![10 O'Clock Live. Image shows from L to R: David Mitchell, Charlie Brooker, Lauren Laverne, Jimmy Carr. Copyright: Zeppotron 10 O'Clock Live. Image shows from L to R: David Mitchell, Charlie Brooker, Lauren Laverne, Jimmy Carr. Copyright: Zeppotron](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/comedies/300x200/1/10_oclock_live.jpg)
10 O'Clock Live
- TV panel show
- Channel 4
- 2011 - 2013
- 33 episodes (3 series)
Topical comedy show broadcast live. The hosts are Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell, Charlie Brooker and Lauren Laverne. Stars Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell, Charlie Brooker and Lauren Laverne.
Press clippings Page 7
10 O'Clock Live is That Was The Week That Was for now, and good fun because of that show's formidable heritage, as the four presenters are all competing to avoid being cast as the new Lance Percival, he of the laugh-free "topical calypsos".
David Mitchell and Jimmy Carr are jockeying for the David Frost role; Lauren Laverne is Millicent Martin, the not-so-dumb blonde. Mitchell didn't quite know whether to ask proper questions or go for gags during a discussion on bankers' bonuses, but he fared much better when interviewing the universities minister, probably because he's passionate about education.
Best joke? That would be Charlie Brooker on the unrest in Tunisia. He described the incident where a young vegetable seller set himself on fire as "an act of tomartyrdom".
Aidan Smith, The Scotsman, 25th January 2011One week in, there has so far been a mixed reception for 10 O'Clock Live, Channel 4's new satirical current affairs programme. Too slow, say some, lacking "bite", say others. Our principal complaint is this: as the show's only female host, can't Lauren Laverne be given more to do? She's whip-smart, funny, and she's the most experienced live broadcaster among them, yet she has been largely confined to providing the links between Jimmy Carr, Charlie Brooker and David Mitchell's set "comedy" pieces. Come on Channel 4, she's better than that.
Laura Barton, The Guardian, 24th January 2011There was a debate about banking in 10 O'Clock Live, C4's new satire show which, as the title suggests, goes out live. David Mitchell noted that anger at the banks has gone "way beyond the irritation at the pens on strings". It was the best line in what turned out to be a non-event discussion, and one of the highlights of what felt very much like a trial-run hour.
Both Mitchell and Jimmy Carr, who coined the imperishable double-entendre "Johnson out, Balls in" to mark the shadow cabinet reshuffle, enjoyed successful first nights. That's chiefly because they had the strongest monologues and, as it stands, 10 O'Clock Live is over-leveraged on contractualised diatribe obligations.
Charlie Brooker's rant on the egregious Sarah Palin was a frenzied rush at a door that had been kicked off its hinges a long time ago, and all he managed to hit was a brick wall. Whereas the fourth member, Lauren Laverne, had to make do with a lame skit on another mouldy target, American news anchors, and came across as a rather fey Tina Fey. Even the more up-to-date material, such as the revolt in Tunisia, suffered from over-exposure, not least in the show itself, where it featured in two almost identical riffs on tourism.
Although you only launch once, these are very early days. The comedic chemistry and sense of live urgency will take a while to develop. It was not helped by the blank spaciousness of the set, which leaves the participants looking removed not just from the audience but external events. The show's key asset, though, is four talented performers. Last Thursday they each looked as if they desperately didn't want to be the one that failed. Either they make more overt use of that competition or increase the opportunities for collaboration. More dialogue, in other words, and less monologue.
Andrew Anthony, The Observer, 23rd January 2011Bad news: Everything is dire. Good news: Satire is back
After years in the doldrums, comedy with an edge returns to the screen. Our writer David Quantick is laughing.
David Quantick, The Independent, 23rd January 201110 O'Clock Live: A load of old clock
With 14 episodes to go (oh God!), let's take the charitable view and call this disaster a work in progress. But boy are this lot going to have to raise their game.
Kevin O'Sullivan, The Mirror, 23rd January 201110 O'Clock Live review
It's not terrible, but not great. The scattergun attitude to subject matter needs refining, and undoubtedly confidence will come in the future.
Adam Bowie, 22nd January 2011First Night: 10 O'Clock Live, Channel 4
They had the big stories, but where were the big laughs?
Tom Sutcliffe, The Independent, 21st January 201110 O'Clock Live: did the Channel 4 hype backfire?
Blanket coverage and unhelpful comparisons with The Daily Show meant 10 O'Clock Live was never going to live up to expectations.
Stuart Heritage, The Guardian, 21st January 2011TV Ratings: Question Time trumps 10 O'Clock Live
BBC1 politics show featuring Alastair Campbell and George Galloway beats launch of Channel 4's satirical format.
Jason Deans, The Guardian, 21st January 201110 O'Clock Live: more cracking jokes than breaking news
10 O'Clock Live, or Charlie Brooker's Have I Got Newswipe For You Mock The This Week Out Of 10 Cats as I like to call it, was a slightly awkward pastiche of news reportage, stand-up, political debate and satire.
Christopher Hooton, Metro, 21st January 2011