE!.

Don't know if you remember me Mark, Sa, the costumer from the Reduced Shakes.

Nice to see you all over the Tube.

[KURDYPEIN]

This is my new favourite video! Priceless.  Best! Kirsty

[snert13]

What the fuck is this ..and who is that loon

[bobdowne4real]

Thinkin the same thing about YOU!

[kpuc1973]

he's australian and wears a safari suit, steve irwin's evil twin i suspect. or perhaps i just made that up

[bobdowne4real]

I prefer to think of myself as Bindi Irwin's mad gay uncle.

[kpuc1973]

I'm sorry to hear you're no good at football

[Starman117]

Are some of the guys at 1.20 meant to be klingons? Is hard to tell cause of the quality lol.

[gerdenshed]

Excellent my friend 5*s from me :-)

Mark...

[ind347]

That was great!

[mikec32001]

Don Spencer eat yer heart out! Well done Bob - superb stuff.

[bobdowne4real]

They asked me to sing it - and Niels Shurmanns the director/producer (where are you Niels??) came up with the visual ideas... Brilliant!

[v1ralman]

Did you thought of singing this song on Nick At Nite or did they ask you to sing this?

[CYRAPHYM]

Free speech right? It's a mockery to the show but, that's what 'comedy' is all about. Pz

[PandemicStrike]

Is that Steve ducie from Fox and Friends?

[bobdowne4real]

Well, I am ALMOST as big a queen as he is!! ;-) hehe lol

[YakkSoho]

Him dancing with Venus is hilarious :)

[dareman1]

Quite silly.

[fireblade95]

yo bob! any chance of you doing the full version?

[seevee1969]

Bob's hair straight from Gerry Anderson's workshop

[glasper985]

Not gay at all... erm...

[bobdowne4real]

You gotta prob with that girlfriend?

[glasper985]

Not at all sister... i think it is ace...

[mike2327]

Wow he looks just like the original what a hot man

[jmen4ever]

My God, its the reincarnation of klaus nome!

[6funswede]

Yes, I did lol! And then I blushed when I came to think of some local nineties TV-shows done in my own country :-) Just loved it. Thank you!

[shick71]

Hey bob, is this the clip you recommended last night? PS Gay mate of mine told me ages ago that slowmo of Matt Shirvington running the 100 metres use to be a fav at his nightspot. Any video of Bob running the 100?

[bobdowne4real]

I'm like a Ken doll down there - just a smooth hump.

[deanb92]

I really loved this video and enjoyed it very much. 5 stars! I hope you enjoy my Video Response!

[ErectionAtSchool]

This is so amazing, the song is just pure gold!

[shuggy1110]

...another AV-Club Nerd out of the closet!

[acmfacmf]

wow

[acmfacmf]

wow

[bobdowne4real]

HEY! WHAT'S WITH THE FOUR AND A HALF STARS?

I risked my life for this clip!

;-) bob x

[SirHayler]

I gave you 5 stars ;)

[Kroface]

Absolutely fantastic. Grinned so much it hurt. Whenever i'm down, i listen to this and it perks me up no end.

[buddle31]

Love You Bob!

[Beamshipcaptain]

Pure gold! I used to love this show in the early 60s! I was single-digits. Where were you in '62? I had the fireball XL-5 space set with all the ships and launch track; I wish I still had them!

[70sfusion]

I remember the show as well. probably the same age as you (or close to it). Where on earth (or Venus) did you get that play set? I had no idea things like that were ever available. Maybe you can find it again on ebay. Man. that show as the highlight of my Saturday mornings.

[Beamshipcaptain]

Somewhere in New York in 1964-65. Get the DVD box-set!

[youarecoolies]

wow this is really popular congrats

love the lovely Angel

[gordonl]

Pure bloody magic! more please Bob!

[chocosdad]

the orginal is worth over a grand on vinyl this is far to gay

[bobdowne4real]

Oh Darling, NOTHING is ever "far too gay"! ;-)

BOB x

[falkie2007]

I used to watch xl 5 every saturday when it was on... I always wondered why someone didn't redo this song as a more serious rendition

[blabblab1212]

Just teasing you Bob! The video was very entertaining. Just wanted to see what you would say when I pulled that Aussie-Creativity crap!!

[fortbruce]

Even when I was young (i.e.5-7), I thought the lyrics a bit "campy" for my tastes... but the opening was the best.

[blabblab1212]

Definitely a great effort for an Aussie!! I wasn't aware they could muster that much creativity.

[bobdowne4real]

Well, of course, we're not known at all for our excellence in writing/ painting/ performing/ directing/ designing/ science/ technology...

No, not at all...

lol ;-)

[davidmayne]

Fireball Xl5 is awesome for such an early show. Cheap shot. But a good effort for an Australian.

[bobdowne4real]

Gosh - thanks so much! I'm truly humbled. For an Australian. ;-) lol

[kpuc1973]

Strike a light cobber, I thought you'd died in a static electricity accident caused by your nylon safari suit.

Good to see you and your syrup of fig are alive and well, even if you are Australian.

[bobdowne4real]

Believe it or not, there are several billion people alive and quite well, who aren't in the UK just at the moment... ;-) lol

[Thearbitrary]

true, but they don't coumt ##os they're foreign ;o/

loved this not heard from bob, is he well ?

[bobdowne4real]

I'm extremely well. Thanks. BOB

[crowdedenz87]

@davidmayne The original version was sung by an Australian.

[redshirt71]

Catchy, campy tune...thanks for sharing.

[njdfhbo]

Am not totally sure I should like this strangely camp rendition. But, let's face it, this favourite series and love interest of our boyhood just cries out to be camped up! Steve Zodiac indeed! Maybe the attraction is just down to the Cliff Richard-ness of the song, it sheer poetry, just the words Steve should have been speaking to you instead of that Venus your boyish mind so strongly rejected. Whatever. I like it.

[stevezodiakxl5]

Nice memories from my spacecraft days - Thanks for posting!

[davidmayne]

Awesome. Almost a perfect copy.

[philip34471]

hell this takes me back some years

[eloi783]

Man !! THIS IS GOOD SHIT

[MmmSexyboy]

mmm bob, you are divine. if all the boys at the club were like you, i'd never leave! lol ;-) so glad i came across these sizzling vids!

[misseymooset]

I cant stop singing this! all day long it just jumps into my head, even when i'm trying to sleep... a fireball - so funny - Love ya Bob x

[popealice]

A wonderland of Stardust from a Great Star. We love you Bob. Pope Alice

[elmerfusco]

Even though he murdered it I can't help but add this to my favorites! The song is so cool it can take the camp treatment.

[bobdowne4real]

MURDERED IT?? How very dare you!! ;-) lol - BOB

[njdfhbo]

Do you really think he murdered it? What about when he sings '..my heart..' would be a fireball? That adds to the cool of the song I'd say. I tell you, if Steve Zodiac had been singing this to moi, he could have sung it any way he pleased!

[hughesyyoda]

lmfao the campest thing I ever seen, I love it. AMAZING youtube video xD

[brodoogle]

Ditto Brother!! I busted out laughing too!!

[btermini]

thats nick at night??? WOW i did't think they would show that

[bonnie545]

^.^

his facial expressions are really funny

[Nights557]

lol, CHECK OUT JOHNNY AND THE DOOR

[jeffbob4343]

Hilarious. Thanks from this now grown up XL5er. LOL!!!!!

[bobdowne4real]

Of all the Anderson themes, this was our absolute fave.. esp. as they used a smooooth, sexy, Cliff Richard style vocal! (Mike Mercury's SUPERCAR song wasn't bad either).

[LadyLottimort]

Ooh, I remember Nick At Nite and it's groovy retro-ness!!! Too bad they took it away. :( LOL So cute how Bob had his own sing-a-long thing!!! LMAO This vid is so insane - that spaceman costume Bob's wearing just cracks me up!!!

[SisterAnne2000]

OMG - I've never seen this one before - xlent!

[ColinTelstar]

Fantastic