Wikipedia

The Unbelievable Truth (radio show)

The Unbelievable Truth is a BBC radio 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 29th series began airing in May 2023.

The Unbelievable Truth
GenrePanel game[1]
Running time28 minutes[2]
Country of originUnited Kingdom[1]
Language(s)English[1]
Home stationBBC Radio 4[1]
StarringDavid Mitchell[3]
Created byGraeme Garden
Jon Naismith[4]
Original release23 April 2007[3]
No. of series29 (plus 2 specials)[5]
Opening theme"My Patch" by Jim Noir
WebsiteBBC Homepage

Reception

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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]

International versions

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See also: The Unbelievable Truth (TV series)

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.[11]

References

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Notes

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

General

  • Wolf, Ian. "The Unbelievable Truth – Episode Guide". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 25 September 2009.

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 "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. ^ "Comedians chase down Seven show". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
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