WILTY

Facts, fiction, fibs, bluffs and banter. 
Would I Lie to You? is the funniest show on TV. Honest.  

Photo credit: BritBox, used with permission

Let’s face it, we could all do with a good laugh to cheer us up right now. Hubby and I recently discovered this brilliant Brit comedy by accident (when we caught a clip featuring one of my favourites, Joe Lycett, as a guest) and got pulled right in. Turns out the smash-hit panel game show has been going since 2007 when it first aired on BBC One in the UK. It seems we’ve got some catching-up to do, so the entire Would I Lie to You? (WILTY) collection is now top of our BritBox watchlist and is one of the few things on telly these days that regularly has me in stitches.
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The WILTY format is vaguely similar to the US and UK classic quiz shows What’s My Line? and Call My Bluff ; two teams compete as each player divulges unusual facts, deep secrets and embarrassing personal experiences, while the opposing team decides if it’s straight up gospel true or just a cock and bull story. Each episode also features a mystery guest who has some bizarre connection to one of the panelists. The other team has to suss out whose tall tale is actually legit before the guest reveals their real identity.
​And did I mention, it’s really, really funny?

Over 13 series, the impressive list of panelists has included Jo Brand, Ricky Tomlinson, Richard E. Grant, Ray Winston, Ken Livingston, Olivia Colman, Michael McIntyre and Germaine Greer, not forgetting Jimmy Carr and Eamonn Holmes (both of whom I once interviewed for The Times). But my favourite thing about every episode is the hilarious banter between team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack, interlaced with witty quips from host Rob Brydon.

Photo credit: BritBox, used with permission

This winning formula of improv comedy has earned the series several awards as well as spawning a book, a board game and numerous international TV spin-offs. I also love the fact that WILTY is refreshingly family-friendly funny with no smutty jokes or sneering jibes. The quick-witted humor, which is razor-sharp, involves gentle teasing without ever being nasty or humiliating. Just good, clean fun. 

If you’re looking for a little light-hearted relief from reality, turn on the telly and start streaming Would I Lie to You? on BritBox. Believe me, you’ll feel so much better - and that’s the truth. 

Would I Lie to You? is streaming now on BritBox

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