Channel 4 has revealed the line-up for the return of Friday Night Live later this month, with former regulars Harry Enfield, Julian Clary and Jo Brand among the comedians set to join host Ben Elton.
The show – which previously ran between 1985 and 1988 – is returning for a one-off special as part of the Channel’s Truth and Dare season to mark its 40th anniversary, and will feature the usual blend of topical sketches and stand-up.
And as well as some familiar faces, the line-up for the special also includes a range of comedians who have risen to fame since the original run – with the likes of Rosie Jones, Mawaan Rizwan, Jordan Gray, Ronni Ancona, and Sam Campbell all taking part.
A statement released by Channel 4 reads: “For one night only, Ben Elton is back as ringmaster to reunite the game-changing architects of anarchy who broke through in the 80s and blend their ground-breaking comedy exploits with today’s trailblazers currently storming the circuit.”
The special is just one part of an extensive slate of programming that Channel 4 says will salute its “radical, irreverent and iconoclastic roots”.
Channel 4 was born different. It has pioneered diverse, experimental and challenging programming since 1982, 40 years of pushing boundaries in every genre.
— Channel 4 Press (@C4Press) August 22, 2022
To mark this milestone we announce Truth and Dare, an impressive slate of programming.https://t.co/k4d9ECCmjG #channel4 pic.twitter.com/C10GXlmms7
Other highlights from the schedule include a satirical musical about Prince Andrew, a 75-minute look at the British monarchy and its future from Frankie Boyle, and a one-off documentary about the limits of free speech titled What is a Woman?
Meanwhile, there will also be a show in which Jimmy Carr explores cancel culture, a documentary about those who struggle with their penis size, and a documentary about a woman who fled the Taliban and became a successful porn performer.
Speaking about the slate when it was first announced, Channel 4’s programme boss Ian Katz said that it was “a collection of irreverent, thought-provoking and hugely entertaining shows that no other broadcaster would air.”
Channel 4 was founded as a free-to-air public service back in 1982, however former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries announced plans for privatisation of the broadcaster earlier in the year – with 63 per cent of RadioTimes.com readers saying that they didn’t fully understand the implications of this move.
Friday Night Live will air on Friday 21st October at 9pm on Channel 4 and All 4. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what’s on tonight.
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