The Unbelievable Truth

Radio Head: David Mitchell

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.

Radio Review: The Unbelievable Truth

This Radio 4 panel game hosted by David Mitchell is unbelievable for several reasons, good and bad.

The panel game show packed with more lies than Bernard Madoff's investment portfolio returns for a new series. Tonight's panellists take turns to mumble their way through a humourless collection of untruths while the other three buzz in with their dull interjections if they think they have spotted an assertion that is true.

One of the comedy game show world's finest minds, David Mitchell, is barely heard in his role as chairman, apart from when he announces the scores at the end.

David Mitchell returns as chairman of the panel game in which comedians have to talk lies about a topic, hoping they can sneak three nuggets of truth past their fellow players. One of Radio 4's best recent additions to its panel game roster. And that's the truth.

David Mitchell's amiability as host does not stop him from taking the mickey out of his guests when they deserve it. For those who've yet to experience this show, the panellists are each asked to provide a short lecture on a given subject. They pack their talk with lies and bamboozle their opponents with so much duff information in the hope that they'll miss the four pieces of truth that have been slipped in.

Mitchell is currently chairing a Monday evening game show, The Unbelievable Truth, in which comedians who appear on every other Radio 4 game show compete to see how many facts they can disguise in a three-minute web of fiction. He undoubtedly gives a lift to the otherwise predictable proceedings.

Stretched concept made good by Mitchell's quick thinking

It is the unscripted moments that happen in spite of the concept that make this show worthwhile.