The Sharp End of the Week remains the best political entertainment on TV – and it's now on its sixth series

At this point, it's almost redundant to introduce The Sharp End of the Week to anyone with even a passing interest in Finnish entertainment. When Jukka Lindström opens his mouth on a Saturday night, a significant portion of the audience knows they're about to hear some home truths. We're now well into the sixth series, and it just keeps getting better. While many entertainment shows start to wear thin by their second series, this one is like an old mate you can always rely on for a good chat – albeit one that really tickles your funny bone.

The show's recipe has stayed the same, and frankly, why would you change it? Each week, Lindström gathers a rotating cast of commentators and one guest plucked from that week's most intriguing news stories. Together, they dissect the past seven days' events, and they don't just scratch the surface. The Sharp End of the Week is at its best when it delves deep into the machinations of politics and society – and manages to put a wry smile on your face while doing it.

What makes this Saturday night special?

When you look at the team behind it, the show's quality is no surprise. The writing is handled by a tight-knit group, including Lindström himself, the ever-present Niina Lahtinen (a near-original member), along with Anders Helenius, Ursula Herlin, and Janne Zareff. Week in, week out, this crew manages to distil even the most complex issues into sharp sketches and witty exchanges. Combine that with the directorial expertise of Gitte Enjala and Maana Rahikainen, and you've got a show with impeccable pacing – no awkward silences or dragging segments here.

The chemistry between panellists changes weekly, but one thing's for sure: they know their stuff. Whether it's the cabinet's latest move or the opposition's counter-punch, they're well-versed in their topics. Yet it never feels dry or lecturing. On the contrary, it's some of the finest Finnish humour around, unafraid to go just that little bit over the top.

• Sharp political analysis without the nastiness – the show knows how to be critical without ever being cheap.
• Rotating panellists bring a fresh perspective every week – from seasoned politicians to cultural commentators.
• Topicality – they tackle the very stories the whole country is talking about right now.
• Quick off the mark – something happens on Thursday, it's dissected and lampooned by Saturday.

The awards speak for themselves

At the 2023 Golden Venla Awards, the show picked up both Best Entertainment Programme and Best Script. That's no mean feat, given the competition. The jury and the public agree: this is top-tier stuff. A strong production team is behind it, and producer Juha Lahti's influence is clear in the quality of the final product. He's been at the helm from the start, and it shows.

Even on international forums, this Finnish gem has been getting noticed. Praise is often heaped on how a small language area can produce such intelligent, razor-sharp satire that transcends the local scene and speaks to a wider audience. Reviews are consistently positive, with many wishing for something similar in their own countries.

Why does it still work in 2026?

The world around us changes, but the need for good satire never goes away. If anything, right now, with the political climate tense in places and the news cycle spinning at a dizzying pace, we need someone who can put things into perspective. The Sharp End of the Week does that masterfully. It doesn't moralise or point fingers; it gets you thinking for yourself.

Fans rave on social media about how "laughing together brings people together" and how "liberating it is to see that you can actually laugh at politics." Sure, there are always those who find it a bit shallow now and then, but that's part and parcel of it – you can't please all the people all the time. Criticism has mostly been that some gags go over your head if you haven't been following the news closely. But isn't that a sign that the show asks something of its audience? It doesn't spoon-feed you; it challenges you to keep up.

What to expect from the rest of the series?

The sixth series is already past the halfway mark, and there are bound to be many more classic episodes to come. Each week brings new topics, and the writers have proven they can react swiftly to changing events. You can catch up on previous episodes on Yle Areena, but the best way to experience it is undoubtedly live on a Saturday night. It's that moment when you can finally clock off for the week and let the professionals do the entertaining.

In the end, you have to say that The Sharp End of the Week is more than just a TV show. It's a part of the Finnish entertainment tradition, carrying the torch once held by shows like Noin viikon uutiset. It's a mirror through which we see ourselves and our society – sometimes a bit skewed, but always recognisable. And that's exactly what you want from a great entertainment programme.