Gogglebox has been pulled from its usual Friday night slot this week, with Channel 4 replacing it with a one-off special of Friday Night Live. The award-winning show will instead air on Saturday at 9pm, sparking outrage among fans.
Channel 4 announced the schedule change, stating: "It's one for your diary. Brand new Gogglebox isn't on its usual Friday night spot. Saturday at 9pm is your go-to for this week over on Channel 4."
Viewers took to social media to express their displeasure. One fan fumed: "They didn’t just announce that #Gogglebox will be on Saturday nights instead of Friday nights from next week, did they?? I ruddy-well hope not." Another said: "@Channel4 We NEED our light-hearted Gogglebox by the end of the week on a Friday night! It’s what Friday nights were made for."
The Friday Night Live special, hosted by comedian Ben Elton, marks the start of Channel 4's 40th anniversary celebrations. The 90-minute programme will feature classic acts such as Jo Brand, Harry Enfield and Julian Clary, alongside newer faces.
Ben Elton, who wrote The Young Ones and co-created Blackadder, noted the challenge of planning political satire amid current uncertainty. "It’s kind of a moving target," he said. "In all the days I did it in the ‘80s, I was never in a position where you had no idea what and who the government would be at the end of the week."
Gogglebox returns to its regular Friday slot next week. Meanwhile, former Gogglebox star Josh Tapper has announced he is standing as the Labour candidate for Chipping Barnet in the next general election.
