Jimmy Akingbola on Sorry, I Didn’t Know: “Black history is everyone’s history”

Jimmy Akingbola on Sorry, I Didn’t Know: “Black history is everyone’s history”

As a cinema devotee with a heart for diversity and representation, I’ve been thoroughly captivated by the groundbreaking series “Sorry, I Didn’t Know”. Having spent years immersed in the rich tapestry of cinematic history, it’s both humbling and exhilarating to witness such a bold and enlightening show.


Sorry, I Didn’t Know has broken barriers and made history like no quiz show has done before.

I’ve found myself following a captivating series that initially premiered in 2020, marking ITV’s extended run of a program produced by a creative team predominantly of black origin. As your guide, I’m led by Jimmy Akingbola throughout this remarkable journey.

Four years after the Black Lives Matter movement sparked widespread conversation, this series has thrived, guiding both performers and viewers on a captivating journey through African American history.

However, it’s crucial to understand that this program is not just categorized as a “Black show”. Instead, the host, Jimmy Akingbola, emphasizes that it should be viewed as a standalone production.

We’re both elated with our achievements and aware that there’s still a vast amount left to explore. There are countless other unsung heroes, innovators, legendary figures who have been relegated to the shadows, and we aim to bring them into the limelight.

Jimmy Akingbola on Sorry, I Didn’t Know: “Black history is everyone’s history”

In this fresh season, you’ll find a delightful collection of renowned guest panelists who are household names due to their impressive careers spanning across television, stand-up comedy, and more. Here, I got the chance to engage with some of the most talented personalities in the industry!

As a movie aficionado, I’m thrilled to share that this season’s panel boasts some extraordinary talents such as Adjoa Andoh, Nina Wadia, Munya Chawawa, Richard Blackwood, and many more, with Akingbola beaming with pride at the caliber of artists gracing our studio.

He suggested, ‘While we do have the new school, there’s still an abundance of individuals with extensive experience in the industry who deserve to have their own programs.’ This is what he expressed.

“I’m talking [about] people like Eddie Nestor, Curtis Walker, Adjoa Andoh.”

Is there a possibility that Andoh might have received recognition earlier in the UK, as she deserved, if streaming services like Netflix didn’t exist and therefore Bridgerton hadn’t been produced? (This is what Akingbola suggests.)

He went on to say: “Our show is making a significant impact in this field by emphasizing honor and innovation. As a production team, we’ve always aimed to be pioneers and revolutionaries, always striving for unique approaches.

Once more, credit and gratitude are due to ITV for allowing us the creative freedom to produce Sorry, I Didn’t Know in the manner we envisioned. We are proudly producing it in our unique style. I believe that the humor, jokes, music, and overall aesthetic of our crew sets make a strong case for more shows like ours to be made.

Jimmy Akingbola on Sorry, I Didn’t Know: “Black history is everyone’s history”

Over the past few years and continuing into today, numerous television programs have been advocating for Black representation, with shows like Dreaming Whilst Black and Mr Loverman on BBC One being among the most recent examples. However, it’s clear that there remains much more effort needed in this area.

He expressed his belief that there’s room for further improvement regarding the content displayed on screens, the individuals crafting the narratives, as well as those appearing both behind and in front of the camera.

As a passionate film enthusiast, it’s truly disheartening to realize that our progress isn’t as rapid as I’d hoped. But let me tell you something, this cinematic voyage is a marathon, not a sprint – patience is key. We should relish every victory along the way because they are stepping stones towards our ultimate destination.

He added: “The wins are Sorry, I Didn’t Know, Dreaming Whilst Black. Not to forget Michaela Cole’s moments and stuff like that. But also we need to be like, ‘What’s the next thing coming through and what does that look like?’”

In the groundbreaking fifth season of Sorry, I Didn’t Know, Akingbola eagerly anticipates even more developments for the show – such as a heartwarming Christmas episode!

He continued: “So when we made it and we looked up how many seasons there have been of Have I Got News For You, we were like, ‘We want all those seasons!’ So, I am very excited about coming back for season six [and this one].

As a cinephile this season, I had the pleasure of hosting an episode that deviated from our usual structure – a move influenced by shows like QI and Have I Got News For You. It was quite a refreshing experience!

As a cinephile, I can’t help but feel a thrill at the prospect of holiday specials and delving deeper into the stories of historical figures who have yet to grace our screens. In essence, we’ve merely scratched the surface in our exploration.

As a humble film critic, I must admit, our production has yet to explore the expansive realm of hosting multiple guests. The demand for such appearances is overwhelming, with countless eager souls yearning to join the conversation.

Akingbola boasts an impressive roster that includes the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Lewis Hamilton, Stormzy, and John Boyega. For him, it would take at least 20 seasons with ITV to showcase all these notables on his list.

Jimmy Akingbola on Sorry, I Didn’t Know: “Black history is everyone’s history”

This season, Akingbola will join forces once more with Akudolu and Eddie Kadi. The host likens their reunion to catching up with a cherished friend, as opposed to just work.

He added: “I believe ‘Sorry, I Didn’t Know’ serves as an excellent starting point for well-established artists who might not be receiving the recognition they deserve.

After that, you’ve witnessed Judi Love pursue her current endeavors. Chizzy participated in Strictly Come Dancing, followed by Eddie who did Strictly the previous year and is now on his own tour. We’ve also welcomed Babatunde [Aléshé] to our lineup.

Working with them feels like a long-cherished dream realized. It’s not only exciting for me, but it also provides an opportunity for them to demonstrate their abilities to the UK and the global community.

Read More

2024-11-24 13:04