Jimmy Carr show I Literally Just Told You to return for Series 2
- Comic game show I Literally Just Told You, hosted by Jimmy Carr, is to return to TV for 8 more episodes
- Channel 4 is backing Carr despite the controversary around a joke in his recent Netflix special
- C4's Ian Katz says: "I defend the rights of comedians to make offensive jokes and if they can't, then comedy is dead"
I Literally Just Told You, the comic game show hosted by Jimmy Carr, is to return to Channel 4 for a second series.
The network has ordered another run of the format following the success of the first series, which aired in December and January. The channel points out the 16 - 34 audience for the episodes, the age demographic particularly attractive to advertisers, was "up 34% for volume and 54% up on slot share", and that the programme boosted the overall audience for its schedule slot by 17%.
Devised by Richard Bacon, the format of I Literally Just Told You is billed as "the only gameshow in history to give the contestants all the answers in advance." Those taking part must pay attention to what is going on around them and what Jimmy Carr and the other contestants say, as they may become future questions later in the show.
Channel 4 has extended the commission for Series 2 to eight episodes, which will include two celebrity specials.
This news confirms that Channel 4 will continue to support Jimmy Carr, who also hosts 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown on the network, despite the recent controversy and outrage about a joke in his Netflix stand-up special.
Speaking to trade magazine Broadcast today, Channel 4's chief content officer Ian Katz said: "I defend the rights of comedians to make offensive jokes and if they can't, then comedy is dead."
Broadcast notes that Katz added that it is crucial to differentiate between an individual espousing a view and making a joke. "Jimmy hasn't espoused any views that are at odds with C4 values and just as we as a broadcaster exist to serve and represent a wide range of communities, we should always be home to the widest range of voices."
However, Katz did say that Channel 4 would have not aired the Jimmy Carr: His Dark Material joke in question if the special had been on his network, as he believes it would have violated the Ofcom code.
Production company Expectation will start work on Series 2 of I Literally Just Told You later this year.
As the below clip shows, a mistake was made by the programme makers in Series 1, which saw Jimmy Carr surprising a contestant with a pay-out at a later date: