Jo lands BBC2 quiz show

Jo Brand is to host a new quiz show, which the BBC hopes could replace The Simpsons.

BBC2 has ordered five episodes of Nobody Likes a Smart-Ass, which it will run daily in the 6pm slot that becomes available when the animated comedy switches to Channel 4 next year.

The quiz will feature a celebrity panel of self-proclaimed know-alls, who the studio audience will try to catch out.

Among those lined up to appear are Janet Street-Porter, Jeremy Beadle, Michael Winner, Gyles Brandreth, Arabella Weir, Danny Kelly and Stuart Maconie.

" It will have a pantomine atmosphere with the studio audience hissing and booing the panel," Stephen Lambert, from producers RDF Media, told the industry website C2

"BBC2 has ordered five episodes but if it works it'll be stripped through the week and will be a big deal for us."

BBC executives admit that finding a suitable show to fill The Simpsons' timeslot currently is one of their biggest headaches.

The trial run of Nobody Likes a Smart-Ass will take place sometime this summer.

Published: 19 May 2003