{{Short description|British TV topical comedy (BBC Two, 2019–2022)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use British English|date=September 2022}} {{Infobox television | image = The Ranganation.png | genre = Comedy | creator = | director = Barbara Wiltshire | presenter = Romesh Ranganathan | starring = Shanthi Ranganathan | open_theme = "No CD" by Loyle Carner | country = United Kingdom | language = English | num_series = 5 | num_episodes = 22 | list_episodes = | executive_producer = | producer = Mark Barrett<br />Mia Cross<br />Monica Long | location = Television Centre, London <small>(2019)</small><br />BBC Elstree Centre <small>(2019)</small><br />Pinewood Studios <small>(2021–22)</small> | editor = | camera = | runtime = 45 minutes | company = Zeppotron | network = BBC Two | first_aired = {{Start date|2019|05|19|df=yes}} | last_aired = {{End date|2022|11|06|df=yes}} | related = }}
'''''The Ranganation''''' is a British comedy show hosted by Romesh Ranganathan and broadcast on BBC Two. Ranganathan joins a group of 25 members of the public, including his mother, to discuss news events of the week. Two celebrity guests are also featured. The first series of six 45-minute episodes premiered on 19 May 2019. The second series of six episodes was filmed remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and first aired on 10 May 2020.
==Production== A pilot was filmed on 20 May 2018, produced by Zeppotron.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2018/05/18/39989/romesh_ranganathan_pilots_topical_bbc_two_panel_show|title=Romesh Ranganathan pilots topical BBC Two panel show|work=Chortle|last=Richardson|first=Jay|date=18 May 2018|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/3104/the_ranganation/|title=Romesh Ranganathan to host new BBC panel show pilot|publisher=British Comedy Guide|date=18 May 2018|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> The first series was commissioned in August 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/5007/romesh_ranganation_bbc_two_series/|title=The Ranganation ordered by BBC Two|publisher=British Comedy Guide|date=23 August 2018|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> It consisted of six weekly 45-minute episodes, beginning on 19 May 2019 and ending on 23 June 2019.
Ranganathan said that he wanted the programme to be a "topical show, not a political show". He said that the casting focused on recruiting a diverse group of "regular people who are opinionated and passionate", and that he enjoyed the honesty of the panellists. Asked who his ideal guest would be in 2018, Ranganathan said it would be Justin Trudeau if he was British, or Idris Elba.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/interviews/2019/05/14/43027/i_pretend_i_consider_the_public_equals...|title='I pretend I consider the public equals...'|work=Chortle|date=14 May 2019|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> When asked again in 2020, he suggested Patrick Stewart.<ref name="Chortle interview 2020"/>
The second series of six episodes aired in May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_ranganation/episodes/2/|title=The Ranganation|publisher=British Comedy Guide|access-date=11 May 2020}}</ref> It was one of several topical British shows to be filmed and hosted by each participant remotely from their home, along with ''Have I Got News for You'', ''The Mash Report'' and ''The Last Leg''. Ranganathan filmed in his garage, requiring him to remove DJ equipment he bought to learn how to disc jockey during the pandemic. On Sunday, 10 May 2020 at 9:15{{nbsp}}p.m., the first episode aired. The production aimed to incorporate a mixture of topics, despite homogeneous pandemic news coverage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2020/05/07/46045/the_ranganation_is_back_-_from_romeshs_garage|title=The Ranganation is back - from Romesh's garage|publisher=Chortle|date=7 May 2020|access-date=11 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/2020/05/08/news/romesh-ranganathan-back-with-new-series-of-topical-comedy-show-the-ranganation-1928787/|title=Romesh Ranganathan back with new series of topical comedy show The Ranganation|work=The Irish News|date=8 May 2020|access-date=11 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="Chortle interview 2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/features/2020/05/07/46052/theres_going_to_be_a_blank_square_where_my_mum_should_be...|title=There's going to be a blank square where my mum should be...|publisher=Chortle|date=8 May 2020|access-date=11 May 2020}}</ref>
On 18 January 2021, the BBC Press office announced the third series of ''The Ranganation'' would return that February. While Ranganathan was filmed from a studio, the guests participated from home.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2021/the-ranganation-returns-third-series|title=The Ranganation set to return to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer for third series|access-date=2021-02-08|website=www.bbc.com}}</ref> A fourth series began in October 2021. Following the relaxation of social distancing guidelines in the summer, Ranganathan and celebrity guests record in the studio while members still contribute remotely.
== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Award !Date of ceremony !Category !Nominee !Result |- |British Academy Television Awards<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-03 |title=BAFTA TV 2020: Winners of the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards |url=https://www.bafta.org/television/awards/tv-2020 |access-date=2021-05-27 |website=www.bafta.org |language=en}}</ref> |31 July 2020 |Best Comedy Entertainment Programme |rowspan="4"|''The Ranganation'' |{{Nom}} |- |Royal Television Society Programme Awards<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-16 |title=Winners of the RTS Programme Awards 2021 announced |url=https://rts.org.uk/article/winners-rts-programme-awards-2021-announced |access-date=2021-05-27 |website=Royal Television Society |language=en}}</ref> |16 March 2021 |Comedy Entertainment |{{Won}} |- |Broadcast Awards<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |date=2021-05-27 |title=Friday Night Dinner wins at Broadcast Awards 2021 |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/6388/friday-night-dinner-wins-award/ |access-date=2021-05-27 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en-GB}}</ref> |27 May 2021 |Best Lockdown Programme: Entertainment, Comedy and Scripted |{{Won}} |- |rowspan="2"|British Academy Television Awards<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-28 |title=BAFTA TV 2021: Nominations and Winners of the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards |url=https://www.bafta.org/television/awards/tv-2021 |access-date=2021-05-27 |website=www.bafta.org |language=en}}</ref> |rowspan="2"|6 June 2021 |Best Comedy Entertainment Programme |{{Nom}} |- |Best Entertainment Performance |Romesh Ranganathan |{{won}} |}
==Episodes== ===Series 1=== {{Episode table |background=#FF9999 |overall = 6 |series = 6 |title = 16 |titleT=Guests |airdate = 12 |viewers = 11 |viewersR = <ref name="BARB">{{Cite web|url=https://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/weekly-top-10/|title=Weekly top 10 programmes BARB|website=www.barb.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=20 August 2019}}</ref>|country=UK|episodes= {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 1 |EpisodeNumber2 = 1 |RTitle = Rob Beckett and Fay Ripley |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|05|19|df=y}} |Viewers = 1.49 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 2 |EpisodeNumber2 = 2 |RTitle = Natasia Demetriou and Katherine Ryan |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|05|26|df=y}} |Viewers = 1.19 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 3 |EpisodeNumber2 = 3 |RTitle = Jessica Hynes and Jon Richardson |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|06|2|df=y}} |Viewers = 1.01 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 4 |EpisodeNumber2 = 4 |RTitle = Tom Davis and Sara Pascoe |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|06|9|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA|N/A}} (<{{nbsp}}1.15){{efn|name="Not in top 15"}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 5 |EpisodeNumber2 = 5 |RTitle = Kerry Godliman and Richard Osman |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|06|16|df=y}} |Viewers = 1.29 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 6 |EpisodeNumber2 = 6 |RTitle = Angela Scanlon and Tom Allen |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|06|23|df=y}} |Viewers = 1.25 }} }}
===Series 2=== {{Episode table |background=#FF9999 |overall = 6 |series = 6 |title = 16 |titleT=Guests |airdate = 12 |viewers = 11 |viewersR =|country=UK|episodes= {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 7 |EpisodeNumber2 = 1 |RTitle = Danny Dyer and Katherine Ryan |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|05|10|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 8 |EpisodeNumber2 = 2 |RTitle = Jon Richardson and Scarlett Moffatt |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|05|17|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 9 |EpisodeNumber2 = 3 |RTitle = Rob Beckett and Jo Brand |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|05|24|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 10 |EpisodeNumber2 = 4 |RTitle = Jason Manford and Aisling Bea |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|05|31|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 11 |EpisodeNumber2 = 5 |RTitle = Tom Allen and Paloma Faith |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|06|7|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 12 |EpisodeNumber2 = 6 |RTitle = Andrew Flintoff and Sara Pascoe |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|06|14|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} }}
=== Series 3 === {{Episode table |background=#FF9999 |overall = 6 |series = 6 |title = 16 |titleT=Guests |airdate = 12 |viewers = 11 |viewersR =|country=UK|episodes= {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 13 |EpisodeNumber2 = 1 |RTitle = Jack Dee and Alex Jones |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|02|7|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 14 |EpisodeNumber2 = 2 |RTitle = Katherine Ryan and Mo Gilligan |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|02|14|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 15 |EpisodeNumber2 = 3 |RTitle = Nish Kumar and Rosie Jones |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|02|21|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 16 |EpisodeNumber2 = 4 |RTitle = Judi Love and Joe Lycett |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|02|28|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 17 |EpisodeNumber2 = 5 |RTitle = Jamie Laing and Roisin Conaty |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|03|7|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 18 |EpisodeNumber2 = 6 |RTitle = Richard Madeley and Maisie Adam |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|03|14|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} }}
=== Series 4 === {{Episode table |background=#FF9999 |overall = 6 |series = 6 |title = 16 |titleT=Guests |airdate = 12 |viewers = 11 |viewersR =|country=UK|episodes= {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 19 |EpisodeNumber2 = 1 |RTitle = Jack Dee and Hannah Waddingham |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|10|3|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 20 |EpisodeNumber2 = 2 |RTitle = Jon Richardson and Nadiya Hussain |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|10|10|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 21 |EpisodeNumber2 = 3 |RTitle = Roisin Conaty and Guz Khan |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|10|17|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 22 |EpisodeNumber2 = 4 |RTitle = Richard Osman and Harriet Kemsley |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|10|24|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 23 |EpisodeNumber2 = 5 |RTitle = Jo Brand and Ranj Singh |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|10|31|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 24 |EpisodeNumber2 = 6 |RTitle = Scarlett Moffatt and Josh Widdicombe (Christmas Special) |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|12|19|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} }}
===Series 5=== {{Episode table |background=#FF9999 |overall = 6 |series = 6 |title = 16 |titleT=Guests |airdate = 12 |viewers = 11 |viewersR =|country=UK|episodes= {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 25 |EpisodeNumber2 = 1 |RTitle = Alex Brooker and Anna Maxwell Martin |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|1|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 26 |EpisodeNumber2 = 2 |RTitle = James Acaster and Lady Leshurr |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|9|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 27 |EpisodeNumber2 = 3 |RTitle = Jack Dee and Sophie Willan |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|16|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 28 |EpisodeNumber2 = 4 |RTitle = Sara Pascoe and Big Zuu<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001dhtd|title=The Ranganation|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=14 October 2022}}</ref> |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|23|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 29 |EpisodeNumber2 = 5 |RTitle = Lucy Beaumont and Stephen Mangan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001drq3|title=The Ranganation|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=21 October 2022}}</ref> |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|30|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 30 |EpisodeNumber2 = 6 |RTitle = Oti Mabuse and Jo Brand<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001drq3|title=The Ranganation|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=30 October 2022}}</ref> |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|06|df=y}} |Viewers = {{TableTBA}} }} }}
== Topics == The first series included a wide variety of discussions including:
* Episode 1: Do you wash your legs in the shower?<ref>{{Citation|title=Do you wash your legs in the shower? {{!}} The Ranganation - BBC| date=23 May 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yagqc72jZ0o|language=en|access-date=2019-08-11}}</ref> *Episode 2: Should plastic straws be banned?<ref>{{Citation|title=Should plastic straws be banned? {{!}} The Ranganation - BBC| date=3 June 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdbCbSbON5M|language=en|access-date=2019-08-11}}</ref> *Episode 3: Should homework be banned?<ref>{{Citation|title=Should homework be banned? {{!}} The Ranganation - BBC| date=6 June 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8ocu3Us-eY|language=en|access-date=2019-08-11}}</ref> * Episode 4: Do you believe in UFOs?<ref>{{Citation|title=Do you believe in UFOs? {{!}} The Ranganation - BBC| date=13 June 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGBsvpVru88|language=en|access-date=2019-08-11}}</ref> * Episode 5: The staggering number of UK adults sleeping with a soft toy<ref>{{Citation|title=The staggering number of UK adults sleeping with a soft toy 🤯 {{!}} The Ranganation - BBC| date=20 June 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzF7UgmhvUk|language=en|access-date=2019-08-11}}</ref> * Episode 6: Trying to answer stupid job interview questions<ref>{{Citation|title=Trying to answer stupid job interview questions {{!}} The Ranganation - BBC| date=July 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPEt9KFKTJo|language=en|access-date=2019-08-11}}</ref>
== Series members == Each series of ''The Ranganation'' includes a diverse cross-section of the public with each member having a unique nickname. Some notable participants include Romesh's mum, Scott Caizley under the nickname OMG PHD, Param Singh who is Wheeler Dealer, Anglia TV announcer Katie Glass who is You're History, and Anthony Nguyen, the Ranganation's first ever Drag Queen, Tequila Thirst, with the moniker Life's A Drag, who opened for Chappell Roan on tour.
=== Series 1 === In the first series, 29 people appeared on the show: Vlogger, Vicars Daughter, Privileged, Yes Miss, Football Mad, OMG PHD, Lord Dave, Selfie Queen, EcoVegan, Wannabe MP, Mindful, Oxbridge, Dog Father, Technophobe, Table for One, Small Town Girl, Ex Banker, Gen Z, Wheeler Dealer, The Skipper, Single Dad, You're History, Witness the Fitness, Romesh's Mum, Never Voted, Granny To Be, Pride of Wales, Comic Book Guy, and Green Fingers.
=== Series 2 === Series two included 25 members from the public: Romesh's mum, Old Bill, Craft Beard, Privileged, You're History, Never Voted, Lord Dave, Small Town Girl, Pride of Wales, Ex Banker, Mani-Pedi, Vlogger, Glam Gran, Wheeler Dealer, Technophobe, Metalhead, Old Bill, Green Fingers, Gen Z, Football Mad, Watch Your Language, Wine Buff, The Dogfather, Oxbridge, The Skipper, and Comic Book Guy.
=== Series 3 === The third series included 20 members from the public including Romesh's mum, Old Bill, The Dogfather, You're History, Never Voted, Lord Dave, Small Town Girl, Ex Banker, Pride of Wales, Oxbridge, Country Life (New Member), Vlogger, Wheeler Dealer, Technophobe, Gen Z, Picture This, Football Mad, Watch Your Language, The Skipper, Comic Book Guy, Metalhead, Glam Gran, and Folk Hero.
The display screen also changed to show the current speaker in the centre with the other people appearing around them. The central talking member still appears in the smaller windows around them.
=== Series 4 === The Ranganation series 4 has included 22 members from the public including Romesh's mum, Old Bill, Vlogger, You're History, The Dogfather, Never Voted, Lord Dave, Small Town Girl, Pride of Wales, Folk Hero, Technophobe, Wheeler Dealer, Country Life, Renaissance Man, Oxbridge, Chippy Tea, Ex Banker, Glam Gran, Football Mad, Metalhead, Watch Your Language, Comic Book Guy, Flying Circus, and Gen Z.
=== Series 5 === The Ranganation Series 5 included 2 new members Life's A Drag, and Bingo, from the public, joining the existing cast.
The show continued to have a large display screen in the studio of the cast - alongside Romesh and special studio guests.
==Notes== {{notelist|notes=
{{efn|name="Not in top 15"|Not reported in the weekly top 15 programmes for BBC Two}} }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{BBC programme}} * {{British Comedy Guide|tv|the_ranganation}} * {{IMDb title}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ranganation, The}} Category:2019 British television series debuts Category:2022 British television series endings Category:2010s British comedy television series Category:2020s British comedy television series Category:BBC television comedy Category:English-language British television shows Category:Television series by Zeppotron Category:Television series by Banijay Category:Television shows shot at BBC Elstree Centre