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Devised, produced and directed by Ned Sherrin, cast members included: David Frost, Roy Kinnear, Bernard Levin and Willie Rushton. The programme opened with a song — also entitled That Was The Week That Was — sung by Millicent Martin and enumerating topics that had been in the past week's news. Off-screen script-writers included Bill Oddie and Keith Waterhouse.

The programme was groundbreaking in its lampooning of the establishment. Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was initially supportive of the programme, chastising the then- Postmaster GeneralIn the United Kingdom, the Postmaster General is a now defunct ministerial position. The king's letters to his subjects are known to have been carried by relays of couriers as long ago as the 15th century. In 1510, Sir Brian Tuke was appointed as "Master Reginald Bevins (nominally in charge of broadcasting) for threatening to "do something about it". During the Profumo affair, however, he became one of the programme's chief targets for derision. After two successful seasons in 1962 and 1963, the programme did not return in 1964Events January January 1 Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved. January 3 Senator Barry Goldwater announces that he will seek the Republican nomination for President. January 5 In the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Ort, as this was an election year and the BBC decided it would be unduly influential.

At the end of each episode, Frost would usually sign off with: "That was the week, that was." At the end of the final programme he announced: "That was That Was The Week That Was...that was."

As with many contemporary BBC shows, the videotapes were erased in order to reduce archival costs. A compilation taken from telerecordingTelerecording (known as kinescoping in the USA) is the British name for a process pioneered during the 1940s for the storing of electronically-shot television programmes on film, which was used for the preservation, re-broadcasting and sale of televisions of the original live broadcasts was recently shown on BBC FOUR. Although historically interesting, most of the recordings are of very poor quality.

An American version of TW3 was broadcast on the NBCSteff Geissbuhler. The feathers are said to represent the network's six divisions. NBC Universal Television is an American television network based in New York's Rockefeller Center. As of May 2004, it became part of NBC Universal. NBC supplies programming television network from January 10January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 355 days remaining (356 in leap years). Events 49 BC Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon which signaled civil war. 1072 Robert Guiscard conquers Palermo. 1776 Thomas Paine publishes, 1964Events January January 1 Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved. January 3 Senator Barry Goldwater announces that he will seek the Republican nomination for President. January 5 In the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Ort, to May, 1965. This version had a cast that included Frost, Buck Henry and Alan Alda; contributors included Gloria Steinem, Tom Lehrer and Calvin Trillin.

A Canadian show, This Hour Has Seven Days, aired from 1964 to 1966 on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Although partially inspired by That Was The Week That Was, the Canadian show mixed satirical aspects with more serious journalism. It also proved highly controversial, and like its inspiration, was cancelled after two seasons amid allegations of political interference.

In a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, voted for by industry professionals, That Was The Week That Was was placed 29th.