John McEnroe threatens legal action over Alistair McGowan show

John McEnroe has threatened legal action against the makers of ITV1's You Cannot Be Serious! over the use of his catchphrase.

Producers Avalon have received a letter from the tennis star’s lawyers demanding they stop using his most famous saying as the title of their comedy sports show.

But an insider told The Sun: ‘Does John really think that because it’s called You Cannot Be Serious!, people will think it is endorsed by him? Everybody knows you can’t license a catchphrase.’

McEnroe, now a BBC commentator, reportedly already receives a royalties as the title sequence of the show, fronted by Alistair McGowan, features a four-second clip of him shouting: ‘You cannot be serious’ at Wimbledon in 1981.

It’s not the first time a catchphrase in the title of a TV show. They Think It’s All Over comes from commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme’s 1966 World Cup Commentary and 8 Out Of 10 Cats is based on a cat food slogan.

Published: 7 Jul 2012