Satire is dead? BBC’s Twenty Twenty Six proves there is life in the old dog yet

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When Henry Kissinger received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973, Tom Lehrer famously quipped that satire had become pointless. A similar feeling arose recently when US President Donald Trump was awarded the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize, leading some commentators to feel there was no point in further satirical commentary.

Okay, let me be frank: this year’s tournament, and the US being a host, feels…off. Honestly, it reminds me a little too much of the issues I saw with the Qatar World Cup last year. It’s hard to get excited when things are this strange. Take the fact that our supposed star striker got injured playing for a second-tier English club – seriously? And then scheduling the “Gay Pride match” between Iran and Egypt? It’s almost too much. As a critic, I’m starting to wonder what’s even left to satirize when reality is this absurd.

It turns out the solution is to add a uniquely British sense of humor. Fourteen years ago, just before the London Olympics, we met Ian Fletcher, who was hilariously titled the Games’ “head of deliverance,” in the show Twenty Twelve.

Working with Jessica Hynes’s character, the sharp and seemingly friendly Siobhan Sharpe, he was responsible for important choices like selecting the Olympic torchbearers (between Gok Wan and Peter Andre) and determining the direction of the official countdown clock – he handled all the major decisions.

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John Morton struck gold again in 2014 with W1A, a hilarious and insightful satire of the BBC. The show playfully exaggerated the corporation’s self-importance, poking fun at trendy creative meetings – memorably featuring Alan Yentob and Salman Rushdie playfully arm-wrestling – and endless, jargon-filled discussions. Simon Harwood (played by Jason Watkins) constantly exclaimed “Brilliant!” while Ian Fletcher, now the BBC’s “head of values,” continued to look worried and struggle with his folding bike.

It’s telling that Ian Fletcher is perfectly suited to his new role as the anonymous “director of integrity” for a football organization in 2026. Even with the increased resources and professionalization of the US World Cup, this somewhat clumsy British character feels right at home.

Miami’s unique atmosphere is bringing some unexpected moments. There’s playful confusion arising from differences in how English is spoken – for example, a simple phrase like “Shall we begin?” being seen as distinctly British. There’s also some tension about Canada and Mexico sharing hosting duties, with the United States seeming to overshadow them. And the event’s organizers are using a new digital platform called “Far Corner” to connect with guests, which is leaving some who aren’t familiar with soccer a bit puzzled.

What makes Twenty Twenty Six truly funny are the familiar office quirks that followed them from their old London location: the higher you climb in the company, the less actual work you do; meetings filled with endless talk but few results; the idea that confidence can exist without real expertise; and, naturally, the subtle power plays surrounding a personal assistant bringing coffee during a meeting.

Adding to the charm is Will Humphries, played by Hugh Skinner, a delightfully clueless and innocent character. His sole purpose seems to be stumbling into saving the day with a blank stare and a casual, rambling response like, “Yeah, no, cool, yeah, no worries, say again.”

Everyone’s wondering what Ian Fletcher will do next. He’s joked about swapping his bicycle for a Vespa and taking on the challenge of managing Italy’s national football team, which surprisingly hasn’t qualified for the World Cup since winning in 2006. He seems optimistic, believing every problem has a solution, so things are looking positive.

Authors

Caroline Frost

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2026-04-15 11:04