Amazon reboots beloved BBC series that ran for 21 series before shock axe
A POPULAR BBC comedy that ran for 21 series before being sensationally axed is to return next year after being rebooted by Amazon.
Comedy panel show Mock the Week was a success for the BBC before it was ditched by bosses at the channel last November.
However, the programme will see new life injected into it when Amazon brings the show back for another run in the US.
Executives at Amazon have commissioned a US version of the series to air next year on its newly launched free streaming platform, Amazon Freevee.
Although a host for the remake is yet to be announced, comedian and former host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, has been confirmed to executive produce the reboot.
Careful not to deviate too much from the BBC’s original offering, show creator Dan Patterson will also be involved in order to make the show a success.
Speaking of taking the show Stateside, Trevor said: “Two things I’m most passionate about in life are paying my landlord and making people laugh.
“We could all use a little bit more laughter as we continue to navigate today’s crazy world. By bringing Mock The Week to America with the talented Dan Patterson, I’m looking forward to doing just that.”
Mock The Week originally made its debut on the BBC in June 2005.
It featured a range of homegrown talent and helped the careers of many British comedians to flourish.
Among those to appear on the panel show were Hugh Dennis, Dara O’Brien, Ed Gamble, Rob Beckett and Zoe Lyons.
Each week provided a satirical look back on the news and pop culture stories making the headlines as well as a series of panel-based games and improvisational comedy.
The BBC didn’t give a solid reason why Mock the Week is off the screens of Britain.
They stated: “The next series of Mock the Week will be the last, we are really proud of the show but after 21 series we have taken the difficult decision in order to create room for new shows.
“We would like to thank Angst Productions, host Dara O’Briain, panellist Hugh Dennis and all the guest comedians involved in the show across the 21 series.”
Angst Production are the company that created the programme.
Show creator Dan Patterson added of the move from the UK to the US: “After 21 successful seasons on the BBC, we can’t wait to bring the format to the US and work with America’s deep pool of brilliant comedians.”
Amazon Freevee officially launched last month and has already found success with viral improvisation docu-comedy, Jury Duty, starring James Marsden.
The streaming platform was also the service to breathe new life into axed Channel 5 soap Neighbours.
Like Mock The Week, it appeared that the long-running Aussie series was over for good but bosses at Freevee made it their priority to bring the show back.