Room 101 (British TV series)

Room 101 is a British comedy television series based on the torture room of the same name in George Orwell's dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, which held each individual's worst fear. The show aired intermittently from 1994 to 2018, across multiple broadcasters including the BBC and Channel 4.

The format of the show typically involves a celebrity guest who is invited to nominate their pet hates and phobias to be consigned to Room 101. The host, originally Nick Hancock, later Paul Merton, and finally Frank Skinner, challenges the guest on their nominations, often with humorous debate and counter-arguments. The guest must then argue convincingly why their nominated item, concept, or person deserves to be banished to Room 101.

At the end of each nomination discussion, the host decides, based on the guest's arguments and their own amusement, whether the nomination will be accepted into Room 101 or rejected. Rejection means the item remains in the world, much to the guest's dismay. The tone of the show is light-hearted and comedic, focusing on the absurdity of the guest's aversions and the humorous interactions between the guest and host.

Over the years, Room 101 featured a wide variety of nominations ranging from everyday irritations to broader societal issues, providing a comedic lens through which to examine modern anxieties and cultural trends.