Talkback (production company)

Talkback Productions
Company typeSubsidiary
Founded
  • 1981 (1981) (original)
  • January 1, 2012 (2012-01-01) (relaunch)
Founders
Defunct
  • June 9, 2006 (2006-06-09) (original)
  • January 1, 2025 (2025-01-01) (relaunch)
FateMerged with Thames to form Talkback Thames
Headquarters,
England
ParentFremantle (2000–2025)
Footnotes / references
[1]

Talkback Productions, commonly simplified to just Talkback (formerly known as Talkback-UK from 2003 to 2006), was a British television production company established in 1981 by comedy duo Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones.[1]

History

Talkback was sold to Pearson Television in 2000.[2] The company merged with Thames Television in 2003 and the combined entity was renamed Talkback Thames. On 1 January 2012, Talkback Thames was split into four separate production companies; Boundless, Retort, Talkback and Thames.[3]

On 16 September 2024, it was announced that Talkback would be merged again with Thames to re-form Talkback Thames following the managing director Jonno Richards exiting Talkback.[4]

Productions

  • The 11 O'Clock Show (Channel 4, 1998–2000)
  • Alan Carr's Epic Gameshow (ITV, 2020–2022)
  • Alas Smith and Jones (BBC One & BBC Two, 1991–1998; Sketchbook: BBC One, 2006)
  • The Armando Iannucci Shows (Channel 4, 2001)
  • Bernard and the Genie (BBC One, 1991)
  • Big Train (BBC Two, 1998–2002)
  • Bonjour la Classe (BBC One, 1993)
  • Brass Eye (Channel 4, 1997–2001)
  • Celebrity Juice (ITV2, 2008–2022)
  • Da Ali G Show (Channel 4, 2000–2004; HBO, 2003–2004)
  • The Day Today (BBC Two, 1994)
  • Demob (ITV, 1993)
  • Distraction (Channel 4, 2003–2004)
  • Friends and Crocodiles (BBC One, 2006)
  • Gash (Channel 4, 2003)
  • Gideon's Daughter (BBC One, 2006)
  • Green Wing (Channel 4, 2004–2007)
  • Hippies (BBC Two, 1999)
  • House Doctor (Channel 5, 1998–2003)
  • I'm Alan Partridge (BBC Two, 1997–2002)
  • In a Land of Plenty (BBC Two, 2000)
  • Jam (Channel 4, 2000)
  • Jamie's Kitchen (Channel 4, 2002)
  • Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier (Dave, 2018–2019)
  • The Keith & Paddy Picture Show (ITV, 2017–2018)
  • The Keith Lemon Sketch Show (ITV2, 2015–2016)
  • Keith Lemon's LemonAid (ITV, 2012)
  • Knowing Me, Knowing You... with Alan Partridge (BBC Two, 1994–1995)
  • Lemon La Vida Loca (ITV2, 2012–2013)
  • Look Around You (BBC Two, 2002–2005)
  • Los Dos Bros (Channel 4, 2001)
  • The Lost Prince (BBC One, 2003)
  • Meet Ricky Gervais (Channel 4, 2000)
  • Monkey Dust (BBC Three, 2003–2005)
  • Murder Most Horrid (BBC Two, 1991–1999)
  • Nathan Barley (Channel 4, 2005)
  • Never Mind the Buzzcocks (BBC Two, 1996–2015; Sky Max, 2021–present)
  • Perfect Strangers (BBC Two, 2001)
  • QI (BBC Four, 2003–2008; BBC Two, 2003–2008 & 2011–present; BBC One, 2009–2011)
  • The Sex Inspectors (Channel 4, 2004)
  • Shooting the Past (BBC Two, 1999)
  • Shoreditch Twat (Channel 4, 2002)
  • Smack the Pony (Channel 4, 1999–2003)
  • Sweat the Small Stuff (BBC Three, 2013–2015)
  • Sword of Honour (Channel 4, 2001)
  • They Think It's All Over (BBC One, 1995–2006)
  • Through the Keyhole (ITV, 2013–2019)
  • Too Hot to Handle (Netflix, 2020–present)
  • Virtually Famous (E4, 2014–2017)
  • Would Like to Meet (BBC Two, 2001–2004)
  • Your Face or Mine? (E4, 2002–2003; Comedy Central, 2017–2019)

See also

  • List of television production companies
  • Talkback Thames

References

  1. ^ a b Vanessa Thorpe (20 July 2013). "Mel Smith remembered: 'A gentleman and a scholar, a gambler and a wit' | Griff Rhys Jones talks about his shock at the news of his former comedy partner's death from a heart attack at home". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  2. ^ "Pearson TV buys TalkBack". BBC News. 14 June 2000. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  3. ^ Tara Conlan (23 November 2011). "Talkback Thames to be split up". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  4. ^ Yossman, K.J. (16 September 2024). "Fremantle Merges U.K. Labels Thames And Talkback Again Amid Restructure, Talkback's Jonno Richards Exits". Variety.