Channel 4's Alternative Election Night. Image shows from L to R: David Mitchell, Jeremy Paxman. Copyright: Zeppotron
Channel 4's Alternative Election Night

Channel 4's Alternative Election Night

  • TV factual
  • Channel 4
  • 2010 - 2019
  • 4 episodes

Satirical comedy shows broadcast live, revealing the results of the 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2019 General Elections. Features David Mitchell, Jeremy Paxman, Richard Osman, Cathy Newman, Jimmy Carr and more.

Press clippings

Best and worst of TV: 2019

Hits include Fleabag, Derry Girls and Sex Education, while misses include Channel 4's Alternative Election Night and Warren.

Adam Sweeting, The Arts Desk, 30th December 2019

We're here again: another election, another all-night ballot count and malfunctioning set of graphic explainers. Keeping up its tradition as the "alternative election night" to BBC, ITV and Sky's news-focused coverage, Channel 4 pulls out the zany stops this year, enlisting Rylan Clark-Neal and Katherine Ryan to help Krishnan Guru-Murthy. Even Judge Rinder will be there. Whatever the results, this lot will surely keep us awake.

Ammar Kalia, The Guardian, 12th December 2019

Details of Alternative Election Night line-up revealed

Joining the political bigwigs will be a host comedians including: Jimmy Carr, Nish Kumar, Henning Wehn, Geoff Norcott, Sophie Willan and Tez Ilyas.

Channel 4, 11th December 2019

Channel 4's Alternative Election Night to return

Channel 4's Alternative Election Night is to return for a fourth time. The 12th December live broadcast will be fronted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Rylan Clark-Neal and Katherine Ryan.

British Comedy Guide, 18th November 2019

Join campaign for C4 Alternative Election Night 2019

Back in 2017 we ran a campaign to bring back The Alternative Election Night after the success of the previous one in 2015. Due to the fact it was a snap general election we were worried C4 wouldn't be able to pull it together in time, but despite the short notice they did. The coverage beat ITV and Sky's in the ratings! But, now it's even shorter notice, time is of the essence, so here's what we need you to do...

Jazzy Janey, A Dose Of David Mitchell, 30th October 2019

10 satire shows we need back on our TV screens

It's fair to say that we don't have much satire on TV at the moment. So, are we really beyond satire now? Have things become too surreal? Well, I'm not so sure. In no particular order, here are ten shows that I think need a revival in these turbulent times.

Rhianna Evans, Super Ink, 7th August 2019

Channel 4's Alternative Election Night to return

Jeremy Paxman, David Mitchell and Richard Osman will host Channel 4's Alternative Election Night, an all-night show incorporating the results of the general election.

British Comedy Guide, 15th May 2017

Jeremy Paxman's dodgy election night one-liners

The respected broadcaster proved that being able to grill politicians and being funny don't always go hand in hand.

Helen Nianias, The Independent, 8th May 2015

Channel 4 election coverage beats ITV in ratings

Channel 4's Alternative Election Night, hosted by David Mitchell and Jeremy Paxman, has beaten ITV in the ratings, according to early overnight figures.

BBC News, 8th May 2015

If you think that endless analysis, swingometers and flashy graphics of Churchill and Thatcher superimposed on to Westminster are so 2010, this night of sideways election coverage might be for you. Jeremy Paxman and David Mitchell host, with guests including Kayvan Novak and Richard Osman joining the pair, plus themed editions of The Last Leg and Gogglebox during the evening. Lest the election itself be forgotten, Gary Gibbon and Cathy Newman will relay the results throughout the night.

Hannah J Davies, The Guardian, 7th May 2015

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