Connect with us


TV

Not The Nine O’Clock News (BBC-2 1979-1982, Rowan Atkinson, Griff Rhys Jones)

Published

on


Not the Nine O’clock News was one of those rare comedy creations that did far more than just get us chuckling. It defined a decade, influencing scores of other shows and helping to launch the careers of some of Britain’s most talented comedians and writers.

Like many innovative television programmes, it took a while for the NTNON producers find the right formula. The programme’s original conception as a fast-moving sketch show loosely based on the news and overtly political in places remained solid. But there was a lot of tweaking before the format most viewers remember was established. Nervous BBC executives cancelled an early version featuring six performers because they considered it too politically controversial to screen during the general election of spring 1979. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise because the producers used the opportunity to rethink the show’s line-up. When it finally aired in October 1979, NTNON was just as political but the cast had been trimmed. The fate of the new show rested on just four regular performers, all of them unknown to the wider public.

The quartet most viewers remember were Rowan Atkinson, Pamela Stephenson, Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones. In fact, Jones didn’t join the show full-time until the second series. Chris Langham was the fourth performer for series one, though Jones had some supporting roles. The chemistry between Atkinson, Stephenson, Smith and Jones produced very funny television indeed. Highlights included a fabulous send-up of Abba, Stephenson’s uncannily adroit impersonations of newsreaders and an acidic satire on religious sensibilities in which supporters of Monty Python’s Life of Brian accuse the Church of blaspheming against the Flying Circus. Mel Smith and Gerald the Gorilla.

It wasn’t just unknown performers who got the chance to shine at NTNON. The producers cast their net wide for writing talent, too. Among the eager scribes to get a break on the show were Richard Curtis, whose subsequent credits include the sublime Blackadder as well as hit Brit romcoms Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Love Actually. Nigel Planer, Rory McGrath, Clive Anderson and Ruby Wax all worked on the show, too.

Advertisement

As the first truly satirical comedy revue on the BBC since That Was The Week That Was back in the 1960s, the producers wanted NTNON to have a contemporary feel. Every episode contained news footage that had been re-cut and re-voiced to satirise public figures. We take this technique for granted today but it was pioneered by the NTNON team. The show was also the first to exploit the potential offered by digital graphics. Writers were given guidelines they had to follow when penning a NTNON sketch. The piece had to be short: the overwhelming majority of sketches were less than two minutes. It also had to have a modern setting – even if the gag itself was as old as the hills!

cast
Rowan Atkinson
Pamela Stephenson
Mel Smith
Griff Rhys Jones
Chris Langham

crew details
Producers: John Lloyd, Sean Hardie
Writers on the show included the cast as well Richard Curtis, Andrew Marshall and David Renwick, Colin Bostock-Smith, Rory McGrath, Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin, Paul Smith and Terry Kyan, Nigel Planer.

production details
Country: UK
Network: BBC Two
Duration: 27×25 minute episodes
Aired From: 16 October 1979 – 8 March 1982

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

Next Level Chef Next Level Chef
News45 mins ago

Next Level Chef, March 28, 2024, FOX, “It’s All Greek to Me”

In the latest episode of the reality cooking show “Next Level Chef,” airing on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00...

The Kelly Clarkson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show
News5 hours ago

Ricky Martin, The Kelly Clarkson Show, March 28, 2024

On Thursday, March 28, 2024, get ready for an exciting episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show. The show kicks off...

Late Night With Seth Meyers Late Night With Seth Meyers
News5 hours ago

Liam Neeson, Sheryl Crow, Late Night With Seth Meyers, March 28, 2024

Fans of Late Night With Seth Meyers won’t want to miss the upcoming episode on Thursday, March 28th. Join Seth...

LIVE with Kelly and Mark LIVE with Kelly and Mark
News5 hours ago

Maura Tierney, Ego Nwodim, LIVE with Kelly and Mark, March 28, 2024

On Thursday, March 28, 2024, LIVE with Kelly and Mark will bring you an exciting lineup of guests. Tune in...

The Sherri Shepherd Show The Sherri Shepherd Show
News5 hours ago

Niecy Nash-Betts, Sherri, March 28, 2024

Thursday, March 28 2024, brings another hilarious episode of Sherri. Join Sherri Shepherd as she gives her unique take on...

The Talk The Talk
News5 hours ago

Taylor Tomlinson, Brett Gelman, The Talk, March 28, 2024, CBS

A brand new episode of The Talk is set to air on CBS on Thursday, March 28, 2024. During this...

Tamron Hall Tamron Hall
News5 hours ago

Koryn Hawthorne, Giancarlo Esposito, Tamron Hall, March 28, 2024, ABC

On Thursday March 28th at 10:00 AM., ABC presents an enthralling episode of Tamron Hall. This episode’s lineup includes some...

The Today Show The Today Show
News5 hours ago

Liam Neeson, The Today Show, March 28, 2024, NBC

On Thursday, March 28th, The Today Show returns with an engaging lineup of informative segments and interviews. In the morning...

Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics
News7 hours ago

Nissan Figaro & Ferrari 250 GT, Bangers & Cash, March 28, 2024, Yesterday

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM., Yesterday presents a brand new episode of Bangers & Cash. This reality...

Big Mood Big Mood
News7 hours ago

Big Mood Episode 2, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Down”

Continue the laughter and heartfelt moments with the second episode of Big Mood on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:30...

Rob Beckett's Smart TV Rob Beckett's Smart TV
News7 hours ago

Natasia Demetriou, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, 28 March 2024, Sky Max,

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with another entertaining episode on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM on Sky...

Trucking Hell Trucking Hell
News7 hours ago

Trucking Hell, 28 March 2024, 5Action

On Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM., Trucking Hell returns with an action-packed episode that takes viewers into the...

A&E After Dark A&E After Dark
News7 hours ago

A&E After Dark, 28 March 2024, 5STAR,

Its another intense and gripping night at Tunbridge Wells A&E as A&E After Dark returns with a new episode on...

Big Mood Big Mood
News7 hours ago

Series Premiere, Big Mood, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Up”

Gear up for a hilarious and heartfelt comedy as Big Mood makes its debut on Channel 4 on Thursday, 28...

Great British Railway Journeys Great British Railway Journeys
News7 hours ago

Edinburgh to Queensferry, Great British Railway Journeys, March 28, BBC Two,

BBC Two is set to air a brand new episode of Great British Railway Journeys on Thursday, March 28, 2024...

BBC Two Logo BBC Two Logo
News7 hours ago

Bruce Lee: A Life in Ten Pictures, 28 March 2024, BBC Two

On Thursday, 28 March at 9:00 PM., Bruce Lee fans will have the opportunity to take a look at his...

Popular