One of the most iconic comedy troupes of the early 2000s is preparing for a long-awaited return. Nearly 20 years after the original series concluded, the cast of Smack the Pony has confirmed plans for a television special, marking the first new material from the trio in over two decades.
Founded by Sally Phillips, Fiona Allen, and Doon MacKichan, the sketch comedy series launched in 1999 and became a cultural touchstone for its absurdist humor and rapid-fire satire. The revival project, now in development, will feature newly written material alongside the creative team responsible for the original format.
The announcement follows a successful 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival performance where the cast reunited for a live audience in a retrospective format. Phillips described the response as “amazing,” noting that audiences still recognized and quoted material from sketches performed decades earlier. “It was really touching to see people connect with work we created in our 20s,” she said.
Efforts to revive the show faced significant obstacles in recent years. In 2019, the cast revealed they had written new sketches and submitted proposals to broadcasters, but encountered repeated rejections. At the time, MacKichan expressed frustration, suggesting age-related biases may have contributed to the lack of support. “It’s astonishing how difficult it’s been,” she remarked, questioning whether age played a role in the industry’s reluctance.
Despite those challenges, momentum has shifted in favor of a revival. Production is now underway for the special, which will reunite the original writing team and expand on the collaborative process that defined the series. The project retains its roots in improvisation and audience-driven humor, with Phillips explaining that sketches were once developed through a writers’ room before being refined live on stage.
While a broadcast date has yet to be announced, the confirmation has generated excitement among fans. For a generation that grew up with the series, the return of Smack the Pony represents more than nostalgia—it signals a renewed appreciation for its genre-defying style and sharp social commentary.
