Amazon to bring back Mock The Week with US remake just six months after BBC axing
Topical satirical celebrity panel show Mock The Week ran for 234 episodes and 132 comedians featured during its 21 series before being decommissioned last November but it will return in 2024 in the US
Popular comedy show Mock The Week is set for a return to our screens less than six months after the BBC axed the programme.
The popular BBC topical satirical celebrity panel show ran for 234 episodes and 132 comedians featured during its 21 series, which was hosted throughout by Dara O'Briain and regular team captain Hugh Dennis.
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.
The UK series featured regular appearances from comedians Dennis, Frankie Boyle, Russell Howard, Andy Parsons, Ed Gamble and Nish Kumar.
It debuted in June 2005 and lasted for 17 years before being decommissioned in November last year. However, Amazon has given the green light for a revamped version of the show.
Amazon Freevee, Amazon’s free streaming service, announced a series pick-up for a US remake of the show on Monday, with production set to begin in 2024. A host will be announced at a later date.
It will be executive-produced by former host of The Daily Show Trevor Noah and the show’s original creator Dan Patterson - the mastermind behind improvisational comedy series Whose Line Is It Anyway? alongside Mark Leveson on both sides of the Atlantic.
"Two things I’m most passionate about in life are paying my landlord and making people laugh,” said Noah, who stood down as host of The Daily Show last December.
"We could all use a little bit more laughter as we continue to navigate today’s crazy world. By bringing Mock The Week to America with the talented Dan Patterson, I’m looking forward to doing just that."
"After 21 successful seasons on the BBC, we can’t wait to bring the format to the US and work with America’s deep pool of brilliant comedians," Patterson added.
Amazon Freevee also revived Australian soap Neighbours just months after it had been dumped by Channel 5 last year.
The show - which follows the lives of residents in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough in Australia - seemingly came to an end with a 'finale' last July after having been on air since 1985.
However, it was later confirmed that it would return for a new series though - set to be released through Amazon Freevee - and a number of cast members are set to reprise their roles.
Among the cast returning are Alan Fletcher (who played Karl Kennedy), Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy), Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson) and Annie Jones (Jane Harris).
Filming began last month and is due to air later this year, while it is filmed at Nunawading Studios in Melbourne - where the original series was previously filmed.
The original decision to axe Neighbours was due to the production company Fremantle and Channel 5 failing to reach a new deal.
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