JOE MARLER TO HOST PILOT FOR NEW PRIMETIME QUIZ SHOW FOR UK BROADCASTER

Joe Marler and comedian Jake Bhardwaj - who together host the Joe Marler Will See You Now podcast - are to front a pilot for a brand new primetime quiz for an unnamed UK broadcaster.

A teaser shares: "This is a brand-new format with all the electric energy of the darts or boxing. In this fun, lively, high-stakes sporting arena, quizzers go head-to-head in thrilling quiz battles, cheered on by a live studio audience." The show records this October in Manchester with audience tickets available via SRO Audiences.

Meanwhile, Joe Marler recently took part in a pilot recorded for a new comedic reality format Let's Play Ball, for ITV. The series is based on an international format and produced by Banijay UK labels Initial (Big Brother) and Zeppotron (Last One Laughing UK).

In this version of Let’s Play Ball, rival teams of comedians go head-to-head in a race to transport a gigantic ball across various terrains. Facing fiendish physical puzzles along the way, each episode will see the teams navigate varied landscapes; from narrow city streets to rivers and countryside meadows.

What begins as a seemingly straightforward task, unravels into comedic chaos and strategic gameplay, demanding quick-thinking, teamwork, grit and determination. The celebrities who took part in the pilot were Rob Beckett & Joe Marler; Josh Widdicombe & Harriet Kemsley and Mo Gilligan & Josie Gibson.

Originally co-developed by Banijay Benelux label EndemolShine Nederland, Talpa Studios and Signal.Stream, and co-produced by EndemolShine Nederland and Signal.Stream for SBS6, this is the first international territory to take on a reimagination.

Katy Manley, MD of Initial, said: “This hilarious new show is the perfect next joint project for us. Initial brings the big red balls (we also make Wipeout), while Zeppotron will unlock its legendary black book to cast the funniest people in the country…. We can’t wait to take this out to buyers in the UK.”

Peter Holmes, MD of Zeppotron, added: “Like the Zeppotron team, Let’s Play Ball is very simple and very silly. We’re really looking forward to joining forces with Initial once more to put our own spin on this big, bold, ball-based format.”

Let’s Play Ball is an original format co-developed and co-owned by EndemolShine Nederland, Talpa Studios, and Signal.Stream.