The Unbelievable Truth (radio show)

The Unbelievable Truth is a BBC radio comedy panel game devised by Graeme Garden and Jon Naismith. 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 to lie about a subject, whilst also trying to include true statements without them being detected. The first series began broadcasting in 2007, and the 25th series was broadcast in early 2021.
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'. "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. They could more profitably devise a show that was just Clive Anderson, speaking. Its failures as a quiz are admirably demonstrated by the fact that the scoring is now inverse to the drollery, so that Clive scores no points at all, and Lucy Porter sometimes wins. I don't care about scoring when it's like "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" and it's meant to mean nothing, but they can't all be spoof game-shows. Some of them have to be actual games that work.'
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'."
It won the "Best Radio Panel Show" award at the British Comedy Guide's 2011 awards.
Episodes.
Winners are highlighted in bold.
Series 24.
Series 24 was recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown, with each panelist performing at home.
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).
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.
References.
Notes.
General
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