Comedian and presenter Dara Ó Briain has candidly discussed elements he will not miss from the BBC as the satirical panel show Mock The Week prepares for its revival on TLC. The 53-year-old host, who fronted the popular news-based programme from 2005 until its cancellation in 2022, disclosed that BBC executives meticulously controlled what panellists could say about each political party, even timing airtime to ensure balance.
Revival Details and Format Changes
The show is set to return to screens on Sunday, February 1, with new hour-long episodes on TLC. It marks Ó Briain's first on-screen role in four years, reuniting with familiar faces including Hugh Dennis, Rhys James, Sara Pascoe, Ed Byrne, Katherine Ryan, and Russell Howard as panellists. The revived format will bring back beloved rounds such as 'If this is the answer, what is the question?', 'Wheel of News', 'Picture of the Week', and 'Scenes We'd Like to See'.
Ó Briain's Critique of BBC Practices
In an interview with the Telegraph, Ó Briain explained that while the show will feel largely the same, a key difference will be the absence of BBC-mandated balance checks. He quipped about not missing "the people with stopwatches timing how much we did of each [political] party," noting this was required for BBC balance. He described the process as doing "the thing in the room and then we’ll sort it out later," with Standards and Practice departments reviewing content afterwards.
Despite his criticisms, Ó Briain praised the BBC for allowing a "victory lap" after the cancellation announcement, where the team wore tuxedos and reflected on past episodes. The show aired 245 episodes across 21 series before ending in 2022, with the BBC citing a need to "create room for new shows." At the time, Ó Briain humorously remarked that the UK had "finally run out of news," referencing chaotic storylines like pandemics and political upheaval.
Industry Reactions and Future Prospects
Graham Lafferty, SVP Content Strategy and Networks at WBD UK & Ireland, expressed excitement about Mock The Week's return, highlighting the move to broad entertainment on TLC. The revival, first announced in October 2025, aims to deliver more of what fans loved, with Ó Briain back as host and new comedic talent. Angst Productions, the show's producer, had previously expressed hope to "resurface somewhere some day" after the BBC axe, a wish now fulfilled with the TLC deal.
The original series featured a rotating panel of comedians, including controversial figures like Frankie Boyle, alongside regulars such as Rory Bremner and Angela Barnes. As the show transitions to TLC, Ó Briain's insights shed light on the behind-the-scenes constraints of public broadcasting, offering a glimpse into the creative freedoms anticipated in its new home.
