Every Friday, TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville take you behind the scenes of the world of television.
Jimmy is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His hit shows include Have I Got News For You (series 69 now airing), Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer
Peter ran TalkBack where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal.
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Why the BBC Cut Sketches from That Mitchell and Webb Look, Strictly’s New Presenters & Trump TV
Season 3 · Episode 38
Friday, September 25, 2026 • Duration 33:44
TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville debate the BBC’s decision to remove potentially offensive sketches from That Mitchell and Webb Look, asking whether modern comedy can still break taboos without being censored. They also discuss Trump TV & press freedom, Strictly Come Dancing and why some television formats survive their stars.
In this episode:
Why the BBC is reviewing That Mitchell and Webb Look before its iPlayer return
The controversy around the The Civil War sketch, blackface and the limits of contextual comedy
Why some sketches involving Gary Rhodes, Bill Oddie and Jimmy Savile may have been removed
How Brass Eye used irony to challenge media attitudes
The Real Housewives of ISIS sketch and Jimmy’s police warning
Peter time at Talkback and the alleged threat connected to the Krays
Donald Trump’s new 24/7 Trump TV channel and its production values… or lack thereof
Whether YouTube could become the future home of political satire
Does changing presenters can make or break a television format?
What Strictly Come Dancing, The Great British Bake Off, The Grand Tour and Top Gear reveal about presenter changes
The Apprentice’s decision to keep Alan Sugar as its central figure
The TV-am “Famous Five” and the dangers of putting too many stars together
The Generation Game, Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson and the importance of a strong format
Nigella Lawson and Peter’s most unexpected television regret
Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on YouTube, find us on social media @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:40 Why BBC cut 11 sketches from That Mitchell and Webb Look
16:17 Trump bans news outlets and launches Trump TV
24:36 Will StrictlyCome Dancing survive new presenters?
Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered and Episodes. In the US, Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 1997, which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.
Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced major shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson’s Farm and Alma’s Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.
The Harry Potter Reboot: 5 Questions HBO Must Answer | BBC iPlayer 2.0 & Netflix’s New Dating Shows
Season 3 · Episode 37
Friday, September 18, 2026 • Duration 31:36
Is the Harry Potter series arriving too soon? TV insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville examine why HBO is returning to Hogwarts, whether the original films are still impossible to replace, and what other big issues face the Harry Potter TV show.
They also debate BBC Director-General Matt Brittin’s vision for an iPlayer shaped by a “public service algorithm”, examine new research on women working behind the camera in US television, and ask why Netflix is betting so heavily on dating and reality formats.
In this episode:
Why is Harry Potter being adapted for television so soon after the original films?
Christopher Columbus’ reaction to the new Harry Potter series
Whether the reboot is a creative opportunity or a commercial franchise play
The continuing debate around J.K. Rowling’s views on gender and the new cast
The Harry Potter series cast like Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, John Lithgow as Dumbledore and Nick Frost as Hagrid
Behind the Scenes on the Harry Potter production as leaked reports say props have to be tracked for security
Matt Brittin’s vision for a BBC iPlayer 2.0
Could the BBC really host YouTube-style user generated content?
Why a “public service algorithm” might be useful or “schoolmasterish”
The decline in women creators and directors on US streaming programmes
How age and gender affect the roles available on television
Why Netflix is commissioning more dating and reality formats
What streamers can learn from broadcasters about genre mix, live television and audience habits
Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow.
Tom Jones' Sacking Statement, Seven Up Ending and Channel 4’s Huge Cuts
Season 3 · Episode 36
Friday, September 11, 2026 • Duration 33:36
TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville discuss Sir Tom Jones’s shock exit from The Voice UK, Channel 4’s plan to cut around 300 jobs, allegations that some LG smart TVs can capture audio in standby mode, the end of Seven Up, and ITV’s new I’m a Celebrity…The Wild Frontier spin-off.
In this episode:
•Why Sir Tom Jones says ITV removed him from The Voice UK
•Channel 4’s proposed 300+ job cuts and the financial pressures facing the broadcaster
•How YouTube is competing with traditional television for audiences, advertising and attention
•The remarkable legacy of Seven Up and why the Up series is ending with 70 Up
•Why Asif Kapadia is directing the final instalments of the landmark ITV documentary
•What researchers allege about microphone capture, network scanning and standby audio on some LG smart TVs
•ITV’s expansion of the I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! universe
•Whether spin-offs make successful formats stronger or less special
•PLUS: Celebrity Traitors, Strictly Come Dancing, and more!
Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave us a rating on your podcast platform, follow the show and share this episode with a friend — it really helps us grow.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:51 Sir Tom Jones leaves The Voice UK
04:49 Channel 4’s Major Job Cuts & YouTube vs TV
12:01 The End of Seven Up
19:35 Can LG TVs Listen in Standby Mode?
Our Top 10 Best British Sitcoms Ever (and the 'Rules' of Comedy)
Season 3 · Episode 35
Friday, September 4, 2026 • Duration 35:19
Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville rank the 10 best British sitcoms ever, debating Fawlty Towers, The Office, Only Fools and Horses, Blackadder, Dad’s Army, Peep Show, Absolutely Fabulous and more.
In this episode:
Peter and Jimmy discuss Ann Droid and what makes a great sitcom
How each episode of Fawlty Towers is constructed so well
Why Dad’s Army has survived across generations
How The Office became a timeless British comedy
The cultural importance of Derry Girls
Why Blackadder works despite its unlikeable central character
Whether Only Fools and Horses deserves a higher place
The enduring appeal of Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave
The difference between British and American comedy
Whether shorter series create a stronger television legacy
Whether controversial sitcoms such as Till Death Us Do Part can still be watched today
And the worst comedy note Jimmy ever received…
Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.
If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, subscribe to the show and share this episode with a friend — it really helps us grow.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and rules
03:39 Dad’s Army
06:15 Peep Show
08:10 Blackadder
10:43
Steph McGovern chats to TV Insiders Jimmy & Peter
Season 3 · Episode 34
Friday, August 28, 2026 • Duration 39:44
TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville are joined by the brilliant Steph McGovern to talk about her career, the television industry, and slime!
In this episode:
The Rest Is Money Podcast
Steph's Career
BBC News
The TV Industry
Steph's Packed Lunch
Steph's Novels
Have I Got News For You
Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.
If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow.
Ofcom vs Satire, Eurovision's Rule Changes, Subtitles vs Dubbing, Roku's A.I. Channel
Season 3 · Episode 33
Friday, August 21, 2026 • Duration 44:14
TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville discuss Ofcom vs Satire, Eurovision's voting rule changes, the "Sub v Dub" debate, and Roku's new A.I channel.
In this episode:
The TV Festival
Ofcom vs Satire
Eurovision's voting rule changes
Subtitles vs Dubbing
Roku's A.I channel
Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.
If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow.
Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.
Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I'm Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.
Can A Self-Funded-To-TV Model Work? BBC's Live At The Apollo Axed
Season 3 · Episode 32
Friday, August 14, 2026 • Duration 31:54
TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville discuss the viability of self-funded programming, the increasing lack of stand up on British TV now that Live At The Apollo has been axed, and whether Channel 4 should reinstate their "Red Triangle" programme warning.
In this episode:
- Self funded to TV model
- Shane Gillis + Tires road to Netflix
- BBC cancels Live At The Apollo
- Do comedians need to be on television?
- Should C4 reinstate their "Red Triangle" programme warning?
Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.
If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow.
CHAPTERS
01:27 - Self-funded to TV model
07:31 - Ad-funded programming
11:45 - Shane Gillis + Tires road to Netflix
15:30 - BBC cancels Live At The Apollo
23:28 - C4 celebrates 40 years since Red Triangle debut
Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.
Ash Atalla on Unearthing The Office, His Worst Ever TV Show & Why He Left the BBC
Season 3 · Episode 31
Friday, August 7, 2026 • Duration 34:39
Comedy producer Ash Atalla joins Jimmy Mulville and Peter Fincham to tell the inside story of The Office, his struggles trying to sell the IT Crowd and what the worst TV show he ever made was…
In this episode:
•How The Office got off the ground — and why nobody was guaranteed to believe in it
•Why Ash left the BBC and founded Roughcut Television
•The tough reality of trying to sell shows like The IT Crowd
•What the worst TV show Ash ever made was and what he learned from it
•Why streamers will buy shows like How to Get to Heaven from Belfast but not Big Boys
•What the future holds for the TV industry
•PLUS: The BBC, Channel 4, Netflix, new comedy, old-school commissioning, and more
Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.
If you enjoyed the episode, please give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share the podcast with a friend – it really helps us grow.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Coming Up...
01:53 Unearthing The Office, Big Boys and Stath Lets Flats
The BBC’S Controversial New Ad, Luke Littler’s Netflix Show & Have UK TV's Diversity Pledges Failed?
Season 3 · Episode 30
Friday, July 31, 2026 • Duration 33:47
"What has the BBC ever done for me...?" TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville take on the BBC's much-debated new advert, dig into Hollywood's revolt against the $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery merger, and ask whether anyone can ‘Beat Luke Littler’ in his new Netflix show…
In this episode:
Is the BBC's "What Has The BBC Ever Done For Me?" advert a costly own goal?
Hollywood stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming and Benedict Wong speak out against the Paramount-WBD merger
A new report revealing UK TV's diversity promises that haven't delivered
The latest on Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC
Luke Littler’s new Netflix show with £501,000 prize pot
PLUS: Chris Martin's baffling cameo, Count Binface’s election chances and why Peter reckons he's more "Luke Littler" than "Mo Farah"
Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.
Should Broadcasters Be Removing British Comedy History? And More Listener Questions!
Season 3 · Episode 29
Friday, July 24, 2026 • Duration 36:52
TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville answer listener questions on Channel 4 and Netflix removing classic sitcom episodes, the secret scheduling battle between the BBC and ITV and why some revived formats soar while others flop.
Correction: It was actually Matt Berry's character of Douglas who dates April, not Chris O'Dowd's character Roy. You'll forgive us for getting this mistaken – we obviously couldn't watch the episode to check!
In this episode:
Why Channel 4 removed “The Speech” episode of The IT Crowd
Why Netflix removed episodes of Little Britain, Come Fly with Me & The Mighty Boosh
The Fawlty Towers, Father Ted and Peep Show scenes that got cut or pulled entirely
Whether broadcasters should be editing TV history
How the BBC and ITV secretly traded schedules ahead of the Radio Times deadline and why the ITV's Christmas strategy was always to "lose with honour"
Forgotten TV creatives, like Brian Clemens, who never get mentioned today
Why revivals like Gladiators and Blankety Blank succeeded as revivals when Challenge Anneka and Blind Date didn't
The real story behind Have I Got News for You's rotating host, and how QI almost had a very different presenter
How actors fake smoking, drinking and eating on screen
Have a question or opinion? Leave a comment on Spotify, find us on socials (@InsidersTVPod), or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.
If you enjoyed the episode, please give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it really helps us grow.
Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.
Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.
Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News for You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US, Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 1997; it ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.
Peter Fincham ran Talkback, where he executive produced many of its biggest shows, including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson’s Farm and Alma’s Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.
Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered and Episodes. In the US, Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 1997, which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.
Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of its biggest shows, including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, Director of Television at ITV and co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson’s Farm and Alma’s Not Normal.
Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.
Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I'm Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.
Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I'm Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.
Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I'm Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.
