Tough Week Tonight remains the best political entertainment – now in its sixth season

At this point, there's really no need to introduce Tough Week Tonight to anyone even remotely familiar with the local entertainment scene. When Jukka Lindström starts talking on a Saturday night, Kiwis know they're in for some straight-talking. We're now well into the sixth season, and the show just keeps getting better. While many entertainment programs start to feel stale by their second season, this one is like that old mate you can always count on for a good chat – except in this case, it's a chat that'll have you in stitches.

The show's recipe has stayed the same, and why would you mess with a good thing? Each week, Lindström gathers a rotating cast of commentators in the studio, plus a guest pulled from the week's most intriguing news stories. Together, they dissect the events of the past week, and they don't just scratch the surface. Tough Week Tonight is at its absolute best when it digs deep into the nuts and bolts of politics and society – all while putting a wry smile on your face.

What makes this night so special?

When you look at the team behind the scenes, the show's quality is no surprise. The writing is handled by a tight-knit crew including, alongside Lindström himself, Niina Lahtinen who's been there from almost the very start, as well as Anders Helenius, Ursula Herlin, and Janne Zareff. Week in, week out, this mob manages to distil even the most complex issues into sharp sketches and bite-sized discussions. Combine that with the directorial expertise of Gitte Enjala and Maana Rahikainen, and you've got perfect pacing – no awkward silences or dragging moments in the studio.

The panelists' chemistry shifts from week to week, but one thing's for sure: they know their stuff. When they're talking about what the government or the opposition is up to, they actually know what they're on about. Yet the vibe is never dry or preachy. On the contrary, it's some of the best Kiwi-style humour – the kind that's not afraid to go a bit over the top.

• Sharp political analysis without the nastiness – the show knows how to be critical without ever being cheap.
• Rotating panelists bring fresh perspectives every week – from seasoned political figures to cultural commentators.
• Right on the money – they cover the topics the whole country is talking about right now.
• Quick off the mark – if something happens on Thursday, you can bet it'll be analysed and laughed about by Saturday.

The awards speak for themselves

At the Golden Venla Awards 2023, the show took home trophies for both Best Entertainment Program and Best Scriptwriting. That's no small feat, given how tough the competition is in the industry. The judges and audiences agree: this is top-shelf stuff. Behind it all is a powerhouse team, and producer Juha Lahti's touch is evident in the high-quality result. He's been steering the ship from day one, and you can feel it.

International forums have also caught onto this Finnish gem. They particularly praise how a small language region can produce such clever, incisive satire – the kind that doesn't stay local but resonates with a wider audience. Reviews are consistently positive, with many wishing they had something similar in their own country.

Why it still works in 2026

The world keeps changing, but the need for good satire never goes away. If anything, right now when the political climate is tense in places and the news cycle is dizzying, we need someone who can put things in perspective. Tough Week Tonight does that masterfully. It doesn't moralise or point fingers; it gets you thinking for yourself.

Fans rave on social media about how "having something to laugh about together brings people together" and how "it's liberating to see that you can actually laugh at politics." Sure, there are always those who reckon it gets a bit shallow sometimes, but that's part of the package – nothing's going to please everyone all the time. Criticism has mostly been that some jokes fly over your head if you haven't been following the news closely enough. But isn't that precisely the sign of a show that 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 season?

The sixth season is already past the halfway mark, and there are bound to be plenty more classic episodes to come. Each week brings fresh topics, and the writers have proven they can react quickly to rapidly changing situations. You can catch up on past episodes on Yle Areena, but the best experience is definitely watching live on a Saturday night. It's that moment when you can finally put your feet up after a long week and let the pros entertain you.

In the end, you have to say that Tough Week Tonight is more than just a TV show. It's part of the fabric of Finnish entertainment, carrying on the tradition that Noin viikon uutiset honed back in the day. It's a mirror that shows us ourselves and our society – sometimes a bit skewed, but always recognisable. And that's exactly what you want from a great entertainment program.