Peruvian Earthworms
Peruvian Earthworms are the subject of a recent, yet persistent, joke amongst United Kingdom viewers of the Ceefax-based text system on BBC One's political affairs television programme, Question Time.
The system allows viewers to read on-screen comments displayed through Ceefax page 155, which have been sent in by other viewers of the show via SMS. The system dispays one message at a time, and usually shows several tens of messages throughout each hour-long episode. The system is popular because its editors display both serious and lighthearted comments.
In March 2006, a viewer remarked that one particular episode of the programme was so dull that they were going to 'go back to reading [their] book on Peruvian Earthworms'. Several viewers of that episode sent in further comical remarks AbOUT peruvian earthworms, in a topical context.
Since that episode, at least one comment on peruvian earthworms has been displayed on the Ceefax-based service in most episodes. This has made 'peruvian earthworms' an (albeit unlikely) cult topic.
Examples
- 23 March 2006
"At least Gordon never put VAT on Peruvian earthworms. Daz, Herts" 1
- This referred to the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown who is responsible for setting values of Value Added Tax (VAT).
- 20 April 2006
"Are the Peruvian earthworms safe from the green chameleon? Jutta, Cheltenham" 2
- This referred to the environmental campaign launched by the UK Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron. Cameron was depicted as a chameleon by the Labour Party because of his slogan "Vote Blue, Go Green" - suggesting that people could improve the environment by voting for his party, the Conservative Party.
- 18 May 2006
"Are there any illegal Peruvian earthworms working in the Home Office? Dennis, Bloxwich" 3
- This referred to the embarrassing discovery of several illegal immigrants working as cleaners in a building used by the UK Home Office - the office responsible for deporting illegal immigrants.