Rowan Atkinson's 'Not the Nine O'Clock News' Debut

The late spring of 1979 marked a significant turning point in British politics, ushering in the era of Margaret Thatcher's government. However, it also set the stage for a revolution in British comedy, particularly with the conception of a topical sketch show that would redefine the genre. Producer John Lloyd assembled a cast around the then relatively unknown Rowan Atkinson for a programme aptly named Not the Nine O'Clock News. Its title cleverly indicated its BBC2 timeslot, directly competing with the main BBC1 evening news bulletin.

The initial broadcast was scheduled for April 2nd, 1979, intended to fill the slot vacated by what was thought to be the final episode of Fawlty Towers. Fate, however, intervened. A technicians' strike delayed Basil Fawlty’s swansong, with John Cleese himself filming a humorous sketch where Basil explained the absence and the airing of a "tatty revue" instead. In retrospect, this moment could be viewed as a symbolic handover of the comedy sketch-show baton from the legendary Monty Python to a new generation of "alternative" comedians.

However, this "tatty revue" was itself pulled from the airwaves. The decision was made because Not the Nine O'Clock News was deemed too politically charged to be screened during a general election period. This fortuitous delay proved beneficial, granting John Lloyd the opportunity to re-cast the show. He retained Atkinson and Chris Langham, later known for The Thick of It, and welcomed Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones, and the New Zealand-born Pamela Stephenson to the ensemble. This six-month delay was doubly providential, as it coincided with the rise of the deeply unpopular Thatcher government, a period that would fuel the resurgence of television satire.

TV satire, which had been largely dormant since the early 1960s and the era of shows like Beyond the Fringe and That Was the Week That Was, experienced a powerful revival. Not the Nine O'Clock News became the nascent stage for this rebirth. The show finally aired on October 16th, 1979. Despite its eventual acclaim, its initial reception from critics and viewers was lukewarm. However, a re-watch of the first episode today on platforms like YouTube reveals its enduring brilliance. It opens with two classic sketches: a hilarious spoof of televised darts, featuring Smith and Jones as players Fatbelly and Evenfatterbelly who consume drinks instead of throwing darts, and Atkinson in a monkey suit as Gerald, the talking gorilla. As Smith's character tells Pamela Stephenson's TV presenter, "When I caught Gerald in ’68 he was completely wild." The gorilla, peevishly retorting, "Wild? I was absolutely livid!"

The inaugural episode also featured a skit on the BBC's political debate programme, Question Time. While younger audiences might not recognise figures like Labour politician Frances Morrell or trade unionist Clive Jenkins, the format of the programme remains familiar, highlighting the perennial nature of political guests' evasiveness.

Pamela Stephenson, though feeling somewhat under-utilised in this initial outing, was a far cry from the token female presence often seen in shows like Monty Python. She would grow into a more central role, particularly as her remarkable talent for mimicry was discovered, with her impression of Janet Street-Porter being especially noteworthy. The opening show offered a representative sample of what was to come: a blend of parodic pop songs, mischievously repurposed news footage, and rapid-fire sketches.

The Thatcher Era and the Rise of Satire

Margaret Thatcher and her administration, known for its divisive policies, provided fertile ground for satirists. John Lloyd, in his first television production role with this show, would later co-create Spitting Image, the defining lampoon of the era. While some of the contemporary targets of Not the Nine O'Clock News, such as tortured trade union negotiations or Britt Ekland's love life, may now seem dated or even require redaction (consider Cýril Smith and Jimmy Savile presented as figures of fun), much of the material remains remarkably relevant. Topics like pornographic pop videos, the shortage of hospital beds, and sketches featuring Atkinson as a hardline MP addressing immigration and crime at a Tory party conference still resonate, even if modern political figures like Priti Patel would likely not employ the same language as her fictional counterpart.

The Birth of Alternative Comedy

Just sixteen days after the Conservative election victory that ignited the satire boom, a new movement was brewing in unconventional surroundings above a Soho strip club. The first London Comedy Store was hosting nights that would come to be known as "alternative comedy." This movement was characterised by its rejection of the traditional, often sexist and racist, gags exemplified by comedians like Bernard Manning, which had unfortunately become the norm. Alternative comedy truly came of age three years later with the intertwined casts of The Young Ones and The Comic Strip. However, it was Not the Nine O'Clock News that blazed the trail, demonstrating a bold refusal to perpetuate lazy stereotypes or rely on the innuendo-laden, over-scripted sketches reminiscent of The Two Ronnies. In fact, the brevity of many of its skits often surpassed that of its spiritual successor, The Fast Show.

Writing Talent and Performance Prowess

The success of the show was not solely dependent on its performers; the writing talent was equally crucial. Among the writers were Clive Anderson, Andy Hamilton, and Rowan Atkinson's longtime collaborator and friend, Richard Curtis. Curtis would go on to work with Atkinson on seminal series like Blackadder and Mr Bean before becoming renowned as the nation's leading purveyor of romantic comedies.

While Blackadder showcased Atkinson's exceptional verbal dexterity, Not the Nine O'Clock News first introduced his signature rubbery facial expressions. These were matched, if not surpassed, by Mel Smith's wonderfully mobile features. Following Smith's untimely death in 2013, one obituary described his face as embodying "mugging with a deadpan virtuosity rarely seen since Oliver Hardy in his pomp."

The physical comedy and knockabout nature of their performances perfectly complemented the show's sharper political and satirical content. Atkinson's gift for lugubrious mime would later find its ultimate expression in Mr Bean. Simultaneously, Mel Smith's close-up profile shots, particularly during his head-to-head chats with Griff Rhys Jones, became the most cherished element of their highly successful spin-off, Alas Smith and Jones.

Legacy and Impact

Perhaps the greatest legacy of Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones, however, lies beyond their on-screen performances. In 1981, while still actively involved with Not the Nine O'Clock News, they established their own production company, Talkback Productions. Initially conceived to create humorous training videos in the style of John Cleese's Video Arts, Talkback evolved to become a powerhouse of British comedy production over the subsequent four decades. Its impressive catalogue includes influential shows such as The Day Today, Da Ali G Show, Smack the Pony, Green Wing, Brass Eye, I'm Alan Partridge, The Armando Iannucci Shows, Big Train, and Meet Ricky Gervais, to name but a few. Famously, they also produced The Apprentice, a fact that Lord Sugar would undoubtedly have approved of when Smith and Jones sold the company in 2000 for a staggering £62 million.

Pamela Stephenson eventually grew tired of the comedy circuit by the mid-1980s. She married Billy Connolly and pursued a new career, training as a psychologist with a successful practice in Beverly Hills. Her candid reflections on her less-than-happy experience as the sole female performer on a live version of The Comic Strip – describing stand-up as "a war with everyone playing this game of ‘I can be funnier than you’" – resonate with the ongoing challenges faced by female comedians on competitive, male-dominated television panel shows.

Today, satirical news programmes are commonplace, with shows like Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You, The Mash Report, and Frankie Boyle's New World Order all enjoying significant audiences. However, back in 1979, Not the Nine O'Clock News was nothing short of revolutionary. Contemporary newspaper critics derided it as "extremely offensive" and argued that it "should not be allowed on TV." In an era dominated by political figures like Johnson, Corbyn, Trump, and Putin, the recent revival of Spitting Image after 23 years is perhaps unsurprising. It is undeniable that without the pioneering spirit and groundbreaking work of Not the Nine O'Clock News, shows like Spitting Image might never have seen the light of day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Rowan Atkinson in 'Not the Nine O'Clock News'?

Yes, Rowan Atkinson was a principal cast member in Not the Nine O'Clock News and featured in many of its most memorable sketches.

When did 'Not the Nine O'Clock News' first air?

The show first aired on 16 October 1979.

Who were the main cast members of 'Not the Nine O'Clock News'?

The main cast included Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones, Pamela Stephenson, and Chris Langham.

What was the impact of 'Not the Nine O'Clock News' on British comedy?

The show is credited with spearheading the resurgence of TV satire and paving the way for "alternative comedy," influencing numerous subsequent comedy programmes and comedians.

Did Rowan Atkinson have another show before 'Not the Nine O'Clock News'?

While Atkinson had appeared in other sketch shows and revues, Not the Nine O'Clock News was his major breakthrough role on national television, establishing him as a leading comedic talent.