21st March 2016 UKTVs leading entertainment channel Dave continues to expand its entertainment slate by diving into the world of computer games with brand new commission Dara O Briains Go 8 Bit (6x60). Dara O Briains Go 8 Bit is based on the smash hit live Edinburgh show Go 8 Bit and hosted by comedian and gaming enthusiast Dara O Briain. Each week the show will see two celebrity guests compete to be crowned 8 Bit Champion. The new series is developed and produced by DLT Entertainment and is its first commission since expanding to non-narrative entertainment.The team captains are Steve McNeil, a self-confessed gaming geek, and Sam Pamphilon, a cynical amateur, who both devised and hosted the original Edinburgh show. Each week they will guide their celebrity guest teammate through five rounds of increasingly competitive, hilarious gaming contests. Whether it be an arcade classic like Pac-Man, the latest blockbuster Grand Theft Auto or Fallout title, the most cutting-edge computer technology - or even larger-than-life game-inspired physical challenges, Dara and the shows resident gaming expert Ellie Gibson will be on hand to adjudicate, commentate, and generally wind up the contestants. The series will be recorded in front of a live studio audience who will decide the winner of each round.
Dara O Briain said,
Put a video game controller in the hands of a nun and shell turn into a trash-talking bloodthirsty monster. Give a controller to a comedian and theyll do that too, but be funny. In video games veritas, my friends. This show is a raucous, back-biting, properly competitive celebration of the worlds favourite pastime. Lets Go 8 Bit!
Iain Coyle, UKTV senior commissioning editor, said,
As someone who barely knows his Wii U from his ZX Spectrum, I was a huge fan of the live show. Add Dara to that mix and I think youve got yourself the potential to join gaming and comedy audiences in a completely unique way.
Steve North, Dave general manager, said,
Go 8 Bit is a very funny stage show with a cult following. We love working with the comedy community to bring successful stage shows to the Dave audience, as we did with Alex Hornes Taskmaster. Having Dara on board makes it a perfect fit for Dave.
Don Taffner Jr., executive producer and president at DLT Entertainment, said,
Dara O Briains Go 8 Bit is unlike anything else on TV. It is a completely new type of gaming show with its mix of gaming experts, comedians, guest stars and nostalgia to create an unmissable entertainment series. The show will combine our love for retro games with the latest technology and audience interaction that all viewers - young, old, male, female, and most importantly gamers and non gamers - will love. We are looking forward to working with UKTV and Dave to bring this exciting new concept to life.
Dara O Briains Go 8 Bit has been ordered by director of commissioning, Richard Watsham and Dave general manager, Steve North and will be executive produced for Dave by Iain Coyle. Executive producers for the series are Donald Taffner, Jr. and Michaela Hennessy-Vass, the series producer is Darren Sole, the producer is Rohan Acharya, and the series director is Steve Smith.
Dara O Briains Go 8 Bit will join the successful raft of UKTV Originals on Dave, including two brand new series of Taskmaster later this year, new Storage Hunters UK, Red Dwarf XI and Hoff the Record series two. UKTVs flagship free-to-air entertainment channel has retained its place as the number one non-PSB channel in the UK and grew by 1% year-on-year in 2015.
Dara O Briains Go 8 Bit will air on Dave in Autumn 2016.
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Ben Duncan, Publicist
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