“relentlessly funny”
Iman Amrani, The Guardian
“Russell Howard breaks down headlines in a way that is both informative yet even more hilarious, kind of like our Daily Show, and his interviews are as thoughtful as they are silly”
Lea Palmieri, Decider (USA)
“Smart but with a more engaging personality than other satirists”
★★★★ Mark Wareham, The Mail on Sunday
London, 17th December 2020 – It was announced today that ratings and critical hit The Russell Howard Hour has been recommissioned for a fifth and sixth season, with the fourth season still on air, by Sky One and TV streaming service NOW TV. The latest season of the topical entertainment show has attracted the biggest viewing figures since season one, which was the biggest new non-scripted entertainment show to land on Sky One since 2010. A huge hit online, show content has been seen over 400 million times across social media since the show’s arrival. The fifth, 14 x 60’ season, will see Russell continue to offer his acclaimed satirical take on global news, politics and stories dominating the cultural zeitgeist, into 2021.
Philip Edgar-Jones, Director of Entertainment at Sky, said: “Russell Howard is the sharpest comic on TV and we are thrilled that he’ll be restlessly and hilariously nailing our messed-up world for at least another two seasons on Sky One.”
Jon Thoday, Executive Producer for Avalon, added: “We’re delighted to be bringing The Russell Howard Hour to Sky for two more seasons and look forward to Russell continuing to shed light on spiralling global events.”
Russell Howard said: “Can’t wait to do the show again next year. Hopefully the news will be a bit more upbeat.”
The show features in-depth interviews, both in studio and via a satellite link, with an array of fascinating previous guests including; Ed Sheeran, Matthew McConaughey, Alesha Dixon, Jim Carrey, Jack Black, Naomi Klein, Louis Theroux, Elizabeth Banks, Tyson Fury, John Oliver, Dizzee Rascal, Elizabeth Day, Tan France, Brian Cox, Armando Iannucci, Mo Gilligan, Tim Minchin, Cambridge Analytica reporter Carole Cadwalladr, disability activist Sinead Burke and KKK converter Daryl Davis.
Season four saw the return of Good Deeds, a regular feature championing the nation’s spirit of generosity, as well as intimate live performances from comedians and musicians. For the first time, in a new strand titled Life Lessons, Russell is joined by his favourite performers including Aisling Bea, Guz Khan and London Hughes to tackle ‘life’s biggest questions’ head on.
Every episode is also available to watch worldwide on Russell’s YouTube channel, with over one million subscribers, as well as being broadcast on Foxtel in Australia close to UK transmission.
The fourth season is currently on air with the Christmas special transmitting tonight, followed by two compilation episodes running through to the 31st December.
The Russell Howard Hour is a Sky Original production produced by Avalon. The commissioning editor at Sky is Shirley Jones, whilst Executive Producers are Richard Allen-Turner, James Taylor and Jon Thoday for Avalon. The show is directed by Peter Orton and series produced by Robyn O’Brien.
For more information please contact: Victoria Wedderburn or Dan Lloyd at Avalon on 0207 598 7222 or VWedderburn@avalonuk.com /DLloyd@avalonuk.com or Lauren Cameron at Sky on lauren.cameron@sky.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Russell Howard
During the first lockdown, Russell was on our screens presenting a new Sky One show, Russell Howard’s Home Time, from his childhood bedroom. Russell is currently on his (postponed due to Coronavirus) third and largest world tour Respite which will take him to 69 cities across 24 countries in 5 continents, and started with a sold-out, critically acclaimed UK arena run in Autumn 2019. Russell will be the first comedian from the Northern Hemisphere to perform in New Zealand since the global lockdown, with 3 tour dates in January 2021. Russell’s 2017 sell-out international tour, Round the World, saw him break the record for the largest English speaking stand-up show in China and play a record-breaking 10 night run at the Royal Albert Hall, overtaking 8 in a row jointly held by Frank Sinatra and Barry Manilow. The tour culminated with the global release of Netflix Special Recalibrate.
Russell has over 6 million followers on social media.
Other Things The Press Said About The Russell Howard Hour:
★★★★The Mail On Sunday ★★★★ Heat Magazine ★★★★ The Daily Star ★★★★ TV Times ★★★★ The Daily Express ★★★★ Star Magazine
“one of the world’s top comedians”
Martin Hemming, The Sunday Times
“Altogether more politicised and hard-hitting… It was a treat to find Howard showing so much bite… it’s not often you get such spiky satire on Sky1…Howard and his Hour should be applauded.”
Michael Hogan, The Daily Telegraph
“Howard’s routines provide a more pointed critique of government incompetence and malfeasance than you might expect…his interview segments offer extended chats with an eclectic range of guests beyond the same old roster of celebrities”
Jack Seale, Radio Times
“Underestimate Russell Howard at your peril…behind that smile is a performer with real teeth ready to tear into current affairs and the many failings of our lords and masters”
Mark Wareham, The Mail On Sunday
“A welcome return for comedian Russell Howard and his sardonic but ultimately affirmative and optimistic take on global news and politics. What sets Howard apart from other TV satirists is his faith in human nature.”
Ed Power, The i
“There is no denying the popularity of Russell. As his topical comedy returns for its fourth series, the numbers it can boast are staggering- it’s had over 400 million views on social media and has covered topics as varied as the porn industry and Ku Klux Klan”
Eleanor Relf, The Sun
“the star doesn’t shy away from the biggest news stories of the week…hilarious”
Louis Staples, The Independent
“a big hit for Sky”
Forbes
“His topical chat show has been a hit, securing fascinating celebs like Louis Theroux, Jon Ronson and Naomi Klein for extended chats”
Graeme Virtue, The Guardian
“The Russell Howard Hour, a weekly comedy series on Sky 1 in which Howard brings his characteristic wit and observational humor to the stories dominating the cultural zeitgeist.”
Dane Rivera, UPROXX (USA)
“Russell Howard has truly gone global…Though he may be known for his cheeky, happy-go-lucky demeanour, Howard has never been one to shy away from the bigger issues…Whether it’s highlighting child hunger, unashamed praise for the police, or taking aim at Trumps’ views on transgender people in the military, the varying topics are all things Howard has a strong opinion on.”
Alex Nelson, The i
“a refreshing antidote to the default world-weary cynicism of so many of his comedy peers.”
Sharon Lougher, Metro
“no one can seriously deny him his place at comedy’s top table…the way in which Howard views the world has changed. He is more reflective, less flippant, than he used to be”
Rupert Hawksley, The Daily Telegraph
About Avalon
Avalon is a multi-award-winning talent management, television production and live promotion group with offices in London, Los Angeles and New York.
The company represents a prolific roster of artists including comedians, actors, presenters, writers and directors and produces numerous ground-breaking television shows. Series currently in production include: Not Going Out (BBC), the UK’s longest running sitcom on air; Taskmaster (Channel 4), the hit entertainment format showing in 100 countries; multi Emmy-winner, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO); The Russell Howard Hour (Sky), the network’s most successful entertainment show launch since 2010; Starstruck, a new sitcom from the 2018 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Rose Matafeo (HBO Max/BBC); Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, from creator Josh Thomas (Freeform); Breeders, a new sitcom starring Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard (FX/Sky); The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show (Netflix); new series of the iconic British satirical puppet show, Spitting Image (BritBox UK); and multiple comedy specials for Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max and Netflix. Other landmark Avalon shows include BAFTA winning and multi Emmy nominated, Catastrophe (Amazon Prime Video/Channel 4), Fantasy Football League (BBC/ITV), multi BAFTA-winning TV Burp (ITV), and seven seasons of Workaholics (Comedy Central USA). Avalon also distributes its catalogue of programmes to over 150 countries worldwide.
As a leading promoter of live comedy, Avalon produced Newman and Baddiel: Live at Wembley, the UK’s first arena comedy show; Jerry Springer: The Opera, the first West End show to win all four UK ‘Best New Musical’ awards; and has continued to produce and promote live shows globally, as well as promoting more winners and nominees of the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award than any other company.
For Avalon news visit: www.avalonuk.com/press or follow @avalonent
About Sky
Sky is Europe’s leading media and entertainment company and is proud to be part of the Comcast group. Across six countries, we connect our 24 million customers to the best entertainment, sports, news, arts and to our own award-winning original content.
Our technology, including the market leading Sky Q, connects people to everything they love – TV, music, games, online video, fitness and educational content, all in one place, easy. Our streaming service, NOW TV, brings viewers all the enjoyment of Sky with the flexibility of a contract-free service.
Building on the success of Sky Originals like Chernobyl, I Hate Suzie and Brassic, we are doubling our investment in original content by 2024 through Sky Studios. Sky News provides impartial and trustworthy journalism for free, while Sky Arts, the UK’s only dedicated free-to-air arts channel, makes the arts accessible for everyone. Our new TV and movie studio, Sky Studios Elstree, is expected to create over 2,000 new jobs and generate an additional £3 billion of production investment in the UK over the first five years alone.
We believe that we can be a force for good in the communities in which we operate. We’re committed to being Europe’s first net zero carbon entertainment company by 2030. We take pride in our approach to diversity and inclusion: we’ve been recognised by The Times and Stonewall for our commitment to diversity and we’ve put in place a new programme to invest £30million across our markets over the next three years to tackle racial injustice.
About NOW TV
NOW TV is a leading UK streaming service, giving you the best TV, box sets, movies, sports and kids entertainment whenever, and wherever, you want it. Pick from the range of content passes including Entertainment, Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, Kids and reality TV with hayu.
You can stream content to watch through the NOW TV app, available on over 60 devices including the NOW TV Smart Stick and Smart Box and even download your favourite shows and movies to watch on the go.
NOW TV is the home of the best new and original British comedies, Oscar, BAFTA, and Emmy award winning dramas, Sky originals and movies. NOW TV customers can enjoy over 30 new movies every month and Sky Atlantic shows, without a contract.
Sports fans can enjoy all the action across all 11 Sky Sports channels through day, week or month passes.
NOW TV also offers great value reliable broadband as a standalone contract-free service with NOW Broadband.
For more information, visit nowtv.com
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