That Was the Week That Was
| That Was the Week That Was | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Also known as | ''TW3'' |
| Genre | Satire |
| Presented by | David Frost |
| Theme music composer | Ron Grainer |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Ned Sherrin |
| Running time | c. 50 minutes |
| Production company(s) | BBC |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC TV |
| Picture format | Black-and-white, 405-line |
| Audio format | Monaural |
| Original release | 24 November 1962 – 28 December 1963 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life (1964–1965) |
That Was the Week That Was, informally TWTWTW or TW3, was a satirical television comedy programme on BBC Television in 1962 and 1963. It was devised, produced and directed by Ned Sherrin and presented by David Frost. An American version by the same name aired on NBC from 1964 to 1965, also featuring Frost.
The programme is considered a significant element of the satire boom in the UK in the early 1960s. It broke ground in comedy through lampooning the establishment and political figures. Its broadcast coincided with coverage of the politically charged Profumo affair and John Profumo, the politician at the centre of the affair, became a target for derision. TW3 was first broadcast on Saturday, 24 November 1962.
Cast members included cartoonist Timothy Birdsall, political commentator Bernard Levin, and actors Lance Percival, who sang topical calypsos, many improvised to suggestions from the audience, Kenneth Cope, Roy Kinnear, Willie Rushton, Al Mancini, Robert Lang, David Kernan and Millicent Martin. The last two were also singers and the programme opened with a song – "That Was The Week That Was" – sung by Martin to Ron Grainer's theme tune and enumerating topics in the news. Frankie Howerd also guested with stand-up comedy.
Script-writers included John Albery, John Antrobus, John Betjeman, John Bird, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Peter Cook, Roald Dahl, Richard Ingrams, Lyndon Irving, Gerald Kaufman, Frank Muir, David Nobbs, Denis Norden, Bill Oddie, Dennis Potter, Eric Sykes, Kenneth Tynan, and Keith Waterhouse.
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