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.
Not Necessarily the News (Season 5)
Episode 1 (Episode 1)
Not Necessarily the Year in Review (Episode 2)
Air date: 1986-12-20
March Edition (Episode 3)
Air date: 1987-03-07
Overview: Shake off those winter doldrums with "the fastest and sometimes funniest half-hours on television.
Episode 4 (Episode 4)
Not Necessarily the Media (Episode 5)
Episode 6 (Episode 6)
Inside Washington (Episode 7)
Air date: 1987-07-02
Overview: When the crew visits Capitol Hill, Frosty Kimelman decides her name has been holding her back, so she goes through a succession of name changes. Also, Pat Robertson, Dr. Robert Schuller, Rev. Jerry Falwell, and Father Guido Sarducci square off; Jesse Helms discusses a crackdown on pornography; Nancy Reagan talks about stepdaughter Maureen; plus Ronald Reagan stands by for an interview with Bob Charles.
Episode 8 (Episode 8)
Episode 9 (Episode 9)
October Edition (Episode 10)
Air date: 1987-10-01
Overview: Sketches include: Surprise!, Murch's Fried Pieces, This Date in Comedy, Football Wrap-Up, Arm and Hammer Baking Soda & morning Sniglets.
Inside Entertainment (Episode 11)
Air date: 1987-11-07
Overview: The crew visits the red carpet to report on the 97th Annual Golden Calf Awards. Also, Dolly Parton and Madonna are interviewed, Helen St. Thomas visits Frankenstein's monster and The Wolf Man at a retirement home, Don King presents new sniglets, and former child star Jay North goes on a rampage.
Episode 12 (Episode 12)
Year in Review (Episode 13)
