TV Show and Tell

As "The Weakest Link" returns to the BBC, we speak with three creatives who've been intimately involved in the highly-successful quiz format. Lynn Sutcliffe (now M.D. of Mighty Productions) explains how she helped develop the initial idea of a week-long holiday competition into an intensive psychological battle. Next, Will Charles explains how the show's iconic lighting design came about, somewhat by accident. Finally, Aaron Solomon explains how he re-evaluated the format for modern audiences in his role of co-exec producer on NBC's version in the US.

Top international TV producer Simon Lythgoe shares his amazing career with us, from formative experiences with Miss Piggy and the 'Gladiators', and working alongside his father, choreographer (and, later, TV judge) Nigel Lythgoe. He recounts his extensive experience in the UK, Australia and USA, and explains his role in creating reality TV as we know it, from 'Pop Idol' to 'American Idol' to 'So You Think You Can Dance'. David and Justin reveal the dirty secrets of how television lies to you, and discuss how the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest is the TV producer's idea of a rules nightmare. Simon returns to explain how a can of soda can help sell a TV show, and will Justin get a score on the board in this week's 'Fake or Format'?

Part-time maths teacher, presenter and top-flight quizzer Bobby Seagull joins us to talk through his TV CV so far. We discuss his new-found fame from 'University Challenge', and how that has led on to presenting science documentaries, showbiz appearances and his regular role on Channel 4's 'The Answer Trap'. David and Justin talk about continuity problems, and how to embed 'playalong' in new TV ideas. Keep listening to find out who will win this week's round of 'Fake or Format', before Bobby shows us an object that physically can't exist?!