Sky Orders 4 New Entertainment Shows Including The Return Of ‘Fantasy Football’ & ‘Buzzocks’
Sky has ordered four new entertainment shows to air in 2022 the broadcaster has announced, including the return of ‘Fantasy Football‘ & ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks‘, alongside a local newspaper show with Nish Kumar and Josh Widdicombe, and a World Cup-related show with Jamie and Harry Redknapp.
Fantasy Football
After 18 years off our screens, Sky are bringing back Fantasy Football League, the iconic comedy football show blending football fanaticism with celebrity chat. Originally fronted by the show’s creators, David Baddiel and Frank Skinner, the duo will be passing the ball to brand new hosts, Matt Lucas and Elis James. Fantasy Football League will be returning to our screens this autumn for a new 16-episode series on Sky Max and NOW.
Running from 1994 to 2004, saw celebrity guests competing against each other as managers in a ‘fantasy league’ as well as chatting all things football. Guests on the show included: Bob Mortimer, Noel Gallagher and George Best. The show also included the legendary regular feature, Phoenix From The Flames, where a retired star footballer recreated one of their most memorable moments in football.
“I loved watching Fantasy Football League with Frank, David and Statto and am chuffed to bits to be a part of this new incarnation,” said Lucas. “I now make a living eating cake and watching football. I must be the luckiest man in the world. I also get to share the sofa with Elis, who is not only hilarious but the biggest football geek I’ve ever met. See you next season.”
The series was commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Entertainment at Sky for Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content at Sky. Fantasy Football League is produced by Avalon. The Series Producer is Spencer Millman (Fantasy Football League, TV Burp, The Inbetweeners) and the Series Director is Peter Orton (Fantasy Football League, TV Burp, The Russell Howard Hour).
Hold the Front Page
Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar are about to leap into the unique and often sensational world of local news with Hold the Front Page, a six-part series following the comical duo’s journey into the heart of grassroots Britain.
Sky’s new series will follow the highs and lows of Nish and Josh as they travel across the UK working for a different local newspaper each week, on a mission to find real local stories strong enough to make the front page. Their investigative journey around Britain will see them delve into local mysteries, take part in unusual events, cover the burning issues of the day and even involve themselves in the news or enlist a celebrity or two to help them out along the way.
But with almost no journalistic experience the pair will have to rely on their quick wits and natural curiosity as they attempt to get to the heart of makes each town or village tick – digging up some extraordinary scoops. This will be an eye-opening look at some of Britain’s amazing local communities through the lens of their local newspaper. What could possibly go wrong?
“I was forced to become a comedian after a period of being by far the worst journalist on the Guardian Sports Desk,” said Widdicombe. “Consequently, I’m delighted that Sky have given me the opportunity to prove once and for all that I 100% made the right decision in leaving this noble trade. Most of all I’m delighted they have paired me with one of the only people I know who has less chance of doing well in a proper important job.”
The 6-episode series is commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Entertainment at Sky UK, for Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content at Sky UK. Shirley Jones is the Commissioning Editor for Sky. Hold the Front Page is produced by CPL Productions, a Red Arrow Studios company, the Executive Producers are David Taylor, Murray Boland and Danielle Lux.
Got Got Need
The World Cup 2022 kicks off this November in Qatar and Jack Whitehall has challenged best mate Jamie Redknapp to a World Cup challenge of his own. Instead of collecting stickers as so many do, he has to build his own World Cup team by collecting real-life meetings with actual World Cup stars. Panicking about failing and desperate not to lose to Jack, Jamie drags his father Harry into the caper hoping that his contacts can open some doors. Together, Jamie and Harry embark on a road trip across the UK & Europe to do whatever it takes to meet as many World Cup legends as possible… but will Jack be impressed by their final 11?
Manager extraordinaire, Harry Redknapp says “I can’t wait to work with Jamie again and start this challenge. It’s going to be great fun collecting my team of World Cup legends and hopefully I’ll be able to catch up with a few old friends along the way!”
Football legend Jamie Redknapp says “I still remember my first World Cup sticker album – Spain 1982. I got close, but never managed to find Peru’s Hugo Gastulo and I’ll never forgive him for it. I hope I do better with this one.”
The 3-episode series is commissioned by Phil Edgar Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Entertainment at Sky UK for Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content at Sky UK. Shirley Jones is the Commissioning Editor. ‘Got Got Need’ is produced by Jackpot Productions Ltd; the Executive Producers are Jack Whitehall and Richard Ackerman.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Season 2
‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’ is returning to Sky for a 9-episode second series (plus a Christmas special) after the first series being one of Sky’s best performance launches ever. Host Greg Davies oversees the musical festivities, while the teams will be headed up by Buzzcocks veteran Noel Fielding alongside Daisy May Cooper and regular guest Jamali Maddix. Joining them will be a roster of top stars from the world of music and comedy, as they compete over both beloved classic rounds and brand spanking new ones.
I’m delighted that Buzzcocks is coming back,” commented Davies. “I can’t wait to give more musicians the chance to increase their cool by hanging out with fat uncle Greg and his three odd children.”
The series is commissioned by Phil Edgar Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Entertainment at Sky UK for Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content at Sky UK. Shirley Jones is the Commissioning Editor. The series is produced by Talkback (a Fremantle label) and Executive Produced by Kate Edmunds and Jonno Richards, Managing Director of Talkback. The Series Editor is Jordan Read. Fremantle holds the global format rights.
All four of these shows will air on Sky Max and NOW in the UK, beginning in Autumn 2022. If you want to keep track of these or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
