TV series
Not Necessarily the News
1983–1987, English, on HBO.
Not Necessarily the News is a satirical sketch comedy series that first aired on HBO in September 1982 as a comedy special, and then ran as a series from 1983 to 1990. It featured sketches, parody news items, commercial parodies, and humorous bits made from overdubbing or editing actual news footage. It was based on the British series, Not the Nine O'Clock News. Not Necessarily the News was also the birthplace of Rich Hall's sniglets.
- Seasons
- 8
- Episodes
- 100
- Episode length
- 30 min
- Status
- Ended in 1987
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Where to watch Not Necessarily the News
Not Necessarily the News isn’t listed on any OTT platform in India yet.
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Latest episode
S5 E11: Inside Entertainment
Aired 7 November 1987
Seasons 8
Cast & crew
- Rich HallCast · 100 ep
- Lucy WebbHelen St. Thomas · 48 ep
- Jan HooksCast · 48 ep
- Matthew PerryBob · 48 ep
- Michael Bailey SmithCast · 48 ep
- Annabelle GurwitchCast · 48 ep
- Stuart PankinCast · 48 ep
- Anne BloomCast · 48 ep
- Mitchell LauranceCast · 48 ep
- Alan K. SimpsonSelf (archive footage) · 1 ep
- Dick GephardtSelf (archive footage) · 1 ep
- Fritz HollingsSelf (archive footage) · 1 ep
Details
- First aired
- 8 August 1983
- Last aired
- 7 November 1987
- Network
- HBO
- Language
- English
- Country
- United States
- Type
- Scripted
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
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Not Necessarily the News: quick answers
Is Not Necessarily the News worth watching?
Not Necessarily the News doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How many seasons of Not Necessarily the News are there?
Not Necessarily the News has 8 seasons and 100 episodes, about 30 minutes each.
Is Not Necessarily the News finished?
Yes. Not Necessarily the News ended in 1987, so you can watch the whole story.
Which OTT platform is Not Necessarily the News on?
Not Necessarily the News isn’t listed on any OTT platform in India yet. (Checked 14 November 2026.)
Not Necessarily the News parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Not Necessarily the News yet.
What shows are like Not Necessarily the News?
If you liked Not Necessarily the News, try This Hour Has 22 Minutes, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show.