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BBC TWO’S MOCK the Week is to end after 21 series and over 200 episodes.
The upcoming eight episodes of the panel show, fronted by Dara Ó Briain, are to be the last.
A BBC spokesperson said that the broadcaster had taken the “difficult decision” to axe the programme “in order to create room for new shows”.
In a statement from the programme’s production company, Angst Productions, Ó Briain 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.
He added: “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 spokesperson for Angst Productions has expressed the company’s disappointment that the show is coming to an end and said that they hope the show “will be able to resurface somewhere someday in the future”.
They added: “However, the last 17 years on BBC Two have been an absolute blast, it’s been a great privilege to work closely with scores of truly incredible performers and we’d also like to take the opportunity to thank the BBC and all our many fans around the world for their support over the years.”
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Never the same after Frankie left
Went downhill a few years back when Frank ie left but still decent. If Dara is looking for a job then bring back The Panel on RTE.
@Wooden Spoon: Don’t Feed The Gondolas
@Wooden Spoon: would he not give echo island another crack? Will miss mock the week.
That’s a pity. I always enjoyed it. Especially the banter between Dara and Ed Byrne when he was on.
@Gearóid MacEachaidh: I enjoyed the episode where Ed was explaining the phrase “puking your ring” to the other contestants and the audience.
@Ken Loughman: yes! Hilarious
@Gearóid MacEachaidh: There were also the time where everyone made fun of the size of Dara’s head:
Genuinely puzzled about the popularly of that show. It’s really not funny at all.
@John McSweeney: No sense of humour John,simple,need to loosen up,only one go on the merry-go-round,but let me guess u won’t,no body does,sad
@John McSweeney: In your opinion. Anyone that likes comedy should realise it’s not only their opinion that counts. Over 200 episodes speaks for itself.
@John McSweeney: you’re genuinely puzzled by people having different tastes to you?
It’s been on TV for 17 years, what does that tell you?
@John McSweeney: It was funny, it was innovative but like everything else it ran out of steam a long time ago!
@Sean: Or real life outran satire? I’ll miss it, it must be hard on the crew, let’s hope they all go on to fresh fields.
Not a fan of Dara O’Briain myself. So many of these ‘spontaneous’ funny shows seem anything but. They feel rehearsed and forced.
@lelookcoco: you feel rehearsed and forced.
Mock OF the week…….
Great show should’ve ended years ago though.
@John Munch: I agree it was very heavily pre-scripted and the “spontaneous” witty remarks couldn’t have been less spontaneous unless they were reading them off a page in front of them.
@Sean: some unreal adlib comics in here by the sounds of it! Every panel show is rehearsed, and mock the week never claimed to be 100% spontaneous. They often referred to the production meetings/stuff they edited out, during the show.
@A$AP Ragnick: Heard Dara O Briain being interviewed and he was straight up. If I’m looking at the camera, what I’m saying is scripted. If I’m not, it’s not.
Enjoyed it a lot in the earlier years. All good things must come to an end.
Was a great show. Hopefully Channel 4 can take it over. It’s right up their alley. Needs a little bit of a revamp in places, but was always a good watch.
Oh my god that’s desperate news. How am I ever going to sleep again???
Ah jasus lads……that’s terrible.
Good comedy is knowing when the joke is over.
Fawlty Towers and Fr Ted ended with us wanting more. Always a good sign.
I loved Mock the Week in its prime but felt it had outststayed its welcome in the last number of years. But happy memories of Daire, Huw and Frankie (and whenever Stweart Francis or Milton Jones paid a visit)
Terribly sad to hear this news. Can’t understand why it’s finishing. Hope it gets a reboot on an online channel.
Over 200 episodes? Would have expected a lot more over 21 seasons
@Daniel O’Connor: It took breaks here and there so it’s likely that’s all that was made.
I can’t believe this is even news!
I mean, come on, it’s hardly Neighbours!
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