Channel 4's Alternative Election Night. Image shows from L to R: Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell, Charlie Brooker. Image credit: Zeppotron.

Channel 4's Alternative Election Night
Channel 4's Alternative Election Night. Image shows from L to R: David Mitchell, Lauren Laverne, Jimmy Carr, Charlie Brooker. Image credit: Zeppotron.

Channel 4's Alternative Election Night

A four-hour satirical comedy show broadcast live on Election Night 2010. With Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell, Charlie Brooker and Lauren Laverne

Genre:
Satire
Broadcast:
2010  (Channel 4)
Episodes:
1
Starring:
Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell, Lauren Laverne, Charlie Brooker
Production:
Zeppotron

Channel 4's Alternative Election Night, filmed in front of a studio audience, broadcast live on Election Night 2010 for four hours.

Heading up this ambitious live show was hosts Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell and Lauren Laverne. Joining them in the studio was Charlie Brooker, plus a range comedians, pundits, political commentators and even an in-studio bookmaker.

The early election results were be covered as they came in, plus there were politics-themed pre-recorded specials of Fonejacker, You Have Been Watching and Come Dine with Me.

Channel 4 described the programming as "a provocative, cerebral and entertaining take on all things election, featuring discussion, specially recorded segments and audience reaction."

Our Review: This was very bold programming from Channel 4, and generally considered a big success for the broadcaster.

As the results didn't properly starting coming in until 2am viewers either had a choice of watching the traditional election coverage stalling for time with nothing yet to talk about, or tune into this comedy show in which Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell and team did their best to keep the public entertained. Not every segment worked, but generally the comedians did a good job of keeping the gag rate high.