The Day Today poster

TV series

The Day Today

19941 season8.2 / 10

The headlines tonight...

A spoof of the British news — including ridiculous stories, patronising vox pops, offensively hard-hitting research and a sports presenter clearly struggling for metaphors. Adapted from Radio 4 series 'On the Hour'.

See similar shows Watch trailer

Availability

Not streaming in United States

Checked Sep 1, 2026

The Day Today premiered January 19, 1994. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.

See similar shows available now Check another country Browse all available shows

Synopsis

A spoof of the British news — including ridiculous stories, patronising vox pops, offensively hard-hitting research and a sports presenter clearly struggling for metaphors. Adapted from Radio 4 series 'On the Hour'.

Season 1 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

Episode 1

Main News Attack

Jan 19, 199429m10.0 / 10

Features reports on Prince Charles volunteering to go to prison, the London Jam Festival, bullying in the Church of England, medieval alternative medicine, and a sheepdog piloting an out of control helicopter. Also features Barbara Wintergreen's report on the Elvis styled execution of American serial killer Chapman Baxter, and Alan Partridge covering the Tour de France and Boxing.

Episode credits

Directed by Andrew GillmanWritten by Chris Morris, David Schneider, Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Patrick Marber, Peter Baynham, Armando Iannucci, Ludo RablGuest stars Tony Haase, Jean Ainslie, Sarah Wynter, Albert Welling, Alan Stocks, Patience Tomlinson, Michael Snelders, Richard Branson

Where to watch The Day Today

Episode 2

The Big Report

Jan 26, 199429m10.0 / 10

Features reports on the Junior Minister for health resigning, Marlon Brando being sold at auction in Sotheby's, illegal back street dentists, and Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan reporting on the new European trade quota rates. Also features The Pool, a documentary set in a public swimming pool, a segment from RokTV, and Alan Partridge covering the horse racing at Marple.

Episode credits

Directed by Andrew GillmanWritten by Chris Morris, David Schneider, Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Patrick Marber, Peter Baynham, Armando IannucciGuest stars Tony Haase, Armando Iannucci, Garry Roost, Ian Peck, Ian Barritt, Darren Trendel, Peter Sissons, Michael Portillo

Where to watch The Day Today

Episode 3

Meganews

Feb 2, 199429m10.0 / 10

Features reports on an infestation of wild horses in the London underground, the BBC's new soap opera The Bureau (replacing the Nine O'Clock News), a fight between Queen Elizabeth and John Major, and an air jam. Also features Barbara Wintergreen's report on Chapman Baxter being executed via marriage, a continuation of The Pool, and Alan Partridge interviewing soccer players and a female show jumper.

Episode credits

Directed by Andrew GillmanWritten by Chris Morris, David Schneider, Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Patrick Marber, Peter Baynham, Armando IannucciGuest stars Alan Stocks, Richard Branson, Mark Chapman, Lindsey MacRae, Alan Kerrigan, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Chris Patten, John Fashanu

Where to watch The Day Today

Episode 4

Stretchcast

Feb 9, 199429m4.0 / 10

Features reports on suspicions that British police officers are eating their suspects, Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan interviewing the government minister for ships regarding recent accusations, the IRA's use of explosives hidden in dogs, the immense popularity of The Bureau in Italy, the Home Office releasing the Sorted videos aimed at young people, and near-death experiences. Also features Barbara Wintergreen reporting on the natus (a method of prosthetic pregnancy), and Alan Partridge's Countdown to World Cup '94.

Episode credits

Directed by Andrew GillmanWritten by Chris Morris, David Schneider, Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Patrick Marber, Peter Baynham, Armando IannucciGuest stars Ian Gelder, Minnie Driver, Tony Haase, Graham Linehan, Crispin Somerville, David Owen, Harry Towb, Julian French

Where to watch The Day Today

Episode 5

Magnifevent

Feb 16, 199429m10.0 / 10

Features reports on the British Pound being stolen, the plummeting ratings of The Bureau, the clamping of the homeless in London, a reminiscence of events in 1944, government ministers contracting a disease that inhibits reading, and the trade agreement and subsequent war between Australia and Hong Kong. Also features Barbara Wintergreen reporting on Chapman Baxter being executed by the reanimated corpse of his last victim, and Alan Partridge riding with a female rally driver.

Episode credits

Directed by Andrew GillmanWritten by Chris Morris, David Schneider, Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Patrick Marber, Peter Baynham, Armando IannucciGuest stars Andrew Burt, Jean Ainslie, John Thomson, Bill Bailey, Margery Withers, Philip Bretherton, Robert Putt, Carl Forgione

Where to watch The Day Today

Episode 6

Factgasm

Feb 23, 199429m10.0 / 10finale

Features reports on Buckingham Palace culling 40 members of staff, passengers stuck on a train in Hampshire, Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan reporting on General Motors making 35000 workers redundant, Colin Poppshed reporting from the gay desk, the decline of the NHS, and a roundup of international news. Also features a documentury set at the office of a pharmaceutical company, and Alan Partridge covering self-defence.

Episode credits

Directed by Andrew GillmanWritten by Chris Morris, David Schneider, Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Patrick Marber, Peter Baynham, Armando IannucciGuest stars Harry Towb, Peter Baynham, Christopher Luscombe, Frederic Foederer, Daniel Gilmore, King Charles III of the United Kingdom, David Owen, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Where to watch The Day Today

Episode information updated Sep 17, 2026

Available now in United States

What to watch instead

These shows are available now and closely match The Day Today.

Look Around You poster

Look Around You

TV series · 2002★ 8.0

Shared themes

Father Ted poster

Father Ted

TV series · 1995★ 8.2

Shared themes

The New Statesman poster

The New Statesman

TV series · 1987★ 7.5

Shared themes

Reno 911! poster

Reno 911!

TV series · 2003★ 7.2

Shared themes

'Allo 'Allo! poster

'Allo 'Allo!

TV series · 1984★ 7.8

Shared themes

Spitting Image poster

Spitting Image

TV series · 1984★ 7.2

Shared themes

More about The Day Today

Watch trailerThe Day Today Pool Supervisor Keith Mandemant

Cast

Chris MorrisChristopher Morris / Various Characters

Steve CooganAlan Partridge / Various Characters

Patrick MarberPeter O'Hanraha-hanrahan / Various Characters

Rebecca FrontBarbara Wintergreen / Various Characters

Doon MackichanCollaterlie Sisters / Various Characters

David SchneiderSylvester Stuart / Various Characters

Michael Alexander St JohnAnnouncer (voice)

Sarah WynterJanet Breen

Credits

Created by: Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci
Written by: David Schneider, Steve Coogan, Peter Baynham, Patrick Marber, Armando Iannucci, Chris Morris, Rebecca Front, Ludo Rabl

Production details

Status: Ended
Series type: Miniseries
Episodes: 6
Original language: English

Networks & production

BBC TwoUnited Kingdom
TalkBack Productions
BBCUnited Kingdom

Themes

current affairsparodysatiresurreal