Channel 4's Alternative Election Night
On the 6th May 2010, Channel 4’s election coverage built to a climax with a special four hour live entertainment event on the night itself, which provided viewers with a witty and irreverent alternative to the traditional election night reporting.

Hosted by David Mitchell, Jimmy Carr and Lauren Laverne with contributions from Charlie Brooker, Channel 4’s Alternative Election Night evening of coverage was a provocative, cerebral and entertaining take on all things election, featuring discussion, specially recorded segments and audience reaction.

The four hour event broadcast live, in front of an audience of comedy enthusiasts of mixed political persuasions. Throughout the night, the ensemble of hosts reacted to news as it happened, interacting with the studio audience, and above all, delivering their inimitable take on the election as it unfolded that night. The show reported all the up-to-the-minute election results information, alongside satire and sass, and minus the staid political swing-o-meters. As the main results poured in, pundits and an in-studio bookmaker analysed the facts with no nonsense, non- partisan predictions.

In amongst the live studio action were specially recorded shows, played out in segments throughout the night – including a You Have Been Watching Election Special, as well as calls from the Fonejacker (Kayvan Novak). Also on the night, there was a special political themed edition of Channel 4’s cult dinner party show in Come Dine with Me Election Special, featuring Edwina Currie, Brian Paddick, Derek Hatton and Rod Liddle, which played in segments through the event.

The evening provided spiky and intelligent coverage of the results, once the polls had closed, and the gloves were off.