Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled
Brand new 5x60 comedy chat show has no rules
The UK's number one non-PSB channel, Dave, has today announced the commission of an unpredictable, unscripted comedy chat show hosted by well-loved comedian Alan Davies.
The as yet untitled Alan Davies project, to be produced by Phil McIntyre Television in association with Grand Scheme, is a simple but brilliant idea. Known for his lead role in Jonathan Creek and permanent position on the panel of BAFTA-nominated QI, Alan sits with four other top comedians round a table and they talk. About anything.
The show recreates the relaxed atmosphere found amongst bantering comics backstage and elicits anecdotes and interaction that you simply won't get anywhere else. There are no rules, no themes and no preparation. All Alan has is one amazing fact about each of them, after which, the conversation could spiral in any direction.
Davies said
I'm looking forward to sharing what makes comedians tick and bring some of the banter from long car journeys, gigs or backstage in the dressing room to Dave's viewers.
General Manager of Dave, Steve North said
This is an exciting and audacious format that completely fits with Dave's promise to provide contemporary entertainment starring the finest comedy talent. The channel has just enjoyed its most successful 12 months to date, and I'm incredibly excited about the next 12 because we've got some cracking new commissions coming to viewers screens soon.
The Alan Davies project is scheduled to air on Dave this summer. Filmed in front of an audience, each episode will feature an eclectic mix of 'A list' talent, alongside fresh 'up and coming' faces, in a unique and intimate way.
UKTV Commissioning Editor, Iain Coyle, who is overseeing the series, commented
Any comic will tell you the funniest place at a comedy club is not on stage, or in the audience, but in the green room or dressing room, where comics are totally relaxed. There you get a different type of funny, spontaneous and very Dave.
Executive producing is Lucy Ansbro from Phil McIntyre Television and Graham Smith from Grand Scheme.
Ansbro said
Unpredictability, informality and the quick wit of Alan and his guests are the key ingredients. It's a pleasure to make and we hope Dave viewers love the 'anything goes' approach. It's quite risky trying to do a show with no script but very exciting.
UKTV's Dave attracts over 27 million viewers per month. The Alan Davies project follows a raft of brand new commissions on the channel including 24 Hours to Go Broke (TX Q2 2014) Crackanory, Ross Noble Freewheeling and Dave Gorman's Modern Life is Goodish. Dave's success in 2013 contributed to UKTV achieving its highest viewing figures since the network launched 21 years ago.
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About Dave
Sky channel 111, Virgin TV channel 128, Freeview 12
Satirical and edgy, Dave is the home of witty banter. Featuring the best in contemporary entertainment including Suits, QI, Red Dwarf X, Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You. Dave also showcases popular original series, such as Dave's One Night Stand, Dara O'Briain's School of Hard Sums, Alexander Armstrong's Big Ask and Jo Brand's Big Splash, all laden with the biggest names in British comedy.
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About UKTV
UKTV is the multi-award winning media company that reaches over 42 million viewers per month. UKTV's ten imaginative channel brands - Watch, Dave, Gold, Alibi, Eden, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home and Good Food - include the most watched non-PSB channel, the most watched channel in the Factual genre and the most watched channels in the Lifestyle genre (Pay and Free). The company's most recent financial results showed a record-breaking year-end revenue of £262m, and operating profit at £71m.
UKTV has a truly innovative model, curating brand-defining commissions, high-profile acquisitions and the very best of BBC and Channel 4 content, and embracing technology to deliver inspired channels to audiences through Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT Vision, TalkTalk, YouView, plus direct On Demand digital services. The network distributes its highly valued programmes to 200 territories around the world and supplies Sky with more hours of HD content than anyone else. Now celebrating its 21st year at the forefront of digital television, UKTV - an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI) - is proud to be the only British broadcaster to be recognised by Best Companies.