The Mrs Merton Show

{{Short description|British television chat show}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox television | image = Themrsmertonshow.jpeg | alt_name = ''Mrs Merton in Las Vegas'' | runtime = 30 minutes | creator = | writer = | director = Pati Marr Tony Prescott Dominic Brigstocke Philippa Robinson | starring = {{Plainlist| *[[Caroline Aherne]] }} | country = United Kingdom | language = English | producer = Peter Kessler Mark Gorton Spencer Campbell Philippa Robinson | executive_producer = Andy Harries Clive Tulloh | company = [[Granada Television]] | network = Granada TV (pilot) [[BBC Two]] (series 1–2) [[BBC One]] (series 3–4) | first_aired = {{start date|1993|12|05|df=yes}}<ref>''The Complete Series'' (DVD) – Released: 25 February 2008</ref> | last_aired = {{end date|1998|04|02|df=yes}} | num_series = 4 (+ 2 pilots) | num_episodes = 30 ({{abbr|incl.|Including}} 6 specials) | related = ''[[Mrs Merton and Malcolm]]'' }} '''''The Mrs Merton Show''''' was a mock [[talk show]] starring [[Caroline Aherne]], also credited as Caroline Hook, as the elderly host Mrs Dorothy Merton.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/mrsmertonandmalcolm/|title=MRS Merton and Malcolm}}</ref>

Originally portraying 'Mrs Murton' in a pilot for [[ITV Yorkshire|Yorkshire TV]] which was not picked up, Caroline Aherne retooled the character, making her older, and recorded a second pilot in 1993 for [[Granada Television]], who commissioned the series. Running from 10 February 1995 to 2 April 1998, it was produced by Granada and aired on the [[BBC]]. The writers included Aherne, [[Craig Cash]], [[Henry Normal]] and, for the first few series, [[Dave Gorman]].

==Character origination== The character was first created in 1986 on Piccadilly Radio, first played by [[Kate Copstick]], being replaced by Caroline Aherne in 1988.

Prior to television success, Aherne's Mrs Merton character appeared on [[Frank Sidebottom]]'s album ''5/9/88'' and on Aherne's KFM Radio show in Stockport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/themrsmertonshow/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102135042/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/themrsmertonshow/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2009|title = The MRS Merton Show}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/raw-northern-and-working-class-no-wonder-so-many-tv-luvvies-didn-t-get-caroline-aherne-a7116876.html|title = Terry Christian: Raw and northern – no wonder TV's luvvies didn't get Caroline Aherne|website = [[Independent.co.uk]]|date = 3 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kfmradio.co.uk/about-us/|title=KFM Radio | About Us|date=25 September 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jul/02/caroline-aherne|title = Caroline Aherne obituary|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = 2 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thepiratearchive.net/kfm-stockport/|title = KFM - Stockport|date = 25 July 2020}}</ref>

The character first appeared on national radio in the late 1980s, on Radio 2, produced by [[Mark Radcliffe (radio broadcaster)|Mark Radcliffe]], and also on BBC GMR. Aherne was offered £10 by BBC GMR, which Radio 2 raised to £15.<ref>''Manchester Evening News'' Wednesday 29 January 1997, page 27</ref>

After that she made a few appearances on local television in the north west including Granada's Saturday morning show ''Express!'' and on the Yorkshire Television series, ''Frank’s Fantastic Shed Show''. On the former show, presented by I Am Kloot's [[John Bramwell|John 'Johnny Dangerously' Bramwell]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jul/04/i-am-kloot-feature|title = I Am Kloot: 'I hope we're going to reach people who have never heard us' | Music feature|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = 3 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Preview%3B+JOHN+BRAMWELLThe+Kazimier.-a0366318872|title = Preview; JOHN BRAMWELLThe Kazimier. - Free Online Library}}</ref> and Sumy Kuraishe, she was the regular celebrity interviewer and interviewed guests from a number of random locations in the north west, whilst the latter show was with Chris Sievey in his Sidebottom persona.

The character first appeared on satellite TV for the BSB ([[British Satellite Broadcasting]]) children's programme 'Cool Cube', made by Granada, with [[Zoe Ball]] as a researcher, in the early 1990s.<ref>''Manchester Evening News'' Wednesday 5 March 1997, page 19</ref> Caroline had no ownership of the copyright to the character.<ref>''Manchester Evening News'' Friday 3 January 1997, page 28</ref>

Her national terrestrial television debut came on the 1991 [[Channel 4]] gameshow ''[[Remote Control (game show)#Foreign versions and attempts|Remote Control]]'', hosted by [[Tony Wilson|Anthony H Wilson]]. The talk show was followed up by a [[sitcom]], ''[[Mrs Merton and Malcolm]]'', based on Mrs Merton and her son Malcolm, who was played by Craig Cash.

==Television series history== For the first two series, the house band was Hooky and the Boys, fronted by Aherne's then husband [[Peter Hook]]. Following their marital break up the band was replaced by The Patrick Trio from the 1996 Christmas special until the end of the show's run in 1998.

In 1997 the production moved to [[Las Vegas]] for a series of specials with Hollywood stars. The series was not well received and was slated by critic [[Garry Bushell]] amongst others. For the following (and final) series back in the UK, Bushell was a guest and got appropriately roasted by Mrs Merton and her studio audience.

In an interview in November 2001 Aherne revealed that she did not want to carry on with the show and wanted to write a sitcom with [[Craig Cash]] and only agreed to a final series if she could do it. This became the [[BAFTA Award]] winning ''[[The Royle Family]]''.

In August 2006 a poll of 4,000 people was commissioned by [[UKTV Gold]] for the best comic one-liner. In second place was a line from ''The Mrs Merton Show'' when she famously asked [[Debbie McGee]], "So, what first attracted you to the millionaire [[Paul Daniels]]?"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4788517.stm |title=Kay dishes up best TV one-liner |publisher=BBC News |date=13 August 2006|access-date=3 June 2009}}</ref>

In 2022, the Patrick Trio-era series was acquired by [[That's TV]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sky.com/watch/title/series/8423c14c-e3d0-473c-9ec0-9266adc37447|title=The MRS Merton Show}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thats.tv/ |title=Home |website=thats.tv}}</ref> for its comedy line-up which also included repeats of ''Hale and Pace'' and ''Monty Python's Flying Circus''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/monty-pythons-flying-circus-repeats-newsupdate/|title=Monty Python's Flying Circus to be repeated on TV for first time in 35 years}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/that-s-tv-to-show-monty-python-after-nearly-35-years-off-air-821777434.html|title = That's Tv to Show Monty Python After Nearly 35 Years off Air}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://virginradio.co.uk/entertainment/53352/monty-python-is-back-on-tv-for-the-first-time-in-34-years|title = Monty Python is back on TV for the first time in 34 years | Virgin Radio UK| date=11 March 2022 }}</ref>

== Format == ''The Mrs Merton Show'' was a mock chat show which featured real-life celebrities getting outrageous ''faux-naïf'' questions from Aherne in her Mrs Merton persona. In one memorable example the wife of magician [[Paul Daniels]], [[Debbie McGee]], was asked "So, what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4788517.stm |title=Entertainment | Kay dishes up best TV one-liner |work=BBC News |date=13 August 2006 |access-date=27 June 2013}}</ref> whilst in another episode Aherne asked comedian [[Bernard Manning]], after he had clashed with ''[[One Foot in the Grave|One Foot in the Grave's]]'' [[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)|Richard Wilson]], “Who do you vote for now [[Hitler]]'s dead?” in regard to his racist attitudes.

As well as the celebrity guests and regular band, the show featured a few appearances from Craig Cash as Malcolm and a had audience of pensioners, who would sit behind Mrs Merton and the guests, and who would be used for regular discussion segments and for Aherne to field questions from. This group included a large number of older ladies who would be used for the programme from week-to-week and also included spots for the former child actor Roy Williams, who was known for his brightly coloured clothes and odd views,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/mrs-merton-star-roy-bows-1130899|title = MRS Merton star Roy bows out|date = 28 May 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/northwest/series7/comedy_accents.shtml|title=BBC Inside Out – North West comedy|publisher=bbc.co.uk |date=17 January 2005 |access-date=2 July 2016}}</ref> former Manchester City goalkeeper [[Harry Dowd]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/harry-dowd-fearless-goalkeeper-who-succeeded-bert-trautmann-at-manchester-city-and-won-the-1969-fa-cup-with-them-a6043211.html | title=Harry Dowd: Fearless goalkeeper who succeeded Bert Trautmann at | website=[[Independent.co.uk]] | date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> and Stockport pensioner Horace Mendelsohn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mrs-mertons-horace-dies-922677|title=MRS Merton's Horace dies|date=25 June 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/mrs-mertons-horace-shot-to-stardom-922531|title = MRS Merton's Horace shot to stardom in audience|date = 24 June 2009}}</ref>

== Episodes == {{Series overview | seasonT = Series

| color0S = #91A3B0 | link0S = #Pilots | linkT0S = Pilots | start0S = Unaired | end0S = {{Start date|1993|12|6|df=y}}

| color1 = #BCD4E6 | link1 = #Series 1 (1995) | episodes1 = 6 | start1 = {{Start date|1995|2|10|df=y}} | end1 = {{End date|1995|3|24|df=y}}

| color2 = #D0F0C0 | link2 = #Series 2 (1995) | episodes2 = hide | episodes2A = 6 | start2A = {{Start date|1995|11|12|df=y}} | end2A = {{End date|1995|12|17|df=y}} | episodes2B = Special | released2B = {{Start date|1995|12|24|df=y}}

| color3 = #D8BFD8 | link3 = #Series 3 (1996–97) | episodes3 = hide | episodes3A = Special | released3A = {{Start date|1996|12|24|df=y}} | episodes3B = 6 | start3B = {{Start date|1997|2|14|df=y}} | end3B = {{End date|1997|3|28|df=y}}

| color3SD = #DBD7D2 | link3SD = #Mrs Merton in Las Vegas specials (1997) | linkT3SD = Specials | start3SD = {{Start date|1997|4|10|df=y}} | end3SD = {{End date|1997|4|24|df=y}}

| color4 = #F5DEB3 | link4 = #Series 4 (1997–98) | episodes4 = hide | episodes4A = Special | released4A = {{Start date|1997|12|27|df=y}} | episodes4B = 6 | start4B = {{Start date|1998|2|26|df=y}} | end4B = {{End date|1998|4|2|df=y}} }}

=== Pilots === {{Episode table|background=#91A3B0|overall=5|forceoverall=y|title=20|airdate=16|country=UK|episodes= {{Episode list | Title = [[ITV Yorkshire|YTV Pilot]] | OriginalAirDate = Unaired | EpisodeNumber = {{abbr|P.|Pilot}} | ShortSummary = 1991: ''Mrs Murton's Nightcap''. [[Chris Donald]], [[Liz Kershaw]] and [[Andy Kershaw]] | LineColor = 91A3B0 }} {{Episode list | Title = [[ITV Granada|Granada Pilot]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|12|6|df=y}} | EpisodeNumber = {{abbr|P.|Pilot}} | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Carol Thatcher]], [[Mark Porter (general practitioner)|Mark Porter]] and [[Terry Christian]] | LineColor = 91A3B0 }} }}

=== Series 1 (1995) === {{Episode table|background=#BCD4E6|overall=5|series=5|title=20|airdate=16|country=UK|episodes= {{Episode list | Title = Episode 1 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|2|10|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Fri 10th Feb 1995, 23:15| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a24ecac2553c4da4b46edc2689f311f2| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917055020/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a24ecac2553c4da4b46edc2689f311f2| url-status=dead| archive-date=17 September 2016| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=10 February 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 1 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Kriss Akabusi]], [[Debbie McGee]], [[Chris Greener]] and [[Steve Coogan]]. | LineColor = BCD4E6 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 2 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|2|17|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Fri 17th Feb 1995, 23:15| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/533ea1369ad5434aaef7c6791bc4a5a9| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917055029/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/533ea1369ad5434aaef7c6791bc4a5a9| url-status=dead| archive-date=17 September 2016| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=17 February 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 2 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Drusilla Beyfus]], [[Kevin Kennedy (actor)|Kevin Kennedy]], [[Ken Livingstone]] and [[Mandy Smith]] | LineColor = BCD4E6 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 3 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|2|24|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Fri 24th Feb 1995, 23:15| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl7wd| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223731/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl7wd| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=24 February 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 3 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Jilly Goolden]], [[Cynthia Payne]], Arthur Tomlinson (UFO expert) and [[Dave Lee Travis]] | LineColor = BCD4E6 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 4 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|3|3|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Fri 3rd Mar 1995, 23:15| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/e93ff14fda614c6ab6c43a57887a5633| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223740/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/e93ff14fda614c6ab6c43a57887a5633| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=3 March 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 4 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Dale Winton]], [[Mary Whitehouse]] (not in the studio), Royal butler Peter Russell and [[Derek Jameson]] | LineColor = BCD4E6 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 5 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|3|10|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Fri 10th Mar 1995, 23:15| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/211df87f38b749a996b3c8d01dbdd8fe| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223727/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/211df87f38b749a996b3c8d01dbdd8fe| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=10 March 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 5 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Russell Grant]], Countess Bienvenida Sokolow (former wife of [[Antony Buck]]) and [[Fred Talbot]] | LineColor = BCD4E6 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 6 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|3|24|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Fri 24th Mar 1995, 23:45| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl7z1| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223741/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl7z1| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=24 March 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 6 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Ned Sherrin]], [[Derrick Evans (fitness instructor)|Mr Motivator]], [[Terry Major-Ball]] and [[Nick Owen]] | LineColor = BCD4E6 }} }}

=== Series 2 (1995) === {{Episode table|background=#D0F0C0|overall=5|series=5|title=20|airdate=16|country=UK|episodes= {{Episode table/part|subtitle=Series|c=#D0F0C0}} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 1 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|11|12|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Sun 12th Nov 1995, 21:30| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl7zj| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223732/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl7zj| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=12 November 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 7 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Jo Brand]], [[Lorraine Kelly]] and [[Chris Eubank]] | LineColor = D0F0C0 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 2 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|11|19|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Sun 19th Nov 1995, 21:30| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl83q| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223735/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl83q| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=19 November 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 8 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Matthew Kelly]], [[Vic and Bob|Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer]] and [[George Best]] | LineColor = D0F0C0 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 3 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|11|26|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Sun 26th Nov 1995, 21:30| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00h0nvc| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223726/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00h0nvc| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=26 November 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 9 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Germaine Greer]], [[PJ and Duncan]] and [[Michael Parkinson]] | LineColor = D0F0C0 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 4 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|12|3|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Sun 3rd Dec 1995, 21:30| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl84m| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223728/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl84m| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=3 December 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 10 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Jimmy Hill]], [[Andrew Neil]] and [[Paul Daniels]] | LineColor = D0F0C0 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 5 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|12|10|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Sun 10th Dec 1995, 21:00| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl85m| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223723/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl85m| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=10 December 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 11 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Peter Stringfellow]], [[Des Lynam]] and [[Rolf Harris]] | LineColor = D0F0C0 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 6 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|12|17|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Sun 17th Dec 1995, 21:30| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl86t| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223743/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl86t| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=17 December 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 12 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Patrick Lichfield]], [[Carol Vorderman]] and [[Barbara Windsor]] | LineColor = D0F0C0 }} {{Episode table/part|subtitle=Special|c=#D0F0C0}} {{Episode list | Title = Christmas Special | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|12|24|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Sun 24th Dec 1995, 20:45| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl87z| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223751/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl87z| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=24 December 1995| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 13 | EpisodeNumber2 = {{abbr|S.|Special}} | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Johnny Briggs (actor)|Johnny Briggs]] and [[Amanda Barrie]], [[Glenys Kinnock]] and [[Gary Rhodes]] | LineColor = D0F0C0 }} }}

=== Series 3 (1996–97) === {{Episode table|background=#D8BFD8|overall=5|series=5|title=20|airdate=16|country=UK|episodes= {{Episode table/part|subtitle=Special|c=#D8BFD8}} {{Episode list | Title = Christmas Special | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|12|24|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Tue 24th Dec 1996, 23:00| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl887| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223730/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl887| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=24 December 1996| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 14 | EpisodeNumber2 = {{abbr|S.|Special}} | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Noddy Holder]], [[Clive James]] and [[Daniel O'Donnell]] | LineColor = D8BFD8 }} {{Episode table/part|subtitle=Series|c=#D8BFD8}} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 1 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|2|14|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Fri 14th Feb 1997, 22:20| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl89j| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223740/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl89j| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=14 February 1997| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 15 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Jeff Banks]] and [[Jonathan Ross]] | LineColor = D8BFD8 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 2 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|2|21|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Fri 21st Feb 1997, 22:20| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00h0s3x| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223733/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00h0s3x| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=21 February 1997| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 16 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Michael Winner]] and [[Teresa Gorman]] | LineColor = D8BFD8 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 3 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|2|28|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Fri 28th Feb 1997, 22:20| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/3ef8e5f935474416853b298443d32d7f| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028173645/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/3ef8e5f935474416853b298443d32d7f| url-status=dead| archive-date=28 October 2014| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=28 February 1997| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 17 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Sacha Distel]] and [[Jeremy Clarkson]] | LineColor = D8BFD8 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 4 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|3|7|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Fri 7th Mar 1997, 22:20| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/2aedec215ab746fa96bddd48c9e75b0f| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029015649/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/2aedec215ab746fa96bddd48c9e75b0f| url-status=dead| archive-date=29 October 2014| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=7 March 1997| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 18 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Boy George]] and [[Vinnie Jones]] | LineColor = D8BFD8 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 5 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|3|21|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Fri 21st Mar 1997, 22:20| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8zq| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223742/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8zq| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=21 March 1997| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 19 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Keith Chegwin]] and [[Ian Botham]] | LineColor = D8BFD8 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 6 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|3|28|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Fri 28th Mar 1997, 22:20| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8hw| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223739/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8hw| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=28 March 1997| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 20 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Joanna Lumley]] and [[Martin Clunes]] | LineColor = D8BFD8 }} }}

=== ''Mrs Merton in Las Vegas'' (1997) === {{Episode table|background=#DBD7D2|overall=5|forceoverall=y|title=20|airdate=16|country=UK|episodes= {{Episode list | Title = Episode 1 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|4|10|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Thu 10th Apr 1997, 22:00| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8kc| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223738/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8kc| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=10 April 1997| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 21 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Tony Curtis]] and [[Patrick Duffy]] | LineColor = DBD7D2 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 2 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|4|17|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Thu 17th Apr 1997, 22:00| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00h0pv3| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223729/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00h0pv3| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=17 April 1997| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 22 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Engelbert Humperdinck (singer)|Engelbert Humperdinck]] and [[Bo Derek]] | LineColor = DBD7D2 }} {{Episode list | Title = Planes, Trains and Zimmer Frames | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|4|24|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Thu 24th Apr 1997, 22:00| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8lp| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223734/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8lp| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=24 April 1997| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 23 | ShortSummary = A [[mockumentary]] of Mrs Merton's visit to Las Vegas with her audience | LineColor = DBD7D2 }} }}

=== Series 4 (1997–98) === {{Episode table|background=#F5DEB3|overall=5|series=5|title=20|airdate=16|country=UK|episodes= {{Episode table/part|subtitle=Special|c=#F5DEB3}} {{Episode list | Title = Christmas Special | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|12|27|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Sat 27th Dec 1997, 22:15| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p0f22sly| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112074454/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p0f22sly| url-status=dead| archive-date=12 January 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=27 December 1997| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 24 | EpisodeNumber2 = {{abbr|S.|Special}} | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Edwina Currie]] and [[Max Bygraves]] | LineColor = F5DEB3 }} {{Episode table/part|subtitle=Series|c=#F5DEB3}} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 1 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|2|26|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Thu 26th Feb 1998, 22:20| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8n5| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223745/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8n5| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=26 February 1998| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 25 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Keith Floyd]] and [[Melinda Messenger]] | LineColor = F5DEB3 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 2 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|3|5|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Thu 5th Mar 1998, 22:25| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8pk| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223725/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8pk| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=5 March 1998| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 26 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Shane Richie]] and [[Wayne Sleep]] | LineColor = F5DEB3 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 3 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|3|12|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Thu 12th Mar 1998, 22:20| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/2e1c5f10ffac46eeb71c16675b1327df| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223750/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/2e1c5f10ffac46eeb71c16675b1327df| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=12 March 1998| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 27 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Garry Bushell]] and [[Lisa Stansfield]] | LineColor = F5DEB3 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 4 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|3|19|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Thu 19th Mar 1998, 22:25| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8sf| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223744/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8sf| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=19 March 1998| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 28 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)|Richard Wilson]] and [[Bernard Manning]] | LineColor = F5DEB3 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 5 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|3|26|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton SThu 26th Mar 1998, 22:30| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8v3| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223748/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8v3| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=26 March 1998| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 29 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Barry McGuigan]] and [[Nigel Kennedy]] | LineColor = F5DEB3 }} {{Episode list | Title = Episode 6 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|4|2|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show Thu 2nd Apr 1998, 22:25| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8wj| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204223749/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p00hl8wj| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 February 2024| website=[[BBC Genome Project]]| date=2 April 1998| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> | EpisodeNumber = 30 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | ShortSummary = Guests: [[Richard Whiteley]] and [[Jimmy Tarbuck]] | LineColor = F5DEB3 }} }}

== Media releases == *'''The Best of The Mrs Merton Show: Series One''' (VHS) – Released: 7 October 1996<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs Merton Show: The Best Of Series 1 [VHS]| url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mrs-Merton-Show-Best-VHS/dp/B00004CSXB/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=AKX9RGAI3C43&keywords=the+mrs.+merton+show+vhs&qid=1707086574&sprefix=the+mrs.+merton+show+vhs%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-1| website=amazon.co.uk| date=7 October 1996 | access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> *'''The Best of The Mrs Merton Show: Series Two''' (VHS) – Released: 4 November 1996<ref>{{cite web| title=Mrs Merton - The Best Of Mrs Merton Show - Series Two [1995]| url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mrs-Merton-Best-Show-Two/dp/B00004CT68/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=AKX9RGAI3C43&keywords=the+mrs.+merton+show+vhs&qid=1707086574&sprefix=the+mrs.+merton+show+vhs%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-2| website=amazon.co.uk| date=4 November 1996 | access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> *'''The Complete Series''' (DVD) – Released: 25 February 2008<ref>{{cite web| title=The Mrs. Merton Show - The Complete Series| url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_mrs_merton_show/shop/552/the_complete_series_dvd/| website=comedy.co.uk| access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == *{{BBC programme|p00dzctk}} *[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00gs5km ''Mrs Merton in Las Vegas''] *{{IMDb title|0108867}} *{{British Comedy Guide|tv|the_mrs_merton_show}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mrs Merton Show}} [[Category:1993 British television series debuts]] [[Category:1998 British television series endings]] [[Category:1990s British comedy television series]] [[Category:1990s British television talk shows]] [[Category:BBC television comedy]] [[Category:Fictional interviewers]] [[Category:Television series by ITV Studios]] [[Category:Television shows produced by Granada Television]] [[Category:English-language British television shows]]