About this season
That Was the Week That Was, informally TWTWTW or TW3, is a satirical television comedy programme on BBC Television in 1962 and 1963. It was devised, produced and directed by Ned Sherrin and presented by David Frost. An American version by the same name aired on NBC from 1964 to 1965, also featuring Frost. The programme is considered a significant element of the satire boom in the United Kingdom in the early 1960s. It broke ground in comedy through lampooning the establishment and political figures. Its broadcast coincided with coverage of the politically charged Profumo affair and John Profumo, the politician at the centre of the affair, became a target for derision. TW3 was first broadcast on Saturday 24 November 1962.
Episodes (23)
1. Show 1
Aired 24 November 1962 • 50 min
The first programme includes: A parody of BBC by-election coverage; The army becoming a political party; An expose of record producer Norrie Paramor; Bernard Levin interviewing a group of PR men; a skit on the then-current infomercial-style show ""Jim's Inn"", a parody of the recent hit song ""Love And Marriage"" and Timothy Birdsall's send-up of Identikit pictures.
2. Show 2
Aired 1 December 1962 • 50 min
Items include: A look at the possible successors to retired Conservative leader Harold MacMillan; a send-up of TV science shows; and a rant by a yobbish cricketer (Cope).
3. Show 3
Aired 8 December 1962 • 50 min
A monologue by a tobacconist (Roy Kinnear) on why smoking is a good thing, an expose of songwriter Lionel Bart's borrowings from old-time songs; Bernard Levin interviews hotellier Charles Forte, a group of Cardinals sing Arrivederci Roma; and a sketch (and subsequent calypso) on the subject of open flies.
4. Show 4
Aired 15 December 1962 • 50 min
A list of Britain's remaining colonies; trade unions quarrelling over a hole in the road; an old-time comedian (Roy Kinnear) complains about the satire boom.
5. Show 5
Aired 22 December 1962 • 50 min
The Queen's christmas broadcast being censored; Bernard Levin is shouted down by a group of farmers.
6. That Was The Year That Was
Aired 29 December 1962 • 50 min
An expose of the ""Cross Bencher"" column in the Sunday Express.
7. Show 7
Aired 5 January 1963 • 50 min
8. Show 8
Aired 12 January 1963 • 50 min
9. Show 9
Aired 19 January 1963 • 50 min
10. Show 10
Aired 26 January 1963 • 50 min
11. Show 11
Aired 2 February 1963 • 50 min
12. Show 12
Aired 9 February 1963 • 50 min
13. Show 13
Aired 16 February 1963 • 50 min
14. Show 14
Aired 23 February 1963 • 50 min
15. Show 15
Aired 2 March 1963 • 50 min
16. Show 16
Aired 9 March 1963 • 50 min
17. Show 17
Aired 16 March 1963 • 50 min
18. Show 18
Aired 23 March 1963 • 50 min
19. Show 19
Aired 30 March 1963 • 50 min
20. Show 20
Aired 6 April 1963 • 50 min
21. Show 21
Aired 13 April 1963 • 50 min
22. Show 22
Aired 20 April 1963 • 50 min
23. Show 23
Aired 27 April 1963 • 50 min