BBC, Jim Henson Co. Bringing Puppets To UK Primetime With ‘Muppet’-Style Show

BBC One has joined with The Jim Henson Company for That Puppet Game Show, a new comedy game series that has a few things in common with Henson’s original Muppet Show. The series is currently shooting and will occupy a primetime slot on Saturday nights beginning later this year. Each week, two celebrity guests – the only humans on the program – will compete head-to-head in a group of “madcap” games as they vie to win £10,000 for charity. Like The Muppet Show, which incorporated behind-the-scenes shenanigans along with the actual onstage goings-on, That Puppet Game Show will also feature a backstage sitcom. The new characters created for the program include Mancie the producer and show exec Udders McGhee. The host, Dougie Colon (above, and pronounced Cologne), bears a resemblance to Sesame Street character Guy Smiley, who was created and performed by the late Jim Henson. That Puppet Game Show is a co-production between BBC In-House Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company. The executive producers are Derek McLean and Brian Henson.

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