Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe is a British television review programme broadcast on BBC Four written and presented by Charlie Brooker. The programme contains reviews of current shows, as well as stories and commentary on how television is produced. Series one was referred to by Brooker as a "series of three pilots", after which the programme was commissioned for a longer run.[1] The series has run for five series, plus several specials on BBC Four, although repeats have been shown on BBC Two.
Episodes
Series 1
Series
Episode
Original airdate
1
1
2 March 2006
Brooker talks about the actual cost of making simple TV and how TV companies claw the money back from phone in shows. He also discusses the different types of TV presenters as well as reviewing The Jeremy Kyle Show and The Apprentice. Robert Popper talks about his dislike for the TV show Star Quality.
1
2
9 March 2006
Brooker talks about the process of actually getting an idea onto TV. He reviews 24, Deal or No Deal and breakfast TV and he discusses TV giving itself a pat on the back. Dr Ben Goldacre discusses "bad" science on television.
1
3
16 March 2006
Brooker discusses TV scaremongering thanks to 24-hour news and reconstruction programmes. He reviews Music channels and TV makeover shows. Simon Farnaby talks about Last of the Summer Wine.
Series 2
Series
Episode
Original airdate
2
1
20 July 2006
Brooker talks about how difficult it is to actually make the smallest bit of TV. Brooker reviews the morning slots on television, Doctor Who, EastEnders and aspirational TV. Jamie Whyte talks about advertising on TV.
2
2
27 July 2006
Brooker discusses why some people want to be famous and will do anything to get on TV. He reviews psychic and medium programmes, Big Brother and Love Island. David Quantick discusses his gripes with "list" shows.
2
3
3 August 2006
Brooker looks into sex on television. He reviews where TV is heading in the future and where it is now, Emmerdale, cookery shows and Deadwood. Catherine Townsend talks about unrealistic sex on television.
2
4
10 August 2006
Brooker goes in depth into how you can get an idea on TV. He reviews TV consumer shows, Hollyoaks and Dragons' Den. A spoof voice commentary from the director of The Mint is supplied (by Adam Buxton).
2
5
17 August 2006
Screenwipe USA. In this USA special, Brooker goes in depth into American TV and compares the main differences between British and American Television. He reviews American soap operas, American reality crime shows, To Catch a Predator and The Wire. Lewis Black talks about his experiences with television.
2006 Christmas specials
Series
Episode
Original airdate
Special
21 December 2006
A Very Screenwipe Christmas. In this Christmas special, Brooker talks about Christmas television from past to present. He reviews Noel Edmonds' Christmas shows, Christmas EastEnders and primetime Christmas Day TV. Rhys Thomas talks about The Box of Delights.
Special
31 December 2006
Review of the Year 2006. In this end of year special, Brooker looks back at TV from the year gone by. He reviews shows that tell us how to live, broadcasting landmarks, reality TV and TV comebacks. Grace Dent reviews Britain's soap operas. Mark Gatiss talks about Nigel Kneale who died during the year.
Brooker talks about how video and editing techniques and technology have improved over time. He reviews Primeval and The Sex Inspectors. Stewart Lee talks about how the perception of teenagers on TV has changed over the years. Grace Dent talks about love storylines in soap operas.
Series 4
Series
Episode
Original airdate
Special
18 September 2007
'How to' compilation show. In this Compilation show Brooker looks back at the actual cost of making television, how to get your ideas on TV, how the smallest piece of TV is difficult to make, what it's like being the "talent" on a TV show and how videoing and editing techniques have improved over time
In this television news special, Brooker talks about the need to entertain on the news and also the rise of 24-hour news. Adam Curtis talks about the rise and fall of the television journalist.
Brooker looks into TV elimination shows and he creates his own to demonstrate how they can be edited to distort the truth. He reviews Pete's P.A. and Any Dream Will Do.
Special
19 December 2007
Review of the year 2007. In this end of year special, Brooker looks back at TV from the year gone by. He reviews show highlights from the year month by month. Grace Dent reviews Britain's soap operas.
Brooker talks about television advertising; the guidelines, its history and how they work. He reviews Mad Men. Tim Key recites another poem.
5
3
2 December 2008
In this slightly extended episode, Brooker is joined by some of the best TV writers in the business today. They talk about how they started out and how they go about writing a television show. Featured in this episode are; Russell T Davies, Paul Abbott, Jesse Armstrong, Sam Bain, Graham Linehan and Tony Jordan.
Review of the year 2008. In this end of year special, Brooker looks back at TV from the year gone by. He reviews show highlights from the year month by month.
2009 Review of the Year
Series
Episode
Original airdate
Special
22 December 2009
Review of the year 2009. In this end of year special, Brooker looks back at TV from the year gone by. He reviews show highlights from the year month by month.
2010 Wipe
Series
Episode
Original airdate
Special
27 December 2010
Review of the year 2010. In this end of year special, Brooker looks back at TV, News, Films and Games from the year gone by. He reviews show highlights from the year month by month.
2011 Wipe
Series
Episode
Original airdate
Special
30 December 2011
Review of the year 2011. Brooker takes a look back at the past 12 months of television and media.
2012 Wipe
Series
Episode
Original airdate
Special
1 January 2013
Review of the year 2012. Brooker takes a look back at the past 12 months of television and media, including The Olympics, panic buying and "shitverts".
2013 Wipe
Series
Episode
Original airdate
Special
28 December 2013
Review of the year 2013. Brooker takes a look back at the past 12 months of television and media, including Twerking, Sex Box and an Australian Weatherman passing out in a fighter jet under high G-force.