Bafta host Dara O'Briain won't 'Mock the Game'

Dara O'Briain doesn't find video games very funny - or if he does, he's not interested in cheap laughs.

Cliches about spotty teenagers playing with their joysticks don't go down well with the host of TVs Mock the Week.

"People think games still have to justify themselves because they played a game once when they were 14 and haven't looked at it since," says Dara.

"They sell more than records. They sell more than movies. They are a big deal now.

"The time for games to apologise for themselves is long over."

Mario's children

Dara will have the chance to celebrate his love of gaming as host of the 2010 Games Baftas.

The awards ceremony reflects his belief that video games rank alongside film and television as a legitimate art form.

However, Dara admits, they may never enjoy the same public profile.

"Unfortunately gaming can't be fuelled like the rest of the entertainment industry.

"There's no gossip around gaming. No one cares how many children Super Mario has adopted from Africa.

"The kind of stories that prop up Lady Gaga's hat don't really apply to gaming.

"But the proof is in the pudding. If you go into any newsagent, there are three movie magazines and 14 games magazines."

Serious thinker

Listening to Dara, it's obvious he hasn't landed the Bafta gig simply because he is a familiar face "off the telly".

He has given the business of gaming some serious thought.

Perhaps that's down to his background in mathematical physics, or maybe just the overactive mind of a stand-up comedian.

One issue he has been mulling over it the rise of the blockbuster video game.

Multi-million pound titles, such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Assassin's Creed II and Halo 3 feature heavily in this year's Bafta nominations.

"I think what the gaming industry can support is the chance to buy games at a quarter of a price of the big games," says Dara.

"It might be the case that you pay less for a quirkier, slightly more interesting game.

"I think it's going to start fracturing and working on a number of different levels."

Stand-up

While Dara is quick to defend gamers against lazy, negative stereotyping, he admits there is scope for humour.

There's no gaming equivalent to Lady Gaga's hat

His current UK tour includes a routine on gaming.

"This is probably the first time in which you could tell jokes about video games and know the audience, generally, will know what you are talking about.

"I probably wouldn't two years ago have done a game routine.

"It has become more and more mainstream as they have become cultural reference points."

The conversation turns to the matter of video games based on movies.

It is here, finally, that the acid wit seen on Mock the Week kicks into action.

"There's never been a good one. It's regarded as mug's money.

"Fargo the video game was particularly moving.

"And Angela's Ashes the video game. You had to escape from a convent. That was one of my favourites."