The Boys on Sound from BBC Switch.

(This was filmed when they were in London on Thursday last week, but aired Saturday.)

The gist of Sound is that it is an informal party, in a secret location, attended by celebrity friends and some very lucky studio audience members. The set of the show is an overcrowded apartment in which only six people get to sit, while everyone else stands. You get the impression that the Fire Marshall may bust in at any moment. Because the audience is selected, they are enthusiastic, but polite. It is hosted by Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac.

They chat, participate in quizzes and open and close the show with performances of “SOS” and “Burnin’ Up” respectively. It is a nice appearance, and sort of makes me loathe the options we have in the US. They are grilled with a quiz of obscure British Law (in which they do surprisngly well!), are pitched some Jonas Brothers Merch ideas, and Kevin participates with fellow guest Noel Clarke in the “Quiz of Shame” where the only way to win is to reveal your “uncool” knowledge.

Kevin and Noel compete against two audience members whose prize will be the contents of Kev and Noel’s pockets (and Noel’s shoes) if they win. Kevin puts in a guitar pick (or a “plectrum”, in Britspeak), a used napkin, a “London A to Z” book, a button, and other bits. Being that it is a contest of useless “uncool” knowledge, it will not shock you that Kevin’s team wins. Those ladies (who where skiving – cutting class or work – to be at the show) REALLY wanted that napkin. Oh well.

Also, they chat a little about how the Jonas Brothers hanging out with the cast of HSM could be bad for the health of teenagers around the world, and Garbo has on a nice blue sweater.

Check it out after the jump…

Interview, Law Quiz & Product Pitches

*See below for a play by play of the Boys’ reactions to the products!*

The “Quiz of Shame”

Burnin’ Up!

So, what did the Guys’ really think of those Jonas Brothers merch ideas?

JoBro Masks

Reaction

JoBros Toast

Reaction

JoBros Loo Paper (TP)

Reaction
(“That looks like it would hurt.”)

And the winner is….
The JoBros Toast!

It was even hug-worthy!

As Nick said, British friends, you can get your very own JB merch here, or even here.

[Via: BBC Sound, hotncleverchik (YouTube)]

What is it about the British media that smacks superior to what we get here in the States? This could be the obsessive Anglophile deep down inside me talking, but years after I thought I’d passed the height of that, I am still always taken in by the UK approach: whether it’s inscrutable crosswords, calling a sporting field a “pitch” (so what is it called when you throw the ball, then?) or the mushy peas…it just works. Well, for me.

So it has come as no great surprise that not long into their full emergence in British popular media – which easily could rehash the repetitive and often shallow mainstream coverage the Brothers receive Stateside – there have already been a few original moments.

A few ways newsBrits have impressed me, after the jump. Wait for it…

1. Goofy stunts. [OK, to be fair, there are definitely some American radio hosts that do this. Also Ellen - but don't we love such DJs and Ellen stuff more than the other mediocrity? Yes. Yes, we do.] BBC Switch put the Boys right to work on their last visit with the sumo wrestling business, but I much preferred the more subtle, English wackiness of Paul O’ Grady teasing the Boys’ upcoming appearance by sending them out on the town with an older, cockney-accented woman who pretty much force fed them jellied eels, all in the name of cultural experience. Heh.

2. Getting to the heart of things. They were followed on a particularly hectic day in their life, and what came through was a far cry from what, say, E! News would have made of it…which would have been some canned sound bites and obnoxious voiceovers. I found the video that BBC Switch’s Sound delivered was intriguing and emotionally unvarnished (for a quick video snapshot) in comparison to the usual.

3. Cutting through the bullsh*t. I am sure some fans would freak out and find it insulting, but to me Popjustice ’s article, in which they blatantly outed the Brothers’ publicity machine “leak” of their UK appearance schedule, was great. It was refreshingly, bitingly, honest (and sincere in spots) and even the crass parts made me laugh out loud. Like this site, I don’t mind playing along with the pop biz as long as you have the integrity not to be its mindless slave ALL of the time. But in the US, when some of us “criticize”, we tend to go too far and lamely hop the Last Train to Snarksville.

Of course, I also loved seeing that entire moment-by-moment promotional schedule. And if they really need more superfan stalkers over there that bad, I am hereby offering my services (call me, Fi – I can do a mean Midlands accent). But it was a cool peek at their job details. I can’t see that coming out here (though I guess it just did – oh, hai, internet).*

We tend to like our magic seamless here in America, a la Disney. I am no real exception. But one of the things I’ve always like about the Jonas boys within and without that system is they do seem so genuine – and at the increasingly rare times when their seams do show, it is refreshing, endearing, non-douchey.

Hmm…maybe these things that are resonating with me about the Brit media these past few days also happen to be things I like about the band, as well.

How convenient.

[Via: JonasBrothersFan.com; JBDaily (YouTube); kmcm1(YouTube); Popjustice]

*UPDATE: The bulk of that posted itinerary has been removed. Darn! It was pretty neat. it included time slots for “grooming”!

The Atlantic Ocean now separates North American Jonas fans from the objects of our affections and I have to say…I’m feeling more than a little jealous of these Boys.

What I wouldn’t give to be hanging about in England, making weekend trips to the Continent (wishful thinking? do they even get “weekends”? but surely it must feel like some kind of a vacation to be away from the screaming, hounding hordes, even if they love us).

I lived in Europe a bunch when I was their age and I hope they make the most of their time abroad. It seems like there is a slight possibility they can wander around unnoticed over there at the moment. I personally recommend that they dress down, split up, ride public transportation and visit as many grocery stores (truly the best in educational culture shock) as museums, as much as they can before their concerts begin and that chance is inevitably ruined.

Anyway…here they are performing an acoustic SOS for some British fans.

Let this also be another reminder that even without their whole lovely and indispensable band they can certainly make music…dig that tambourine!

[Via: Jonasource (YouTube)]

Boys on the BBC Radio 1 show Switch with Nick Grimshaw 04.06.08.

[Via: BBCSwitch (YouTube)]