Gamers in the UK of a certain age - like this writer - may remember GamesMaster, a quirky '90s TV show that pitched competitors against each other in the latest games. Part of the appeal was in seeing new games - which a current-day TV show can't possibly replicate courtesy of the web's dominance - but a lot of the charm was in the challenges that competitors took on.
It seems that 'Go 8 Bit', a new show airing six episodes on the Dave channel in the UK this Autumn, will aim for the latter. Based on the Edinburgh comedy show of the same name it will pitch celebrities against each other in challenges in front of a live audience, with the losers having to go through a punishment. It'll be hosted by Dara O Briain - an well-known comedian who often does a brilliant job as host of the gaming BAFTAs - and the team captains will be Steve McNeil and Sam Pamphilon, comedians and creators of the original show. Below is a bit of blurb from a press release.
Each week they will guide their celebrity guest teammate through five rounds of increasingly competitive, hilarious gaming contests. Whether it be an arcade classic like Pac-Man, the latest blockbuster Grand Theft Auto or Fallout title, the most cutting-edge computer technology - or even larger-than-life game-inspired physical challenges, Dara and the show's resident gaming expert Ellie Gibson will be on hand to adjudicate, commentate, and generally wind up the contestants. The series will be recorded in front of a live studio audience who will decide the winner of each round.
Dara O Briain: "Put a video game controller in the hands of a nun and she'll turn into a trash-talking bloodthirsty monster. Give a controller to a comedian and they'll do that too, but be funny. In video games veritas, my friends. This show is a raucous, back-biting, properly competitive celebration of the world's favourite pastime. Let's Go 8 Bit!"
It sounds fun, and it has game-savvy (and funny) personnel leading the show. We'll certainly be watching later in the year - check out Dara O Briain in a gaming sketch below, but don't watch if you're an over-sensitive Wii fan.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 20
Yes! This guy is the right choice.
This sounds amazing! Shame Patrick Moore is no longer with us as Games Master though
Let's find humour in video games!
Just not about shady games publishers business practices.
Or games that don't work properly on release.
Or the vile acts of warring gaming factions on the internet.
Or how kids are playing adult content and how they act in online games.
Sounds fun!
You can tell Dara really loves games though. He regularly references them in his routine. Look forward tot his.
Sounds fun.
This sounds like an epic fail. And why celebrities? Is that really all TV can produce now days? Why not a real video game programme like the 90s??
Man, Dara is a gas man, makes me proud to be Irish lol. I'll totally watch this!
Hopefully NL will set a reminder for us when it airs in the autumn, please?
Sounds fun I'll check it out.
I'm an over sensitive wii fan and I did not like what I saw
🔫
Oh man, I love Dara. He's hilarious! Really hope the show becomes a success, I watch the Dave channel more than I'd like to admit.
Dara's great, especially in Mock the Week and also when he performs live. I'm up for giving this show a try.
If you want proper gaming tv, go and watch Ginx.
Anyway, this programme should be fun.
This could be good, I'm still looking forward to the new Robot Wars series that he will be hosting.
Pass I dislike dara! Do not find him funny at all I find him to be extremely snobbish. And yeah pass on "celebrities" playing the games cause I imagine it'll be cringe worthy!
If it in any way resembles Top Gear, I won't be watching 😄
Australia has an excellent games programme called Good Game Spawn Point. You can watch and download episodes online. Can't recommend it highly enough 😍
I'll watch that. We need some good games shows on British TV again. I think all there is atm is the garbage that resides on that Gynx channel.
I love Dara's stuff, especially his routine about GTA on his days off.
The host and the setup are fine, and Ellie Gibson is great (assuming it's the ex-Eurogamer one), but the "celebrity" element makes it instantly cringeworthy for me.
My God, yes! Love Dara O' Brien
i like that guy,i think this could work.i'm almost exited
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