Channel 4 commissions A Short History of Everything Else

12 March 2012

Comedian Griff Rhys Jones is to host a brand new comedy panel show using archive TV clips to challenge players to give A Short History of Everything Else.

Commissioned by Channel 4's Head of Factual, Ralph Lee, this six-part series will delve into our shared history through a mixture of memorable, odd and forgotten clips, throwing new and alternative perspectives on to our past.

Each week Griff will be joined by two regular team captains, Marcus Brigstocke (Have I Got News For You, Argumental) and Charlie Baker (Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Home for the Holidays) who, along with a guest, will try to prove that they remember more about ‘everything else' than the other team, adding their own irreverent interpretations along the way.    

Rhys Jones said: "This is a serious nostalgia-fest.  The haircuts, the hits and the horrors.  It's all flooding back.  Actually it's a great way of gathering up the recent past.  Personally, I can't wait, and I'm in it." 

A Short History of Everything Else will provide an alternative view on our social history. Along with the archive gems, the banter from Griff and the panel will bring to life and celebrate the last few decades - from the sublime to the ridiculous, and the serious to the highly questionable.

Lee said: "This entertaining new series will be a satirical and engaging look back at strikes, depression, unemployment figures and the faux-pas of yesterday's leaders - hopefully offering an escape from the strikes, depression and leaders of today."

Twofour Group Creative Director Andrew Mackenzie said "This is a really interesting cross-genre production. We've brought together some very clever comedians and some very funny historians."

The 6 x 60min series is produced by Twofour and will air in the spring on Channel 4. The show is executive produced by Andy Mackenzie and Rachel Watson and series produced by Darren Sole.