Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Start date, host and team captains for new series
The anarchic pop quiz is returning with a brand new series on Sky after seven years off air.
There's no shortage of comedy panel shows on British television, but few carry a reputation quite so legendary as Never Mind The Buzzcocks – which is why it's a delight to see the show return.
After demonstrating a hilarious ability to roast guests on his other hit show Taskmaster, Greg Davies has been tapped to revive the music quiz, which became known for mercilessly ridiculing those brave enough to take part in its heyday.
That said, the style of this all-new Buzzcocks will be slightly different, with Davies teasing what fans can expect to see in a recent interview with NME.
“I would say the overarching feeling now is one of chaotic silliness rather than confrontation," he said. "I don’t really do confrontation especially well, but there’s plenty of piss-taking, believe me, that comes back and forth from everybody.
"It was a real fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants experience. I didn’t have a conscious way of approaching it. I just like music, having fun and messing around – and that’s what you’ve got within the format of Never Mind the Buzzcocks.”
Noel Fielding is the only member from the previous line-up to return for this revival, meaning he'll be facing competition from himself in the schedules as Buzzcocks overlaps with the latest series of The Great British Bake Off.
Joining him are two more Taskmaster alumni, comedians Jamali Maddix and Daisy May Cooper, who will have eight episodes and a Christmas special to settle into their roles.
Read on for everything you need to know about the return of Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
Never Mind The Buzzcocks start date: when is it on TV?
The series makes its long-awaited return tonight, Tuesday 21st September 2021 at 9pm on Sky Max – with episodes following at the same time on successive Tuesdays for the following eight weeks.
Each episode will be 45 minutes long – 15 minutes longer than the original version of the show – and will be available to watch on-demand on NOW.
And there will also be a one-off Christmas special that will air during the festive period.
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Never Mind the Buzzcocks host
Greg Davies has already proven himself a more than capable panel show host on Taskmaster – and he takes the reins on the new rebooted Buzzcocks, following in the footsteps of Mark Lamarr, Simon Amstell and Rhod Gilbert.
Davies does have previous experience hosting the show, having guest presented one episode in 2011, while he's also been a panelist on two other occasions.
On taking the role, he said, "I have always loved Never Mind the Buzzcocks and am thrilled to be the new host on Sky. We have brilliant comedic talent on the team and plenty of exciting musical guests will be joining us.
"All that being said, I’m so sure that no one reads these press quotes in their entirety that I’m going to finish by listing types of bread: rye, sourdough, sliced white. Oh, and cob."
More recently, Davies spoke to Radio Times about the new series, and teased that he'll bring a different energy to the show than some of the previous hosts – although he added there will be as many harsh jokes as ever.
"I think people know me well enough from various shows," he said. "And so they know I'll bring a sillier feeling to it. But don't get me wrong, we've recorded the first block and I can assure you that the show was brutal at times. I got plenty of s**t myself – as much as I gave out."
Never Mind the Buzzcocks team captains
Noel Fielding is the only member of the previous line-up to return – meaning that, for the first time in Buzzcocks history, Phil Jupitus won't be appearing as part of the panel.
Jupitus' place is taken by This Country star Daisy May Cooper, who becomes the first female regular team captain in the show's history (although Davina McCall appeared as a guest captain in one episode in series 22).
And continuing the former Taskmaster contestants theme, Jamali Maddix will also be a regular panelist throughout the series.
Sky have not released a complete list of the guests lined up for this series, but comedian Nish Kumar, Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall and singer Anne-Marie can all be seen in a promotional clip for the new series (see next section).
Meanwhile, Davies has revealed that Happy Mondays collaborators Shaun Ryder and Bez will also appear in an episode of the revived Buzzcocks.
Speaking of the show's musical guests, the host assured that they will be free to do and say exactly what they want, with little interference from their representatives.
“What I love is that musicians are not arriving with their slick PR machines – they can’t hide behind a way that they’ve previously presented themselves," Davies told NME. "Mercifully, all the guests we’ve had on were great – so natural and fun and I hope they relish getting to show a different side of themselves.”
Never Mind the Buzzcocks trailer
Sky releases a first-look clip that shows new captain Daisy May Cooper attempting the iconic intros round with teammate Anne Marie. Check it out below.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks begins on Sky Max at 9pm on Tuesday 21st September 2021. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide or visit our hub for more Entertainment news.
