Upcoming Mock the Week [Amazon Freevee]

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Ahead of its presentation at the 2023 Amazon NewFront, Amazon Freevee announced a series pickup for a U.S. version of the long-running UK television hit series Mock the Week. Originally created by BAFTA Award-winning executive producers Dan Patterson and Mark Leveson (Whose Line Is It Anyway?), the half-hour comedy program combines the best elements of panel shows, stand-up comedy, and improvised games, with two teams of comedians taking a satirical swipe at current news, pop culture, and world events. Emmy-winning comedian Trevor Noah (The Daily Show) will executive produce the U.S. series with Patterson. Production on the series will begin in 2024. The host will be announced at a later date.

“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,” said Trevor Noah, executive producer. “By bringing Mock the Week to America with the talented Dan Patterson, I’m looking forward to doing just that.”

“After 21 successful seasons on the BBC, we can’t wait to bring the format to the U.S. and work with America’s deep pool of brilliant comedians,” said Dan Patterson, executive producer.

“For years, Mock the Week delivered a witty spin on the news—entertaining a broad cross-section of the UK audience through funny conversations, one-liners, and improv comedy. In one episode, you can catch up on weekly headlines, hear multiple points of view on a topic, and find your next favorite stand-up comedian,” said Lauren Anderson, head of AVOD Originals, unscripted, and targeted programming, Amazon Studios. “We are thrilled to expand our comedic slate on Amazon Freevee, with this much-needed series from Dan Patterson and Trevor Noah, two enormously talented producers with the exceptional ability to marry laughter and learning.”

The U.S. version of Mock the Week will be executive produced by Dan Patterson, Trevor Noah, Mark Leveson, Norman Aladjem, Sanaz Yamin, Derek Van Pelt, and Rob Lee. The series is produced by Angst Productions, Day Zero Productions, Mainstay Entertainment, and Amazon Studios. The UK version of Mock the Week aired new episodes for nearly two decades from 2005-2022. The show and its performers were nominated for several awards, including the BAFTA Awards, British Comedy Awards, and National Television Awards.

Trevor Noah is one of the most successful comedians in the world and is known for being the most recent host of the Emmy award-winning The Daily Show on Comedy Central, as well as the host of the Grammy Awards for the past three years. Prime Video recently announced that Trevor Noah will also be working with Amazon Studios as the host for the unscripted comedy series LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa, which will be the first South African Original for Prime Video. Trevor is also the author of the New York Times best-selling book, Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood. Trevor is writing a new book for fall 2023. This book is a gorgeously illustrated and moving modern fable for readers of all ages about forgiveness, acceptance, and the secret to solidarity. He is now developing and producing diverse, high-quality creative content with Day Zero Productions; and through his philanthropic work, has launched the Trevor Noah Foundation to improve equitable access to quality education for underserved youth in South Africa.

Dan Patterson has been a television producer/writer for over 30 years, creating a number of hit TV shows including Whose Line Is It Anyway? (the British and American versions), Mock The Week (21 seasons), Clive Anderson Talks Back, and Clive Anderson All Talk. He was also responsible for bringing Room 101 to television. In addition to television, he has co-written for theater with The Duck House (which was nominated for an Olivier Award) and Winner’s Curse.