[zakman440]

Meanwhile, Cats does Countdown is continuing on Channel 4 with Jon and Sean.

Topical panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats relaunches with team captains Aisling Bea and Rob Beckett and will air on More 4, All 4 and Channel 4

It was announced today that hugely successful comedy mash-up series 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown has scored a bumper Channel 4 commission and the 8 out of 10 Cats brand is to expand across Channel 4’s platforms with new team captains Rob Beckett and Aisling Bea.

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, hosted by Jimmy Carr with team captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson, has been commissioned for a further 18 episodes on Channel 4 – the biggest order to date.

The much-loved format, which has seen Jimmy, Jon and Sean record over 70 episodes since it launched, delivered a consolidated audience of 1.9 million viewers and a 7.7% market share (17% above Channel 4’s primetime average) during its last series.

Guests on the 18 x 1 hour shows will include David Walliams, Catherine Tate, Noel Fielding, Roisin Conaty, Lee Mack, Victoria Coren-Mitchell, Joe Wilkinson, Claudia Winkleman, Bob Mortimer, Noel Fielding, Isy Suttie, Russell Howard, Richard Ayoade, Jessica Hynes and David Mitchell.

It was also announced today that the 8 Out of 10 Cats brand is to expand across Channel 4’s platforms, with topical panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats making a welcome return premiering on More 4 with new team captains Rob Beckett and Aisling Bea.

The 12 x 45’ series of 8 out of 10 Cats will be the topical show’s 19th, making it one of the longest running panel shows on television, and will aim to reach a new generation of comedy fans.

Each week Jimmy, Aisling and Rob will be joined by a host of celebrities and comics, including the most promising up and coming comedy talent. Together they will thrash out the topics that have got Britain talking. As ever, they will draw on polls, statistics and surveys, pontificating on anything from Brexit to the Branjelina split.

Sarah Lazenby, Channel 4 Commissioning Editor, says: “We’re thrilled to be bringing back one of the sharpest topical panel shows on TV. This is a huge endorsement for the brand and a great opportunity to develop new talent. We’re delighted that the incredibly talented Aisling Bea and Rob Beckett will join as team captains in its newest incarnation on More 4 whilst the dons Jimmy, Sean and Jon continue to make 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown appointment to view on 4.”

Ruth Phillips, Managing Director of Zeppotron said “We’re thrilled that the brand is going from strength to strength with such a major commission of 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown for Channel 4 and the original 8 Out of 10 Cats returning to entertain a fresh demographic. We’ve always relished the opportunity to nurture new talent and a crucial part of the show’s brief will be to launch and support new comedians.”

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and 8 Out of 10 Cats are produced by Zeppotron, part of Endemol Shine Group. They are executive produced by Ruth Phillips, Andrew Westwell and Richard Osman. 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown is Series Produced by Richard Cohen, Adam Copeland and Mark Barrett with episodes currently airing at 9pm on Saturdays on Channel 4. 8 Out of 10 Cats is series produced by Lisa Kirk and will air on More 4, Channel 4 and All4 in the autumn.

Aisling Bea

Since winning prestigious comedy competition So You Think You’re Funny? in 2012 and being nominated for the Fosters Comedy Award for Best Newcomer for her debut Edinburgh show in 2013, Aisling has become one of the most in-demand performers in UK comedy, a status cemented when she won the British Comedy Award for Best Female TV Comic in 2014.
As well as her live work, Aisling is a regular on television, having performed stand-up on BBC 1’s Live At The Apollo and Channel 4’s Comedy Gala. She has also appeared regularly on panel shows such as Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, BBC1’s Would I Lie To You? and BBC2’s QI. In 2015 she was part of the team for Channel 4’s Alternative Election Night alongside David Mitchell and Jeremy Paxman which aired live throughout the election results. She is also an accomplished actress and can currently be seen in BBC Two’s hit drama The Fall.

Rob Beckett

After quickly establishing himself on the live comedy circuit, Rob’s cheeky chappy persona saw him winning fans and starring on numerous TV shows. Recent TV appearances include BBC1’s Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Would I Lie To You?, Channel 4’s 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, BBC2’s Mock The Week and ITV1’s Play To The Whistle.

Rob is the host of Dave’s podcast, The Magic Sponge, alongside Jimmy Bullard and Ian Smith, as well as host of Absolute Radio’s hit show, Rock n Roll Football.

You can currently catch Rob on his critically acclaimed 'Mouth Of The South' live tour where he has been performing to sold-out audiences around the UK for the past 18 months.

http://www.channel4.com/info/press/n...annel-4-family

Not quite sure why they've felt the need to replace Jon and Sean on the original, but I love Aisling and Rob has his moments so it shouldn't be too bad. Bit disappointed that they've shifted it to More4 too - I don't see why it couldn't have stayed on the main channel, but either way I'm glad the original is coming back.

[Braden]

This is no loss for me.

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown is far superior