...this one all about telly itself

Alan Carr is piloting a new TV series, about TV.

The format, which is being developed for Sky, promises stand-up style monologues and comedy sketches based on the strange moments that have made it to air.

Production company Expectation says: ‘He will go through the week’s television showcasing the funniest, weirdest and downright wrongest moments he’s noticed, along with monologues, sketches and interviews that revel in everything that’s been streamed, downloaded and tuned into. 

‘He will be joined by a bunch of TV heavyweight guests who will join the tomfoolery and chew the telly-fat and gorge on a feast for the eyeballs.’

The company is run by former BBC One boss Peter Fincham and Tim Hincks, former president of major entertainment production house Endemol Shine. 

A try-out version of programme – which is currently simply being referred to as Alan Carr’s Telly Pilot – is being taped in front of a studio audience at Sky’s West London base next month.

It comes six years after Harry Hill last mocked the week’s broadcast output on TV Burp, and is the latest of several possible shows  Carr has been woking on in the past few months – especially since his ‘golden handcuffs’ deal tying him to Channel 4 expired earlier this year.

He hosted  a pilot of The Remote Controller – a format co-created by Hill in which contestants pitched their own ideas for TV shows in a  Dragon's Den-style scenario.

Then  there was the karaoke show  Singalong: The Show, for ITV, as well as revivals of  both The Price Is Right and Play Your Cards Right.

His last gameshow, I Don't Like Mondays, proved a ratings flop for Channel 4, attracting half the usual audience for its 8pm slot. The show involved  contestants vying for year's salary - before resigning from their jobs on air.

The new pilot will be recorded in  the evening of Friday October 12. Click here for free tickets.

Published: 27 Sep 2018