Streaming giant Amazon have announced that they are bringing back BBC panel show Mock the Week. The show ran for 21 series between 2005-2022 and was hosted by comedian Dara Ó Briain.
It has now been confirmed that Amazon Freevee will be giving the series a new lease of life as it airs in the US next year. The reboot will be produced by the Daily Show's Trevor Noah with input from Mock the Week's creator, Dan Patterson.
In its original form, the half-hour panel programme featured two teams of comedians taking satirical swipes at current news, pop culture, and world events through a combination of stand-up comedy and improvised games. Are you excited to see Mock the Week return? Let us know in the comments.
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Speaking about his involvement in the upcoming US edition Trevor said: “Two things I'm most passionate about in life are paying my landlord and making people laugh. By bringing Mock The Week to America with the talented Dan Patterson, I'm looking forward to doing just that."
Following the end of the UK version, original host Dara said: "That's it folks, the UK has finally run out of news. The storylines were getting crazier and crazier - global pandemics, divorce from Europe, novelty short-term prime ministers. It couldn't go on.
"And so, regretfully, we are closing the doors on Dara and Hugh's Academy for Baby Comedians. We just couldn't be more silly than the news was already.
"Huge thanks to all our guests over the years, so many of whom went on to huge successes of their own, and never write or call. It was a joy!"
A statement from the BBC confirmed: 'The next series of Mock The Week will be the last, we are really proud of the show but after 21 series we have taken the difficult decision in order to create room for new shows.
"We would like to thank Angst Productions, host Dara Ó Briain, panellist Hugh Dennis and all the guest comedians involved in the show across the 21 series.
Executives at Freevee think the show will do well in the states, as Lauren Anderson, head of AVOD Originals, unscripted, and targeted programming, Amazon Studios, said: “For years, ‘Mock the Week’ delivered a witty spin on the news — entertaining a broad cross-section of the UK audience through funny conversations, one-liners, and improv comedy.
"In one episode, you can catch up on weekly headlines, hear multiple points of view on a topic, and find your next favourite stand-up comedian." You can keep up to date with the latest TV and showbiz news by signing up to the newsletter here.
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