Stephen Fry’s reboot of legendary American quiz show Jeopardy! is set to return to UK screens on New Year’s Day on ITV1.
The actor and comedian, 66, will host 20 episodes of the series, which sees contestants play to win, using their best general knowledge, winnings that are built up over each round.
Increasing the stakes, participants will play an extra round compared to the original, giving contestants a chance to take home even more money.
Self-proclaimed Jeopardy fan Stephen said the timing for the new show ‘feels right’ as Brits’ obsession with ‘whodunnits’ is greater now than ever.
The QI star said: ‘There are so many pub quizzes and quizzing leagues around Britain and so many professional quizzers.
Stephen Fry ‘s reboot of legendary American quiz show Jeopardy! is set to return to UK screens on New Year’s Day on ITV1
The actor and comedian, 66, will host 20 episodes of the series, which sees contestants play to win, using their best general knowledge, winnings that are built up over each round
‘We enjoy shows that don’t shy away from fairly tough questions and areas of knowledge. We love to watch people who are good at something.’
The American classic first appeared on screen in the UK in the 1980s, and now Stephen will bring a modern twist to the cult classic.
The show made Alex Trebek a household name, with him hosting the show for 37 seasons between 1984 and his death at age 80 in 2020.
Stephen Fry said the reboot will not be too far different from the original but does warn that the new show will last longer the original.
He said: ‘It’s not very different at all. The set design and colours are the same and the wondrous old-style font, too.
‘The only real difference is that the UK version is a little longer with an extra round. The signature Jeopardy! oddity of the questions being answers and the responses having to be given in the form of questions remains the same.
‘It’s amazing how the contestants manage this, almost no slip-ups at all. I was fairly insistent from the outset that we shouldn’t compromise on the standard or dicker about with the rules and procedures which are time-honoured and proven.
‘Fortunately, ITV and Whisper, the production company behind the series, were in complete agreement.’
Increasing the stakes, participants will play an extra round compared to the original, giving contestants a chance to take home even more money
British versions of Jeopardy! appeared on UK TV screens between 1983 and 1984 on Channel 4, ITV from 1990 to 1993, and Sky One from 1995 to 1996.
Sunil Patel – the CEO of Whisper, which is producing the show – is now excited to ‘introduce ‘Jeopardy!’ to a new generation of ITV quiz fans’.
Looking forward to the new series, Sunil said: ‘I can’t think of a more perfect pairing: an iconic American quiz show and the legendary Stephen Fry.
‘It’s an absolute thrill to introduce Jeopardy! to a new generation of ITV quiz fans, with its unique twist on the traditional question-and-answer format where viewers can play along at home.’
Self-proclaimed fan Stephen said the timing for the new show ‘feels right’ as Brits’ obsession with ‘whodunnits’ is greater now than ever
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