Romesh Ranganathan's new panel show 'Unacceptable' on TLC has been dismissed as unnecessary by critics, despite featuring a lineup of top comedians. The show, produced by Ranganathan's company Ranga Bee, asks comedians to defend their worst opinions in front of a studio audience. Ed Gamble hosts, with Richard Ayoade and Joanne McNally as team captains. Also appearing are Katherine Ryan, Roisin Conaty, and Sophie Willan.
Format Falls Flat
The show's premise forces comedians to argue for deliberately ridiculous or offensive views. Ayoade does his usual deadpan routine, while McNally says things like, 'I almost bought a MAGA hat because I like the colours.' The format proves difficult to riff off, with Conaty swerving a punchline about Logan Paul and KSI by simply calling them 'absolute tossers.' Willan gets laughs comparing royal dramas to soap operas, but the overall effect is cringeworthy.
Ranganathan's Royalist Schtick
Ranganathan appears as a contestant, defending the royal family and advocating for a pay rise for them. He denies an NHS midwife £500 because 'Prince Edward looks as if he needs it more.' The segment feels forced, with jokes about King Charles and Tampongate that have aged poorly. Ranganathan's material suffers as he tries to maintain his clearly insincere position, leading to awkward moments like claiming immigrants come over 'just to see Buckingham Palace.'
Low Points and Talent Waste
McNally argues that women aren't funny, which is even more bizarre. A segment featuring Ryan's husband Bobby Kootstra is 'toe-curling,' and an extended joke about him drinking his own urine is described as a low point. Ranganathan's mother Shanthi also appears, but the show remains unexciting. The review concludes that wasting so much comedy talent on a show that doesn't make sense is a tragedy, calling it 'not unacceptable, but certainly unnecessary.'
