Have I Got News For You to be rivalled by new ITV kids’ programme
IAN Hislop and Paul Merton had better look out, as a new generation of wisecrackers are set to give the Have I Got News For You veterans a run for their money.
ITV is working on a 30-minute rival programme in which KIDS will deliver their hilarious verdicts on the week’s headlines.
The Gogglebox-style primetime show is called The News At Five And A Half. Primary-aged youngsters will offer their takes on everything from Boris Johnson’s latest Covid calamity to Donald Trump leaving the White House . . . if the US President ever does, of course.
A source said: “With shows like Gogglebox a real and continuing hit with TV fans, ITV bosses hope this new series — with children delivering their version of and verdict on the weekly news — is going to likewise triumph in the viewing stakes. Viewers will see exactly how kids perceive the world and pick up news around them, with hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking consequences.”
What ITV’s young panellists lack in age and experience, I’m sure they can make up for in comedy value. Last month, Have I Got News For You marked 30 years on our screens, first on BBC2 and later on BBC1. In the Beeb’s comedy panel show, two teams skippered by Ian and Paul give their satirical take on topics ripped from recent headlines.
The Voice and MasterChef are among the popular shows that have generated junior spin-offs. They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery . . .
JERRY KEEPS SCHWIMMING
DESPITE a turbulent introduction to GCHQ’s cyber crimes unit, NSA liaison Jerry Bernstein, played by David Schwimmer, is staying put.
Intelligence, a Sky One original comedy penned by Nick Mohammed – who also stars as Joseph in the show – is back for a second series next year.
Our exclusive picture shows Joseph and Jerry in the new season.
Series one saw Jerry making enemies left, right and centre at work.
He attempted to grab power but ended up being saved by tactless computer analyst Joseph from being sent back home to the US.
Surely things can’t get any worse a second time around?
Big for your boots
THE boots Ricky Gervais wore to play David Brent during The Life On The Road Tour have sold for £645.
The money raised by the size eight shoes, signed by the comic, will go to the Small Steps charity, which provides shoes and emergency aid to families living on landfill sites around the world.
MASK TEMPTING JO
GAVIN & Stacey’s Joanna Page says she is tempted to sign up for ITV’s The Masked Singer, despite misgivings over her vocal talents.
Fans were convinced she was Octopus in last year’s show, though it was later revealed to be Katherine Jenkins.
Joanna said: “It was my children’s favourite programme and I would have loved to have done it for them.
But unfortunately I don’t have the voice.
“I think I’d want to be something really elaborate, a big sort of animal princess or something.
“My costume would have to be really elaborate and amazing to make up for the fact that when I opened my mouth, my singing wouldn’t be that good and I would probably only last for the first round.”
Don't hold your breath
ALISON Brie is hoping Netflix’s axed female wrestling series Glow will be turned into a film to wrap up the show’s storylines.
The actress, married to actor Dave Franco, said: “All I’m saying is don’t hold your breath – because if it does happen, it might take a minute.”
Michael’s invented The Wheel
MICHAEL McIntyre has used the lockdown creatively – and dreamed up a new BBC1 gameshow, The Wheel.
He will host it too, but hates the fact that someone has to lose. He said: “I always want someone to win, especially in 2020. Can we please just have a happy ending?
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“And everyone’s like, ‘Oh no, you need to have jeopardy. There’s no such thing as jeopardy if somebody always wins’. When filming the other night, nobody won and I found it very upsetting.”
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In the show, which starts on Saturday, punters have to spin a wheel to pick one of seven celebrities to help them answer Michael’s questions and try to win a cash prize.
Gemma Collins, Carol Vorderman, Professor Green and Kate Humble booked to take part so far. I’m glad Michael’s wheels have kept rolling through these tough times.
Er, we’ll call you, Joel
JOEL Dommet might be one of the funniest men on TV, but he clearly wasn’t born with it.
The comedian revealed that he and a pal used to make prank calls from their village phone box to insurance companies – and would compliment them on their competitive rates.
Speaking on the That’s A First podcast, he said: “We used to just get a quote. A prank phone call is supposed to end on a ‘f*** you’ but we’d say ‘oh, that’s really competitive’.” Hilarious.
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