The classic British version (the original BBC panel show with Ian Hislop, Paul Merton, rotating guest hosts, and savage topical satire) is still going strong. As of early 2026, they’ve just wrapped up their big end-of-year specials like “Have I Got 2025 for You” (aired late December 2025 as part of series 70), and the show remains a fixture on BBC One / BBC iPlayer with no signs of stopping after more than 35 years and 600+ episodes.
But the bigger buzz right now is the American adaptation on CNN (also produced by Hat Trick Productions). It’s in its fourth season in 2026:
- Hosted by Roy Wood Jr.
- Team captains: Amber Ruffin and Michael Ian Black
- Weekly satirical news quiz format, very much in the spirit of the UK original
The current season (Season 4) kicked off late January 2026:
- Premiere episode (Jan 24): Guests Andy Richter and Janice Min (though there was a brief preemption/delay due to breaking news coverage that night; it streamed on the CNN app and aired soon after).
- Most recent episode (Jan 31): Guests Nimesh Patel (comedian/writer) and Tara Setmayer (political commentator). They tackled stories like the firing of US Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, Trump-related Fed commentary, and more — classic panel banter with clips and rounds.
New episodes air Saturdays at 9 PM ET on CNN, stream live for subscribers, and drop on demand the next day (plus podcast versions available). The next one should be coming up soon (early February 2026 window based on the weekly schedule).
The US version has been a solid hit for CNN in the slot — mixed reviews at first in 2024, but it’s been renewed multiple times and keeps delivering edgy takes on the week’s headlines.
So yes — whether you’re team UK (Ian vs Paul forever) or catching the newer CNN spin, there’s fresh satirical chaos to be had. Which version are you thinking of, or did you have a specific bit of “news” in mind? 😏
