James Acaster and Josh Widdicombe to host new TV panel show
- Josh Widdicombe and James Acaster will host a new panel show for channel Dave
- Hypothetical tests guests on their ability to deal with a series of ridiculous hypothetical scenarios
- The eight-part series will be filmed this August, to be shown on Dave later in the year
James Acaster and Josh Widdicombe will host Hypothetical, a new TV panel show.
The series, which has been ordered by channel Dave, is described as an "innovative new format" which tests two teams of comedians on their ability to deal with a series of ridiculous hypothetical scenarios.
The examples given are:
You have to live in a motorway services for a year, how do you cope?
You have to take a selfie with Nicolas Cage within 48 hours or you die - how do you do it?
You've been booked for the Royal Variety Performance with an hour to spare - you can't do comedy - what do you do?
The producers explain: "Each hypothetical will be posed by Josh, while James' job is to enforce ridiculous rules and score the guests' attempts at dealing with them. None of the guests see the hypotheticals beforehand and Josh and James take great delight in throwing them curveballs as the show progresses - it's a proper comedic work-out.
"Every hypothetical results in a hugely entertaining discussion (with plenty of play-at-home fun on offer), as well as in-studio stunts, hilarious archive, location VT's and even the odd celebrity cameo."
Channel Dave has ordered eight hour-long episodes from Have I Got News For You producers Hat Trick Productions.
Josh Widdicombe says: "I have spent the last decade of my life annoying other comics with these questions in cars and dressing rooms so I am delighted Dave have allowed me to claim that I was in fact researching a show and not just wasting everyone's time. More to the point I cannot wait to work alongside the man who makes me laugh more than anyone else in comedy. I just hope this goes better than our 2009 Edinburgh show (one star, Three Weeks magazine)."
James Acaster comments: "The only thing that isn't hypothetical about Hypothetical is how awesome it's going to be. It's the show Josh was born to host and the show I was adopted into in order to help out with. The guests are top notch, the questions are first class and answers are guaranteed to be craaaazzzzzzyyyyy!!!!!"
The concept of the show was devised by Widdicombe. Stu Mather from Hat Trick Productions says: "We were thrilled when Josh brought this to us at Hat Trick. Developing the show from its initial stages (a Whatsapp conversation) to now (an 8-part series, airing on the home of comedy entertainment) has been an absolute joy. The show is relentlessly funny, hugely inventive and, most importantly, fun. The fact that it's hosted by two fantastic comedians at the top of their game is the icing on the cake. I can't wait for the public to see it and play along."
UKTV Executive Producer Joe McVey says: "When I was pitched Hypothetical my first thought was 'Seriously, no-one's given Josh Widdicombe his own comedy ents show on TV before?'. It's therefore a real testament to Dave that he's come to us and obviously we bit his hand off. And as it's being produced by Stu Mather we bit his other hand off. Fortunately, he's assisted by James Acaster so a lack of hands shouldn't be a problem. "
Channel director Luke Hales adds: "We are really happy to be welcoming Josh and James to the channel as they are perfectly suited to Dave's brand of smart wit. We loved the format when it landed on our desks - in a world of semi-scripted panel shows it really stood out from the pack and felt fresh and different. The format forces improvisation and you get to see the comics thinking on their feet and making it up as they go along. It's really fun, really funny and very smart."
Jimmy Mulville from Hat Trick Productions comments: "Dave is the perfect home for this really funny and fresh take on the panel show. Josh and James are the perfect combo to host and the format is their perfect vehicle. Did I mention how perfect the show is?"
Hypothetical begins filming at Pinewood Studios on the 22nd August. Free tickets. The series will be shown on Dave later this year.