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BBC to revive Generation Game with Miranda Hart as presenter BBC to revive Generation Game with Miranda Hart as presenter
(35 minutes later)
The BBC will revive the Generation Game next year with the comedy star Miranda Hart in the presenter's role once occupied by Bruce Forsyth, the corporation has confirmed.The BBC will revive the Generation Game next year with the comedy star Miranda Hart in the presenter's role once occupied by Bruce Forsyth, the corporation has confirmed.
BBC1 has returned to the gameshow classic, which first aired in 1971 and attracted audiences of 20 million at its peak, in the search for its next big Saturday night hit. BBC1 has returned to the gameshow classic, which first aired in 1971 and attracted audiences of 20 million at its peak, in the search for its next big Saturday night hit. The show, in which couples from four families compete in slapstick challenges for the chance to win as many prizes as they can remember on the conveyor belt – complete with cuddly toy – was last shown on BBC1 in 2002, presented by Jim Davidson.
The show, in which couples from four families compete in slapstick challenges for the chance to win as many prizes as they can remember on the conveyor belt – complete with cuddly toy – was last shown on BBC1 in 2002, presented by Jim Davidson.
Hart, star of the BBC1 sitcom Miranda, who embarked this year on a sellout standup arena tour, appeared on a Comic Relief version of the show in 2011 and has described it as "one of the greatest game shows ever".Hart, star of the BBC1 sitcom Miranda, who embarked this year on a sellout standup arena tour, appeared on a Comic Relief version of the show in 2011 and has described it as "one of the greatest game shows ever".
The BBC1 controller, Charlotte Moore, told the Guardian: "It will be a modern reinvention of the Generation Game. Miranda will bring a very different flavour to it. Her wit and spirit behind it will naturally move it into the modern era. Miranda is brilliant at engaging with people, she loves that interaction. She'll be brilliant."The BBC1 controller, Charlotte Moore, told the Guardian: "It will be a modern reinvention of the Generation Game. Miranda will bring a very different flavour to it. Her wit and spirit behind it will naturally move it into the modern era. Miranda is brilliant at engaging with people, she loves that interaction. She'll be brilliant."
Moore also revealed in an interview with the Guardian that she had signed Harry Hill, the former star of ITV's TV Burp, for his first BBC1 show.Moore also revealed in an interview with the Guardian that she had signed Harry Hill, the former star of ITV's TV Burp, for his first BBC1 show.
The return of the Generation Game is a further sign of television's growing appetite for nostalgia, coming days after ITV announced it was bringing back Sunday Night at the London Palladium. BBC1 brought back the David Jason sitcom Open All Hours at Christmas.The return of the Generation Game is a further sign of television's growing appetite for nostalgia, coming days after ITV announced it was bringing back Sunday Night at the London Palladium. BBC1 brought back the David Jason sitcom Open All Hours at Christmas.
The revival grew out of discussions between Hart and the BBC about what the star would like to do next. It will be made with King Bert Productions, the TV production company set up by Hart with David Walliams. The revival grew out of talks between Hart and the BBC about what she would like to do next. It will be made with King Bert Productions, which was set up by Hart and David Walliams.
A self-confessed devotee of the Generation Game, Hart interviewed Forsyth for a career retrospective last year. When Forsyth suggested the show "may be a bit old hat now", Hart replied: "But we need to get back to entertainment, Bruce."A self-confessed devotee of the Generation Game, Hart interviewed Forsyth for a career retrospective last year. When Forsyth suggested the show "may be a bit old hat now", Hart replied: "But we need to get back to entertainment, Bruce."
Moore said the show would be reimagined for a modern audience while staying true to the show's heritage. "I promise you it won't be predictable," she said. "It will feel absolutely rooted in the present day. Television is always reinventing things, every show has a great-grandparent that existed once. We all swim in the same pond." Moore said the show would be reimagined for a modern audience while staying true to its heritage. "I promise you it won't be predictable," she said. "It will feel absolutely rooted in the present day. Television is always reinventing things, every show has a great-grandparent that existed once. We all swim in the same pond."
The ratings battle between the BBC and ITV is at its most intense on Saturday nights. BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing will return next month to do battle with ITV's The X Factor, likely to be rejuvenated by the return of Simon Cowell.The ratings battle between the BBC and ITV is at its most intense on Saturday nights. BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing will return next month to do battle with ITV's The X Factor, likely to be rejuvenated by the return of Simon Cowell.
But while Strictly Come Dancing has had the edge over The X Factor, another Saturday night show on BBC1, The Voice, has fared less well against ITV's other Simon Cowell talent show, Britain's Got Talent. Both will be back in the spring. But while Strictly Come Dancing has had the edge over The X Factor, another Saturday night show on BBC1, The Voice, has fared less well against ITV's other Simon Cowell talent show, Britain's Got Talent. Both will be back in the spring.
Forsyth, who had two stints presenting the Generation Game, between 1971 and 1977 and 1990 and 1994, stepped down as presenter of Strictly Come Dancing this year but will return to BBC1 in a new variety format. Forsyth, who had two stints presenting the Generation Game, between 1971 and 1977 and 1990 and 1994, stepped down as presenter of Strictly Come Dancing this year but will return to BBC1 in a new variety format. Larry Grayson was in charge between 1978 and 1982, while Davidson presented the show between 1995 and 2002. Graham Norton presented a one-off celebrity edition in 2005.
Davidson presented the show between 1995 and 2002, and Larry Grayson was in charge between 1978 and 1982. Graham Norton presented a one-off celebrity edition in 2005. Shane Richie's gameshow Reflex is the latest BBC1 Saturday night entertainment show to be axed after one series, following the dropping of That Puppet Gameshow and I Love My Country last year.
Shane Richie's gameshow Reflex is the latest BBC1 Saturday night entertainment show to be axed after one series, after That Puppet Gameshow and I Love My Country were dropped last year.
Moore said: "We are constantly looking at the best ways of spending the funds we have got, and we want to put a lot of emphasis on big Saturday night shows."Moore said: "We are constantly looking at the best ways of spending the funds we have got, and we want to put a lot of emphasis on big Saturday night shows."
Hart, who also stars in BBC1's Sunday night drama Call The Midwife, will also return to BBC1 with her eponymous sitcom in a two-part Christmas special.Hart, who also stars in BBC1's Sunday night drama Call The Midwife, will also return to BBC1 with her eponymous sitcom in a two-part Christmas special.