Sky orders comedy dating show Gagging For It & Kae Kurd fitness series
- Sky has commissioned its first YouTube series, from comedians Kae Kurd, Andrew Mensah, Kyrah Gray and Stevo The Madman
- The shorts launch next month with a fitness-focused series from Kurd, "unfiltered" interviews from Fantasy Football presenter Mensah, a glimpse into Stevo The Madman's home life and a dating show for funny singletons fronted by Gray
- "I love working with outstanding creative collaborators and this project with Sky showcases some of the very best comic talent and content creators, alongside the biggest next generation producer/director talent" said Kurd
Sky has commissioned a dating show hosted by stand-up Kyrah Gray that rewards singles with a good sense of humour, British Comedy Guide can exclusively reveal.
Gagging For It is one of four short-form comedy series that the broadcaster is launching on its YouTube channel next month, along with shows from comics Kae Kurd, Andrew Mensah and Stevo The Madman.
Kurd presents the fitness-themed Sets And Reps; internet personality Stevo welcomes viewers to his life in The Mad House and former Fantasy Football League star Mensah hosts the "unfiltered" interview series Media Trained.
In Sets And Reps, which launches on 10th April, Kurd and his guests attempt to follow the most extreme fitness regimes of the world's biggest celebrities. Guided by the stand-up's own personal trainer, fitness influencer Diren Kartal, each episode will focus on a different hardcore workout. From a Hollywood actor's gruelling superhero movie training to a supermodel's brutal martial arts routine, Kartal will ensure that both Kurd and his guest complete the difficult, sometimes even ridiculous, exercise challenges.
"What an incredible year 2025 is shaping up to be!" Kurd said. "I love working with outstanding creative collaborators and this project with Sky showcases some of the very best comic talent and content creators, alongside the biggest next generation producer/director talent. Huge shoutout to Dwayne Eaton and the remarkable team at Sky for allowing us to create something really special. We can't wait for you all to see it!"
Launching on 22nd April, The Mad House follows Stevo, a chaotic yet lovable dad, juggling family life, podcasting, and celebrity chaos all under one roof. From awkward co-parenting nights to improvised music videos in the backyard and date-night disasters, Stevo's life promises to be a whirlwind of hilarious mishaps.
Each episode dives into his unconventional parenting, blended family dynamics, and the unpredictable antics of his daughters. Featuring behind-the-scenes footage, celebrity cameos, and Stevo's candid "to-camera" moments, the show offers a comedic and heartfelt glimpse into his world, pledging to be "a raw, laugh-out-loud look at the life of a YouTube sensation trying to have it all - his way."
Stevo, aka ex-professional footballer and record producer turned online comedian Kevin Alexander Stephens, who has more than half a million followers on Instagram, or "Spartans" as he calls his fans, said: "We're bringing the madness to the masses! This is a true dream come true for me and the family and the Spartans, who have grown up with us.
"It's been brilliant to work with Wall of Entertainment on The Mad House, and I'm so thankful that the world will now have the opportunity to be part of the Stevo The Madman world!"
Media Trained, which starts 8th May, promises to throw "traditional interviews out of the window", offering "unfiltered moments with today's biggest names in youth culture."
Mensah's "cheeky humour and laid-back style [will] reveal what celebs are really like, from football stars, and trailblazing musicians to internet icons. Each episode features playful banter and unexpected confessions, diving into what fans truly want to know. Expect big laughs and moments where things might just go off the rails - in the best way possible."
The comic, who hosted two series of Fantasy Football League on Sky Max with Matt Lucas and Elis James, said: I've seen too many interviews asking the same bland questions, so I can't wait to get these people into my world and ask the questions I want to ask. Nothing is off limits."
Finally, Gagging For It, which launches 20th May, will see Gray, who routinely talks about dating in her stand-up, helping funny people to find love.
Each episode follows a different set of potential suitors trying to find a love match with a "sensational single who finds a sense of humour to be the most attractive quality in a partner", with the "single jokers flexing their comedy muscles over a series of challenges designed to showcase their comedy chops.
"As much about falling in laugh as it is about falling in love ... the competing singles will need to bring their funny A-game to keep the picker laughing and stay in the running for a date". Gray will be on hand at the end of each round "to help the picker decide who stands the chance of a date, and who they want to eliminate".
She said: "I'm super excited to be working on this project for Sky. Alongside Vibrant Television, we have created a funny and entertaining dating format that showcases my sense of humour and taps into my ethos for finding love - 'It doesn't matter if you're not fine, you just better be funny!'"
Sets And Reps is written and produced by Eleanor Lawrence, whose credits include writing for Anna Paquin's Amazon Prime dramedy Flack. The short is directed and produced by Anthony Williams, who worked on Kurd's stand-up special Spoken Kurd, as well as Mo Gilligan: There's Mo To Life and Babatunde Aléshé: Babahood. Kurd's managers Pollyanna McGirr and David Geli executive produce for their company Lucky 17 (Mo Gilligan & Friends: The Black British Takeover).
Created by Stephens, Mandem On The Wall's Joivan Wade and Shakii Mongulu (The Filly & Harry Show), with the latter duo also writing and directing, The Mad House is executive produced by Wade, Percelle Ascott and Sheila Nortley for their company Wall of Entertainment (Harry Pinero's Worst In Class).
Media Trained is produced and directed by production designer-turned-helmer Jason Mbala (Nella Rose's Flight Mode) for Renowned Films (Pranksterz). The executive producers are Kate Maddigan and Duane Jones.
Gagging For It is executive produced by Harry Hill's regular collaborator Mob Dar and Bernard Markey for their fledgling production company Vibrant TV.
The four digital shorts, Sky's first of any genre to launch on its YouTube channel, were commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, executive director, Unscripted Originals at Sky for Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and chief content officer for Sky. The commissioning editor is Dwayne Eaton.