That Mitchell and Webb Look - Tiananmen Square Theatre Production with Lion Bars Sketch

If you disagree with Robert Webb's previous criticism of the UK-based charity supporting gender non-conforming children Mermaids, feel free to donate here:
mermaidsuk.org.uk/donate/

[@TheMikeyReilly]

So much for the BBC's no advertising thing. Watching this made me go out to specifically buy a Lion Bar.

[@Tikorous]

Do you remember if it looked like a lion's mouth? Please it's urgent

[@venmis137]

Wait Lion Bars are real?

[@cyberwomble7524]

@@venmis137 Yes. Sshrry, qould've reshponded sooner but arve been shtuffing ma fashe with Lion Bzzzz.

[@gutar5675]

I have a feeling that this skit was just devised as a way for them to get a bunch of free Lion Bars

[@Picnicl]

Whilst I hope that this production turned out to be a 'roaring' success, sponsorship can go too far. Who can forget the 20 metre long ship fashioned out of dessicated coconut and rippled milk chocolate in Chichester Theatre's production of Mutiny on the Bounty?

[@FFKonoko]

*slow clap*

[@bubblewrapmonster8801]

Excellent work

[@Picnicl]

To be fair, my joke doesn't add to the original sketch. It's just a different kind of joke. Mine's mainly droll old-fashioned wordplay. The sketch itself, like many Mitchell and Webb sketches, allows the viewer, if they wish, to think "why's that happening?" "Why would Lion Bars think that was a suitable marketing avenue? Does that explain why Lion Bars have fallen off the radar a bit? A scattergun marketing approach?" "Given that I haven't had a Lion Bar for a while and nor has anyone I know, but they definitely remain part of my psyche, how important are they to me or to the world at large?" "Do we, as a society, need to talk more about Lion Bars?"

[@RLukeDavis]

Your "joke doesn't add anything to the original sketch". Well put! Please write that down ten thousand times and think twice before you waste your time in the future. I suggest that when you feel like biting off more than you can chew, have a lion bar instead.

[@Picnicl]

@@RLukeDavis My follow up comment was only because I like seeing everyone's point of view, luke davis and I know how annoying even deliberately droll humour can sometimes be to some, particularly when it gets a not small number of thumbs up. It wasn't a reflection that my original comment was somehow wrong. Different tastes. Different NEEDS. (The Office). "That's probably a reference you'd get".

[@SorrySod]

I wonder if Lion Bars gave them something as a thank you for this sketch. It must have upped the sales. Oh, wait a second- Of course. They supplied the lion bars.

[@guywithknife]

as many as they wanted

[@ArturSadlos]

Big Tank you

[@bazzers]

And they were _free_ free.

[@oosakasan]

What I wonder, is if they got paid in money for this or if it was literally just lion bars.

[@melhupby]

4:12 The face of a true friend. Doesn't want it, knows it's stupid, knows it'll completely devalue what he's going for and the point of the show, but sees how much his buddy _wants_ to do a good job, and says okay.

[@walterzamalis4846]

I love how he’s like “the guys at lion bars” instead of like the guys at Nestlé, it’s like how Eric Andre was like “I didn’t get the job at fruit loops”

[@NxDoyle]

Lion bars = funny. Nestlé = realistic and not funny.

[@petermurphy9860]

I'm tryina get a Lion Bar sponsorship

[@OmnipotentDog]

I'm looking for a Sprite sponsorship

[@solomale2156]

@Henk de Tank who owns honda?

[@tomservo5007]

@Henk de Tank that's said daily in a lot of offices.

[@AdamJ1117]

I used to like Lion bars but I swear the wafer bit has got harder and more brittle since I was a kid. They now have a very unpleasant mouthfeel. Still, better than being killed by your own country's army for a peaceful protest.

[@SheeplessNW6]

Remember that famous Tiananmen Square photo of "tank guy"? Remember he was carrying shopping bags? They were full of Lion Bars.

[@Zzyzzyzzs]

"better than being killed by your own country's army for a peaceful protest." Is it though?

[@gwarlow]

AdamJ You mean like the students at Kent State university in the 1960s in the United States?

[@jimmycakes7158]

The irony is most lefties support China

[@C0deH0wler]

The irony is that 'rightist' people are car-loving communists who want roads and free parking built everywhere, and for billions of government funding to go into highway expansion while also slashing taxes :P

[@loeuvrededieu]

"I'm sure the devising process will be as fulfilling and daring as ever"

[@glenw3814]

Like a chocolate-covered dagger to the soul of art. Nailed it.

[@uthertheking]

As funny as this is, I'd probably sell my artisitc integrity for Lion bars in a heartbeat.

[@awkwardcultism]

If you like selling out for cheap there's this great new technology you'll love called NFTs!

[@jaysefgames1155]

@@awkwardcultism There's a difference between selling out and running a scam.

[@spongbros]

This video made me hungry for Tunnock's Caramel Wafers.

[@chattycathydoll]

Try their teacakes too.

[@IanJTaylor]

I want a Wagon Wheel

[@douglasmilton2805]

Can you still buy Milkmaid Bars in Scotland? Or "Lee's Lee's more if you please..." With it's delightful line about pickaninnies?

[@theyellowlightsaber3193]

no comparison

[@chungdha]

If they gave every visitor a sack full of free Lion Bars they all probably would visit their shows.

[@nagualdesign]

So.. every visitor would visit? Stands to reason, I suppose.

[@MandaOwl]

They mentioned "Lion Bars" 23 times. I counted.

[@stevebobhorace]

Other chocolate bars are available.

[@That_Guy-]

Lion bars are really moreish

[@slytub]

That’s not enough Lion Bars.

[@stevebobhorace]

@@slytub Add white and peanut ones

[@jakenixon8504]

Can confirm. It was imperative that I made sure this was accurate.

[@minesajd]

Nestle. And during that iconic moment while the lone student stands in front of the oncoming tank he turns to the camera and starts noming a lion bar ...

[@sbraypaynt]

My god Robert is nailing the impersonation of the soft voiced pretentious overly affable has-been theatre workshop teacher.

[@tugnori]

I don't think I had ever heard anyone actually say "lion bars" before I watched this sketch. . .but by the end the words had lost all meaning. Also great sketch as always from Mitchell and Webb

[@eddietemple2302]

All the people complaining about product placement have completely and utterly missed the joke.

[@virajbajpai6856]

Eddie Marais

[@alexreid4131]

Yeah they have but also everyone have missed how business actually works and that Lion Bars isn't a company that could make such an offer. Lion Bars is a brand under under the Nestlé organization.

[@michaellavery4899]

@@alexreid4131 Bet they feel foolish. Not full(ish) of lion bars. Just a bit silly.

[@FFKonoko]

@@alexreid4131 it's weird to think that rowntree were bought out by Nestlé way back in 1988.

[@walterzamalis4846]

It’s just pretty funny mentioning obsolete brands of British food in sketches, like in The Mighty Boosh. This comment was sponsored by the New Zealanders who don’t understand British chocolate bars.

[@MagicSparks21]

I'm a theatre student and this whole thing aside from the selling out for chocolate bit reminded me of my classes :P I guess we really do look silly

[@Jess-jt4zf]

How are those classes going, bro?

[@Kerm88]

@@Jess-jt4zf you’re talking to THE Timothee Chalemet, so I’d say it’s going pretty well.

[@SheeplessNW6]

@@Kerm88 Timothée Chalamet looks like he needs more Lion Bars.

[@Tikorous]

@@SheeplessNW6 don't we all

[@ian_b]

Every time I watch this sketch I then go out and buy LION BARS.

[@Szaam]

Lion Bars are an unsung hero of the chocolate world.

[@youcanlearnalotfromlydia]

I think this must be a sketch written by John Finnemore as only he could make something so dark so fun and brillianter delivered with a big cheesey grin must be his line! Brilliant!

[@UKFX]

"Rarrrrr" - "That one worked" lol love it

[@TheSpacecraftX]

Weird seeing David call Robert Mark.

[@zervalu6313]

You mean Jeremy?

[@PwnZombie]

@@zervalu6313 him calling him Jeremy would make sense as that’s the character he plays you daft test

[@zervalu6313]

@@PwnZombie You misapprehend me.

[@PwnZombie]

@Jamie McCallum You can't spell...

[@theeclectic2919]

This was hilarious! I didn't know what a Lion Bar was. I had to look it up on Wikipedia. But David saying "Lion Bars" over and over was funny enough!

[@Electricshrock]

Paul: I'm sorry Mark, Lion Bars are ending the arrangement. They said the play wasn't encouraging brand loyalty. Mark: Why not? Paul: Because there were snickers in the audience.

[@josmo1363]

out👉

[@billybobblader]

Saw this a few months ago, been craving Lion Bars ever since.

[@SiriusMined]

I didn't realize Lion Bars were a real thing when I first saw this sketch. But I looked it up, and lo and behold, real. I was able to buy some on Amazon. Tasty!

[@KhanivoreQniba]

The wonderfulness of this sketch needs to be appreciated more....

[@MrZAP17]

Every theatre class has at least one guy like Bachman's character. At least one, I think there's a rule somewhere.

[@_Uptilt]

I think it's a natural law, actually. Right there with gravity and the inevitable increase in total entropy.

[@Hedgehoginthetardis]

This sketch made lion bars my favourite chocolate bar of all time. Funny how comedy in the media can make slight economical changes. Since this sketch, I swear I've been seeing more lion bars sold in shops

[@j0nnyism]

I’m off to buy lion bars. White chocolate ones peanut ones all of them. I love lion Bars rarrgh. No changed my mind I’m getting fig rolls instead

[@LukeGeoDude]

I've had only one lion bar in my lifetime and it was awesome.

[@williampalmer1660]

This is their best sketch. So many great ones but this is a masterpiece 😂

[@Komsomoletz]

I wish we had Lion Bars in the States... They're so good!

[@Flynn94]

God theatre-people can be such wankers. And I say that as someone with a background in theatre.

[@mat5473]

I just saw a Lion bar at the store which we don't usually have here (Canada), so I bought it and ate it watching this sketch. Now I wish I had loads more Lion bars!

[@Unbeginner]

It's actually an incredible good deal. They could just offer every viewer enough Lion bars to cover for the ticket's price or more and it would make the show a smashing success, because the viewer would be offered Lion bars + show for cheaper than if buying just Lion bars at the store.

[@mytravellog]

I laughed more during that sketch than throughout the entire first episode of the matt lucas awards

[@WilliamFisk-nf9qy]

Arguably their best sketch. Certainly my favorite.

[@Vlasko60]

I've never had a Lion Bar, but I sure want one now.

[@AKindChap]

I hadn't even SEEN a lion bar for years, then a few weeks back I saw one and grabbed it... It was the toughest chewy thing I've ever had, it hurt my teeth and took forever to finish :(

[@dansaunders1655]

Coward

[@britsfabrication]

THEY ARE FOOD OF THE GODS

[@blatherskite3009]

You need to go back in time and tackle an original "Texan" bar. That'll give you some perspective on what tough-chewing and takes-forever-to-finish *really* mean.

[@SheeplessNW6]

@@blatherskite3009 or a 1970s-era Curly Wurly.

[@TobiiVII]

The funny thing is that this sketch has led Lion bars to be my favourite chocolate bar

[@Maximillionaire666]

My favourite part was when they talked about Lion Bars

[@fawziekefli2273]

I love lion bars. Can't get enough of them.

[@ugh.idontwanna]

This has not become less funny by the fact that no multi-national company would would dare to insult China nowadays.

[@Sparhafoc]

When exactly was it that multi-national companies were 'daring' to insult China?

[@stephaniecarr6984]

I can't speak for anyone else, but maaan does this make me want a Lion bar!!

[@williampalmer1660]

One of my favorite sketches by them.

[@AltheFolker]

The line 'I think it would make it brillianter!' is like Harry Biscuit meets Arthur Shappey.

[@youcanlearnalotfromlydia]

HURRUMBLE! And a fellow Finnemore fan! For the uninitiated: hurrumble is to be used in place of words such as "hurrah", but not in place of words such as "dog" or "pineapple". (BTW: did you see there's a new series of JF's Souvenir Programme just out?)

[@AltheFolker]

Haha! Yes! Though I found the first episode rather odd and not as uproariously funny as usual.

[@youcanlearnalotfromlydia]

@@AltheFolker Oh really? Pity that. I've got it open as a tab to listen later. He has written some quite dark stuff so it may be in line with his previous work. The deckchairs on the titanic sketch, killing all the first born etc. (he also was on the writing team of Mitchell and Webb which of course has Nazis etc.) But the dark can be fun, as we well know from Bleak Expectations (and Old Harry's Game, which is currently available in full on Sounds!) So fingers crossed he'll get the right formula next time :) If you haven't seen it, Cabin Fever on KZbin is great fun, with Arthur Shappey :)

[@AltheFolker]

Sorry, that's just my opinion. Do have a listen and see what you think. I don't mind dark humour at all, but I suppose not having an audience means there's not the really laugh-out-loud moments. I had the honour of coming second in Arthur's pencils-in-facial-hair competition!

[@youcanlearnalotfromlydia]

​@@AltheFolker Not at all! I think I didn't explain my thinking very well, I meant to make the point how odd that his latest series should not be funny and come across as odd when usually everything of his is brilliant! But I suppose if, as the description suggests, it is a little dark, (making me wonder, where did that come from, when he has a winning formula, why change it?) perhaps this is just building on his previous work with sinister undertones. We will see (if you stick with it that is! I'm going to listen now and make up my mind after!) It is funny that, how we get so used to audience reactions, and how that influences our own. I found with "Back" and Mitchell and Webb's earlier TV show: the lack of audience laughter just felt so flat. Same with the lockdown HIGNFY on the PC screens. Yet people not used to it can't stand it (e.g. Americans in the comments on British comedy on KZbin). Brilliant!! I remember that one, that was especially fun! I came across it a bit too late for that particular challenge but never won anything in the later ones haha (was just chuffed I got anything right in the riddles hunt challenge). He occasionally goes on tour I believe so do look out for tickets!

[@FutureAbe]

........ lion bars?

[@theyellowlightsaber3193]

Lion Bars are underrated, you never hear anyone talk about them in England. The irony is this sketch was a joke about how they were too fixated on Lion Bars to focus on the theme of the play and everyone in the comments has become just as fixated on lion bars.

[@donttalktome2316]

We don't talk about them because they're part of the furniture. Everyone knows they exist, and we buy as we feel

[@dvdv8197]

*RAWRRRR* I never knew that was what you were supposed to do with a lion bar when opening it!

[@hugopassmore7563]

I watch this every time i have a lion bar

[@1wisestein]

This would be funnier if it wasn’t so believable. Companies will suggest this as “sponsorship” with a straight face and expect you to be ecstatic. They’ll get indignant about it too, eventually culminating with “you should be paying us for this opportunity”. Look guy, if you want access to our audience then you’re gonna have to pay for it, in dollars.

[@dansomething7742]

Does anyone else want a Lion bar right now?

[@teemue]

Used to be my fav bar. Damn i want one now.

[@metalmick]

I've never had a Lion bar. I now feel the need to.

[@bubbles8871]

When I saw Tiananmen Square in the title, this is certainly not what I was expecting.

[@scaryninja1693]

Sponsorship from the point of view of children, I love it. It ranks alongside the idea of teachers living in school after home time and getting change being great, because they give you money for buying something you like. It is that kind of thinking in a way, we will pay you in our product instead of currency, who can resist being paid chocolate?

[@ben9DB]

Who's eating a Lion Bar whilst watching this?

[@smegweevil]

The sketch doesn't need a laugh track- I was laughing the whole way through. What a gem,

[@dengueberries]

I love sketches that are both staunch criticism and just absolutely silly.

[@ErikB605]

I once watched a production of nathan the wise where they stopped midway through started again and shortly after actors with Papier-mâché heads of politicians started dancing through the scene. The play would have been a lot less wierd if they just ate lion bars throughout.

[@Wattywatasaurus]

OMG - I really want a lion bar now!

[@nickturner4150]

"A clockwork chocolate orange." Anyone? No? OK

[@maxmattt]

Kit-kat on a hot tin roof

[@shelbyvillerules9962]

The Importance of Being Ernestle Milky Bars?

[@crazymurdav]

I really want a Lion Bar now. Wonder if Mitchell and Webb were sponsored for this sketch lol

[@Omni315]

Lion bars and Mitchell and Webb, 2 of my favorite things!

[@SoopSoopa]

They actually pulled this off!

[@joshuawaring4180]

The irony is, though, that the cast eating Lion Bars throughout the play would probably make it as avant-garde as you could make it.

[@8Rincewind]

I want a lion bar now.

[@shelbyvillerules9962]

Regular Lion Bars are now about as big as the old "fun size" bars.

[@thevirus7368]

Unitresting but true fact, I bought a multi pack of lion bars for the first time in 20 years today.........yes I'm lonely.

[@Radders123]

I'm on a diet at the moment and this sketch was hard to watch - bloody want a lion bar now - must resist

[@levelplayer992]

It is safe to say that I went out of my way to go to the shops to get a lion bar after this sketch.

[@EnoVarma]

This reminds me of a very weird local theatre stage version I once saw of Mars Attacks!......

[@pop5678eye]

Product placement is pretty much the entirety of the Ellen show.

[@TescoOfficial]

Whenever I eat a lion bar now I always watch this video

[@gibbyg2001]

This is one of the most genius sketch's ever I swear.

[@paulinereid5226]

I'm sorry - I just love David Mitchell, and he is a comedian par excellence. But for my money Robert Webb is ssoooo underestimated! He's just priceless, and so multi-talented.

[@DenisovichDev]

We shall not SURRENDER

[@ittixen]

Damn, Webb's acting is amazing here.

[@kembowhite1903]

Ive just realized i've never had a Lion Bar

[@angrytedtalks]

Dammit. I really want Lion bars now. I haven't had one in years and now I'm diabetic. 😢

[@Xenrel]

I wonder how many lion bars they got for this.

[@henrychalk9]

"that's the tip of a chocolaty ice burg"

[@garywilson177]

I'd totally sell out for that. I love Lion bars

[@Barholtworld]

I for one think it was very brave of lion bars to sponsor this sketch and see it as an official up yours from them to the ccp in this china arse kissing time and I will be sure to buy lion bars the next time I see them. Raooowr

[@JohannesWiberg]

People might take issue with this production, but no one complained about Syd Barrett's song Milky Way, or David Bowie's deal with Mars.

[@RakshasaCat]

@Quentinsama you see the payment laid out on the table there... and once those are gone they can jst go back to the Lion Bar building... and get a load more Lion Bars!

[@TheOtherBillyWoo]

I reallyyyyyy want a lion bar now.

[@twinkpeaks9993]

This is such a random sketch, but I love it.

[@RichardT2112]

I now want a lion bar!

[@TheDudiest3Dude]

I really want a Lion bar now

[@DavidBennell]

Damn it I want a lion bar now..... They are really nice.... This may as well have been an advert rather than a comedy sketch.

[@smileyfawler8454]

The Lion bar building. 🤣

[@southfloridaarcheryguy114]

I think eating Lion Bars throughout the production would make it SUPER avant garde.

[@kashigata]

I want a Lion Bar but I live in Australia now. I’m so sad 😢😢😢

[@Matt77125]

I really want a lion bar now

[@joeebloggs6356]

I really fancy a Lion Bar now.....

[@IbnShahid]

LION BARS

[@charliejones9720]

I really fancy a lion bar now