01.12.09 Katie Allen in The Bookseller
"Richard & Judy" producer Cactus TV has revealed the long-awaited follow-up to the top-selling TV book club. Stars including comedians Jo Brand and Dave Spikey, stylist Gok Wan and Inspector Lynley" actor Nathaniel Parker will present 10 30-minute episodes on More 4 on Sunday evenings, with a daytime repeat on Channel 4 on the following Monday.
Managing director Amanda Ross had dropped hints regarding the new show since R&J's final incarnation on UKTV channel Watch was cancelled in June this year and has been in contact with publishers about the new show. Speaking to The Bookseller, Ross confirmed that the new show, "The TV Book Club", was a three-year deal with Channel 4 and More 4, with sponsorship from Specsavers. The opticians chain also sponsors Cactus' ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards.
On the decision not to bring back Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan, who were behind the successful book club, Ross said: "Everybody felt it was time to move on. They had six successful years. It was time for a change." Instead, five "recognisable stars"—Brand, Spikey, Parker, Wan and actress and "Strictly Come Dancing" contestant Laila Rouass—will present the shows. Series one begins on 17th January 2010. The summer series will comprise eight episodes, championing "the best in holiday reads".
Ross described the new format as "like a dinner party", with the five hosts chatting to a celebrity author each week. The guest will then stay to discuss the book club book for that week. Each book will be promoted with a film of the author. Each week the show will also revisit success
stories from the R&J book club, such as authors Victoria Hislop, Audrey Niffenegger (pic left) and Jodi Picoult, discussing how the programme changed their lives, offering a unique glimpse into how it feels to be a chart-topping author. New non-fiction releases will also be discussed each week with accompanying videos.The list of titles chosen will be revealed on 26th December. Ross said that all retailers and libraries were on board, with a tie-in stickers and poster campaign as with R&J.
Ross also said that she was "talking to" Galaxy about the British Book Awards, but that any plans were "up in the air".
I'm totally unexcited about watching Gok doing a book show.
ReplyDeleteI'd far rather see a show hosted by authors, such as Channel 7 did here in NZ with Pickering's (?) show. Sorry if that's not quite the presenters name (can't remember off the top of my head).