This Week (2003)
BBC One's long-running late-night political discussion show, hosted by Andrew Neil and Michael Portillo across 17 seasons.
This Week - Series Information
This Week - Plot
Andrew Neil, Michael Portillo and friends with late night political chat.
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This Week - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Michael Portillo
- Andrew Neil
- Janet Street-Porter
- Fern Britton
- Maryam D'Abo
- Uri Geller
- Vicki Butler-Henderson
- Jane Horrocks
- James Naughtie
- Alice Roberts
This Week - FAQs
What is This Week about?
This Week was a late-night BBC One political discussion programme hosted by Andrew Neil alongside regular panelist Michael Portillo. Each episode brought together politicians, journalists, and public figures to dissect the week's biggest political stories with a mix of sharp analysis and lively debate.
Why was This Week cancelled by the BBC?
The BBC cancelled This Week in 2019 as part of a broader shake-up of its political programming. The corporation announced plans to replace it with a new format better suited to the changing media landscape. The final episode aired in May 2019, ending a 17-year run on BBC One.
How many seasons and episodes does This Week have?
This Week ran for 17 seasons and a total of 583 episodes. It broadcast from 2003 through to 2019, with each season typically spanning a parliamentary year. Season lengths ranged from 22 to 41 episodes depending on the political calendar.
Who were the main presenters and panelists on This Week?
Andrew Neil hosted the show throughout its run, with former Conservative MP Michael Portillo serving as a long-standing panelist. Regular contributors included Janet Street-Porter, Fern Britton, James Naughtie, and Alice Roberts, alongside a rotating roster of guest commentators and public figures.
When did This Week first air on BBC One?
This Week made its debut on BBC One in 2003. The programme quickly established itself as a fixture of the corporation's late-night political schedule, running for over sixteen years before the BBC decided to retire the format in 2019.
What network aired This Week?
This Week aired exclusively on BBC One, the United Kingdom's flagship public broadcast channel. It occupied a late-night Thursday slot following the main political programming of the week, giving it a distinctive, relaxed tone compared to more formal BBC news output.
What genre is This Week?
This Week sits firmly in the Talk and News genres. It blended the freewheeling energy of a late-night chat show with substantive political commentary, making it accessible to general audiences while still appealing to viewers with a keen interest in British politics and current affairs.
Are there shows similar to This Week worth watching?
If you enjoyed This Week's mix of politics and wit, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee offer sharp political commentary with a comedic edge. For straight talk-show formats, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon are strong alternatives.
More About This Week
Explore further details about This Week on these authoritative external resources.