Skip to main content

Child’s play? Ricky Gervais gets into game show biz with a panel of kids on ABC

gervais game show abc ricky 2016
The Tonight Show
Ricky Gervais is set to star in a new game show called Five to Survive that has been ordered by ABC, reports Variety.

Gervais, along with a panel of children, will help adult players answer a series of questions in order to win cash prizes. They must answer 10 in a row to win, and can use Gervais and the kids as a sort of lifeline in the event they give an incorrect answer. In addition to a hosting gig, of sorts, Gervais will also serve as executive producer of the show, alongside David Goldberg and Caroline Baumgard, chief Creative Officer at the studio behind the program, Banijay Studios North America.

Robert Mills, senior vice president, Alternative Series, Specials, and Late Night Programming for ABC Entertainment, expressed his delight in having the actor and comedian on board with the network. Given that children will be involved, however, we likely won’t see any of his raunchier stylings.

It’s clear Gervais will continue to hurl the insults, which is what he’s best known for. “I’ve never understood the saying ‘never work with animals or children,’” he comments, suggesting that he’d prefer to work with either than Hollywood actors. “They’re cheaper, they do as their told, and the filming hours are better.”

Banijay is moving deep into the popular realm of game shows, and is also working on Jimmy Kimmel’s upcoming prime time game show, Big Fan. And ABC is evidently looking to ramp up its involvement in the space as well, having also picked up a revival of The Gong Show from Sony Pictures Television last week.

Most notable for playing the lead character in the original BBC version of The Office, on which the American version starring Steve Carrell was based, Gervais has also gained attention for hosting the Golden Globes four times, most recently this year, as well as for starring in Muppets Most Wanted (2014), the Netflix series Derek (2012-2014), and the satirical comedy Special Correspondents, which was released earlier this year.

Editors' Recommendations

Five shows and movies to stream: ‘Zodiac,’ ‘Orange is the New Black,’ and more
shows to stream orange is the new black zodiac i am not your negro 1

Online streaming is bigger than ever, and with so many streaming services adding new shows and movies every week, it can be nearly impossible to sort through the good and the bad. If you need something to watch and don’t want to wade through the digital muck that washes up on the internet’s shores, follow our picks below for the best new shows and movies worth a watch.

On the list this week: An unfairly maligned Oscar winner, a returning Netflix series, and a brilliant documentary.

Read more
Five shows and movies to stream this week: ‘Arrow,’ ‘Blue Velvet,’ and more
shows to stream arrow blue velvet

Online streaming is bigger than ever, and with so many streaming services adding new shows and movies every week, it can be nearly impossible to sort through the good and the bad. If you need something to watch and don’t want to wade through the digital muck that washes up on the internet’s shores, follow our picks below for the best new shows and movies worth a watch.

On the list this week: The return of Arrow, the end of Comedy Bang! Bang!, and David Lynch's (arguably) best film.

Read more
Five shows and movies to stream this week: ‘Riverdale,’ ‘Batman & Bill,’ and more
shows to stream riverdale batman bill jackie brown

Online streaming is bigger than ever, and with so many streaming services adding new shows and movies every week, it can be nearly impossible to sort through the good and the bad. If you need something to watch and don’t want to wade through the digital muck that washes up on the internet’s shores, follow our picks below for the best new shows and movies worth a watch.

On the list this week: Two documentaries, the return of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and a modern take on Archie.

Read more