Mock the Week

Dara Ó Briain presents a lively competition in which two teams of the nation’s top comedians face off each week. The contestants spar with jokes, aiming to poke fun at the week’s news and turn current headlines into comedic material.

Dara Ó Briain fronts a television programme that brings together two squads of leading comedians. The host steers the action, setting the stage for a lively showdown that centres on humour and current affairs. The format is simple: two rival teams, each packed with comic talent, go head‑to‑head under Ó Briain’s guidance. The heart of the show lies in the teams’ attempt to lampoon the week’s news stories. Each side crafts jokes and sketches that target the headlines, turning serious events into material for laughter. The competition is framed as a battle, with the comedians striving to out‑wit each other while keeping the audience entertained. Throughout the episode, Ó Briain keeps the pace brisk, introducing topics and prompting the performers to deliver their punchlines. His role is to facilitate the banter, ensuring the focus stays on the satirical take on recent events rather than on any individual performer. In the end, the programme offers viewers a comedic recap of the week’s happenings, delivering a fresh, light‑hearted perspective on the news. By pitting top comic talent against one another, the show creates a dynamic environment where current affairs are examined through the lens of humour.