The new TLC panel show "Unacceptable" has been described as a "sneering, insulting shambles" by TV critic Christopher Stevens, who cited host Romesh Ranganathan's comments about the Royal Family as particularly egregious. Stevens' review, published on July 5, 2026, awarded the show one out of five stars.
Ranganathan reportedly mocked the Royal Family, comparing them to a soap opera and even referencing the death of Princess Diana. According to Stevens, Ranganathan's remarks drew a "warning rumble" from the audience. Comedian Joanne McNally is also noted to have made a suggestion about Prince Harry undergoing a DNA test live on air, and Ranganathan allegedly made further libellous insults regarding the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Stevens highlighted what he deemed hypocrisy in Ranganathan's conduct, noting that the comedian had previously performed at a Christmas party for palace staff and hosted the Royal Variety Performance. Ranganathan's material also included accusations of racism, presented facetiously, and jokes about being booked as both a waiter and a comedian for palace staff.
The show's format is described as a mix of "Would I Lie To You?" and "Unforgivable," featuring two teams of comedians. Guests mentioned include Roisin Conaty, Katherine Ryan, and Sophie Willan, with Ed Gamble as the compere. Stevens criticized the show's editing as "ragged" and found that none of the rounds effectively worked.
"Unacceptable" is a new offering from TLC, a channel that launched on Freeview in January 2026. The show's segments involved players attempting to persuade the audience to vote for "unacceptable" ideas, with Ranganathan facetiously arguing the Royal Family deserved more money, and Katherine Ryan suggesting all men should undergo vasectomies at birth. Other debated statements included "I truly believe women aren't funny" and "cheating once doesn't count."
Stevens also commented on the presence of comedians' relatives on the show, suggesting it was a contractual requirement for Ranganathan and Ryan to have their mothers and husbands appear, respectively. The review noted the presence of other comedians such as Richard Ayoade and Ed Gamble in promotional materials for the show. The article also briefly mentioned Alexander Armstrong appearing naked on "Across America" as a separate anecdote.