Channel 4 to launch brand new TV show where couples and families use agony aunt robot to solve arguments
TECHNOLOGY has already taken over our lives and soon it will be pivotal to reality shows too.
That’s because Channel 4 is planning a series using a robot to help solve family dilemmas and disputes.
The cyborg, called Jess, can hold complex conversations with humans — meaning she’s already got a head start on on the KARDASHIANS.
A casting call posted online by the channel reads: “Jess is a social robot for the home. She can help and give a fresh insight into your issue.
“Jess is currently being tested and we are looking for a cross section of people to take part.
“Something you want to get off your chest?
“Want to settle a feud or a disagreement? Want a reason to finally make a huge change in your life?
"Whatever it is, we’re looking for fantastic couples and families who could benefit from meeting Jess.”
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The as-yet unnamed show will be the second TV series based on machines, since the BBC launched combat competition Robot Wars in 1998.
Perhaps if Jess has been inspired by the likes of Matilda or Sir Killalot from the BBC series, she’ll be able to step in if things get physical, too.
A spokesperson said: It’s a radical change of direction for the broadcaster whose reality shows Naked Attraction, First Dates and Gogglebox have all been ratings hits.”
Contestants for the show will meet Jess on September 18 when filming is expected to start.
I hope she doesn’t start flirting with the camera.
Robot stars could create a new genre of entertainment.
TV bosses would snap up The AI Factor with Cyborg Cowell and Game Of Drones.
Read on for more of Dan Wootton's Bizarre TV column
Mel looking sharp for Si
MEL B is known for being hot-tempered but stabbing SIMON COWELL is fiery even for her.
Knives were out after the America’s Got Talent judges arrived for auditions at California’s Dolby Theatre on Tuesday.
Simon and Mel – sporting pink hair and a string frock – were feuding after a dispute on the show’s previous episode saw her chuck a glass of water over him before storming off set.
After a magician’s flop performance, Simon had said: “I imagine this would be like Mel B’s wedding night. A lot of anticipation, not much promise of delivery.”
But she took her revenge this week when a mentalist act got her to stab Si several times with a fake knife as part of his thrilling routine.
A startled Simon said: “Okay! I’ve got it. I’m dead.”
Her on-screen fury comes after Mel called it quits with a mystery Beverly Hills cop boyfriend this week.
After three months of dating, she had discovered the hunky officer is still married.
A source said: “Mel isn’t a homewrecker and feels awful.”
Hopefully all her anger’s out now.
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There's hope for repeat offenders
IT’S been off-screens for 11 years but don’t rule out a comeback for prison drama Bad Girls.
Series stars CLAIRE KING and DEBRA STEPHENSON were reunited on Loose Women and admitted they would love to go back inside for a repeat sentence.
Aked if she would want to bring back the show, Claire, who played guard Karen Betts, said: “I probably would. It was such good fun.
"You would think it would be a nightmare with women trapped in an area for eight months but we made it work.”
And Debra, who played prisoner Shell Dockley, echoed: “I would do it.”
Bad Girls achieved cult status when it ran on ITV from 1999 to 2006.
Debra went on to form a partnership with fellow impressionist JON CULSHAW – they voiced puppets on Newzoids – and played Frankie Baldwin in Coronation Street.
You’d need handcuffs to drag her back to Corrie, though.
She told the panel: “I don’t think I can see myself going back. The work schedule on that is relentless.”
It’s probably better than solitary confinement.
Future's un-shore for Gaz
GARY BEADLE might have the next 18 years worked out – but his Geordie Shore future is still up in the air.
The TV regular whose girlfriend Emma McVey is pregnant, is yet to decide whether he’ll come back to the MTV show following his family news.
Co-star MARNIE SIMPSON says she would understand if he packs in the raucous lifestyle as he is to become a dad for the first time.
In an exclusive interview, Marnie said: “You can’t really be in Geordie Shore – it’s not fair on Emma.
“I understand why he’d leave. He hasn’t actually confirmed. We didn’t know it was going on because him and Emma weren’t going out in the series.”
Gary and Emma dropped their baby bombshell on Instagram last week.
Alongside a pic of the two of them cuddling up with a pair of baby booties, Gaz wrote: “SO SO SO excited to eventually be able to tell you all this . . . I AM GOING TO BE A DAD . . .”
Castmate NATHAN HENRY said: “We don’t know what Gaz is doing yet. It would make sense for him to leave because he’s always wanted to be a dad.
“If he does go I’ll be sad. He’s the veteran – he’s the dad of the group.”
Quite literally.
Biz bit
LOUIS WALSH’s talentjudging calendar is filling up.
After three months on X Factor, Ireland’s Got Talent launches in January.
He will be joined on that panel by one of the judges from RuPaul’s Drag Race, MICHELLE VISAGE.
Soapbox
THE news about Steven’s cancer leaves Jane and Ian devastated in EASTENDERS.
But when she tells him about alternative treatment available in America, he claims he is not interested because he doesn’t want false hope.
Later, when Steven and Ian are out, Jane makes a shocking discovery that could bring his web of lies crumbling down.
On EMMERDALE, Robert starts to panic when Rebecca tells him she has booked a doctor’s appointment for Lawrence.
He begins to worry that his secret drugging of Lawrence will finally be exposed when the doctor takes a blood sample for testing.
Later Robert turns up at the surgery pretending to be there on Rebecca’s behalf and forms a plan when Emma tells him the sample has not been sent off yet.