The Unbelievable Truth
Encyclopedia
The Unbelievable Truth is a BBC radio
comedy
panel game
made by Random Entertainment, devised by Graeme Garden
and Jon Naismith
. It is very similar to the occasional I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
game "Lies, All Lies", which was first played in 1985. The game is chaired by David Mitchell
and is described in the programme's introduction as, "The panel game built on truth
and lie
s." The object of the game is to lie on a subject, whilst also trying to include the truth without being detected. The series was first broadcast as a pilot on 19 October 2006, with the first actual series broadcast on 23 April 2007. It has gone on to broadcast seven series, with an eighth confirmed for later in 2011.
. Most of the lecture is composed of lies, but during the course of the speech the lecturer must try to smuggle five true statements past the rest of the panel. The challenging panellists must buzz in when they believe that what the lecturer is saying is true. They must state what they believe the fact was. If it was true, the challenger is awarded one point. If it was a lie, then they are deducted one point. One point is given to the lecturer for each truth they smuggle successfully without it being detected at the end of the lecture. The winner is the panellist with the most points. A perfect score is 20 points (by hiding all five of their truths, and spotting the five truths in all three of the other players' routines without making any wrong challenges), plus additional points for "unintentional" truths revealed during the monologue. However, nobody has reached this score yet, and in fact many contests have been amusingly low scoring, with most panellists having a negative number of points.
Of the 49 players who've appeared up to series 6, the highest individual score is 11 by Graeme Garden in the pilot episode – Garden, who is the co-creator of the show, is also the most frequent player with 14 appearances. Lucy Porter
has 5 wins from eight appearances and therefore has a better win rate than Garden.
The most successful players are Sandi Toksvig
and Simon Evans
who both have a 100% winning records and average scores over 4, but have only played two and three games respectively. The least successful player is Adam Hills, who has recorded -6 which is the joint lowest ever score (with Tony Hawks and Arthur Smith), but has also failed to post a positive score in either of his two appearances and has an average of -4.
The only players to win with a score of 0 were Rhod Gilbert
and Reginald D. Hunter who tied at the top in Series 4 Episode 1. Series 1 Episode 4 featured the only ever four-way tie, described by Mitchell as a scenario called: "Everyone getting three".
Alan Davies
and Jo Brand
are the only players to have ever managed to smuggle all five true facts past their opponents, although in Brand's case in Series 1, Clive Anderson
scored a point during her lecture thanks to an incidental bonus truth she had written in. Davies has managed all five twice, once in the New Year's special, and once in Series 7.
enthused that “From the first moments of its plinky plonky theme tune, ‘The Unbelievable Truth’ is a delight… the success of the format isn’t about how convincingly you can spin a tall story, but how well you can sneak incongruous true facts into a lot of silly nonsense. The pleasure here – David Mitchell’s endearing squareness apart – is the depths to which this silliness sinks”. Jane Anderson in The Radio Times described the show as “the funniest thing I’ve heard on Radio 4 in years and I’m considering suing the network for irreparable damage to my sides” and Chris Campling in The Times
called it "The most consistently entertaining comedy panel show of the past few years" and praises David Mitchell
's chairmanship.
However, some critics have complained that the programme is "Too scripted" and would benefit from more improvisation
. One review said, "However most of the programme is essentially listening to four rather silly pre-scripted stories, as if it's story time at primary school, and as such the real facts are often rather easy to spot in comparison. It may [sic] have been more dangerous fun if the contestants were supplied with their facts to be smuggled just before going on air, to allow even the pretence of some improvisation."
Ian Dunn for One Giant Leap also wrote a mixed review of the show saying that it, "may not be the best panel game in the world, but it is enjoyable. It is a way of merrily passing away half-an-hour." He commented on how the show managed to be successful in the same slot as other Radio 4 panel games Just a Minute
and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
(ISIHAC), although he mentioned there was a connection between ISIHAC and The Unbelievable Truth as the latter is created by the producer and one of the regular panellists from ISIHAC. Dunn also referred to the lack of input from Mitchell despite him being well known for good performances on other panel games, saying: "This sadly means that Mitchell is almost redundant and is reduced to the roll (sic) of an umpire."
Zoe Williams
was more critical in The Guardian
. Writing in an article attacking Mitchell in general, she wrote: "The Unbelievable Truth, for instance, should never have been recommissioned. It's only funny when Clive Anderson
is speaking. They could more profitably devise a show that was just Clive Anderson, speaking. Its failures as a quiz are admirably demonstrated by the fact that the scoring is now inverse to the drollery, so that Clive scores no points at all, and Lucy Porter
sometimes wins. I don't care about scoring when it's like I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue and it's meant to mean nothing, but they can't all be spoof game-shows. Some of them have to be actual games that work."
The BBC received "almost 50" complaints after Mitchell opened the 2 November 2009 episode with the line, "There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that the last line in Anne Frank's diary reads: 'Today is my birthday and my dad bought me a drum kit.'" Complainants branded the line "insensitive".
Recent series of the show have been described in The Guardian
, The Independent
and The Daily Mail as a pick of the week, being "brilliantly chaired as ever by David Mitchell. More wide ranging and inventive than its TV equivalent ... this is a classic format which might well just last as long as say, 'Just a Minute'" and Sarah Montague on "Pick of the Week" describing series six as "Radio 4 doesn't always get comedy right, but its comedy series 'The Unbelievable Truth' is so funny that most presenters of this programme want to include a clip". In addition, the show received the highest AI, or Appreciation Index
, figures of any comedy show on Radio 4 for 2010, and has been nominated for the 2011 Sony Radio Academy Awards
.
The show has delivered seven series, with an eighth to be broadcast later in 2011.
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
panel game
Panel game
A panel game or panel show is a radio or television game show in which a panel of celebrities participates. Panelists may compete with each other, such as on The News Quiz; facilitate play by guest contestants, such as on Match Game/Blankety Blank; or do both, such as on Wait Wait.....
made by Random Entertainment, devised by Graeme Garden
Graeme Garden
David Graeme Garden OBE is a Scottish author, actor, comedian, artist and television presenter, who first became known as a member of The Goodies.-Early life and beginnings in comedy:...
and Jon Naismith
Jon Naismith
Jon Naismith is a producer of a large number of BBC radio shows, primarily comedy, including You'll Have Had Your Tea, The Unbelievable Truth and About a Dog....
. It is very similar to the occasional I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, sometimes abbreviated to ISIHAC or Clue, is a BBC radio comedy panel game broadcast since 11 April 1972 at the rate of one or two series each year , transmitted on BBC Radio 4, with occasional repeats on BBC Radio 4 Extra and the BBC's World Service...
game "Lies, All Lies", which was first played in 1985. The game is chaired by David Mitchell
David Mitchell (actor)
David James Stuart Mitchell is a British actor, comedian and writer. He is half of the comedy duo Mitchell and Webb, alongside Robert Webb, whom he met at Cambridge University. There they were both part of the Cambridge Footlights, of which Mitchell became President. Together the duo star in the...
and is described in the programme's introduction as, "The panel game built on truth
Truth
Truth has a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with fact or reality. It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common usage, it also means constancy or sincerity in action or character...
and lie
Lie
For other uses, see Lie A lie is a type of deception in the form of an untruthful statement, especially with the intention to deceive others....
s." The object of the game is to lie on a subject, whilst also trying to include the truth without being detected. The series was first broadcast as a pilot on 19 October 2006, with the first actual series broadcast on 23 April 2007. It has gone on to broadcast seven series, with an eighth confirmed for later in 2011.
| Table of contents: Rules Scores Reception Series 1 > Series 2 | Series 3 | Series 4 | Series 5 | Series 6 | Series 7 | Series 8 |
Rules
The panel is made up of four players. In the game each of the panellists is given a subject on which they give a short lectureLecture
thumb|A lecture on [[linear algebra]] at the [[Helsinki University of Technology]]A lecture is an oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject, for example by a university or college teacher. Lectures are used to convey critical information, history,...
. Most of the lecture is composed of lies, but during the course of the speech the lecturer must try to smuggle five true statements past the rest of the panel. The challenging panellists must buzz in when they believe that what the lecturer is saying is true. They must state what they believe the fact was. If it was true, the challenger is awarded one point. If it was a lie, then they are deducted one point. One point is given to the lecturer for each truth they smuggle successfully without it being detected at the end of the lecture. The winner is the panellist with the most points. A perfect score is 20 points (by hiding all five of their truths, and spotting the five truths in all three of the other players' routines without making any wrong challenges), plus additional points for "unintentional" truths revealed during the monologue. However, nobody has reached this score yet, and in fact many contests have been amusingly low scoring, with most panellists having a negative number of points.
Scores
The quirky scoring is part of the attraction of the game. While the maximum possible score is 20 (not including spotting truths accidentally included by the other panelists), contestants have many opportunities to lose points since they lose one for every incorrect challenge. The highest total score for any game was 17, in Series 1 Episode 6, and this episode also featured the highest non-winning score of 6 by Graeme Garden. The lowest game total was -6 in Series 4 Episode 4.Of the 49 players who've appeared up to series 6, the highest individual score is 11 by Graeme Garden in the pilot episode – Garden, who is the co-creator of the show, is also the most frequent player with 14 appearances. Lucy Porter
Lucy Porter
Lucy Donna Porter is an English actress, writer and comedienne.She has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Brighton Festival and many clubs around Britain. She has also a regular voice on BBC Radio 4 in various panel shows, including Quote.....
has 5 wins from eight appearances and therefore has a better win rate than Garden.
The most successful players are Sandi Toksvig
Sandi Toksvig
Sandra Brigitte “Sandi” Toksvig is a Danish comedian, author and presenter on British radio and television.-Career:...
and Simon Evans
Simon Evans
Simon Evans , is an English comedian, born in Luton and currently living in Hove.-Early life:Simon Evans attended Verulam School in St Albans and then studied law at Southampton University, graduating in 1986.-Stand-up comedy:...
who both have a 100% winning records and average scores over 4, but have only played two and three games respectively. The least successful player is Adam Hills, who has recorded -6 which is the joint lowest ever score (with Tony Hawks and Arthur Smith), but has also failed to post a positive score in either of his two appearances and has an average of -4.
The only players to win with a score of 0 were Rhod Gilbert
Rhod Gilbert
Rhodri "Rhod" Gilbert, is a Welsh comedian who was nominated in 2005 for the Perrier Best Newcomer Award. In 2008, he was nominated for the main if.comedy ....
and Reginald D. Hunter who tied at the top in Series 4 Episode 1. Series 1 Episode 4 featured the only ever four-way tie, described by Mitchell as a scenario called: "Everyone getting three".
Alan Davies
Alan Davies
Alan Davies is an English comedian, writer and actor best known for starring in the TV mystery series Jonathan Creek and as the permanent panellist on the TV panel show QI.- Early life :...
and Jo Brand
Jo Brand
Josephine Grace "Jo" Brand is a BAFTA winning British comedian, writer, and actor.- Early life :Jo Brand was born 23 July 1957 in Wandsworth, London. Her mother was a social worker. Brand is the middle of three children, with two brothers...
are the only players to have ever managed to smuggle all five true facts past their opponents, although in Brand's case in Series 1, Clive Anderson
Clive Anderson
Clive Anderson is a British former barrister, best known for being a comedy writer as well as a radio and television presenter in the United Kingdom...
scored a point during her lecture thanks to an incidental bonus truth she had written in. Davies has managed all five twice, once in the New Year's special, and once in Series 7.
Reception
Reaction to the show is generally positive. Many reviews praised Mitchell's presentation of the programme, saying, "Mitchell's quick, intelligent wit gives it an edge that it would otherwise lack." Elizabeth Mahoney in The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
enthused that “From the first moments of its plinky plonky theme tune, ‘The Unbelievable Truth’ is a delight… the success of the format isn’t about how convincingly you can spin a tall story, but how well you can sneak incongruous true facts into a lot of silly nonsense. The pleasure here – David Mitchell’s endearing squareness apart – is the depths to which this silliness sinks”. Jane Anderson in The Radio Times described the show as “the funniest thing I’ve heard on Radio 4 in years and I’m considering suing the network for irreparable damage to my sides” and Chris Campling in The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
called it "The most consistently entertaining comedy panel show of the past few years" and praises David Mitchell
David Mitchell (actor)
David James Stuart Mitchell is a British actor, comedian and writer. He is half of the comedy duo Mitchell and Webb, alongside Robert Webb, whom he met at Cambridge University. There they were both part of the Cambridge Footlights, of which Mitchell became President. Together the duo star in the...
's chairmanship.
However, some critics have complained that the programme is "Too scripted" and would benefit from more improvisation
Improvisational theatre
Improvisational theatre takes many forms. It is best known as improv or impro, which is often comedic, and sometimes poignant or dramatic. In this popular, often topical art form improvisational actors/improvisers use improvisational acting techniques to perform spontaneously...
. One review said, "However most of the programme is essentially listening to four rather silly pre-scripted stories, as if it's story time at primary school, and as such the real facts are often rather easy to spot in comparison. It may [sic] have been more dangerous fun if the contestants were supplied with their facts to be smuggled just before going on air, to allow even the pretence of some improvisation."
Ian Dunn for One Giant Leap also wrote a mixed review of the show saying that it, "may not be the best panel game in the world, but it is enjoyable. It is a way of merrily passing away half-an-hour." He commented on how the show managed to be successful in the same slot as other Radio 4 panel games Just a Minute
Just a Minute
Just a Minute is a BBC Radio 4 radio comedy panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Its first transmission on Radio 4 was on 22 December 1967, three months after the station's launch. The Radio 4 programme won a Gold Sony Radio Academy Award in 2003....
and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, sometimes abbreviated to ISIHAC or Clue, is a BBC radio comedy panel game broadcast since 11 April 1972 at the rate of one or two series each year , transmitted on BBC Radio 4, with occasional repeats on BBC Radio 4 Extra and the BBC's World Service...
(ISIHAC), although he mentioned there was a connection between ISIHAC and The Unbelievable Truth as the latter is created by the producer and one of the regular panellists from ISIHAC. Dunn also referred to the lack of input from Mitchell despite him being well known for good performances on other panel games, saying: "This sadly means that Mitchell is almost redundant and is reduced to the roll (sic) of an umpire."
Zoe Williams
Zoe Williams
Zoe Williams is a British columnist and journalist.-Early life:She attended the independent Godolphin and Latymer School girls school and read Modern History at Lincoln College, Oxford.. Her parents separated in 1976 and formally divorced 20 years later.-Writing:Williams writes forThe Guardian and...
was more critical in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
. Writing in an article attacking Mitchell in general, she wrote: "The Unbelievable Truth, for instance, should never have been recommissioned. It's only funny when Clive Anderson
Clive Anderson
Clive Anderson is a British former barrister, best known for being a comedy writer as well as a radio and television presenter in the United Kingdom...
is speaking. They could more profitably devise a show that was just Clive Anderson, speaking. Its failures as a quiz are admirably demonstrated by the fact that the scoring is now inverse to the drollery, so that Clive scores no points at all, and Lucy Porter
Lucy Porter
Lucy Donna Porter is an English actress, writer and comedienne.She has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Brighton Festival and many clubs around Britain. She has also a regular voice on BBC Radio 4 in various panel shows, including Quote.....
sometimes wins. I don't care about scoring when it's like I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue and it's meant to mean nothing, but they can't all be spoof game-shows. Some of them have to be actual games that work."
The BBC received "almost 50" complaints after Mitchell opened the 2 November 2009 episode with the line, "There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that the last line in Anne Frank's diary reads: 'Today is my birthday and my dad bought me a drum kit.'" Complainants branded the line "insensitive".
Recent series of the show have been described in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
and The Daily Mail as a pick of the week, being "brilliantly chaired as ever by David Mitchell. More wide ranging and inventive than its TV equivalent ... this is a classic format which might well just last as long as say, 'Just a Minute'" and Sarah Montague on "Pick of the Week" describing series six as "Radio 4 doesn't always get comedy right, but its comedy series 'The Unbelievable Truth' is so funny that most presenters of this programme want to include a clip". In addition, the show received the highest AI, or Appreciation Index
Appreciation Index
The Audience Appreciation Index is a score out of 100 which is used as an indicator of the public's appreciation for a television or radio programme, or broadcast service, in the United Kingdom. Until 2002, the AI of a programme was calculated by BARB, the organisation that compiles television...
, figures of any comedy show on Radio 4 for 2010, and has been nominated for the 2011 Sony Radio Academy Awards
Sony Radio Academy Awards
The Sony Radio Academy Awards , started in 1983, are some of the most prestigious awards in the British radio industry. They are run by ZAFER Associates in association with the Radio Academy...
.
The show has delivered seven series, with an eighth to be broadcast later in 2011.
Pilot
| Episode | Original airdate | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pilot | 2006-10-19 | Graeme Garden Graeme Garden David Graeme Garden OBE is a Scottish author, actor, comedian, artist and television presenter, who first became known as a member of The Goodies.-Early life and beginnings in comedy:... , Jeremy Hardy Jeremy Hardy Jeremy James Hardy is a British alternative comedian who is also known for his socialist politics.-Career:Hardy was born in Farnborough, Hampshire. He attended Farnham College and studied Modern History and Politics at the University of Southampton... , Andy Hamilton Andy Hamilton Andrew Neil Hamilton is a British comedian, game show panellist, television director, comedy screenwriter and radio dramatist.-Early life:... , Neil Mullarkey Neil Mullarkey Neil Mullarkey is an English actor, writer and comedian.Mullarkey studied at Robinson College, Cambridge; while he was there he was Junior Treasurer of the Cambridge Footlights in the academic year 1981 to 1982 and was president in the year ending 1983... |
Series 1
| Episode | Original airdate | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| 2. 1-1 | 2007-04-23 | Marcus Brigstocke Marcus Brigstocke Marcus Alexander Brigstocke is an English comedian, actor and satirist who has worked extensively in stand-up comedy, television, radio and in 2010-2011 musical theatre. He is particularly associated with the 6.30pm comedy slot on BBC Radio 4, having frequently appeared on several of its shows... , Tony Hawks Tony Hawks Antony Gordon Hawksworth, better known as Tony Hawks, is a British comedian and author.-Early life:Born in Brighton in 1960, Hawks was educated at Brighton Hove and Sussex Grammar School and Brighton College... , Frankie Boyle Frankie Boyle Francis Martin Patrick "Frankie" Boyle is a British comedian and writer, well known for his pessimistic, often controversial sense of humour... , Neil Mullarkey |
| 3. 1-2 | 2007-04-30 | Alan Davies Alan Davies Alan Davies is an English comedian, writer and actor best known for starring in the TV mystery series Jonathan Creek and as the permanent panellist on the TV panel show QI.- Early life :... , Clive Anderson Clive Anderson Clive Anderson is a British former barrister, best known for being a comedy writer as well as a radio and television presenter in the United Kingdom... , Jo Brand Jo Brand Josephine Grace "Jo" Brand is a BAFTA winning British comedian, writer, and actor.- Early life :Jo Brand was born 23 July 1957 in Wandsworth, London. Her mother was a social worker. Brand is the middle of three children, with two brothers... , Jeremy Hardy |
| 4. 1-3 | 2007-05-07 | Alan Davies, Clive Anderson, Jo Brand, Jeremy Hardy |
| 5. 1-4 | 2007-05-14 | Sandi Toksvig Sandi Toksvig Sandra Brigitte “Sandi” Toksvig is a Danish comedian, author and presenter on British radio and television.-Career:... , Dara Ó Briain Dara Ó Briain Dara Ó Briain is an Irish stand-up comedian and television presenter, noted for hosting topical panel shows such as The Panel and Mock the Week.... , Jo Caulfield Jo Caulfield Josephine Caulfield is a British actress, writer and comedian.-Biography:Born in Wales to Irish parents, she was brought up in Derbyshire and Leicestershire England.... , Graeme Garden |
| 6. 1-5 | 2007-05-21 | Marcus Brigstocke, Tony Hawks, Frankie Boyle, Neil Mullarkey |
| 7. 1-6 | 2007-05-28 | Sandi Toksvig, Dara Ó Briain, Jo Caulfield, Graeme Garden |
Series 2
| Episode | Original airdate | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| 8. 2-1 | 2008-05-05 | Phill Jupitus Phill Jupitus Phillip Christopher Jupitus is an English stand-up and improvised comedian, actor, performance poet, musician and podcaster.... , Simon Evans Simon Evans Simon Evans , is an English comedian, born in Luton and currently living in Hove.-Early life:Simon Evans attended Verulam School in St Albans and then studied law at Southampton University, graduating in 1986.-Stand-up comedy:... , Alan Davies, Tony Hawks |
| 9. 2-2 | 2008-05-12 | Lucy Porter Lucy Porter Lucy Donna Porter is an English actress, writer and comedienne.She has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Brighton Festival and many clubs around Britain. She has also a regular voice on BBC Radio 4 in various panel shows, including Quote..... , Michael McIntyre Michael McIntyre Michael Hazen James McIntyre is an English stand-up comedian. He is well known for appearing at many British stand-up comedy events and for several roles on television stand-up programmes such as Live at the Apollo and his own show, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow... , Fred MacAulay, Graeme Garden |
| 10. 2-3 | 2008-05-19 | Adam Buxton Adam Buxton Adam Offord Buxton is an English comedian and actor. With Joe Cornish, he forms one half of the duo Adam and Joe. The pair presented Adam and Joe on BBC 6 Music, whilst Buxton also presents his own show on 6 Music on Sundays, called Adam Buxton's Big Mix Tape, currently on hiatus.-Major work:His... , Ed Byrne Ed Byrne Ed Byrne is a Perrier Award-nominated, Irish stand-up comedian, voice over artist and actor. He has presented television shows Uncut! Best Unseen Ads and Just for Laughs, and is a regular guest on various television panel games... , Lee Mack Lee Mack Lee Gordon McKillop is an English stand-up comedian and actor, known by the stage name Lee Mack. He is well known in the United Kingdom for writing and starring in the sitcom Not Going Out, for being a team captain on Would I Lie to You? and for hosting Lee Mack's All Star Cast.-Personal life:Mack... , Tim Vine Tim Vine Timothy "Tim" Mark Vine is an English actor, writer and comedian. He has released a number of DVDs of his stand-up comedy, as well as starring in the successful series Not Going Out with Lee Mack on the BBC... |
| 11. 2-4 | 2008-05-26 | Phill Jupitus, Simon Evans, Alan Davies, Tony Hawks |
| 12. 2-5 | 2008-06-02 | Lucy Porter, Michael McIntyre, Fred MacAulay, Graeme Garden |
| 13. 2-6 | 2008-06-02 | Adam Buxton, Ed Byrne, Lee Mack, Tim Vine |
2008 Christmas Special
| Episode | Original airdate | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| 14. Sp | 2008-12-15 | Jack Dee Jack Dee James Andrew Innes "Jack" Dee is an English stand-up comedian, actor and writer known for his sardonic, curmudgeonly, and deadpan style.-Early life:... , Armando Iannucci Armando Iannucci Armando Giovanni Iannucci is a Scottish comedian, satirist, writer, director, performer and radio producer. Born in Glasgow, he studied at Oxford University and left graduate work on a PhD about John Milton to pursue a career in comedy.... , Sean Lock Sean Lock Sean Lock is an English comedian and actor. He began his comedy career as a stand-up comedian. He won the British Comedy Award in 2000 in the category of Best Live Comic, and was nominated for the Perrier Comedy Award. He is also well known for his appearances on television and radio... , Graeme Garden |
Series 3
| Episode | Original airdate | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| 15. 3-1 | 2009-03-23 | Lucy Porter, Chris Addison Chris Addison Chris Addison is an English stand-up comedian, writer and actor. He is known for his lecture-style comedy shows, two of which he later adapted for BBC Radio 4... , Graeme Garden, Clive Anderson |
| 16. 3-2 | 2009-03-30 | Simon Evans, Tony Hawks, Milton Jones Milton Jones Milton Jones is an English comedian. His style of humour is based on one-liners involving puns delivered in a deadpan and slightly neurotic style. Jones has had various shows on BBC Radio 4 and is a recurring guest panellist on Mock the Week... , Johnny Vaughan Johnny Vaughan Jonathan Randall Vaughan is an English broadcaster and journalist. Vaughan has become well known as a television and radio personality and has also built a reputation as a film critic. He co-presented Capital Breakfast alongside Lisa Snowdon on 95.8 Capital FM between 2004 and 2011... |
| 17. 3-3 | 2009-04-06 | Lucy Porter, Graeme Garden, Clive Anderson, Chris Addison |
| 18. 3-4 | 2009-04-13 | Fred MacAulay, Jeremy Hardy, Will Self Will Self William Woodard "Will" Self is an English novelist and short story writer. His fictional style is known for being satirical, grotesque, and fantastical. He is a prolific commentator on contemporary British life, with regular appearances on Newsnight and Question Time... , Jack Dee |
| 19. 3-5 | 2009-04-20 | Sean Lock, Arthur Smith Arthur Smith (comedian) Brian Arthur John Smith is an English alternative comedian and writer. He was born in Bermondsey, South London, brother to Richard Smith... , Sue Perkins Sue Perkins Sue Perkins is an English comedienne, broadcaster, actress, and writer.-Education:Perkins was educated at Croham Hurst School, an independent school for girls in Croydon in South London, at the same time as the BBC Breakfast News presenter Susanna Reid... , Miranda Hart Miranda Hart Miranda Katharine Hart Dyke , known professionally as Miranda Hart, is an English actress, writer and stand-up comedienne. She writes and stars in the BBC sitcom Miranda... |
| 20. 3-6 | 2009-04-27 | Jack Dee, Jeremy Hardy, Fred MacAulay, Will Self |
Series 4
| Episode | Original airdate | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| 21. 4-1 | 2009-10-05 | Reginald D. Hunter, Adam Hills Adam Hills Adam Hills is an Australian comedian and television presenter. He has appeared on Australian and British television and is best known for his role hosting the Australian ABC music trivia show Spicks and Specks... , Shappi Khorsandi, Rhod Gilbert Rhod Gilbert Rhodri "Rhod" Gilbert, is a Welsh comedian who was nominated in 2005 for the Perrier Best Newcomer Award. In 2008, he was nominated for the main if.comedy .... |
| 22. 4-2 | 2009-10-12 | Clive Anderson, Dom Joly Dom Joly Dominic John Romulus "Dom" Joly is a British television comedian and journalist. He came to note as the star of Trigger Happy TV, a hidden camera show that was sold to over seventy countries worldwide... , Fi Glover Fi Glover Fiona "Fi" Glover is a BBC journalist and presenter and, until March 2011, the host of BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live.-Career:... , Henning Wehn Henning Wehn Henning Wehn is a German stand-up comedian based in London.-Career:Since October 2003 Wehn has been self-styled the "German Comedy Ambassador in London"... |
| 23. 4-3 | 2009-10-19 | Arthur Smith, Phill Jupitus, Tony Hawks, Graeme Garden |
| 24. 4-4 | 2009-10-26 | Reginald D. Hunter, Adam Hills, Shappi Khorsandi, Rhod Gilbert |
| 25. 4-5 | 2009-11-02 | Clive Anderson, Dom Joly, Fi Glover, Henning Wehn |
| 26. 4-6 | 2009-11-09 | Arthur Smith, Phill Jupitus, Tony Hawks, Graeme Garden |
2009 New Year's / QI Special
| Episode | Original airdate | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| 27. Sp | 2009-12-28 | Alan Davies, Rob Brydon Rob Brydon Rob Brydon is a BAFTA-nominated Welsh actor, comedian, radio and television presenter, singer and impressionist... , Stephen Fry Stephen Fry Stephen John Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter and film director, and a director of Norwich City Football Club. He first came to attention in the 1981 Cambridge Footlights Revue presentation "The Cellar Tapes", which also... , John Lloyd John Lloyd (writer) John Hardress Wilfred Lloyd CBE is a British comedy writer and television producer. He is the great nephew of John Hardress Lloyd.-Early life and career:... |
Series 5
| Episode | Original airdate | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| 28. 5-1 | 2010-03-29 | Lucy Porter, Henning Wehn, Graeme Garden, Marcus Brigstocke |
| 29. 5-2 | 2010-04-05 | Tony Hawks, Arthur Smith, Phill Jupitus, Catherine Tate Catherine Tate Catherine Tate is an English actress, writer, and comedian. She has won numerous awards for her work on the sketch comedy series The Catherine Tate Show as well as being nominated for an International Emmy Award and four BAFTA Awards... |
| 30. 5-3 | 2010-04-12 | Charlie Brooker Charlie Brooker Charlton "Charlie" Brooker is a British journalist, comic writer and broadcaster. His style of humour is savage and profane, with surreal elements and a consistent satirical pessimism... , Liza Tarbuck Liza Tarbuck Liza Tarbuck is an English actress and television and radio presenter, and daughter of comedian Jimmy Tarbuck.She trained at the National Youth Theatre and RADA graduating in 1986 alongside Clive Owen, Rebecca Pidgeon and Serena Harragin.-Acting:... , Susan Calman Susan Calman Susan Calman is a Scottish comedian. She is a frequent panellist on BBC Radio 4 topical shows The News Quiz and I Guess That's Why They Call It The News, has appeared in Channel 4 sketch shows and covers for Fred MacAulay on his BBC Radio Scotland show. She has also appeared in Rab C. Nesbitt... , Fred MacAulay |
| 31. 5-4 | 2010-04-19 | Graeme Garden, Marcus Brigstocke, Lucy Porter, Henning Wehn |
| 32. 5-5 | 2010-04-26 | Tony Hawks, Arthur Smith, Phill Jupitus, Catherine Tate |
| 33. 5-6 | 2010-05-03 | Susan Calman, Liza Tarbuck, Fred MacAulay, Charlie Brooker |
Series 6
| Episode | Original airdate | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| 34. 6-1 | 2010-09-27 | Chris Addison, Rufus Hound Rufus Hound Rufus Hound is a British comedian and presenter. He is also the winner of 2010 "Let's Dance for Comic Relief".-Career:... , Susan Calman, Armando Iannucci |
| 35. 6-2 | 2010-10-04 | Tony Hawks, Arthur Smith, Henning Wehn, Graeme Garden |
| 36. 6-3 | 2010-10-11 | Rhod Gilbert, Kevin Bridges Kevin Bridges Kevin Bridges is a Scottish stand-up comedian.-Stand-up:Bridges began performing on the small stage when he left school shortly after his 17th birthday, doing stand-up comedy gigs at The Stand Comedy Club in Glasgow and then throughout the UK. At 18 he reached the final of Channel 5's So you think... , Lucy Porter, Tom Wrigglesworth Tom Wrigglesworth Tom Wrigglesworth is an English stand-up comedian from Sheffield, Yorkshire. He has won the comedy newcomer award So You Think You're Funny? at the 2003 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In 2006 he performed with fellow comedian Tom Allen as a part of the show Allen and Wrigglesworth. In 2009 he was... |
| 37. 6-4 | 2010-10-18 | Chris Addison, Rufus Hound, Susan Calman, Armando Iannucci |
| 38. 6-5 | 2010-10-25 | Tony Hawks, Arthur Smith, Henning Wehn, Graeme Garden |
| 39. 6-6 | 2010-11-01 | Rhod Gilbert, Kevin Bridges, Lucy Porter, Tom Wrigglesworth |
Series 7
| Episode | Original airdate | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| 40. 7-1 | 2011-04-04 | Lucy Porter, Jack Dee, Marcus Brigstocke, Alan Davies |
| 41. 7-2 | 2011-04-11 | Clive Anderson, Graeme Garden, Henning Wehn, Sue Perkins |
| 42. 7-3 | 2011-04-18 | Rhod Gilbert, Charlie Brooker, Tony Hawks, Arthur Smith |
| 43. 7-4 | 2011-04-25 | Lucy Porter, Jack Dee, Marcus Brigstocke, Alan Davies |
| 44. 7-5 | 2011-05-02 | Clive Anderson, Graeme Garden, Henning Wehn, Sue Perkins |
| 45. 7-6 | 2011-05-09 | Rhod Gilbert, Charlie Brooker, Tony Hawks, Arthur Smith |
Series 8
| Episode | Recording date | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| 46. 8-1 | 2011-08-13 | Mark Watson Mark Watson (comedian) Mark Andrew Watson is an English stand-up comedian and novelist.-Early life:Watson was born in Bristol to Welsh parents and attended Henleaze Junior school and then Bristol Grammar School, where he won the prize of 'Gabbler of the year', before going to Queens' College, Cambridge, where he studied... , Henning Wehn, Ed Byrne, Phill Jupitus |
| 47. 8-2 | 2011-08-13 | Mark Watson Mark Watson (comedian) Mark Andrew Watson is an English stand-up comedian and novelist.-Early life:Watson was born in Bristol to Welsh parents and attended Henleaze Junior school and then Bristol Grammar School, where he won the prize of 'Gabbler of the year', before going to Queens' College, Cambridge, where he studied... , Henning Wehn, Ed Byrne, Phill Jupitus |
| 48. 8-3 | 2011-09-27 | Tony Hawks, Tom Wrigglesworth, John Finnemore John Finnemore (writer) John David Finnemore is a comedy writer and actor best known as a frequent guest on The Now Show and for the radio sitcom Cabin Pressure.-Education:... , Alan Davies |
| 49. 8-4 | 2011-09-27 | Tony Hawks, Tom Wrigglesworth, John Finnemore John Finnemore (writer) John David Finnemore is a comedy writer and actor best known as a frequent guest on The Now Show and for the radio sitcom Cabin Pressure.-Education:... , Alan Davies |
| 50. 8-5 | 2011-12-12 | Jack Dee, Lee Mack, Rufus Hound, Graeme Garden |
| 51. 8-6 | 2011-12-12 | Jack Dee, Lee Mack, Rufus Hound, Graeme Garden |