It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
The News Quiz 2020: The Complete Series 101, 102 & 103

The News Quiz 2020: The Complete Series 101, 102 & 103

The topical BBC Radio 4 panel show

Summary

Twenty-four episodes of the much-loved satirical panel show

Since 1977, The News Quiz has entertained the nation with its satirical take on contemporary events. In these three series from 2020, hosts Nish Kumar, Angela Barnes and Andy Zaltzman invite a panel of comedians and journalists to find the funny behind the headlines (a tricky task in this difficult year). Regular players including Mark Steel, Lucy Porter, Hugo Rifkind and Kerry Godliman rub shoulders with newer contestants such as Geoff Norcott, Sophie Duker, Sindhu Vee, Jess Fostekew, Daliso Chaponda and Athena Kugblenu.

In Series 101, among the subjects unpicked by Nish Kumar and guests are Brexit Day, the Big Ben Bong brouhaha, Harry and Meghan's 'Sussexit', Labour's leadership election and the advice from the WHO about coronavirus...

As lockdown hits, Angela Barnes sets up her home studio/duvet fort to host Series 102 without a live audience, posing cryptic questions on such Covid-related topics as social distancing in sport and Dominic Cummings' Barnard Castle trip, as well as Donald Trump's 'Death Star' and the Black Lives Matter protests.

Series 103 sees chairman Andy Zaltzman and the team broadcasting online via Zoom, with added audience participation and aided by a 'cyber satirist'. They chew over issues including the Last Night of the Proms controversy, record-breaking sheep, the Rule of Six and breaking international law - but only in a limited and specific way.

Credits
Chaired by Nish Kumar, Angela Barnes and Andy Zaltzman
Produced by Sam Michell, Suzy Grant and Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator: Gwyn Davies
News items read by: Neil Sleat, Susan Rae, Zeb Soanes, Alan Smith, Diana Speed, Caroline Nicholls and Corrie Corfield
A BBC Studios Production

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 10 January-28 February 2020 (Series 101), 17 April-5 June 2020 (Series 102), 4 September-23 October 2020 (Series 103)

About the author

BBC Radio Comedy

Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more