The uproarious comedy panel show Rob Beckett’s Smart TV returns for Season 2 on Sky Max, promising even more chaos, wit, and pop culture mayhem. Premiering March 5, 2025, the series reunites host Rob Beckett with team captains Alison Hammond and Josh Widdicombe, whose fiery banter and clashing comedic styles anchor the show’s unpredictable energy. This season ramps up the laughs with a star-studded roster of guest panelists, blending beloved TV personalities, comedy legends, and surprise wildcards ready to dissect—and mercilessly mock—the week’s biggest TV moments.
From Love Island hot takes to dissecting gritty crime dramas, Season 2 leans into its signature blend of satire and spontaneity. New games, surprise segments, and the return of fan-favorite challenges like “What’s the Plot?” ensure that no episode is safe from the panel’s razor-sharp humor. With guests ranging from Pointless brainiacs to EastEnders icons, this season is a love letter to TV obsessives—and a roast of everything that makes the small screen gloriously ridiculous.
Hosts & Team Captains
1- Rob Beckett as Self – Presenter
Rob Beckett, the quick-witted Londoner with a trademark grin, returns as the show’s cheeky ringmaster. Known for his roles on Mock the Week and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Beckett’s rise from working-class electrician to comedy A-lister fuels his relatable, everyman charm. His hosting style—a mix of playful chaos and sharp improvisation—keeps both panelists and audiences on their toes.
Beckett’s off-screen ventures include the Parenting Hell podcast with Josh Widdicombe and his BBC Radio 2 show. His chemistry with Hammond and Widdicombe is the show’s backbone, blending camaraderie and rivalry in equal measure. As he quips, “If telly isn’t making you laugh or cry, you’re watching it wrong—or you’re watching Naked Attraction.”
2- Alison Hammond as Self – Team Captain
Alison Hammond, the nation’s TV sweetheart, brings her infectious energy and no-filter commentary back as Team Captain. A This Morning staple since 2003, Hammond’s viral interviews (see: Harrison Ford) and unshakable positivity have made her a national treasure. On Smart TV, she’s the voice of the people, defending reality TV gems and roasting pretentious prestige dramas.
Hammond’s recent BAFTA win for her documentary Alison Hammond: Back to School underscores her versatility. Her rivalry with Widdicombe—a clash of optimism vs. cynicism—is a highlight, with Hammond often quipping, “Josh hates fun, but I’ll drag him to the light… or to the Love Island villa!”
3- Josh Widdicombe as Self – Team Captain
Josh Widdicombe, the king of dry wit and grumpy charm, returns as the show’s resident skeptic. Famous for The Last Leg and Taskmaster, Widdicombe’s deadpan delivery and obsession with niche trivia (see: his Hypothetical hosting gig) make him the perfect foil to Hammond’s exuberance.
Off-screen, Widdicombe’s Lockdown Parenting Hell podcast with Beckett became a pandemic lifeline. On Smart TV, he’s the voice of reason—or relentless pedantry—dissecting plot holes and mocking reality TV tropes. “I’m here to remind everyone that Bridgerton is not a documentary,” he deadpans.
Guest Stars
– Richard Osman
Richard Osman, the Pointless co-host and bestselling crime novelist (The Thursday Murder Club), brings his encyclopedic TV knowledge and dry humor to the panel. A master of quizzing and quips, Osman’s segments often devolve into hilarious rants about obscure game shows.
Off-camera, Osman’s production company, Endemol Shine UK, shapes British TV. His rivalry with Beckett over “highbrow vs. lowbrow” telly is a recurring gag, with Osman defending PBS documentaries while Beckett champions Celebrity SAS.
– Danny Dyer
EastEnders legend Danny Dyer leans into his “geezer” persona, delivering unfiltered takes on soaps, crime dramas, and his own iconic Mick Carter moments. Fresh off his The Business podcast and The Wall hosting gig, Dyer’s Cockney charm steals every round.
His heated debate with Hammond about Love Island vs. Coronation Street (“both full of melters, let’s be honest”) is an instant classic. Dyer’s mantra? “Telly’s meant to be a laugh, innit? If I wanted Shakespeare, I’d go to the pub.”
– Motsi Mabuse
Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse swaps ballroom glam for panel-show chaos, defending reality TV’s drama and roasting stiff competition shows. Her infectious laugh and flair for theatrics make her a standout guest.
Mabuse’s behind-the-scenes tales from Strictly—including phantom wardrobe malfunctions—add spice. “If TV isn’t camp, what’s the point?” she declares, sparking a standing ovation from Hammond.
– Richard Ayoade
Comedy icon Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd, Travel Man) brings his surreal wit and pseudo-intellectual musings to the panel. His deadpan critiques of Netflix algorithms and “artisanal Nordic noir” are instant classics.
Ayoade’s new Channel 4 series, The Ayoade Cinematic Universe, parodies film snobbery—a theme he leans into here. His showdown with Widdicombe over “pretentious PBS docs” is a masterclass in passive-aggressive humor.
– Gyles Brandreth
Wordsmith Gyles Brandreth, the Just a Minute stalwart, delivers rambling anecdotes about 1970s TV and his friendship with Prince Philip. His eccentric trivia (e.g., “The Queen loved Downton Abbey”) becomes a running joke.
Brandreth’s recent memoir, Odd Boy Out, fuels his musings on telly’s golden age. Beckett dubs him “the human Wikipedia—if Wikipedia was written by Oscar Wilde after six espressos.”
– Sope Dirisu
Gangs of London star Sope Dirisu defends gritty dramas while roasting their plot holes. His impression of a “generic detective show protagonist” (all brooding and raincoats) leaves the panel in stitches.
Dirisu’s upcoming role in Marvel’s Blade adds superhero flair to the chat. “I’ll take vampires over Love Island any day,” he jokes, dodging a bread roll thrown by Hammond.
– Helen George
Call the Midwife’s Helen George brings period-drama poise—and savage wit—to the panel. Her takedown of “unrealistic medical shows” (“No, surgeons don’t have time for love triangles in scrub rooms!”) is a highlight.
George’s behind-the-scenes stories about Midwife’s prosthetic babies and fake snowstorms (“they’re just potato flakes!”) add quirky charm.
– Judi Love
Loose Women’s Judi Love, the queen of sass, slays with hot takes on reality TV and daytime dramas. Her viral rant about Naked Attraction (“Why’s the lighting so harsh? We all got cellulite!”) breaks the panel.
Love’s new BBC sitcom, Judi Love Actually, fuels her roast of rom-com clichés. “If he’s sprinting through an airport, he’s probably on the no-fly list,” she quips.
– David Mitchell
Peep Show’s David Mitchell deploys his signature pedantry to dissect TV logic, from “why do cops always split up?” to “why is every hospital room a soap opera set?”
Mitchell’s Would I Lie to You? experience makes him a trivia powerhouse. His feud with Widdicombe over University Challenge rules escalates into a nerds-at-dawn duel.
– Kadiff Kirwan
This Way Up star Kadiff Kirwan champions underrated sitcoms and roasts lazy reboots. His impression of a “generic Netflix algorithm pitch” (“It’s Tiger King meets The Crown… with zombies!”) goes viral.
Kirwan’s upcoming role in Bridgerton Season 4 sparks debate about period dramas vs. modernity. “Just give me a corset and a WiFi password,” he jokes.
– Anna Richardson
Naked Attraction host Anna Richardson leans into her show’s infamy, defending its “body-positive chaos” while roasting prudes. “If you’re judging folks by their bits, you’re missing the point!”
Richardson’s Supersize vs Superskinny reboot stories (“we replaced fries with kale… nobody was happy”) add a dash of reality TV wisdom.
Ryan Sampson
Episodes and Plebs star Ryan Sampson brings slapstick energy, reenacting cringe-worthy TV moments (see: The One Show’s awkward interviews).
Sampson’s new Britbox comedy, History Buffs, parodies documentary tropes. “If David Attenborough narrated my laundry day, it’d be a hit,” he jokes.
– Chris McCausland
Comedian Chris McCausland, known for Live at the Apollo, offers a unique perspective as the show’s first blind panelist. His roast of visual gimmicks (“I don’t need CGI to know Avatar’s overrated”) is groundbreaking.
McCausland’s BBC sitcom, Super Sense, informs his takes on sensory-driven TV. “If a show’s good, you can feel it,” he says, earning applause.
– Jason Watkins
The Crown’s Jason Watkins (Harold Wilson) dissects political dramas and royal biopics. His impression of a “generic PM speech” (all bluster and weather metaphors) slays.
Watkins’ stories about Line of Duty (“so many acronyms, I needed a decoder ring”) highlight TV’s obsession with jargon.
– Richard Madeley
Good Morning Britain’s Richard Madeley leans into his “accidental meme king” status, defending daytime TV’s chaos. His infamous Celebrity Big Brother rant (“I’m not a prude, but…”) gets a hilarious callback.
Madeley’s new memoir, Absolutely Mad(eley), inspires roasts about his most chaotic interviews. “At least I’m not Piers Morgan,” he shrugs.
– Charlotte Ritchie
Ghosts and Feel Good star Charlotte Ritchie balances quirky charm and biting wit. Her takedown of “forced sitcom laugh tracks” (“If I need cue cards to giggle, your show’s doomed”) resonates.
Ritchie’s upcoming role in Doctor Who sparks debate about sci-fi reboots. “Time Lords need better Wi-Fi,” she jokes.
– Emmett J. Scanlan
The Fall and Kin star Emmett J. Scanlan defends gritty crime dramas while mocking their “brooding antihero” clichés. His impression of a “generic detective monolgue” (all rain and whiskey) kills.
Scanlan’s behind-the-scenes tales about Peaky Blinders (“so much fake mud, I’m still finding it”) add levity.
– Kerry Godliman
After Life’s Kerry Godliman brings her no-nonsense humor, roasting saccharine sitcoms and overacted soaps. “If someone’s crying in a rainstorm, I’m changing the channel,” she declares.
Godliman’s Taskmaster trauma (“I still have nightmares about Greg’s stare”) fuels her takes on competition shows.
– Himesh Patel
Station Eleven and Yesterday star Himesh Patel champions dystopian dramas and mocks lazy sci-fi tropes. “If one more show uses ‘quantum’ as a plot device…” he groans.
Patel’s new role in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew sparks debate about franchise fatigue. “Just give me a lightsaber and a personality,” he jokes.
– Carol Vorderman
Maths whiz and Countdown legend Carol Vorderman roasts game-show tropes and defends daytime TV’s quirks. Her dissection of The Chase (“Bradley’s hair deserves its own spin-off”) delights.
Vorderman’s activism and Pride of Britain hosting inform her takes on TV’s social impact. “If telly can’t inspire, what’s the point?”
– Tom Allen
Comedian Tom Allen, Bake Off: An Extra Slice host, serves campy wit and ruthless roasts of baking-show melodrama. “If I see one more soggy bottom metaphor…”
Allen’s new memoir, Too Much, inspires riffs on reality TV’s emotional manipulation. “Crying over a cupcake? Please.”
– Kola Bokinni
Ted Lasso’s Kola Bokinni (Isaac McAdoo) defends feel-good TV while mocking sports-drama clichés. “If one more coach gives a speech about ‘belief,’ I’ll tackle a camera.”
Bokinni’s tales of Ted Lasso’s fake football matches (“I’ve kicked more air than balls”) add humor.
– Alex Jones
The One Show’s Alex Jones balances Welsh charm and sly shade, defending chat shows while roasting their awkward moments. “If one more guest plugs their memoir mid-crisis…”
Jones’ parenting podcast with Smart TV’s Hammond sparks debates about “mum TV” tropes. “We need less guilt, more wine recs.”
– Steve Pemberton
Inside No. 9’s Steve Pemberton dissects dark comedies and horror tropes. His impression of a “generic twist ending” (dun-dun-DUN!) leaves the panel howling.
Pemberton’s new stage play, The Unfriend, fuels his riffs on TV’s obsession with shock value. “Subtlety’s dead—bury it with a jump scare.”
Rob Beckett’s Smart TV Season 2 premieres March 5, 2025, on Sky Max—prepare for laughs, chaos, and way too many hot takes on Love Island.
