Dara O Briain and computer games unite for UKTV’s Dave
UKTV’s leading entertainment channel Dave continues to expand its entertainment slate by diving into the world of computer games with brand new commission Dara O Briain’s Go 8 Bit.
“Put a video game controller in the hands of a nun and she’ll turn into a trash-talking bloodthirsty monster. Give a controller to a comedian and they’ll do that too, but be funny. In video games veritas, my friends. This show is a raucous, back-biting, properly competitive celebration of the world’s favourite pastime. Let’s Go 8 Bit!” – Dara O Briain
The six part series, of hour long episodes, is based on the smash hit live Edinburgh show Go 8 Bit and hosted by comedian and gaming enthusiast Dara O Briain. Each week the show will see two celebrity guests compete to be crowned ‘8 Bit Champion’. The new series is developed and produced by DLT Entertainment and is its first commission since expanding to non-narrative entertainment.
The team captains are Steve McNeil, a self-confessed gaming geek, and Sam Pamphilon, a cynical amateur, who both devised and hosted the original Edinburgh show. Each week they will guide their celebrity guest teammate through five rounds of increasingly competitive, hilarious gaming contests. Whether it be an arcade classic like Pac-Man, the latest blockbuster Grand Theft Auto or Fallout title, the most cutting-edge computer technology – or even larger-than-life game-inspired physical challenges, Dara and the show’s resident gaming expert Ellie Gibson will be on hand to adjudicate, commentate, and generally wind up the contestants. The series will be recorded in front of a live studio audience who will decide the winner of each round.
“As someone who barely knows his Wii U from his ZX Spectrum, I was a huge fan of the live show. Add Dara to that mix and I think you’ve got yourself the potential to join gaming and comedy audiences in a completely unique way.” – Iain Coyle, UKTV senior commissioning editor
Dara O Briain’s Go 8 Bit will air on Dave in Autumn 2016.
