TV series
Classic sketch comedy show satirising the news and culture of the late 70s and early 80s which introduced Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones and Pamela Stephenson.
Availability
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Not the Nine O'Clock News premiered October 16, 1979. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Classic sketch comedy show satirising the news and culture of the late 70s and early 80s which introduced Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones and Pamela Stephenson.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Sketches: The Shining 2 / Cockerel / Punk at a Urinal / That's Lies / Made In Britain / Bank Pens / Sir Robert Mark / Dick Head / TV Licence Advert / Bank Signs / Unemployment / Bhuddist Driving School / Loud Man in Sex Shop / Ansaphone Confessional / Vandalised Phone Kiosks / UFO Story / Workaholics / I Like Trucking / National Theatre
Written by Richard Curtis
Episode 2
Sketches: Hedgehog apology / Athletics from Birmingham / Bad Language / Buffet car / Cinema Usher / Shoe Shop Theft / Constable Savage / Fly The Flag / Bath Salts / Laxatives Tested / Burns Unit / Granny's Mini Metro / Explicit Bag / Quick Service Queue / Barbarian Lager / Welsh Choir / England My Leotard / Ice cream van
Written by Richard Curtis
Episode 3
Sketches: Thatcher out/Thatcher in / Pyjama case / Presidential Aide / Baboons / Walking Into A Tree / TUC Tea Break / Pop Group / Reg Varney / Sooty Surgeon / Soccer Violence / Join The Royal Family / Gay Flasher / Kendal Mint Cake / I Believe / BBC2 Closedown
Written by Richard Curtis
Episode 4
Sketches: I'm on fire / Nationwide twins / Swedish film centre / ouglas Adams / London tourist board / Sleepy Firemen / Space Salvationists / Girls' Football / Roger Cook / Sir Keith Joseph / Counting Sheep / One Man And His Lion / Return Of Rowan's Rant / Soup and Cocoa / Auld Lang Syne / Controlling TV shows / Big Jobs / Last Of The Mohicans
Written by Richard Curtis
Episode 5
Sketches: Ready Brek / Daily Star / Elephant Man / Thieves without stockings to put on their heads but with a pair of tights / Battered Baby / Harty Skit / Sunbed / The Obit / This Is Your Life / Tax Evaders / American Express (Masons) / Open Marriage / Schmidt Old Slag / Cocktail party / Burglar / Cold students / The New Creed / Vicar Breakdown / Lager / All-purpose Advert / Henry Cooper / Chess / Man Alive Skit / Disco which isn't really / Aural sex
Written by Andy Hamilton, Griff Rhys Jones, Mel Smith, David Renwick, Andrew Marshall
Episode 6
Sketches: Apology to the Feemasons / Panda Crossing / Brewed By Robots / Pope's Hat / Ticket Collector / Piano / Chilean Milk Marketing Board / Gang Of Three / Windsors Greatest Hits / Crowd control / Gift Shop / Giscard / Michelangelo's David / Photo Booth / Thatcher Leaving / Headmaster and pupil / Silent Movie / Weather Forecast / Euthanasia Society
Written by Richard Curtis
Episode 7
Sketches: Baronet Oswold Ernold Mosley / Punk aerosol / Queen's Visit / Loyal Apology / Iran & Iraq / Barry Manilow / Cargo Cult / Pneumatic Drills / Kidney Donor / Wimpy worker / Party Political Broadcast / Sperm Donor / Acupuncture / Not The Parrot Sketch / Karate For The Deaf / Divorce Ceremony / Nine To Five / Rolf Harris
Written by Richard Curtis, Griff Rhys Jones, Mel Smith
Episode 8
Sketches: Announcer / Musical aeroplane / Polish cartoon / Radio controlled ospreys / University Challenge / C'est la Vie (Abba skit) / Age Of Consent / Carol Singers / Christmas Blackmail / Multiplex / Thatchula / Shirley Williams / Coffee Commerical / Sexist Cameraman / Sexism Discussion / Door sketch / SPG Man / Swag Card / Now Dry Your Hands / Ayatollah auction
Written by Richard Curtis, Griff Rhys Jones, Mel Smith
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match Not the Nine O'Clock News.
Rowan Atkinson
Mel Smith
Pamela Stephenson
Griff Rhys Jones
Chris Langham
Jim Carter
John Cleese
Kenny Everett
BBC TwoUnited Kingdom
