Series R

Series R is the eighteenth series of QI which first aired from 28th May 2020. The choice to air the series sooner than usual was due to the COVID19 pandemic or, as Sandi put it, "some technical difficulties with the BBC's summer schedule".

'R' is for...
From Series P, the title sequence has contained images of things beginning with the series letter. For series R, these are: Rabbit, Rose, Rice, Rocket, Rosa Parks, Rhino, Roller Skates and Rainbow.

Coronavirus
Series R was partially filmed during the coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic which led to a couple of changes to the show. Firstly, it was aired in May rather than in autumn as the BBC were running out of fresh content to broadcast. This was was common across several UK channels at the time as social distancing rules made it difficult to record new shows.

Secondly, it marked the first time QI was filmed without a live studio audience. Again, due to social distancing, it was in the interest of public safety to remove the audience for the episodes recorded later in the series. David Mitchell stated that "there's no point saying anything amusing - there's no-one to hear it".