Tornado Alley (PROG)

[fuagf]

Looks a good one, excerpt: “Comedy really thrives in dark times,” said Black. “When you tune into Have I Got News for You at the end of a difficult week,” added Mulville, “and someone says something about someone who’s pissed you off, it just gives you a sense of wellbeing.”

Before the first episode even airs, CNN has taken this show further in the US than any other network. When asked exactly what they’re looking for, though – whether success would mean viewers watching live, say, more streaming subscribers, or viral social media clips – the network declined to pick a specific metric. “All of the above,” Entelis replied in an email.

Viewers tuning in this weekend will find the show “very similar” to the UK original, Mulville said. As it gets off the ground, though, those involved hope the series will evolve into a distinct beast.

Black pointed to one of the most successful transatlantic comedy remakes of the modern era: The Office. “At first, that first season, it pretty much felt like the British Office,” he said. “But over time, the show takes on its first identity.”

In the UK, with team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, Have I Got News for You has built a narrative over more than three decades. It is the soul of the show, regardless of what’s happened in the news that week.

“I’m looking to figure out what is the soul of this show,” said Black. “Which is sad,” he added wryly, “because we’ll probably be canceled in about three weeks.”

Asked about the future of the series beyond the fall, Entelis did not respond.

Have I Got News for You starts on CNN on 14 September

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/sep/14/have-i-got-news-for-you-us-version