TV Show and Tell

Our special guest is Abigail Dankwa, director of a wide range of entertainment and factual shows including 'Big Brother', 'Grayson's Art Club', '24 Hours in A&E', 'Have I Got New For You' and the rebooted version of 'The Big Breakfast'. She also series directed the BAFTA-winning show 'Life and Rhymes'. Justin reports back from the Create London Festival, and David wonders if the TV industry has a time-lag problem.

Joe Mace presented various youth and music programmes, before hopping over the fence to the development side. He's now Commissioning Editor for Entertainment at ITV, looking after a wide portfolio of entertainment shows, from 'Deal or No Deal' to the upcoming 'Genius Game'. Justin and David have a bumper batch of news, and review two recent shows: 'Chess Masters' and 'Last One Laughing'.

We chat with Will van Rest, the founder of JEM Media Ventures, about how TV brands can be extended to events and products that audiences want to purchase. After stints at Fremantle and Sky, Will worked at ITV for 17 years, ending up as the Director for Games, Live and Merchandising. Justin and David also discuss how ratings sit alongside 'bang for buck', and we cast an eye over the eye-popping 'Beast Games'. Plus a deep dive into the latest formats on the TV market.

Having worked her way up at the BBC, Michelle Woods is now one of the most experienced Executive Producers in the UK, with long stints at Remarkable and Youngest Media. Recently, she oversaw two new game shows series for Mattel, based on the board game properties 'Scrabble' and 'Trivial Pursuit'. David gives his take on the recent ITV reboot of 'You Bet!', and Justin tests our knowledge of the most iconic catchphrases in television. Plus all the usual features and opinions.

MIPCOM, the major European TV market, held its 2024 edition recently. "Format Doctor" Justin Scroggie takes a discerning look over the important points from the event, touching on the impact of A.I., a glut of saboteur formats, and the aftermath of a global industry slump. However, there's plenty of intriguing new formats to listen out for, including "Upside Down", "The Box" and "Freeze".

Special guest Pascal Dalton explains how formats are sold and licenced across the world. While at ITV Studios, he looked after properties such as 'The Chase', 'Love Island' and 'My Mum, Your Dad'. He also set up a European production hub for 'The Wall', based in Poland. Justin and David discuss the origins of 'The Traitors' and similar shows about lying (honest), and whether shows need hosts at all. Plus all the latest format news and a computer-assisted edition of Four Minute Format.

David and Justin are 'back to busy' as they discuss some interesting recent statistics about the TV industry. Channel 4's Grand Designs property format turns 25 – what has made it stand the test of time? Plus, what's German comedian Stefan Raab up to, and can chess work on television?

Barrie Kelly is Vice President of International Format Production and Development at NBCUniversal. As well as making format sales and co-development deals across the world, Barrie looks after the production of major formats including Top Chef, Real Housewives, Saturday Night Live and Hollywood Game Night. Justin and David discussing the small things that formats get wrong, and something else... oh, yes, timing, and why it takes so long for TV shows to be made. Plus a very tricky edition of Four Minute Format.

Actor, writer and business coach Neil Mullarkey is a founding member of London's Comedy Store Players improv group. We'll hear about his friendship with Mike Myers, his involvement with Saturday morning kid's television, and his work in teaching businesses to embrace creativity in the workplace. David and Justin look at whether board games can be adapted to make good TV formats, and how to stop viewers changing channel. Plus, there's a special version of 'Four Minute Format' and all the usual news.