BBC to create musical spin-off of Hollywood hit Pitch Perfect with contestants battling in acapella riff-offs
Reality show will see rival singing groups fight it out in a variety of musical styles - like in film starring Anna Kendrick
THE BBC is turning to a Hollywood blockbuster to provide the latest twist on a Saturday night talent show.
Beeb bosses are pinning their hopes on musical comedy Pitch Perfect, which starred ANNA KENDRICK and was a surprise hit in 2012.
The talent show, currently titled Pitch Battle, will be shown in the primetime slot for six weeks next summer.
It will feature rival singing groups fighting it out in a variety of musical styles across five hour-long heats before a live final.
And just like in the film that inspired it, there will be a round of amazing riff-offs — where teams compete singing the same songs — along with solo and a cappella challenges.
A telly source revealed: “Pitch Perfect has been an incredible success in the last few years so it makes great sense.
“GARETH MALONE has tried a similar concept with his series The Naked Choir but this will be a lot more playful and fun.
“The BBC is convinced this idea has legs.”
Pitch Perfect has become the second-highest-grossing musical comedy movie behind JACK BLACK’s School of Rock.
The film, which also starred REBEL WILSON, has spawned two sequels.
The BBC could do a lot worse than ask her to judge.
Line-up shines
THIS is the first official pic of the cast of GARY BARLOW’s new talent show Let It Shine.
He judges with MARTIN KEMP, DANNII MINOGUE and guest AMBER RILEY, while MEL GIEDROYC and GRAHAM NORTON are hosts.
I had a sneak peek of the first episode and absolutely loved it.
If the show is anything to go by, the TAKE THAT musical it is finding stars for will be a hit too.
SOAPBOX
DRAMA hits the Dales as drunk Moira insists on driving home from the pub in EMMERDALE.
As her van veers towards Jacob, Pete tries to save him and gets hit instead. Cain covers for Moira, which has serious consequences. In EASTENDERS Martin tries to patch things up with an angry Bex and Phil drops a bombshell on Billy, not realising he’s been overheard by Jay. As Albert Square’s residents prepare for the first Walford Christmas Show, something tells me this isn’t going to go to plan.
Only room for one Joseph at the inn
JOEY ESSEX doesn’t like sharing the limelight, just ask one poor six-year-old boy at his old school.
The poor lad had his role in the school nativity pinched by the former Towie star as part of his new ITV2 show Educating Joey Essex: What You Sleighing?
He said: “He was fuming, the little boy was so fuming.
“He kept saying to me ‘you’ve taken my role’. The kid was still in it . . . just not Joseph, he was like a sheep.”