TV Show and Tell

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".Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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?Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irad Eyal is the co-creator of the Netflix gungy game show 'Floor is Lava'. After a brief stint in early 'dot com' companies, he developed multiple formats for Endemol, and later 'Southern Charm' for his own production company, Haymaker West. David and Justin look at alternative outlets for formats beyond TV, and whether there's no such thing as a bad review. Plus all the usual news and views.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes a good quiz question, and what are the pitfalls of writing them? Julia Hobbs is a top question producer working in the UK on shows such as 'The Chase', 'Pointless', 'Tipping Point', 'Million Pound Drop' and 'Fifteen to One'. Julia also has an interesting personal story about how she came into the business. Talking of questions, Justin and David will also be looking at how to make them fair, as well as fairness when structuring formatted series. Plus all the latest news and views.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A developing new artform is the iconic thumbnails and screenshot images that appear in the menus and feeds of streaming platforms. What goes into them, and who decides what they should show? Fred Hammarlund, Creative Director of 2nd Place Studio, tells us about the secret science of 'key art'. Justin and David discuss 'quizcoms' and the changing job roles in the TV industry. Plus all the usual news, features and opinions.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freelance director Thomas Stark Holland has a wide-ranging CV from specialist factual 'Meet the Humans' to prime-time L.E. hits like 'Saturday Night Takeaway'. He discusses the planning and technical know-how that goes into an ever-popular strand of entertainment: hidden camera stunts. David and Justin wonder whether we've already had our 'Concorde moment' with diminishing game show prizes, and tackle the thorny issue of A.I. in television production. Plus the major industry news that's worth knowing and another Four Minute Format.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our special guests are Daniel Jones and Luke Hatfield from Vaudeville, specialists in sound design and mixing. Their credits include 'The Repair Shop', 'David Mitchell's Outsiders', 'Reacher', 'The Kardashians' and many documentary series and one-offs. David and Justin take a look at two American game show remakes, and discuss the pros and cons of spoilers. Plus all the news that's fit to hear.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard McKerrow is co-founder of Love Productions, best known for The Great British Bake Off and, most recently, The Piano. David and Justin also discuss how a game show's rules are honed to avoid emptying the production's coffers, and look at an interesting €1 million live TV stunt from Germany. Plus the usual news and another Four Minute Format.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special guest Stuart Holdham is a 'warm up artist' for an impressive roster of entertainment shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent, The Masked Singer, The Voice, Dancing On Ice and The Jonathan Ross Show. Justin and David discuss multichannel productions and the term "showing the plumbing", plus there's all the usual news and features.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our now-traditional special, Justin reports back from MIPCOM 2023. The 39th edition of the TV entertainment market, held in its usual home of Cannes in France, reflects an industry still in flux but still raring to do business.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke English is a highly experienced media lawyer who has worked with high profile artists, indie companies and corporate giants such as Sony and Disney. He explains some of the key terms in his industry, and what landmines to watch out for on the battlefield of contract law. Justin and David discuss 'reverse formatting', and how reality show contributors manage their reputations. Plus, the round-up of media news and a new Four Minute Format.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our special guest is Jack Seale, who writes about TV, radio and film for publications such as the Guardian and the Radio Times. He reveals the inner workings of how - and why - TV reviews are written. Justin and David discuss the pros and cons of live television, and how to handle the tricky issue of managing high-profile presenters. Plus, the regular format news and another 'Four Minute Format'.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Graham Stuart is the Managing Director of So Television, the independent production company that he founded with the chat show host Graham Norton 25 years ago. He talks about how he made the transition from sports presenter to running things behind the scenes, and how he keeps his business relevant in a fast-changing media landscape. Justin and David discuss emergencies - both the 'freelance emergency' announced by the trade union BECTU in the unscripted sector, and the effect that real-life emergencies can have on a show's production schedule. Plus, there's all the usual format news and another attempt at devising a 'Four Minute Format'.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Shiach has series- and exec-produced quizzes, comedy panel games and other formatted entertainment, including 'Celebability' for ITV2, 'Quizness' for Channel 4, 'A League of Their Own' for Sky, and 'Comedians Giving Lectures' for Dave. In a highly entertaining and candid interview, he explains how he builds consensus between the various stakeholders to keep the show on the road. Sometimes that's literally so, as he's also involved in the touring live podcast show about football, The Overlap. David and Justin discuss pacing and how to rescue a failing reality show. And stick around for the NEW feature at the end - 'Four Minute Format'.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'The Format Doctor' Justin Scroggie reports on location from MIP TV in Cannes. What are the hot ideas of the moment and, as real-life meetings continue to evolve after the pandemic, what is the overall feel of the market? Additional music: Liborio Conti.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Edmondson's career has spanned children's TV, roving reporter roles and presenting for BBC Radio 1. He's also developed his own formats, and found unusual outlets for them in the form of board games. Justin and David discuss the benefits of skilling up, and divulge their top tips for getting through a studio filming session unscathed. Plus there's a bumper crop of news, and a highly curious pair of titles in 'Fake or Format?'.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Gurin is a writer-turned-producer who's gone on to work in a huge range of entertainment sub-genres, from beauty pageants to business formats, quizzes to stunt shows. We discuss his role as chairman of format rights body FRAPA, and why he's setting up a new distribution company. David and Justin chew over whether criticising popular formats misses the point, and discuss what's the best practice for looking after contributors. Justin has food on his mind in the news section, and it's David's turn to play quizmaster in 'Fake or Format?'.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-show-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.