When Shanthi Ranganathan accidentally called comedian Tom Allen ‘Alan’ during a promotional clip for Romesh Ranganathan's Parents' Evening, ITV didn’t panic — they cheered. The blooper, caught on camera and released on Friday, October 24, 2025, became the centerpiece of the network’s marketing push for the third episode of Series 2, airing Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 9:20pm on ITV1 and streaming on ITVX. It’s the kind of unplanned, human moment that TV producers dream of: awkward, hilarious, and utterly real. And in a world of scripted banter and overproduced reality TV, that’s gold.
Why This Mix-Up Works
Here’s the thing — Shanthi Ranganathan isn’t an actress. She’s Romesh’s mum. And in the show’s entire premise, that’s the whole point. Romesh Ranganathan's Parents' Evening doesn’t test how much celebrities know. It tests how much their parents think they know. The format is simple: parents pick questions, bet on answers, and hilarity ensues when the child’s real-life knowledge clashes with their mum’s assumptions. So when Shanthi, mid-recording, fumbles Tom Allen’s name? It’s not a mistake. It’s the show’s DNA.
ITV’s press release called it ‘hilarious’ — and they weren’t being polite. They were right. The clip shows Shanthi, holding a scorecard, squinting at the screen and saying, ‘Tom… Alan? No, Tom. Tom Allen. Right?’ before laughing it off. The crew didn’t cut. They kept rolling. And that’s why viewers are already sharing it. It’s relatable. We’ve all misnamed someone’s cousin at a family barbecue. We’ve all been that parent who thinks their kid’s friend is ‘that nice lad from school’ — when his name’s actually ‘Darius’.
The Lineup for Episode 3
The episode airing Saturday features three celebrity-parent duos, each bringing their own brand of chaos:
- Tom Allen and his mother Irene Allen
- Fleur East and her mother Irene Frimpong-Manso
- Steve Pemberton and his daughter Maddie Pemberton
Tom Allen, known for his dry wit and BBC Radio 4 appearances, is likely to be quizzed on obscure British sitcoms or his time on The Last Leg. Fleur East, the X Factor runner-up turned TV presenter, might face questions about her music career — or whether she still likes pineapple on pizza (a topic she’s publicly debated). Steve Pemberton, one-half of The League of Gentlemen, could be grilled on whether he still remembers the plot of his own TV shows. And Maddie, his daughter, is probably the only person alive who knows the answer.
A Show Built on Authenticity
The first series of Romesh Ranganathan's Parents' Evening drew more than 6.7 million viewers across all broadcasts — a rare win for ITV in the crowded comedy game show space. Why? Because it doesn’t feel like a show. It feels like a family gathering you accidentally walked into. Romesh, as host, is the reluctant mediator. His mum, Shanthi, is the scorekeeper with zero filter. And the celebrities? They’re just trying not to embarrass themselves — or worse, their parents.
The production team, led by creators Shereen Docherty and Benjamin Green, have kept the format consistent: six 60-minute episodes, all airing Saturday nights. No gimmicks. No celebrity judges. Just parents, kids, and a lot of confused questions about whether ‘Downton Abbey’ was a real house or a TV show.
It’s also worth noting: all proceeds go to the celebrities’ chosen charities. That’s not just PR — it’s part of the show’s quiet integrity. You’re not just laughing at someone’s mum. You’re helping her make a difference.
What Comes Next
The second series has three more episodes left after Saturday’s broadcast. While ITV hasn’t revealed the full lineup, past contestants include Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Jo Brand, Carol Vorderman, and Bobby Brazier with his dad Jeff. That’s a mix of news, comedy, and reality TV royalty — all brought together by the same weird, wonderful rule: it’s not about what you know. It’s about what your mum thinks you know.
And honestly? That’s why this show works. In an era of algorithms and AI-generated content, we’re craving the messy, unpolished truth. A mum forgetting a name. A dad thinking ‘The Crown’ is a documentary. A daughter who knows her dad’s entire filmography but can’t tell you what ‘NFT’ stands for. That’s not entertainment. That’s family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did ITV use the ‘Alan’ mix-up in their promo?
ITV used the moment because it perfectly captures the show’s charm: authentic, unscripted family chaos. The clip isn’t a mistake to hide — it’s the show’s essence. Viewers connect with real human moments, not polished performances. The promo leverages that relatability to drive viewership, especially since the first series drew over 6.7 million viewers.
Who are the main people involved in the show?
Host and producer Romesh Ranganathan leads the show, with his mother Shanthi Ranganathan as the scorekeeper. The format pairs celebrities like Tom Allen, Fleur East, and Steve Pemberton with their parents or children, creating comedic tension between what the child knows and what the parent thinks they know.
How many episodes are in Series 2, and when do they air?
Series 2 consists of six 60-minute episodes, all airing Saturday nights at 9:20pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The third episode, featuring Tom Allen, Fleur East, and Steve Pemberton, airs on October 25, 2025. The remaining three episodes will follow over the next three weeks, though specific guest lineups beyond Episode 3 have not been officially confirmed.
Is the show available to stream anywhere else besides ITVX?
No — ITVX is the exclusive streaming platform for the show in the UK. It replaced the old ITV Hub in 2022 and offers all episodes on-demand, with parental controls required due to the show’s ‘strong language, adult humour’ rating. International viewers may find it on select partner platforms, but no official global distribution has been announced yet.
What charities benefit from the show?
Each celebrity contestant selects their own charity, and proceeds from the show — including ad revenue and digital engagement — are donated. Past beneficiaries include mental health charities, children’s hospitals, and organisations supporting refugees. While exact figures aren’t public, the show’s format encourages viewer donations during broadcasts, making it more than just comedy — it’s a platform for giving.
Why does the show feel different from other quiz shows?
Unlike traditional quiz shows that test knowledge, this one tests misunderstanding. The comedy comes from parents asking their adult children questions about things they clearly don’t know — like whether ‘The Crown’ is real history, or if a comedian’s TV character is their actual personality. It’s not about right answers. It’s about how much parents think they know their kids — and how hilariously wrong they usually are.
