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The Unbelievable Truth (radio show)

The Unbelievable Truth is a BBC Radio 4 comedy panel game devised by Graeme Garden and Jon Naismith.[4] The game is chaired by David Mitchell and is described in the programme's introduction as "the panel game built on truth and lies." The object of the game is for each panellist to deliver a short lecture about a given subject, which should be completely false save for five true statements which they must attempt to smuggle past the other players. The first series began broadcasting in 2007,[3] and the 30th series began airing in August 2024.

Reception

The Guardian's Elisabeth Mahoney reviewed the programme positively: "From the first moments of its plinky plonky theme tune, The Unbelievable Truth is a delight".[n 1] The Guardian's Zoe Williams, however, was critical of the programme, writing: "The Unbelievable Truth, for instance, should never have been recommissioned. It's only funny when Clive Anderson is speaking."[7]

The BBC received "almost 50" complaints about insensitivity after David Mitchell opened a fourth series episode with the joke: "There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that the last line in Anne Frank's diary reads: 'Today is my birthday; dad bought me a drum kit'."[8]

It won the "Best Radio Panel Show" award at the British Comedy Guide's 2011 and 2016 awards.[9][10]

Episodes

Winners are highlighted in bold.[11]

Series 1

Series 2

2008 Christmas Special

Series 3

Series 4

2009 New Year's / QI Special

Series 5

Series 6

Series 7

Series 8

Series 9

Series 10

Series 11

Series 12

Series 13

Series 14

Series 15

Series 16

Series 17

Series 18

Series 19

Series 20

Series 21

Series 22

Series 23

Series 24

Series 24 was recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown, with each panelist performing at home.[27]

Series 25

Series 25 was also recorded with the panellists performing from home during lockdown. Two episodes featured three teams of two rather than four panellists playing individually (all three teams consisted of married couples).

Series 26

Series 27

Series 28

Series 29

Series 30

International versions

Members from the Australian comedy group The Chaser, including Craig Reucassel, Andrew Hansen and Julian Morrow, have produced a TV series based on the British series.[49]

References

Notes

  1. ^ The show's theme tune is an extract from "My Patch" by English singer-songwriter Jim Noir.[6]

General

Specific

  1. ^ a b c d "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth". Archived from the original on 15 March 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  2. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 24, Episode 6". Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 1, Episode 1". Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b Guide, British Comedy. "About The Unbelievable Truth". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  5. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth".
  6. ^ "My Patch (Radio Edit) - YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  7. ^ Williams, Zoe (25 March 2009). "Radio head". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  8. ^ Elgot, Jessica (4 November 2009). "Peep Show's David Mitchell in Anne Frank row". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Comedy.co.uk Awards 2011 results". British Comedy Guide.
  10. ^ "Comedy.co.uk Awards 2016 results". British Comedy Guide.
  11. ^ "BBC Radio 4 – The Unbelievable Truth – Episode guide". BBC. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  12. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 1, Episode 2". Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  13. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 1, Episode 3". Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  14. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007h3lk [dead link]
  15. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jclz [dead link]
  16. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 1, Episode 6". Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  17. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 2, Episode 1". Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  18. ^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 2, Episode 2". Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  19. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 2, Episode 3". Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  20. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 2, Episode 4". Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  21. ^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 2, Episode 5". Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  22. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 2, Episode 6". Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  23. ^ "BBC Radio 4 – The Unbelievable Truth, Series 23, Episode 3". BBC. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  24. ^ "Anna Tomlinson on Instagram: "Thanks again to Mr Charnick for getting tickets for the recording of #TheUnbelievableTruth. #HenningWehn #HollyWalsh #SallyPhillips and…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  25. ^ "Super night recording The Unbelievable Truth with @RealDMitchell @sindhuvfunny @GraemeGarden1 and Lloyd Langford. An absolute treat". Twitter. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  26. ^ "Spent nearly 3 hrs yesterday pretending to be as funny as these people. Thank god for edit suites @BBCRadio4 @RealDMitchell @LouSanders @neildelamere #unbelievabletruths #unbelievabletheyhadmeon #showbiz". Twitter. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  27. ^ The Unbelievable Truth. 24. Vol. 1. BBC Radio 4. 15 June 2020.
  28. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 25, Episode 1". Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  29. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 25, Episode 2". Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  30. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 25, Episode 3". Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  31. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 28, Episode 1".
  32. ^ "The Unbelievable Truth - Series 28 - Episode 2 - BBC Sounds".
  33. ^ "The Unbelievable Truth - Series 28 - Episode 3 - BBC Sounds".
  34. ^ "The Unbelievable Truth - Series 28 - Episode 4 - BBC Sounds".
  35. ^ "The Unbelievable Truth - Series 28 - Episode 5 - BBC Sounds".
  36. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 28, Episode 6".
  37. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 29, Episode 1".
  38. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 29, Episode 2".
  39. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 29, Episode 3".
  40. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 29, Episode 4". BBC. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  41. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 29, Episode 5". BBC. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  42. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 29, Episode 6". BBC. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  43. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 30, Episode 1".
  44. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - the Unbelievable Truth, Series 30, Episode 2".
  45. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 30, Episode 3". BBC. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  46. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 30, Episode 4". BBC. 26 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  47. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 30, Episode 5". BBC. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  48. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Unbelievable Truth, Series 30, Episode 6". BBC. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  49. ^ "Comedians chase down Seven show". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 8 February 2021.

External links