You Can't Ask That

The series was created by Kirk Docker, Aaron Smith and Jon Casimir in 2015, as a spin-off from Hungry Beast.^[3] The first episode of the first season aired on ABC TV on 3 August 2016, as well as on iview.^[4][5]

Its seventh season started airing in May 2022 in Australia.^[3]

The show aims to offer insight into the lives of marginalised communities and break down stereotypes while answering the questions people are afraid to ask,^[4] reportedly inspired by Ask Me Anything (AMA) threads on Reddit.^[6]Each episode asks controversial questions sourced from the public^[7] to a minority Australian population, with the first series including indigenous people, people of short stature, Muslims, sex workers, transgender people and more.^[4] Several representative organisations were credited in the series including Short Statured People of Australia, Scarlet Alliance, Alzheimer's Australia and Exit International, as well as The Karuna Hospice Service and Palliative Care NSW.^[1]

On 28 September 2016, the ABC announced the series had been renewed for a second season.^[8] On 25 October 2017, the ABC announced the series had been renewed for a third season.^[9]

You Can't Ask That won the Rose d'Or for Best Reality or Factual Entertainment in 2017.^[14] It also won 3 UN Media Awards for Promotion of Disability Rights and Issues, Promotion of Social Cohesion and Promotion of Empowerment of Older People.^[15] In 2018 it was nominated for a Logie for Most Outstanding Factual or Documentary Program.^[16]

In July 2017, Kan 11 in Israel began broadcasting a local version of the series under the name "סליחה על השאלה" (Slicha Al HaShe'ela, Excuse me for asking), with total of 98 episodes in 8 seasons (2 of which are in Arabic, and 3 are for kids).^[17]

In February 2019, Dutch broadcaster BNNVARA started broadcasting a local version on public broadcasting channel NPO 3 under the title "Ik durf het bijna niet te vragen" (I hardly dare to ask).

In June 2019, CBC Television in Canada released a local version of the series titled You Can't Ask That with eight episodes.^[18]

An Arabic language version called "بلا مؤاخذة" (bila muakhadha, No Blame) began airing on 21 September 2019 on the Kan 11's sister channel Makan 33.^[19]

In October 2020, a U.S. version of the series was picked up by Current Flow Entertainment. Remake rights were acquired for both English and Spanish language versions.^[20]

• You Can't Ask That at ABC iview
• Screen bites: can a show like You Can't Ask That change the conversation? on Guardian Australia.
• ABC gives minorities a voice in reality TV show You Can’t Ask That on The Australian.
• The Karuna Hospice Service
• Palliative Care NSW