In a bold comedic move, the revived series of Mock The Week on TLC is set to deliver a scathing satire targeting Prince Andrew, formerly known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, amidst the ongoing fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The sketch, scheduled for episode three, promises to 'expose what he's really thinking' in a humorous yet pointed critique of the former royal's controversial associations.
Comedic Lineup and Sketch Details
Host Dara O'Briain will helm the episode, joined by series regular Rhys James and a panel of comedians including Sara Pascoe, Katherine Ryan, Glenn Moore, Sarah Keyworth, and Hugh Dennis. The segment will see Rhys, 34, narrating while Hugh Dennis, 64, portrays Prince Andrew in a series of exaggerated responses, blending satire with current events.
Key Moments from the Sketch
The sketch opens with Rhys introducing 'Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,' followed by Hugh pretending to cry and questioning, 'What happened?' Rhys adds, 'I am currently facing some personal challenges,' to which Hugh retorts, 'And that is putting it f***ing mildly.' The humour escalates as Hugh references Andrew's infamous 2019 BBC Panorama interview, joking, 'I suddenly realise I do sweat,' a nod to Andrew's claim of not sweating.
Amid audience laughter, Rhys continues, 'I realise now that I should have kept better company,' highlighting the scandal's core. Hugh then takes a swipe at Sarah Ferguson, mocking her decision to take Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie to visit Epstein post-conviction, with the line, 'Marrying Fergie was a bad idea.' The sketch concludes with Hugh shrugging and laughing, leaving the panel in stitches.
Background on the Epstein Scandal
This comedic take comes as real-world developments continue to unfold. Recently, it was revealed that Prince Andrew received £12 million from the Royal Family to settle a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein victim who alleged sexual abuse. Queen Elizabeth II reportedly loaned £7 million, with another £3 million from Prince Philip's estate, and the remainder from other royals. King Charles is said to have contributed £1.5 million, though palace sources deny his involvement.
Ongoing Investigations and Allegations
Police are now being urged to launch a sex trafficking probe into Andrew, following claims that Epstein's 'Lolita Express' jet landed in the UK over 90 times, including after his 2008 conviction. Allegations suggest victims were smuggled into Buckingham Palace using codenames like 'Mrs Windsor,' with Stansted Airport serving as a hub. Andrew has been linked to multiple women in the Epstein files, including a Romanian model he dined with at the palace.
FBI documents released in January 2024 include redacted references to Giuffre's allegations, and a US politician has claimed that a woman pictured under Andrew at Epstein's mansion was a trafficking victim. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
Mock The Week's Revival and Schedule
Mock The Week, which ended on the BBC in 2022, has been rebooted on TLC, continuing its tradition of satirising current affairs. The new episode airs Sunday at 9pm, offering viewers a blend of humour and commentary on one of the year's most contentious scandals.
