ITV quiz show handed surprise second series despite flopping in ratings
IT didn’t exactly whip the world into a frenzy when it was rebooted on ITV earlier this year – but I can reveal that Jeopardy is returning for a second series with Stephen Fry set to return as host.
Though it might be last chance saloon for the quiz show because, although it started with decent viewing figures, they quickly dipped as the series went on.
Jeopardy launched on January 1 with an impressive 2.6m, but halfway through the series it had lost a million viewers.
Twitter users said: “What a painfully dull show this is – slow delivery (and) boring beyond words.”
Another said: “Question: Jeopardy
“Answer: Which new ITV quiz show is unwatchable dull?”
Jeopardy even had viewers demanding ITV bring back game shows which were usually on every weekday afternoon including Lingo and Deal or No Deal.
Hosting the show, which has competitors given an answer, then are challenged to work out the question, was part of a move by Fry from his traditional home on the BBC to ITV.
As well as fronting Jeopardy, he leant his dulcet tones to narrating the ITV wildlife show, A Year on Planet Earth.
I bet he regrets giving up QI now.
Jon’s a key man for C4
FIVE-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste is to replace Lang Lang as a mentor on The Piano.
Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jon, who has worked with Stevie Wonder, Prince, Ed Sheeran and Lana Del Rey, joins the panel next year for series three of the Channel 4 talent show.
Chinese pianist Lang Lang will bid farewell in a Christmas special episode, owing to his concert commitments.
Jon will line up alongside singer-songwriter Mika, who returns to mentoring duties, while Claudia Winkleman is back as host.
Claudia, Jon and Mika will visit five new railway stations, giving amateur players the chance to showcase their talent on public pianos.
Jon said: “I am so happy to be a mentor and to witness pianists expressing themselves on the instrument I’ve dedicated my life to.”
MICHELLE KEEGAN will soon be back on our screens for another round of Brassic.
The Sky Max comedy, also starring Joe Gilgun, has been confirmed for a seventh series, ahead of its sixth season, due for release later this year.
The new episodes will begin shooting this autumn.
Keep up on set, Hugh
HUGH BONNEVILLE plays a disgraced ageing news anchor in new ITV drama Douglas Is Cancelled.
But it wasn’t just his character who was feeling old during filming.
Behind the scenes, the actor had his work cut out keeping up with former Doctor Who star Karen Gillan, who plays his co-anchor Madeline in the series – which airs from June 27 on ITV1.
He said: “I did an episode of Doctor Who with Karen and Matt Smith, and we had a good laugh during a number of rainy night shoots – she has a terrific sense of humour.
“Karen’s work ethic is extraordinary – she made me feel very old.
“It’s not her fault, of course, she was just so on top of the dialogue, take after take.
“I felt like a blundering, drag horse next to her galloping thoroughbred.
“In fact, that’s a perfect reflection of our fictional characters.”
GILMORE GIRLS will be back on screens this summer, with all seven series available to stream on ITVX from July 4.
The American comedy drama, which aired from 2003 to 2006, stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as mother-daughter duo Lorelai and Rory.
Suspect back on a quest
SUSPECT is returning to Channel 4 – with Anne-Marie Duff on a dangerous new quest for the truth.
The actress, who plays Dr Susannah Newman, was searching for answers after her daughter’s tragic death in season one.
The new episodes will see a mysterious new client, Jon, played by Mamma Mia!’s Dominic Cooper, make a shock confession under hypnosis.
This leads Dr Newman to embark on a deadly journey to save a stranger’s life.
Friday Night Dinner star Tamsin Greig, Paddington’s Ben Miller and Vinette Robinson from Boiling Point also join the cast.
The series will air on Channel 4 later this summer.