Unacceptable: A New Panel Show That Misses the Mark
Unacceptable, a new comedy panel show produced by Romesh Ranganathan's company Ranga Bee for TLC, brings together comedians to defend their worst opinions in front of a studio audience. The show, hosted by Ed Gamble, features team captains Richard Ayoade and Joanne McNally, with guests including Katherine Ryan, Roisin Conaty, and Sophie Willan. Despite the star-studded lineup, the show feels unnecessary and fails to generate consistent laughs.
Romesh Ranganathan's Ubiquitous Presence
Ranganathan, who has hosted multiple shows this year for BBC, Amazon, and Sky, makes a cameo as a contestant. He goes full misanthrope, refusing to give an exhausted NHS midwife £500 because the royal family needs it more. His material suffers as he defends the royals, a stance that feels forced for a left-leaning comedian. The segment includes cringey jokes about Prince Edward and Tampongate, leaving viewers wondering why the show harps on outdated topics.
Format Struggles and Weak Jokes
The format proves difficult for the comedians to riff off. McNally argues that women aren't funny, while Ryan argues for mandatory vasectomies at birth. A joke about Ryan's husband drinking his own urine is a low point. Willan's comparison of royal dramas to soap operas is a rare highlight, but overall the show feels like a waste of talent.
Conclusion: Unnecessary but Not Unacceptable
Panel shows often take time to find their footing, but Unacceptable seems unlikely to become a household name. As one reviewer notes, “Wasting this much comedy talent on a show that doesn’t make any sense is a tragedy. It’s not unacceptable, but it certainly is unnecessary.” The show airs on TLC.
