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.