The Russell Howard Hour

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The Russell Howard Hour
Also known asRussell Howard's Home Time (2020)
Genre Topical comedy stand-up, satire
Created by Russell Howard
Presented byRussell Howard
Theme music composer Sergio Pizzorno
Opening theme"Ill Ray (The King)" by Kasabian
ComposerSam Gale
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series6 (+1 spin-off)
No. of episodes86 (+9 spin-off)
Production
ProducersDan Atkinson
Jason Dawson
Robyn O'Brien
Production locationsStudio TC1, Television Centre, London [1] (2017–2022)
Bath, Somerset (Home Time, 2020)
Running time60 minutes (Regular, inc. adverts, Series 1-5)
45 minutes (Regular, inc. adverts, Series 6)
30 minutes (Spin-off, inc. adverts)
Production companiesAvalon Television [2]
Sky Production Services
Original release
Network Sky One (2017–2020)
Sky Max (2021–2022)
Release21 September 2017 (2017-09-21) 
15 December 2022 (2022-12-15)
Related
Russell Howard's Good News

The Russell Howard Hour is a British topical comedy news show, which airs on Sky Max (formerly Sky One) and is hosted by Russell Howard where he gives his thoughts and opinions on current topics as well as featuring special guests and other stand-up comedians. The show is in a similar style to his previous show, Russell Howard's Good News , which aired on BBC Three and then BBC Two from 2009 to 2015.

Contents

Production

On 28 November 2017, it was announced that the show had been recommissioned for a second series, [3] which began on 8 November 2018. Unlike the first series, the second series does not have a stand-up guest. Instead there is a segment titled "Live Forever" where Howard and another comedian test ways to live longer.

On 24 January 2019, it was announced that the show had been recommissioned for a third and fourth series. [4] In Series 3, there was a segment called "Play Date" (which replaced "Live Forever") which showed Howard spending time with a celebrity.

In spring 2020, shortly after the end of series 3, the fourth series was revealed to be delayed until early Autumn that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Howard created a spin-off series called "Russell Howard's Home Time", featuring a similar format as the original show, except for a shorter 30-minute episode runtime. [5] The programme was filmed at his home in Bath, Somerset due to social distancing measures, and began on 9 April 2020, running for 9 episodes.

The fourth series of The Russell Howard Hour began on 10 September 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first episode of the series did not have a live audience. From episode two onwards, a live audience returned, albeit split into socially distanced groups.

On 17 December 2020, it was announced that the show had been recommissioned for a fifth and sixth series.

On 8 September 2022, the first episode of the sixth series was originally going to air, but it got pulled off air following the news of Queen Elizabeth II's death that night. After 2 days of delay, the episode was finally broadcast on Sky Max.

With the closure of Sky One, the original channel for The Russell Howard Hour, it was announced that the series would move to Sky Max. [6]

With the exception of the Home Time spin-off, all episodes of the programme have been recorded at Television Centre in London. [7]

Transmissions

SeriesStart dateEnd dateEpisodesNotes
121 September 201721 December 201714
28 November 201828 February 201914
37 November 201927 February 202015
HT9 April 20207 May 20209
410 September 202017 December 202015
59 September 202130 December 202115
610 September 2022*29 December 202215Series 6 was originally scheduled to premiere on 8 September 2022 but was pulled off of air, following the death of Elizabeth II.

Viewing figures

Episode viewing figures from BARB's Top 10 Programmes until September 2018 [8] and the Four-screen Dashboard for September 2018 onwards. [9]

Series 1

Episode
no.
Airdate7 day viewers
(millions)
28 day viewers
(millions)
Sky One
weekly ranking
Multichannels
rank
GuestStand-up comic
121 September 20170.690.8328 Diane Abbott Kiri Pritchard-McLean
228 September 20170.700.8214 Adam Kay Harry & Chris
35 October 20170.650.72318 Greg Davies Desiree Burch
412 October 20170.620.7325 Richard Branson Phil Ellis
519 October 20170.640.69423 Fiona Bruce Anna Mann
626 October 20170.690.786 Ed Sheeran Rob Auton
72 November 20170.630.75524 Daryl Davis Harry & Chris
89 November 20170.690.7623 Harry Leslie Smith Paul Chowdhry
916 November 20170.560.637 Naomi Klein Mo Gilligan
1023 November 20170.580.683 Juan Mata Julian Deane
1130 November 20170.470.578 Roisin Conaty Fern Brady
127 December 20170.580.656 Sarah Millican Mae Martin
1314 December 20170.620.783 Jamie Oliver Ed Gamble
1421 December 20170.590.754 John Oliver Harry & Chris

Series 2

In series 2, the stand-up comic segment at the end of each episode was replaced with 'Live Forever.' In the segment, Howard and another comedian try an activity that is purported to improve health. Episode 7 was a Christmas Special.

Episode
no.
Airdate7 day viewers
(millions)
28 day viewers
(millions)
Sky One
weekly ranking
GuestLive Forever
18 November 20180.510.556 Rukmini Callimachi Pantsdrunk with Greg Davies
215 November 20180.480.578 Alesha Dixon Chinese medicine with Jimmy Carr
322 November 20180.290.418 Louis Theroux Dead bodies with Rose Matafeo
429 November 20180.420.546 Derren Brown Cryotherapy with Paul Chowdhry
56 December 20180.480.544 Michelle Wolf Ice baths with Paul Chowdhry
613 December 20180.390.456 Magid Magid Shaman with Roisin Conaty
720 December 20180.530.646 Chris O'Dowd Choir singing with Joe Wilkinson
817 January 20190.400.467 Rob Delaney Bungee dance with Jessica Knappett
924 January 20190.490.546 Will Poulter Cuddle therapy with Jon Richardson
1031 January 20190.400.469Mark PrinceArt therapy with Jo Brand
117 February 20190.350.419 Jon Ronson Goat yoga with Mo Gilligan
1214 February 20190.350.437 Stacey Dooley Boxing with Joe Lycett
1321 February 20190.340.398 Richard Curtis Museum of Happiness with Lou Sanders
1428 February 20190.380.459 Stephen Merchant Ikigai with Iain Stirling and David Seaman

Series 3

In series 3, the 'Live Forever' segment was replaced with 'Play Date.' In the segment, Howard and another comedian try an activity that they have never done before.

Episode
no.
Airdate7 day viewers
(millions)
28 day viewers
(millions)
Sky One
weekly ranking
GuestPlay Date
17 November 20190.540.592 Ant Middleton Beekeeping with Aisling Bea
214 November 20190.470.512 Tyson Fury Flyboarding with Jon Richardson
321 November 20190.350.434 Sinéad Burke and Rapman None [note 1]
428 November 20190.520.591 Kevin Smith [10] Going to a pub with Elizabeth Banks [10]
55 December 20190.410.461 Carole Cadwalladr Hot tugging with Tan France
612 December 20190.380.423 David Baddiel A perfect night in with Jack Black
719 December 20190.590.691 Brian Cox Trampolining with Emily Atack
830 December 20190.350.375Best Bits of 2019 [note 2]
916 January 20200.300.3413 Jamali Maddix Stunt school with Paul Chowdhry
1023 January 20200.300.3310Iman Amrani and Seann Walsh None [note 3]
1130 January 20200.310.369 Armando Iannucci and Michael PatrickNone [note 4]
126 February 20200.380.428 Guz Khan and Jim Carrey None [note 5]
1313 February 20200.350.387 Konnie Huq Barging with Josh Widdicombe
1420 February 20200.360.419 Eniola Aluko and Kerry Godliman None [note 6]
1527 February 20200.310.358 Daisy Haggard Driving down the A127 dual carriageway with Joe Wilkinson

Russell Howard's Home Time

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, series 4 was delayed until later in the year. This spin-off series filmed from Howard's home in Somerset features chats with celebrity guests, comedians and musical performances using Zoom. During the finale episode, Howard revealed that the regular show would return sometime in September 2020.

EpisodeAirdate [note 7] GuestsCelebrity/musical guestsMusical performance
19 April 2020Glen Walton Greg Davies and James Bay "Hold Back the River"
214 April 2020Aoife Abbey Jon Richardson and Gavin Osborn"Born in the NHS"
316 April 2020Ninette Howard Michelle Wolf, Geraint Thomas and Lady Leshurr "Quarantine Speech"
421 April 2020Hassan Akkad Jack Whitehall and Serge Pizzorno "Lockdown"
523 April 2020Caitlin Grant Guz Khan and Harry & Chris"Lockdown Life"
628 April 2020Lucy Craig Stephen Merchant and Tom Grennan "Oh Please"
730 April 2020Lisa King Louis Theroux and Guvna B "Fall On Me"
85 May 2020N/A Joe Gilgun, Katherine Ryan and Zuzu"How It Feels"
97 May 2020The Corona Arms Marc Maron and Tom Walker "Leave a Light On"

Series 4

On 7 May 2020, Howard revealed in his spin-off series finale that the fourth series of The Russell Howard Hour would return in September 2020. However, due to the ongoing pandemic situation, this will be the first series to have no audience and only a skeleton crew, due to social distancing requirements.[ citation needed ]

EpisodeAirdate7 day viewers
(millions)
28 day viewers
(millions)
Sky One
weekly ranking
GuestsLife Lessons [note 8] Good Deeds
110 September 20200.600.624 John Oliver I Wish I Was An Expert In...Emdad Rahman, Book Bike London
217 September 20200.440.525 Lady Leshurr The Phrase That Makes My Blood BoilImogen, 7 Million Keepie Uppie Challenge
324 September 20200.420.465 Elizabeth Day My Sexual AwakeningMike Trower, Cooking With Cody
41 October 20200.370.456 Kevin Bridges and Jessica Brown Findlay The Childhood Memory That Just Won't Go AwayGrace Beards and Jodie Larsen, Paws & Pause
58 October 20200.370.426 Mo Gilligan and SlimIf I Could Communicate With AnimalsStandup by Slim
615 October 20200.430.574 Greg Davies, Alex Horne and James Bay My Weird ObsessionAli Alzein, Bees And Refugees
722 October 20200.260.404 Rosie Jones A Job I Secretly Think I'd Be Good AtWesley Hamnett, Glasgow2Manchester
829 October 20200.440.523 Dizzee Rascal My Irrational FearMike Trower, Cooking With Cody
95 November 20200.410.463 Brian Blessed An Award I Should Win That Doesn't ExistMark Humphries, Kidmenace Studios
1012 November 2020Best of Guests
1119 November 20200.430.523 Matthew McConaughey My Worst Business IdeaEmma Walkerdine, Anger Van
1226 November 20200.390.493 Tim Minchin Here's Something That Should Have Been Taught In School...Kaz Foncette, Wigs For Heroes
133 December 20200.393 Richard Herring Something I Would Make Illegal...Carl Bradley, The Boot Room
1410 December 20200.400.423 Jamie Redknapp, Matt Forde I Would Love To Life Swap With...David Ible & Sachin Rajkumarsingh, Aura Care
1517 December 20200.450.533 Joel Dommett, Matt Lucas, Flo and Joan My Favourite Christmas Memory Ever [note 9]

Series 5

EpisodeAirdate7 day viewers
(millions)
28 day viewers
(millions)
Sky Max
weekly ranking
GuestsLife LessonsGood Deeds
19 September 2021 Katie Piper, Aaron Simmonds, Iain Stirling
216 September 2021 Robert Peston, Janine Harouni, Paul Chowdhry, Daniel Ricciardo
323 September 2021 Tom Grennan, Paul Sinha
430 September 2021 David Harewood, Joy Crookes, Lucy Beaumont
57 October 2021 Sophie Willan, Andrew Bird, Andrew Steele
614 October 2021 Billy Connolly, Everyone You Know, Isy Suttie
721 October 2021Edgar Wright, Steven Pinker, Fatiha El-Ghorri
84 November 2021 Evanna Lynch, Joe Wilkinson, Jordan Brookes
911 November 2021 Lou Sanders, Akala, Knucks, Kojey Radical, Swindle
1018 November 2021 Susie Dent, Paul Merson, Harriet Dyer
1125 November 2021 Gabby Logan, Jimmy Carr, Jacob Hawley
122 December 2021 Jordan Peterson, Guz Khan, Self Esteem
139 December 2021 Steven Bartlett, Josh Widdicombe, Cat Burns
1416 December 2021 Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Fred Sireix, Flo & Joan

Series 6

EpisodeAirdate7 day viewers
(millions)
28 day viewers
(millions)
Sky Max
weekly ranking
GuestsLife LessonsGood Deeds
110 September 2022 Jamali Maddix
222 September 2022 Fern Brady
329 September 2022 Paul Chowdhry
46 October 2022 Maisie Adam
513 October 2022 Michelle Wolf
620 October 2022 Troye Hawke
73 November 2022 Greta Thunberg
810 November 2022 Kiri Pritchard-McLean
917 November 2022 Glenn Moore
1024 November 2022 Jordan Gray Shad Chefs Man Hub
111 December 2022 London Hughes
128 December 2022 Sam Campbell
1315 December 2022 Garth Marenghi

Notes

  1. There was no 'Play Date' in this episode. Instead, Burke and Rapman were interviewed separately, over two parts.
  2. This was a special 2019 in review compilation episode. This episode features interviews clips with Stephen Merchant, Sinéad Burke, Tyson Fury, Rapman, Jon Ronson, and Kevin Smith; 'Live Forever' clips with Mo Gilligan and Jessica Knappett; and 'Play Date' clips with Jack Black, Aisling Bea, and Tan France.
  3. There was no 'Play Date' in this episode. Instead, Amrani and Walsh were interviewed separately, over two parts.
  4. There was no 'Play Date' in this episode. Instead, Iannucci and Patrick were interviewed separately, over two parts.
  5. There was no 'Play Date' in this episode. Instead, Khan and Carrey were interviewed separately, with Carrey's interview being filmed on location, away from the studio.
  6. There was no 'Play Date' in this episode. Instead, Aluko and Godliman were interviewed separately, over two parts.
  7. Episodes on Sky One are shown on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
  8. Aisling Bea, Guz Khan, Jessica Brown Findlay, Iain Stirling, Phil Wang, Joe Wilkinson, London Hughes, Taylor Tomlinson & Paul Chowdhry share their life lessons regarding one given issue.
  9. Because of musical guests Flo and Joan no Good Deeds were shown.

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References

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  4. "Sky orders two more series of The Russell Howard Hour". British Comedy Guide. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  5. "Russell Howard brings new 'Home Time' show twice a week to Sky". www.skygroup.sky. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
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