British Comedy Guide
Not The Nine O'Clock News. Image shows from L to R: Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Pamela Stephenson, Griff Rhys Jones. Copyright: Getty Images
Not The Nine O'Clock News

Not The Nine O'Clock News

  • TV sketch show
  • BBC Two
  • 1979 - 1982
  • 27 episodes (4 series)

Popular satirical sketch show of the late 70s and early 80s starring Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones and Pamela Stephenson. Also features Chris Langham.

F
X
R
W
E

Press clippings

The 50 best TV comedies of all time - ranked

From cult classics to sitcom royalty, we've assembled the definitive list of TV comedy greats - but has Mrs. Brown's Boys made the grade?

Michael Hogan, The Telegraph, 20th June 2024

When is a listing not a listing? When it's a gag...

Let's face it, Radio Times billings are supposed to tell you what a programme is about, who is in it, when it's on, and that kind of useful information. But sometimes, they veer off course...

Andrew Martin, BBC, 22nd December 2020

Not the Nine O'Clock News at 40

The BBC sketch show not only kick-started 'alternative comedy' and some of the most influential careers in British comedy, writes Gerard Gilbert, but also the second great age of TV satire.

Gerard Gilbert, The Independent, 16th October 2019

The show that shaped me: Tania Alexander on NTNON

The 'cerebral titting around' of BBC2's satirical sketch show made the Gogglebox executive producer want to join its gang in sticking two fingers up to the world.

Tania Alexander, Broadcast, 26th March 2019

Marc Almond slams comic for mocking his sexuality

Marc was left shamed and embarrassed when high-profile comedians, including the likes of Rowan Atkinson, poked fun at his mannerisms on television back in a time when being gay was considered nothing more than a cheap gag.

Attitude Magazine, 8th October 2017

John Lloyd receives 'outstanding contribution to broadcasting' award

John Lloyd - the producer of shows including Blackadder and QI - has been honoured at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards.

British Comedy Guide, 11th March 2016

John Lloyd's "blood runs cold" over Rolf Harris sketch

The writer and TV producer John Lloyd has said it "makes his blood run cold" to look back on a comedy sketch from 1980 that shows young children being abducted and put in a BBC van bound for a children's TV show hosted by Rolf Harris.

Adam Withnail, The Independent, 7th July 2014

Mel Smith calls ex co-star Pamela Stephenson charmless

Mel Smith doesn't think highly of Pamela Stephenson. They were colleagues in one of the most ground-breaking television comedy shows ever and subsequently found fortune in different professions. But they weren't friends then - and they certainly aren't chums now.

John Mcentee, Daily Mail, 3rd December 2010

Share this page