The format should give comic talents a time to shine. So why don’t our flagship shows reflect the diversity of
comedy in 2021?
Panel shows have been a pillar of
British comedy for decades. The News Quiz began in 1977 and Have I Got News for You in 1990, while 8 Out of 10 Cats debuted in 2005. Comedy has slowly become less white, straight and male – but not panel shows. Even in 2021, the format consistently fails to reflect such progress.
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