The Revolution Will Be Televised

Did You Know?

• The second series was first broadcast on BBC Three on 10 November 2013.
• Co-creator Jolyon Rubinstein confirmed via Twitter that the second series would start on 10 November 2013.
• It was announced in September 2014 that the show would return for a third series including items filmed in the United States.

Content

The show is a collection of satirical stunts and sketches by Prowse and Rubinstein, created as a way to push back against what they see as a world filled with hypocrisy, corruption, and greed. While it sometimes uses fictional characters, most of the content involves the two hosts mocking the misdeeds of politicians, bankers, and other figures in the news, aiming to highlight their immorality. The people they interact with are usually unaware that they are part of a satire and are often tricked by the pair’s antics.

In the segment Inside the Story, Rubinstein plays Dale Maily, a self-proclaimed fearless hetero journalist. He attends events like an EDL march or a protest against the badger cull, claiming to deliver fair, impartial news by interviewing attendees. In reality, his reporting is biased, as he deliberately stirs up controversy by expressing highly conservative, borderline racist, and far-right opinions. The character is a parody of the Daily Mail.

The James and Barnaby sketches feature James Twottington-Burbage (Rubinstein) and Barnaby Plankton (Prowse), who are Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs. They approach people on the street and try to get them to agree with unpopular or controversial views, often using a snobbish, elitist attitude that stereotypes the Conservative Party or the Coalition. For instance, they attempt to convince Londoners that MPs deserve a pay raise or try to persuade Scottish football fans to vote against independence. James usually dominates the conversation, reflecting the stereotype that the Conservatives overpowered the Liberal Democrats in the Coalition.

In BBCOMGWTF, Rubinstein becomes Zam Zmith, a showbiz reporter who interviews celebrities at film premieres and festivals. He starts with typical, informal, teenage-style questions, then suddenly shifts to a serious current affairs topic, such as whether the UK should intervene in Syria, leaving the celebrities looking confused.

Ewan Jeffries, played by Rubinstein, is a Labour MP who promises to stand tall, stand proud, and say whatever is needed to win a vote. He constantly tries to connect with people by pretending to share their interests. If someone disagrees with him, he quickly changes his position and agrees with them instead.