Format devised by Richard Bacon

Jimmy Carr is to host a new comedy quiz show for Channel 4 this autumn.

I Literally Just Told You is based on contestants’ ability to remember what happens during the course of the show.

It has been devised by presenter Richard Bacon, who told The Times today: ‘Every five minutes or so the players are quizzed on the last five minutes.

‘The heart of the idea is we write the questions as the show is happening. So when the show starts, at least half the questions in the show have not been written and we write it based on what happens live.

‘We made a pilot and by the end there’s just beads of sweat dripping down their faces.’

As Chortle reported in January, an American version of the show is being developed for the NBC network, presented by comedians Adam Devine and Ron Funches.

Channel 4 has hailed the "irreverent", hour-long show as part of its commitment to "innovative new formats", with the quiz's commission for a mid-evening slot following a successful non-transmission pilot last autumn.

It is being made by Expectation Entertainment under executive Paul Brassey, who previously devised A League Of Their Own for Sky One

Former Blue Peter presenter Bacon, above,  also came up with the format for BBC One’s This Is My House, in which judges Bill Bailey, Emily Atack, Jamali Maddix and Judi Love had guess who was telling the truth about living in a specific house.

Carr already hosts 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and The Big Fat Quiz programmes for Channel 4.

Published: 12 Jul 2021