Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.
Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: Zeppotron

  1. U&Gold to take viewers on Joe & David’s Magical Sitcom Tour

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    Comedians, writers, performers and podcasters Joe Wilkinson and David Earl will bring their camaraderie and love of comedy to U&Gold for Joe & David’s Magical Sitcom Tour (3×60’). Part travelogue, part buddy comedy and part retrospective, in Joe & David’s Magical Sitcom Tour Joe Wilkinson and David Earl will explore their love of classic British sitcoms, with an episode each devoted to The Office, Porridge and Fawlty Towers. In the episode exploring The Office, Joe & David meet up with David Brent himself, series co-creator, co-writer and star Ricky Gervais, and are even treated to an up close and personal performance of the David Brent classic song Freelove Freeway.

    Joe Wilkinson said

    “I’ve been obsessed with sitcoms since I was a lad, so hunting about for locations and other bits and bobs related to some of my favourite shows is like a dream come true…and that’s why I refused to take a fee for this job.”

    David Earl said

    “I’m very grateful to UKTV for giving us the chance to make this series, something me and Joe have been talking about for ages. It honestly feels like I’ve won a competition where the prize is stepping through the TV screen into my favourite sitcom worlds. This 51 year old man is very happy indeed.”

    In each episode one of the pair will plan a specially themed and surprising day out for the other, with each taking it in turns. Basing each leg of their Magical Sitcom Tour on The Office, Porridge and Fawlty Towers, they’ll visit filming locations, reenact their favourite iconic moments and hear amazing behind the scenes tales from cast, crew and very special guests.

    Joe & David’s Magical Sitcom Tour is commissioned for UKTV by Mark Iddon, senior commissioning editor, comedy entertainment, and ordered by Gerald Casey, director of programming, comedy and entertainment, and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. Joe & David’s Magical Sitcom Tour is produced by Zeppotron (a Banijay UK company), with James Fidler as series producer and Peter Holmes as executive producer, and co-produced by Big Oval Plate, with Joe Wilkinson and David Earl as executive producers.

    Mark Iddon said,

    “Joe Wilkinson and David Earl are the U&Gold audience. They don’t just admire these sitcoms, they love them with the same passion our viewers do. That’s what makes this show feel so special. It’s like watching two fans take us all along on their own personal love letter to comedy classics. They’re hilarious together, and that shared obsession means our audience will embrace them as one of their own.”

    Gerald Casey said,

    “It’s an absolute delight to welcome Joe Wilkinson and David Earl back to U&Gold. Two of the country’s funniest men exploring our funniest shows, viewers are in for a treat.”

    Peter Holmes said,

    “This show is the very definition of that overused TV term “passion project”. Joe and David love sitcoms and their affection for the form and for each other make them the perfect pair to take us on a tour of these comedy classics.”

    Joe & David’s Magical Sitcom Tour is the latest comedy commission for U&Gold. This month the channel aired a live recording of Fawlty Towers – The Play, and next month sees a 50th anniversary retrospective forThe Good Life: Inside Out, while earlier this year Neil Morrissey and Martin Clunes reunited for Neil & Martin’s Bon Voyage. In early 2026 U&Gold will air Becoming Victoria Wood, a feature-length documentary about the life of Victoria Wood, which will also receive a nationwide theatrical release.

    Joe & David’s Magical Sitcom Tour will air on U&Gold in 2026.

  2. Bunim/Murray Productions to Roll Out Creator-Led Comedy Format Let’s Play Ball

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    Bunim/Murray Productions, part of Banijay Americas, is set to introduce new comedy gameshow Let’s Play Ball to U.S. buyers later this month, as Banijay Entertainment’s latest flagship format gains international momentum. Born on YouTube, the outrageously funny physical gameshow was co-developed by Banijay Benelux label EndemolShine Nederland, Talpa Studios and Signal.Stream for Dutch broadcaster SBS6.

    Evolving from a creator-led digital hit into a breakout primetime summer success, Let’s Play Ball became the strongest new launch among the 25-44 demo in the Netherlands and has already been ordered for a second season. The hilarious format sees celebrity-led teams race giant balls through city streets, rivers and countryside in inventive, over-the-top challenges.

    Following its Dutch success, Let’s Play Ball is now also being co-developed with Banijay UK labels, Initial and Zeppotron – producers of Last One Laughing UK (Prime Video) – and will make its international debut at MIPCOM 2025 in Cannes.

    Bunim/Murray Productions’ current slate includes hit franchises The Challenge (Paramount+, MTV), Vanderpump Villa (Hulu), The Chrisleys: Back to Reality (Lifetime), and A Killer Among Friends with Jennifer Love Hewitt (Investigation Discovery), alongside a range of other series and documentaries. The company recently announced new projects in development, including a new competition format with X Games and a survival adventure series with Reacher star Alan Ritchson.

    “At Bunim/Murray, we’ve always had an eye for what’s next, and Let’s Play Ball perfectly reflects today’s creator-driven storytelling,” said Bunim/Murray Productions President Julie Pizzi. “The series has already built tremendous momentum globally thanks to our colleagues at Banijay, and we can’t wait to introduce this high-energy phenomenon to U.S. buyers in the coming weeks.”

    Added Rupert Dobson, EVP, Development, Bunim/Murray Productions: “Let’s Play Ball delivers a mix of stunning visuals, inventive challenges, and celebrities decidedly out of their comfort zone. Across the country, teams will roll, bounce, float, and haul enormous balls through iconic sights and hidden gems alike. It is the kind of format destined to create hilarious, viral moments.”

    Now leading Banijay Entertainment’s format line up at MIPCOM 2025, Let’s Play Ball is joined by Football Island, Lost and Found in the Lakes, Foodish and Villa of Temptations.

  3. Last One Laughing to return for a second series

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    Last One Laughing, which is produced by Banijay UK labels Zeppotron and Initial, has been recommissioned for a second series.

    The hit Prime Video series will see Jimmy Carr return in the host’s seat, alongside a new line-up of comedians which will be announced in due course. Filming is due to take place later this year, with the six-part series launching in 2026 on Prime Video.

    Jimmy Carr, host of Last One Laughing, said:

    “I’m absolutely delighted that Last One Laughing is coming back for a second series. I think what’s happened is someone high up at Amazon has clicked ‘subscribe & save’ on Prime Video and, hey presto, we’re back in business. I’m so pleased people had as much fun watching the first season as we had making it. Can’t wait to bask in the reflected glory of the next 10 comedy legends taking on the challenge.” 

    Last One Laughing UK is the latest adaptation of the successful Amazon Original series from Japan entitled Documental, created by and starring Hitoshi Matsumoto and owned by Yoshimoto Kogyo, where Matsumoto leads 10 comedians betting their own money in an anything goes “battle of laughter behind closed doors.” The fan-favourite Last One Laughing format became the most watched title of all time on Prime Video in France, Germany and Italy, and had hugely successful local versions in over 20 territories. Local celebrity hosts include Graham Norton (Ireland), Jay Baruchel (Canada), Eugenio Derbez (Mexico), Fedez (Italy), Michael “Bully” Herbig (Germany), Rebel Wilson (Australia) and Trevor Noah (South Africa).

  4. Initial and Znak TV to make 99 To Beat for FOX

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    FOX has unveiled its content slate for the 2025-2026 television season during its Upfront Presentation, including a US version of 99 To Beat produced by Banijay UK labels Initial and Znak TV.

    In 99 to Beat, hosted by Ken Jeong and Erin Andrews, 100 contestants go head-to-head in a range of visually distinctive and hilarious games in an arced competition game show like we’ve never seen before. 99 to Beat is the game show that anyone can win, and there’s only one thing players must do for a chance of walking away with the cash prize – Don’t. Come. In. Last.

    As contestants battle it out against each other, each round will see the number of players whittled down until one person is left standing and they take home the top prize of $100,000.

    99 to Beat is produced by Initial and Znak TV, with Natalka Znak, Claire O’Donohoe, Katy Manley and Lee Smithurst executive producing.

    The series is based on a format originated by VRT and De Chinezen and is distributed by Primitives.

  5. Zeppotron signs development deal with David Earl and Joe Wilkinson

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    Zeppotron, a Banijay UK company, has signed an exclusive development deal with David Earl and Joe Wilkinson’s production company, Big Oval Plate. The two-year deal will see the comedians work with Zeppotron to develop new unscripted television formats.

    David and Joe are frequent collaborators having created, written and starred in the sitcoms Rovers (Sky One), The Cockfields (Gold & BBC2) and working together on screen in 3 series of Ricky Gervais’ After Life (Netflix).  David also co-wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed 2022 comedy drama film Brian and Charles, while Joe’s numerous acting credits include both Sex Education(Netflix) and Him and Her (BBC3).

    In 2020 the pair launched their production company Big Oval Plate, through which they produce and host their successful podcast series Chatabix.

    Working with the team at Zeppotron, David and Joe will develop funny non-scripted formats from travelogues to factual entertainment and reality shows.  Joe has a long-standing relationship with Zeppotron, having first appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats in 2011 and been a key cast member on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown since its inception.

    Ruth Phillips, Co-Managing Director of Zeppotron said; “As well as being brilliant comedic performers and writers, Joe and David are also blessed with wonderfully inventive minds and an astute knack for coming up with unusual, funny ideas that nevertheless have a big, mainstream sensibility.   We’ve loved working with (and laughing with) Joe for many years on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and can’t wait to now join forces with both him and David to make great programmes together.”

    David Earl said: “I’m very chuffed to be working with Zeppotron. The fact that me and Joe can now come up with stupid ideas for TV and they have to at least be polite and listen to them is a lovely feeling. I do hope they remain patient with us though.”

    Joe Wilkinson added; “I am very very very excited to be collaborating with the Zeppotron. It’s been a joy to work with them over the last ten years on some of their brilliant shows. They are so fantastic at making ideas come to life and I’m really looking forward to having more fun with them on some new ideas.”

  6. Banijay UK Appoints Leon Wilson as CEO of Shine and Zeppotron

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    Ex Talkback and Thames Managing Director and Co-Founder of Great Scott Media, Leon Wilson, has been appointed by Banijay UK CEO Patrick Holland as CEO of Shine and Zeppotron.

    This announcement follows the news earlier this month regarding Shine TV’s Managing Director Jon Swain’s decision to step down from his role at the end of the year.

    This overarching, executive role is tasked with the management of Shine, developing and broadening the range of its original IP, as well as overseeing its established slate including BBC’s MasterChef super-brands, Hunted and Celebrity Hunted and new Channel 4 streaming hit, Banged Up.

    Leon will work with Creative Director Tim Whitwell, MasterChef Executive Producer David Ambler and the wider Shine team as the company continues to expand across streamers and broadcasters within factual, reality and entertainment.

     Meanwhile, Zeppotron Managing Directors Ruth Phillips and Peter Holmes will work closely with Leon as they push into the streamer market and establish their exciting new slate of comedy/ents/reality formats to sit alongside their existing much loved brands such as BBC One’s Would I Lie to You? and Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

    Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said of the appointment; “As well as being a brilliant creative, Leon has phenomenal amounts of energy, enthusiasm, and insight.  I’m so delighted that he’s chosen Banijay for the next chapter of his impressive career and I know that the teams in Shine and Zeppotron will benefit greatly from his expertise.”

    Leon Wilson added; “I can’t wait to start in this new role and work with the fantastically talented teams at Shine and Zeppotron. I love prisons, being hunted, eating, lying and four fifths of cats … as well as winning new commissions. It’s literally a dream come true.”

    Leon was Managing Director of Talkback, followed by Managing Director of a combined Talkback and Thames between 2013 and 2019.

    During this time, he consistently grew the businesses’ turnover and won a raft of new business;  creating, selling and overseeing shows including Too Hot to Handle (Netflix), Harry’s Heroes: The Full English (ITV1), multiple Leigh Francis projects (Celebrity Juice, Through The Keyhole, and The Keith & Paddy Picture Show), Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow (ITV), Jon Richardson’s Ultimate Worrier (Dave) and Your Face or Mine (Comedy Central).

    Most recently, Leon founded Great Scott Media with Ed Sleeman backed by All3 Media. The indie quickly grew a yearly turnover to £14m, with commissions including Love Trap (C4) and 10-part Netflix reality series Dated & Related. Earlier in his career, Leon worked on The Graham Norton Show, Dame Edna, Fantasy Football and The Friday Night Project.

    Leon takes up the role at the end of the month and will report to Patrick Holland.

  7. Banijay’s Pineapple Entertainment Gets Ready to Spend One Night In…

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    Pineapple Entertainment, part of Banijay Nordic, today announces it will produce the first international version of One Night In… for TV 2 Zulu.

     

    Created by Banijay UK label Zeppotron, One Night In… sees comedians given the opportunity to run wild for one night in an iconic location, with no other visitors around. Completely unsupervised, the talent can roam free in some of the country’s best-known department stores and theme parks.

     

    There won’t be security guards or grown-ups to reign in the fun. And there’s only a few rules: no sleeping and if they must leave the location the same as how they found it, whilst completing a few challenges along the way.  The talent can do anything they like, just as long as they’re out of the location before the cleaners arrive and the shutters go up the next morning.

     

    Ole Rahbek, CEO of Pineapple Entertainment says: “We can’t wait to get audiences laughing as celebrities run amok and invent off-the-wall games at brilliant Danish tourist spots. With the very best talent on board, both on and off-screen, we are excited to put our own spin on One Night In… Comedy is at the heart of what we do and so this show is the perfect format for us to adapt.”

     

    Ruth Phillips, Joint-Managing Director of Zeppotron comments: “We loved creating and producing this charming, escapist and above all, funny format. Our comics were so excited to be let loose for the night in such iconic venues – they were like kids in a sweet shop, and their enthusiasm was infectious.  We’re very excited to see the fun that Pineapple Entertainment will now have with the format in Denmark.”

     

    Zeppotron’s credits include 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Ranganation and Would I Lie to You?,  which was recently commissioned for broadcasters in Australia and the US. First airing on UK broadcaster, Channel 4, One Night In… proved a ratings hit and was the channel’s highest rating new title of 2020, more than doubling the slot average for Adults 16 – 34 years old.

     

    Pineapple Entertainment produces a wide remit of fun, relevant and powerful content across all platforms. This includes the Zulu Awards, late-night comedy talk show Natholdet (The Nightshift)hosted by Anders Breinholt and long running reality show, Dimantfamilien (The Diamond Family).