The WORST episodes of Channel 4 (UK) Documentaries
Every episode of Channel 4 (UK) Documentaries ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Channel 4 (UK) Documentaries!
Channel 4, in common with the other main British stations, airs a highly comprehensive range of programming. It was established in 1982 with a specific intention of providing programming to groups of minority interests, not catered for by its competitors, which at the time amounted to only the BBC and ITV.
#1 - The Secret World of Emily Bronte
Season 2018 - Episode 53 - Aired 12/29/2018
Two hundred years after the author's birth, Lily Cole - an admirer of Bronte's work - explores her world and the groundbreaking novel she produced, Wuthering Heights. Given that Bronte had to publish her book under the androgynous pseudonym Ellis Bell, Cole goes on to consider the parallels in terms of contemporary women's ongoing struggle to achieve equal pay, recognition and opportunity in their chosen profession.
#2 - Steph & Dom: Can Cannabis Save Our Son
Season 2019 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/28/2019
Documentary following former Gogglebox stars Steph and Dom Parker as they try to help their 18-year-old son Max, who has severe epilepsy and suffers more than 100 seizures a day - any one of which could be fatal. Medicinal marijuana is being used to reduce or even eliminate the deadly seizures, but, like thousands of families across the UK, they are currently being refused this treatment. The film follows Steph, Dom and daughter Honor as they try to work out just how effective medicinal cannabis could be.
#3 - Sounds of '69
Season 1999 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/7/1999
Documentary examining the 19 number one singles of 1969. Alan Freeman & Tony Blackburn host.
#4 - The Ultimate Pop Stars : the UK's Official 50 Best-selling Artists
Season 2004 - Episode 23 - Aired 2/22/2004
Best selling artists in UK as at 2004
#5 - A Year of British Murder
Season 2019 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/21/2019
Between January 1 and December 31, 2017, 768 people died as a result of murder or manslaughter in Britain - approximately 14 people a week. This documentary tells the stories of some of those cases, following victims' families and friends from the immediate aftermath of the crime, through the court process and beyond, as they try to rebuild their lives. The programme also goes beyond individual incidents to ask what the patterns of murder say about the state of modern Britain.
#6 - Roy `Chubby` Brown - Britain's Rudest Comedian
Season 2007 - Episode 47 - Aired 5/8/2007
The country's crudest comic opens the door to his shocking world. This one-hour observational documentary follows Roy as he tours the country. Royston Vasey, a.k.a. Roy 'Chubby' Brown, is Britain's rudest comedian, infamous for his outrageously racist, sexist and homophobic gags. It's an accolade that's meant he's never been allowed to perform on TV. But this has turned out to be more of a blessing than a curse as he's done very well for himself off the back of his army of fans buying his videos, DVDs, audio cassettes and show tickets. But how different is Roy Vasey from his stage persona 'Chubby' Brown? Film maker Will Yapp follows him around for a few months in 2005 and attempts to find out, following Roy as he goes on tour, re-visits his home town of Middlesborough, shares his family life and prepares for his first appearance on TV in 18 years on The Frank Skinner Show. Are the bigoted, offensive jokes he tells on stage just his act or personal views with a nastier edge to them?
#7 - Brexit: The Uncivil War
Season 2019 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/7/2019
Drama by James Graham providing a behind-the-scenes exploration of the 2016 referendum on whether the UK should leave the European Union, which has had far-reaching consequences. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Dominic Cummings, the leading strategist and campaign director of Vote Leave, while Rory Kinnear is Craig Oliver, who oversaw Remain's communications strategy, as the programme examines the anatomy of a modern data-driven election campaign, and each side's controversial backers.
#8 - 21 Kids and Counting
Season 2019 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/3/2019
Britain's biggest family is about to get even bigger as 21 Kids and Counting follows the chaotic and fascinating lives of Britain's largest family in the lead-up to the birth of their 10th baby girl. And for every baby that parents Sue and Noel welcome to the family, another one is preparing to fly the nest. The cameras return to the family home in Lancashire, as the teenage Radfords grapple with big life decisions, such as moving out of the home, learning to drive, choosing a career, and how to get any privacy in a house that's packed to the rafters with kids. As the family prepares for the next arrival, Sue and Noel decide to head off on a super-sized package holiday to Benidorm, with 20 kids in tow. With Sue and Noel spending quality time with the kids in the sun, 21 Kids and Counting offers a warm-hearted look at parenting, family, growing up, and growing up surrounded by 10 times more brothers and sisters than the average British household.
#9 - What Britain Bought in 2018
Season 2019 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/2/2019
Mary Portas surveys Britain's spending habits over the past 12 months, revealing customers' passions, fashions, fads and faux pas during 2018. Throughout the programme, Mary goes inside a £2billion delivery company to find out how the UK became a takeaway nation, and sees how some of the biggest high street names and companies are attempting to be more ethical and cut down on their use of plastic. She also finds out how veganism went from marginal to mainstream and how companies have responded to consumers'
#10 - Britain's Wildest Weather 2018
Season 2018 - Episode 55 - Aired 12/30/2018
At times funny and at times frightening, Britain's Wildest Weather 2018 tells the story of an incredible extreme weather year through first-hand accounts and eye-popping footage filmed by the people who were caught in the eye of the storms. From the infamous 'Beast from the East', which brought record-breaking snowfalls across the country, to our blistering summer heatwave and devastating rural and urban wildfires, this was a weather year to remember. Rural communities high in the Cumbrian hills were snowed in and London neighbourhoods faced terrifying urban wildfires. Experts explain where our weather comes from, how it affected us in 2018, and why.
#11 - Big Ben: Countdown to New Year
Season 2018 - Episode 54 - Aired 12/30/2018
2018 Episode: As the clock tower is dismantled into thousands of pieces and sent for repair, new technologies uncover astonishing secrets of the past. But will Ben's bells be ready in time to chime for New Year?
#12 - All Inclusive Holiday: Is it Really Worth It?
Season 2019 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/31/2019
Journalist Alexis Conran investigates all-inclusive holidays and asks whether they are genuinely good value for money. He also teams up with travel experts to offer insider tips, and goes head to head with a vacation-ready family to see if he can mirror their trip by doing things independently - and beat them on budget. Can hotels really give holiday-makers a genuine deal without compromising on quality?
#13 - Rob Rinder's Good Year, Bad Year
Season 2018 - Episode 52 - Aired 12/28/2018
End-of-year review show in which the man best known as ITV's Judge Rinder casts an unflinching eye, razor-sharp legal mind and acerbic tongue over the events of 2018, to determine once and for all whether the year will be chalked up as being a `good' or `bad' one. With the help of guests Anthony Scaramucci, Deborah Frances-White, Ed Balls, Clare Balding, George Osborne, Tez Ilyas and David Baddiel, Rob delves deep into all the news stories, people and talking points of the year. Uncompromising, perceptive and funny, he gives a fresh take on the big issues while also reminding viewers of the hilarious tiny details already forgotten in the post-Christmas haze
#14 - Courtney Act's Christmas Extravaganza
Season 2018 - Episode 51 - Aired 12/24/2018
Global drag sensation Courtney Act celebrates Christmas in spectacular style with Leona Lewis, Little Mix and Zara Larsson. Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock gets a full drag makeover, and in a UK exclusive Courtney is also joined by Drag Race icons Adore Delano, Bianca Del Rio and Darienne Lake.
#15 - Celebrity Call Centre at Christmas
Season 2018 - Episode 50 - Aired 12/19/2018
The Call Centre reopens at Christmas, as celebrities including Debbie McGee and Goggleboxers Steph and Dom tackle the public's queries - from festive dilemmas to affairs of the heart.
#16 - The World's Most Extraordinary Christmas Dinners
Season 2018 - Episode 49 - Aired 12/19/2018
This programme meets the people whose ambition and creativity have no limits as they strive to achieve the world's most extraordinary Christmas dinners. Nasa astronaut Anne McClain will be spending Christmas day on the International Space Station. Each meal that she has in space has to be carefully selected and prepared in advance, so she and the food technicians go through every meal while she's still on Earth, and hope that it tastes as good in zero gravity. On a nuclear submarine at the bottom of the ocean, 150 submariners tuck in to a Christmas dinner that was carefully prepared and stored before the sub set off. Their mission is so secret that on Christmas Day only six crew members have any idea where in the world they are.
#17 - Paul Heaton - From Hull to Heatongrad
Season 2018 - Episode 48 - Aired 12/12/2018
Exploring the life and career of one of the UK's most successful songwriters - the man behind the much-loved songs of The Housemartins, The Beautiful South and latterly Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott
#18 - The Real Brexit Debate
Season 2018 - Episode 47 - Aired 12/9/2018
Krishnan Guru-Murthy chairs a live Brexit debate, with four high-profile politicians who represent the main divisions between MPs on Brexit and an audience with diverse perspectives.
#19 - World's Weirdest Homes
Season 2018 - Episode 46 - Aired 12/5/2018
From a giant sandcastle and a farm that floats on the ocean, to the tallest single-family home on the planet, Charlie Luxton explores jaw-dropping homes, and examines why the people who live in them choose to escape the everyday world. The funny, heart-warming and insightful programme meets a Bible-obsessed Dutch entrepreneur, a group of scientists pretending they live on Mars, and a billionaire YouTube celebrity with his own zoo full of wild animals named after Versace, Gucci and Paris Hilton, revealing what it takes to live in a one-of-a-kind wonder.
#20 - Finding Mum And Dad
Season 2014 - Episode 73 - Aired 1/14/2014
A look behind the scenes of a bold new scheme designed to help children find adoptive parents. Connor and Daniel are brothers. For over 12 months, they've been in care, waiting to be adopted. But, as sibling boys, aged six and four, they are 'hard to place'.
#21 - Finding Mum And Dad
Season 2014 - Episode 72 - Aired 1/14/2014
A look behind the scenes of a bold new scheme designed to help children find adoptive parents. Connor and Daniel are brothers. For over 12 months, they've been in care, waiting to be adopted. But, as sibling boys, aged six and four, they are 'hard to place'.
#22 - John and Yoko: Above Us Only Sky
Season 2018 - Episode 45 - Aired 11/24/2018
John and Yoko: Above Us Only Sky is the untold story of John Lennon's album Imagine, released in 1971. The underlying message was one of radical engagement, as relevant today as ever. This film reveals the depth of the creative collaboration between John and Yoko and explores how the art, politics and music of the pair are intrinsically entwined. The album, and its iconic title track, shows the genius behind the music that defined a movement and marked an era. Above Us Only Sky recounts a story of hope, justice, empathy and love.
#23 - The Secrets of the 12 Disciples
Season 2008 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/23/2008
In The Secrets of the Twelve Disciples, broadcast in Easter 2008, Beckford explored Paul the Apostle's role in founding the Church and his relationship with Jesus' family; the Roman Catholic Church's claim to Saint Peter; Thomas the Apostle's travels to India; James, son of Zebedee as a patron saint of Spain; the demonisation of Judas Iscariot; and female Apostles.
#24 - The Curry House Kid
Season 2019 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/29/2019
At their height there were 12,000 curry houses in Britain, the vast majority run by Bangladeshi immigrants. Akram Khan's father was one of them, and he expected his son to inherit the family business. But Akram had other ideas: he wanted to dance. Now he's one of the world's leading dancers and choreographers. This film sees Akram return to the curry houses of his childhood, meeting the chefs who created this culinary institution in the face of hostility and, often, violent racism. Exploring their stories of immigration, this effortlessly global artist comes face to face with his own past, his family history and the reasons why he became a dancer. All of this is woven into a poetic new piece of dance that tells a universal story - the immigrant experience in Britain.
#25 - Inside Jaguar: A Supercar is Reborn
Season 2019 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/27/2019
Car enthusiast Mark Evans is witness to the resurrection from scratch of the XKSS, a legendary lost supercar from the 1950s and one of the most sought after cars in the world.