View source for Never Mind the Buzzcocks

{{Short description|British TV comedy panel game (1996–2015, 2021–)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox television
| alt_name             = ''Buzzcocks''
| image                = Nevermind the Buzzcocks.svg
| genre                = [[Television comedy|Comedy]] [[panel game]]
| creator              = Bill Matthews<br />Simon Bullivant
| presenter            = [[Mark Lamarr]]<br />[[Simon Amstell]]<br />[[Rhod Gilbert]]<br />[[Greg Davies]]
| starring             = [[Phill Jupitus]]<br />[[Sean Hughes (comedian)|Sean Hughes]]<br />[[Bill Bailey]]<br />[[Noel Fielding]]<br />[[Daisy May Cooper]]<br />[[Jamali Maddix]]<br>[[Sophie Willan]]
| country              = United Kingdom
| language             = English
| num_series           = 33
| num_episodes         = 325
| list_episodes        = List of Never Mind the Buzzcocks episodes
| location             = [[Television Centre, London]]{{efn|Known as BBC Television Centre until 2013.}} (1996–2012, 2022–)<br />[[Riverside Studios]] (2013)<br />[[Elstree Studios (Shenley Road)|Elstree Studios]] (2014–15)<br />[[BBC Elstree Centre]] (2021)
| runtime              = 30 minutes (1996–2015)<br /> 45 minutes (2021–23) <br /> 45-60 minutes (2024–)
| company              = [[Talkback (production company)|Talkback]] (1996–2005, 2012–15, 2021–24)<br />[[Talkback Thames]] (2006–12, 2025–)
| network              = [[BBC Two]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|df=y|1996|11|12}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|df=y|2015|1|15}}
| network2             = [[Sky Max]]
| first_aired2         = {{Start date|df=y|2021|9|21}}
| last_aired2          = present
}}

'''''Never Mind the Buzzcocks''''' is a British [[television comedy|comedy]] [[panel game|panel game show]] with a [[popular music|pop music]] theme. It has aired on [[Sky Max]] since September 2021, having originally aired between November 1996 and January 2015 on [[BBC Two]].<ref name="Axed">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/never-mind-the-buzzcocks-axed-after-18-years-10276344.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/never-mind-the-buzzcocks-axed-after-18-years-10276344.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Never Mind the Buzzcocks axed after 18 years |date=26 May 2015 |first=Jess |last=Denham |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=26 May 2015}}</ref> The series was first hosted by [[Mark Lamarr]], then by [[Simon Amstell]], and later by a number of guest presenters, with [[Rhod Gilbert]] hosting the 28th series, and [[Greg Davies]] hosting since series 29. It first starred [[Phill Jupitus]] and [[Sean Hughes (comedian)|Sean Hughes]] as team captains, with Hughes being replaced by [[Bill Bailey]] from the eleventh series, and Bailey replaced by [[Noel Fielding]] for some of series 21 and from series 23 onward. From series 29–31, Fielding and [[Daisy May Cooper]] were the team captains, with Cooper replaced by [[Sophie Willan]] in some of series 32. The show is produced by [[Talkback (production company)|Talkback]]. The title plays on the names of the [[Sex Pistols]] album ''[[Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols]]'' and the band [[Buzzcocks]].

The show was known for its dry, [[tongue-in-cheek|sarcastic]] humour and scathing, provocative attacks on people and objects. It had some controversial guests throughout its initial 28-series run.<ref>{{cite web |title=Never Mind the Buzzcocks: top five moments |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/may/26/never-mind-the-buzzcocks-top-moments-bbc|first=John |last=Plunkett |date=27 May 2015|access-date=22 March 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

==History==
The show ran on the BBC from 1996 until 2015. From its inception until December 2005, it was presented by [[Mark Lamarr]] (who also produced the show from 2004 until his departure). [[Simon Amstell]] started hosting in October 2006. Regular team captains include [[Phill Jupitus]], [[Sean Hughes (comedian)|Sean Hughes]] (until May 2002), [[Bill Bailey]] (September 2002 – February 2008), [[Noel Fielding]] (October 2009 – December 2014), and also the [[List of Never Mind the Buzzcocks episodes#Series 22|guest captains]] (October 2008 – January 2009). Bill Bailey had appeared as a guest in series 4 on Phill Jupitus' team and series 5 on Sean Hughes's team.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

At the end of 2005, it was announced that Mark Lamarr was to take a break from the show after 150 episodes, to concentrate on other projects. The series that aired in early 2006 was hosted by guest presenters, before being permanently handed over to Simon Amstell, who had appeared twice as a panellist ([[List of Never Mind the Buzzcocks episodes#Series 13|series 13, episode 8]] and [[List of Never Mind the Buzzcocks episodes#Series 16|series 16, episode 11]]), and once as a guest presenter ([[List of Never Mind the Buzzcocks episodes#Series 18|series 18, episode 2]]). The first time Amstell appeared as a panellist under Lamarr's tenure, coincidentally, Lamarr jokingly accused him of "stealing his act".{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

Following series 20 (Amstell's second as regular host), a highlights show was broadcast, presented by [[Alan Yentob]] as a parody of his own arts series ''[[Imagine (TV series)|Imagine]]''. The highlights programme was sub-titled ''Imagine… A Mildly Amusing Panel Show''. From then on, every series included a compilation highlights show, usually including some [[mockumentary]]-style "behind the scenes" footage.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

Series 20 of ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'' concluded on 7 March 2007. The show began its 21st series on 15 November 2007<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.radiotimes.com/ListingsServlet?event=10&channelId=105&programmeId=69436727&jspLocation=/jsp/prog_details_fullpage.jsp|title=Never Mind the Buzzcocks | work=[[Radio Times]] | access-date=8 November 2007}}</ref> with Simon Amstell as host and Phill Jupitus and Bill Bailey as team captains, although Noel Fielding temporarily replaced Bill Bailey for three episodes of series 21.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/10_october/29/fielding.shtml|title=Fielding to guest captain on 'Buzzcocks' | work=[[BBC|BBC Press Office]] | date=29 October 2007 | access-date=15 November 2007}}</ref> Series 21 concluded on 14 February 2008.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

On 18 September 2008, the BBC announced that Bill Bailey would be leaving the show, after eleven series, to concentrate on other commitments. While Simon Amstell and Phill Jupitus returned for the show's 22nd series, Bailey was replaced by a series of guest captains, including comedians [[Bob Mortimer]], [[Jack Dee]], [[Frank Skinner]], [[Stephen Fry]], [[James Corden]], [[Mark Watson]], [[Russell Brand]], producer [[Mark Ronson]] and television presenters [[Dermot O'Leary]] and [[Davina McCall]].{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

On 25 April 2009, Amstell announced via his internet mailing list that he would not be hosting another series of ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'' because of his desire to concentrate on his live tours and performances instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2009/04/25/8788/amstell_quits_buzzcocks|title=Amstell quits Buzzcocks|publisher=Chortle.co.uk|date=25 April 2009|access-date=25 April 2009}}</ref>
The new series began 1 October with Noel Fielding as a new permanent captain. Guest hosts included [[Alex James (musician)|Alex James]], [[Dermot O'Leary]], [[Jack Whitehall]], [[Rhod Gilbert]], [[David Walliams]], [[Claudia Winkleman]], [[Frank Skinner]], [[Frankie Boyle]], [[James Corden]], [[Mark Watson]], [[Martin Freeman]] and [[David Tennant]].<ref>{{cite web | title= New look Buzzcocks returns to BBC Two | work= [[BBC|BBC Press Office]] | date= 14 September 2009 | url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/09_september/14/buzzcocks.shtml|access-date= 9 October 2009}}</ref>

In 2010, guest hosts continued to present the show's 24th series, including [[Mark Ronson]], [[Jack Dee]], [[Josh Groban]], [[Terry Wogan]], [[Tim Minchin]], [[Robert Webb (actor)|Robert Webb]], [[Tim Westwood]], [[Catherine Tate]], Frankie Boyle (hosting for the second time) and [[David O'Doherty]], who also hosted a compilation show transmitted on 11 January 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/jupitusphillip/status/24558920095 |title=jupitusphillip: #buzzcockshosts2010 include |publisher=Twitter |date=15 September 2010 |access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref> On 16 July 2011, the first ever live ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'' special was hosted at Latitude. It lasted roughly two hours, was hosted by David O'Doherty, had the team captains Phil Jupitus and Noel Fielding, and featured guests [[Seann Walsh]], Charlie Baker, [[Paloma Faith]] and [[Dog Is Dead|Robert Milton]] (standing in for [[Seasick Steve]], who was supposed to be there but never arrived).{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

On 9 July 2014, it was confirmed that [[Rhod Gilbert]] had been named the next permanent host,  beginning  with series 28 in autumn 2014.<ref name="BBC Online">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/rhod-gilbert-host-buzzcocks |title=Comedian Rhod Gilbert to host Never Mind The Buzzcocks |date=9 July 2014 |work=[[BBC Online]] |access-date=9 July 2014}}</ref>

Between 3 June and 22 July 2013, a special eight-part retrospective programme called ''What a Load of Buzzcocks'' was aired, with narration by [[Alex James (musician)|Alex James]]. The show [[List of Never Mind the Buzzcocks episodes#What a Load of Buzzcocks|revisited key years]] and events through classic moments and clips from the show's 16-year history.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fletcher |first=Alex |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a481112/blurs-alex-james-to-host-never-mind-the-buzzcocks-spinoff.html |title=Blur's Alex James to narrate 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks' spinoff |website=Digital Spy |date=13 May 2013 |access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref>

Phill Jupitus was the only performer to have appeared in almost every original-run episode of ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'', missing only the recording of [[List of Never Mind the Buzzcocks episodes#Series 25|series 25, episode 6]], where [[Frankie Boyle]] filled in as team captain, and a [[List of Never Mind the Buzzcocks episodes#Comic Relief special|special episode]] filmed as part of [[Comic Relief]]'s ''24 Hour Panel People''.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'' returned in 2021 on [[Sky Max]], with Noel Fielding the only returning panelist; [[Greg Davies]] was the new host, [[Daisy May Cooper]] the first female team captain, and [[Jamali Maddix]] was a regular team member in every episode.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.skygroup.sky/article/never-mind-the-buzzcocks-is-back-and-coming-exclusively-to-sky-and-now-with-greg-davies-as-host | title=Never Mind the Buzzcocks is back and coming exclusively to Sky and NOW with Greg Davies as host }}</ref>

===Rounds===
The show usually consists of four rounds. The '''first round''' changed multiple times over the course of the show. In early series it was often ''Freeze Frame'' (where a music video was paused at a key point and teams had to guess what happened next) or ''I Fought The Law'' (where teams had to guess which of a given list of crimes or lawsuits a pop star had been involved in, and whether they'd won or lost their case). Later, it usually consisted of the teams being asked a question concerning a unique fact about a musical artist or artists, such as "Why did [[Girls Aloud]] once have to cancel a show?" or "What have we [[Pixelization|pixelated]] in this still from a music video?" Sometimes the teams are given options to pick from; at other times they have no help. Alternatively, the first round was 'Connections' in which the teams are asked to identify the connection between two bands or artists. Series 25 introduced sets of props for the guests to identify as being part of the answer.

The second round is the '''Intros Round''', wherein two members of a team (the captain and usually the musical guest) were asked to convey the introduction of a song [[a cappella]] (but using vocal sounds for instruments rather than words) for their teammate to guess. During the Christmas specials, the teams were often given instruments with which to play, though they are usually inappropriate or toy instruments.

The third round is usually the '''Identity Parade''', though this was occasionally replaced by a few other alternative rounds. The audience was shown a video of a musician (often a member of an old band or a "[[one hit wonder]]" singer), and the teams have to pick the correct person from a line-up of five people. The audience and people at home are the only ones to see the video, making it harder for the contestants. The host will go through each member of the line-up, giving them humorous names based on either the name of the musician in question or their song. When the series returned in 2021, the Identity Parade instead sometimes included multiple members of a band or even the entire band.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/11026/interview-daisy-may-cooper|title=Interview: Daisy May Cooper On Never Mind The Buzzcocks|date=14 September 2021|website=Beyond The Joke}}</ref>

The final round is called '''Next Lines''', in which the host speaks a line of a song and the team has to name the next line of the song. Often the songs chosen are ones mentioned in earlier rounds and ones recorded by panel members. In the latter case, guests often prove incapable of reciting the lyrics to their own songs; for example, [[Romeo Stodart]] of [[The Magic Numbers]] failed entirely to recognise a line from a song which he joked was "like the [[B-side]] from our first single".

For the Christmas Eve 2006 Bumper Edition, the Next Lines round was omitted in order that the teams, plus a guest band and members of that show's Identity Parade, performed a particular song (chosen, in a short skit, by a [[dreidel]]). Phill's team, with the [[Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain]], performed [[Rachel Stevens]]' "[[Some Girls (Rachel Stevens song)|Some Girls]]", and Bill's, with the Bollywood Pandits (a [[Bollywood]] [[Bhangra (music)|Bhangra]] band), performed the [[Rednex]]'s "[[Cotton-Eyed Joe#Rednex version and other modern covers|Cotton Eye Joe]]".

In the first series of 2005, Mark Lamarr introduced a new segment after the end of the quiz proper, wherein Lamarr tells the audience out-of-context [[punchline]]s which weren't used during the show. Often these have included incongruous references to fingerless gloves.

In most of the episodes in the Spring 2006 series, there was an intro or outro sketch where Phill, Bill and [[Athelston Williams]] (a frequent member of the lineup in the [[List of Rounds in Never Mind the Buzzcocks|Identity Parade]] round) played in a pub band called "Fat, Gifted and Black" (a play on [[Young, Gifted and Black]]), or "Athelston, Lake and Palmer" (a play on [[Emerson, Lake & Palmer]]). The guest presenter would usually be the lead singer for this segment (e. g. [[Lauren Laverne]] and [[Ricky Wilson (British musician)|Ricky Wilson]]).

A running joke of the show was for Noel or Phill to remark on passing comments as "good band names", an example of this being "The Diabetic Squirrels".

==Cast==
{{See also|List of Never Mind the Buzzcocks presenters}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width:100%;"
! Series <br/> {{small|Year(s)}}
! 1–10 <br/> {{small|(1996–2002)}}
! 11–17 <br/> {{small|(2002–05)}}
! 18 <br/> {{small|(2006)}}
! 19–21 <br/> {{small|(2006–08)}}
! 22 <br/> {{small|(2008)}}
! 23–27 <br/> {{small|(2009–13)}}
! 28 <br/> {{small|(2014)}}
! 29–31 <br/> {{small|(2021–23)}}
! 32–33 <br/> {{small|(2024–)}}
|-
| '''Presenter'''
| colspan="2" | [[Mark Lamarr]]
| ''Guests''
| colspan="2" | [[Simon Amstell]]
| ''Guests''
| [[Rhod Gilbert]]
| colspan="2" |[[Greg Davies]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | '''Team captains'''
| colspan="7" | [[Phill Jupitus]]
| [[Daisy May Cooper]]
| [[Sophie Willan]] and ''Guests''
|-
| [[Sean Hughes (comedian)|Sean Hughes]]
| colspan="3" | [[Bill Bailey]]
| ''Guests''
| colspan="4" | [[Noel Fielding]]
|-
| '''Regular panellist'''
| colspan="7" {{cEmpty}}
| colspan="2" | [[Jamali Maddix]]
|}

Until series 18, ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'' was chaired by [[Mark Lamarr]]. Until series 10, the team captains were [[Phill Jupitus]] and [[Sean Hughes (comedian)|Sean Hughes]]. After series 10, Hughes departed and was replaced by [[Bill Bailey]]. Lamarr left after series 17, and series 18 was chaired by a series of guest hosts. One of these, satirical comedian and former ''[[Popworld]]'' presenter [[Simon Amstell]], took over as presenter from series 19 to series 22. Amstell sent an email to his fans on 24 April 2009, stating "I am Simon Amstell. Here is some news, should you be interested in this sort of thing. I will not be hosting another series of the fun pop quiz, ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’. When I first took on the role of hosting ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’, my only hope was to bring joy and laughter to the world and if I was lucky, put an end to war, disease and poverty. Now that I have achieved that, I plan to concentrate on my live work." Series 23 was chaired by a series of guest hosts which continued for series 24 because "none of the guest hosts were good enough" according to the comedic voice over on the first episode of series 24. In July 2014, it was announced that [[Rhod Gilbert]] would be the next permanent presenter for the 28th series.<ref name="BBC Online"/>

Bill Bailey was unable to attend filming at the beginning of series 21, so Noel Fielding provided cover for three episodes starting 22 November 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/ListingsServlet?event=10&channelId=105&programmeId=69793316&jspLocation=/jsp/prog_details_fullpage.jsp|title=UK TV listings schedule - What's on TV tonight? - Radio Times|work=RadioTimes}}</ref> Bill Bailey officially left the show after series 21 to pursue other commitments.<ref>{{cite web | title= All new Buzzcocks as Bill Bailey bows out | work= [[BBC|BBC Press Office]] | date= 18 September 2008 | url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/09_september/18/buzzcocks.shtml | access-date= 18 September 2008}}</ref> His role as team captain was filled by several 'guest captains' for series 22 and permanently filled by Fielding from series 23 onward. Apart from one episode in series 25, and the 2011 Comic Relief special, Phill Jupitus appeared in every episode of the programme from its debut in 1996 until it was cancelled in 2015. Jupitus did not return for the revived series on Sky in 2021, making series 29 the first series in which he is not a regular team captain. In series 29, [[Greg Davies]] took over as host, [[Daisy May Cooper]] replaced Jupitus as team captain and [[Jamali Maddix]] joined as a regular panellist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/features/tv-interviews/never-mind-the-buzzcocks-greg-davies-interview-3046334|title=The return of 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks': "It was chaos"|last=Ryan|first=Gary|date=16 September 2021|work=NME}}</ref> In series 32, Daisy May Cooper does not appear on the show apart from the Christmas episode and is replaced regularly by [[Sophie Willan]] and guest captains including [[Mel B]] and [[Courtney Love]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crutchley |first=Joe |last2=Delaney |first2=Zoe |date=2024-07-20 |title=Daisy May Cooper replaced on Never Mind the Buzzcocks in huge show shake-up |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/daisy-cooper-replaced-never-mind-29581819 |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=My London |language=en}}</ref> In series 33, there were mostly themed episodes feauturing guest captains including [[Bez (dancer)|Bez]] and [[Pepsi & Shirlie]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-06 |title=Interview: Greg Davies On The Return Of Never Mind The Buzzcocks |url=https://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/16669/greg-davies-buzzcocks |access-date=2025-10-28 |website=Beyond The Joke |language=en}}</ref> 

===Walk-offs and non-airings===
There have been some instances of guests walking off the show, or episodes being pulled from broadcast due to guest behaviour:

* In episode 2 of series 3, [[Lemmy]] of [[Motörhead]] walked off the show near the end of the episode, purportedly after he realised that Mark Lamarr and most of the other panellists' jokes were making fun of him (as well as former [[Bucks Fizz (band)|Bucks Fizz]] singer [[Jay Aston]]). Lemmy's walk-off was not shown on air however as by this time, main recording for the show had already finished and only retakes were being shot.<ref>{{cite web |last=Scarlett |first=Elizabeth |date=22 March 2022 |title=That time Lemmy appeared on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, laughed at The Clash and stormed off |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/that-time-lemmy-appeared-on-never-mind-the-buzzcocks-laughed-at-the-clash-and-stormed-off |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=Louder |language=en}}</ref>
* In episode 3 of series 20, [[The Ordinary Boys]]' lead singer [[Preston (singer)|Preston]] walked off the show after Simon Amstell read extracts from the autobiography of Preston's then-wife, [[Chantelle Houghton]].<ref name="prestonstormsoff">{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6251913.stm | title=Singer Preston storms off TV quiz | access-date=13 February 2007 | work=[[BBC News Online]] | date=11 January 2007}}</ref> He was replaced by audience member Ed Seymour, picked out by Bill Bailey (on the grounds that he was of the closest physical resemblance that could be found), and credited as "special guest". Bailey's instructions to Seymour were "look surly and, every time [Amstell] mentions Chantelle, say 'that's out of order'".<ref name="edseymour">{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6361035.stm | title=My night on Never Mind the Buzzcocks | access-date=14 February 2007 | work=[[BBC News Online]] | date=14 February 2007}}</ref> Coincidentally, Preston had been sitting in the same seat as Lemmy, leading it to be called the "ejector seat" by Phill in the next episode. In an August 2009 interview, Preston admitted that he regretted walking off the show and said that he would return to the programme if asked, saying "I'm struggling to think why I would have acted so weird".<ref name="bbcnews-8187190">{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8187190.stm | work=BBC News | title=Preston 'regrets' show walk out | date=6 August 2009}}</ref>
* [[Russell Brand]] recorded an appearance as guest captain for series 22,<ref>This would originally have been episode 5 but became episode 13.</ref> but due to the [[Andrew Sachs]] [[The Russell Brand Show prank calls|prank call scandal that surrounded him]], and his suspension—and then resignation—from the [[BBC]], the episode was not broadcast until 19 January 2011.<ref name="Russell Brand's Buzzcocks to be screened">{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12205396 | work=BBC News | title=Russell Brand's Buzzcocks to be screened | date=17 January 2011}}</ref>
* In episode 7 of series 27, during the Next Lines round, [[Huey Morgan]] of [[Fun Lovin' Criminals]] (who had also been sitting in the "ejector seat" and had made frequent prior appearances on the show, including as a guest host in 2006), smashed a mug and walked off at the end of the show just as his team was announced as the winner.<ref name="BBCAxed">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32889471 |title=Never Mind The Buzzcocks to end after 18 years |access-date=26 May 2015 |work=BBC News|date=26 May 2015 }}</ref> Morgan's behaviour was believed to be due to guest hosts [[Rizzle Kicks]] giving his team Fun Lovin' Criminals lyrics (even though musicians on the show had frequently been given lyrics to their own songs in the round). Both Rizzle Kicks and Noel Fielding made fun of the incident shortly afterwards.
*One episode of series 30 (scheduled for 26 October 2022) was not shown after guest [[Lady Leshurr]] was charged with [[actual bodily harm]] after a 22 October 2022 incident; the postponed episode was [[Burning off|burnt off]] at 2:15 a.m. and was never made available for streaming or download.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Never_Mind_the_Buzzcocks|title=Never Mind the Buzzcocks - UKGameshows|website=www.ukgameshows.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/never_mind_the_buzzcocks/episodes/30/10/|title=Never Mind The Buzzcocks Series 30, Episode 9|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|website=British Comedy Guide}}</ref>

==International versions and similar shows==
* In 1998–1999 the Dutch-language Belgian TV channel [[Canvas (TV channel)|Canvas]] aired one series of the pop quiz ''Nonkel Pop'' that was based on ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'', featuring an intros round, next lines, and similar panels of contestants. The show was hosted by [[Bart Peeters]]. The name of the show, which translates as 'Uncle Pop' was a play on Nonkel Bob (Uncle Bob—real name [[:nl:Bob Davidse|Bob Davidse]]), a legendary children's TV presenter from the early days of Belgian television. Bart Peeters made his television debut as a child on one of Nonkel Bob's shows.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
* In 1999 [[Dweezil Zappa|Dweezil]] and [[Ahmet Zappa]] hosted a short-lived one-hour music-themed game show with a somewhat different format on the [[USA Network]] called ''Happy Hour'' (not to be confused with the sitcom of the same name).{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
* In 2002, an American version of the show on [[VH1]] with the same title, hosted by comedian [[Marc Maron]], lasted for a month. VH1 has since played airings of the classic episodes with Mark Lamarr.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
* An official Dutch version, ''[[:nl:Doe Maar Normaal|Doe Maar Normaal]]'' (which translates to "Just act normally", part of the Dutch proverb "Just act normally, that'll be silly enough", and is also a combination of famous Dutch bands [[Doe Maar]] and [[Normaal]]), ran for five seasons from 2007 to 2012. It was broadcast by [[BNN (Dutch broadcaster)|BNN]]. Regular panel members included TV presenter [[Dennis Weening]] and comedian [[Ruben van der Meer]] and it was hosted by [[Ruben Nicolai]].{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
* A popular [[Australia]]n show, ''[[Spicks and Specks (TV series)|Spicks and Specks]]'', hosted by stand-up comedian [[Adam Hills]] and presented in a similar style but with different question formats was broadcast on the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] from 2005 until 2011. It returned for one more season in 2014 with comedian Josh Earl as host. [[Adam Hills]] appeared on ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'' in 2005.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
* Despite persistent efforts by [[Foxtel]], particularly by [[Darren & Brose|Darren Chau]] during his tenure as [[the Comedy Channel]] Group Programming Director, the programme could not be cleared for broadcast in Australia. Finally by 2012, the programme was cleared and launched in Australia on the Foxtel platform 16 July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/06/airdate-never-mind-the-buzzcocks.html|title=Airdate: Never Mind the Buzzcocks|work=TV Tonight|date=20 June 2012 }}</ref> It started to broadcast on ABC2 on 3 October 2013.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
* [[ProSieben]], a [[Germany|German]] network, aired ''[[:de:Popclub|Popclub]]'' between 2002 and 2003. Hosted by comedian [[Thomas Hermanns]], the show's major difference from ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'' was the absence of constant team captains. Every episode featured two teams that had to present a name and a battle cry for themselves. Additionally, at the start of each episode, each member showed the very first record they ever bought.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

==Merchandise==
===Books===
In 1999, [[BBC Worldwide]] published ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks: The Book, the CD, the Brief Intense Rush (followed by a feeling of paranoia and insecurity)''. The book includes famous moments from the first five series of the show, from selected '''Identity Parades''', '''I Fought the Law''', '''Word Up''' and '''Connections''' rounds, along with collections of [[Mark Lamarr]]'s one-liners from the show. The book also features new material, including comic strips (one explaining the origin of [[The Human League]] frontman [[Philip Oakey]]'s hairstyle) and "Great Moments in Rock History", in which photos of famous musical moments are altered to imply that line-up regular [[Athelston Williams]] was present. The CD features several '''Intros''' rounds from the show, in the format of a game to play at home.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

===Board game===
In 2000, [[Paul Lamond Games]] released the ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'' board game, licensed from the [[BBC]] and [[Talkback (production company)|Talkback]]. The board game is played as follows: the players arrange themselves into two teams. They have two counters each on the board—one as a point marker along the edge of the board and the other to select the round they have to play on the roll of a die.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} There are six rounds that can be played:

* '''In the Style of...''', where the team leader has to sing a song in the style of someone notable, e. g. "[[Twinkle Twinkle Little Star]]" in the style of [[Mick Jagger]], or "[[Start Me Up]]" in the style of [[Jeremy Clarkson]].
* '''When I Was Famous''', where the team leader asks a trivia question, and the other team members have to guess the answer.
* '''Intros''' round, the only surviving round from the TV show. Each team gets two intro per round.
* '''Vital Vinyl''', where the team leader asks a trivia question about a song or an album, and anyone from either team can answer.
* '''Songs in One Sentence''', where the team leader divides their team into two, and one section of the team has to describe a song without mentioning the song title or any lyrics in the song, and the other section has to guess what the song is. This game was played once in the first series of the TV show.
* '''Your Number's Up''', where the team leader reads the category on the card to the opposite team, for example, ''name four songs that mention American states in their titles'', for which you might answer "[[New York Mining Disaster, 1941]]" ([[Bee Gees]]), "[[Hotel California]]" ([[Eagles (band)|Eagles]]), "[[Ohio (1970 song)|Ohio]]" ([[Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young]]), and "[[Sweet Home Alabama (song)|Sweet Home Alabama]]" ([[Lynyrd Skynyrd]]).

The teams earn the number of points given for the round on the card. For "In the Style of…", it is always one point for the song, and two points for the artist they are doing the song in the style of. At the end of their turn, the team moves their counter on the outer ring clockwise, by the number of points they scored.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

The team that overtakes the other on the squares on the edge of the board wins the game.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

In 2015 Paul Lamond Games released an updated version of the board game.<ref>[http://paul-lamond.com/latest-games/118-never-mind-the-buzzcocks.html Paul Lamond Games website], Link Retrieved 1 August 2016.</ref>

===Video and DVD===
In 1998, a video titled ''Never Rewind the Buzzcocks'' was released, containing an episode of the show that was specially-recorded for the video.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

A best of DVD including some of the unbroadcastable scenes from the Simon Amstell series was released on 16 November 2009. The DVD contains 3 specials including:

* '''''Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Imagine... a mildly amusing panel show''''' (a parody of the BBC's ''[[Imagine (TV series)|Imagine]]'' series, with [[Alan Yentob]] acting as host)
* '''''Never Mind the Buzzcocks – A Moving Tribute'''''
* '''''Never Mind the Buzzcocks – Technically, the Best Series Ever'''''

The DVD also includes best of clips, and scenes that were not broadcast, with a compulsory commentary by [[Simon Amstell]] and [[Phill Jupitus]].{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

==Transmissions==
{{main|List of Never Mind the Buzzcocks episodes}}
{{plainlist|
* {{Color box|#fee|◀|#800|border=darkgray}} – Phill/Daisy series win
* {{Color box|#dfd|'''▷'''|#080|border=darkgray}} – Sean/Bill/guests/Noel series win
* {{Color box|#ffd|—|border=darkgray}} – Series drawn
}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Series===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Series !! Start date !! End date !! colspan=2 | Episodes
|- style="background:#fee;"
| '''1''' || 12 November 1996 || 7 February 1997 || 9 || {{font color|#800|◀}}
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''2''' || 15 September 1997 || 3 December 1997 || 8 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#fee;"
| '''3''' || 27 February 1998 || 10 April 1998 || 7 || {{font color|#800|◀}}
|- style="background:#fee;"
| '''4''' || 11 September 1998 || 16 October 1998 || 7 || {{font color|#800|◀}}
|- style="background:#fee;"
| '''5''' || 12 February 1999 || 9 April 1999 || 8 || {{font color|#800|◀}}
|- style="background:#fee;"
| '''6''' || 10 September 1999 || 18 February 2000 || 9 || {{font color|#800|◀}}
|- style="background:#fee;"
| '''7''' || 15 September 2000 || 10 November 2000 || 9 || {{font color|#800|◀}}
|- style="background:#fee;"
| '''8''' || 26 February 2001 || 30 April 2001 || 10 || {{font color|#800|◀}}
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''9''' || 10 September 2001 || 5 November 2001 || 9 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#ffd;"
| '''10''' || 7 January 2002 || 4 March 2002 || 9 || —
|- style="background:#fee;"
| '''11''' || 23 September 2002 || 11 November 2002 || 8 || {{font color|#800|◀}}
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''12''' || 13 January 2003 || 17 March 2003 || 10 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''13''' || 8 September 2003 || 27 October 2003 || 8 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''14''' || 5 January 2004 || 15 March 2004 || 11 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#ffd;"
| '''15''' || 20 September 2004 || 25 October 2004 || 6 || —
|- style="background:#fee;"
| '''16''' || 2 January 2005 || 20 March 2005 || 11 || {{font color|#800|◀}}
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''17''' || 31 October 2005 || 12 December 2005 || 7 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''18''' || 13 March 2006 || 24 April 2006 || 7 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''19''' || 26 October 2006 || 30 November 2006 || 6 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#ffd;"
| '''20''' || 31 January 2007 || 7 March 2007 || 6 || —
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''21''' || 15 November 2007 || 7 February 2008 || 11 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''22''' || 2 October 2008 || 11 December 2008 || 12 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''23''' || 1 October 2009 || 9 December 2009 || 11 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''24''' || 21 October 2010 || 3 January 2011 || 12 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#ffd;"
| '''25''' || 3 October 2011 || 12 December 2011 || 11 || —
|- style="background:#ffd;"
| '''26''' || 24 September 2012 || 10 December 2012 || 11 || —
|- style="background:#ffd;"
| '''27''' || 23 September 2013 || 9 December 2013 || 11 || —
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''28''' || 29 September 2014 || 15 December 2014 || 11 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#fee;"
| '''29''' || 21 September 2021 || 2 November 2021 || 7 || {{font color|#800|◀}}
|- style="background:#dfd;" 
| '''30''' || 14 September 2022 || 29 December 2022 || 9 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#fee;"
| '''31''' || 23 August 2023 || 19 December 2023 || 9 || {{font color|#800|◀}}
|- style="background:#dfd;"
| '''32''' || 16 October 2024 || 18 December 2024 || 10 || {{font color|#080|'''▷'''}}
|- style="background:#ffd;"
| '''33''' || 7 October 2025 ||  ||  || 
|}

{{col-2}}

===Specials===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Date !! Entitle
|-
| 21 February 1997 || The Best of Series 1
|-
| 30 December 1998 || Christmas Special
|-
| 29 December 1999 || Christmas Special
|-
| 28 December 2000 || Christmas Special
|-
| 30 December 2001 || Christmas Special
|-
| 20 May 2002 || Eurovision Special
|-
| 29 December 2002 || Christmas Special
|-
| 6 January 2003 || 100th Episode Special
|-
| 28 December 2003 || Christmas Special
|-
| 20 December 2004 || Christmas Special
|-
| 20 December 2005 || Christmas Special
|-
| 31 December 2005 || 150th Episode Special
|-
| 24 December 2006 || Christmas Special
|-
| 20 December 2007 || Christmas Special
|-
| 14 February 2008 || The Best of Series 21
|-
| 16 January 2009 || The Best of Series 22
|-
| 16 December 2009 || ''Doctor Who'' Special
|-
| 23 December 2009 || The Best of Series 23
|-
| 5 January 2011 || The Best of Series 24
|-
| 18 November 2011 || Children in Need 2011 Special
|-
| 19 December 2011 || Christmas Special
|-
| 29 December 2011 || The Best of Series 25
|-
| 23 March 2012 || Sport Relief 2012 Special
|-
| 17 December 2012 || The Best of Series 26
|-
| 22 December 2012 || Christmas Special
|-
| 9 December 2013 || The Best of Series 27
|-
| 16 December 2013 || Christmas Special
|-
| 22 December 2014 || Christmas Special
|-
| 15 January 2015 || The Best of Series 28
|-
| 15 December 2021 || Christmas Special
|-
| 15 December 2022 || Christmas Special
|-
| 19 December 2023 || Christmas Special
|-
| 18 December 2024 || Christmas Special
|}

{{col-end}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{BBC programme}}
* {{British Comedy Guide|tv|never_mind_the_buzzcocks}}
* {{Epguides|NeverMindtheBuzzcocks|Never Mind the Buzzcocks (1996–2015)}}
* {{Epguides|NeverMindtheBuzzcocks_2021|Never Mind the Buzzcocks (2021–present)}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0115286}}
* {{UKGameshow|Never_Mind_the_Buzzcocks}}
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4435568.stm Buzzcocks to get guest presenters], ''[[BBC News Online]]'', 14 November 2005

{{Sky One}}

[[Category:Never Mind the Buzzcocks| ]]
[[Category:Musical game shows]]
[[Category:1996 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:2000s British television series]]
[[Category:BBC television comedy]]
[[Category:British panel games]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:British television series revived after cancellation]]
[[Category:Television shows shot at Elstree Film Studios]]
[[Category:BBC television game shows]]
[[Category:Sky UK game shows]]