BiggerStage, the Dublin-headquartered television production company launched by Pat Kiely, and FOX Alternative Entertainment (FAE), FOX Entertainment’s US-based in-house unscripted studio, have announced their latest collaboration: the second season of FOX’s successful revival of classic format Name That Tune.
The two companies agreed to jointly produce the game show that tests contestants’ music knowledge as they battle through a series of challenges for cash and prizes. Name That Tune is the second creative partnership between BiggerStage and FAE, following on from last summer’s collaboration on variety-competition series The Big Deal for Ireland’s Virgin Media Television.
BiggerStage was established one year ago with a core purpose to promote Ireland as a destination for world class unscripted productions. The new 10 x 60 mins series, which rolls out on FOX on March 29, represents the first time that an Irish producer has been awarded a primetime entertainment show for a US network.
Tony Award-winner Jane Krakowski (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) is hosting the new season of the evergreen format, accompanied by Randy Jackson of American Idol fame as band leader. The series includes five celebrity episodes with star players including Kelly Osbourne, Shaggy, Mel B, Tituss Burgess, JoJo, Frankie Muniz, and Jennie Garth.
Pat Kiely, founder and CEO of BiggerStage, said: “This new collaboration with FAE on the heels of The Big Deal confirms that our mission to establish a creative hub in Dublin for major international productions has real value in a global marketplace seeking more efficient models. In terms of empowering Ireland to play on a bigger stage, we couldn’t wish for a better vehicle than an all-time format great like Name That Tune for one of the biggest networks in the world.”
The entire series was recorded in Dublin, Ireland led by BiggerStage’s Sean O’Riordan (executive producer) and Shane Byrne (showrunner). The show is co-produced with FAE and Prestige Entertainment.
Allison Wallach, EVP, Head of Fox Alternative Entertainment said: “We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and quality in everything we deliver for audiences here in the U.S. and abroad, and in this partnership with BiggerStage we have found both. Name That Tune is one of the most established and enduring formats on the planet, and this season promises to be its best.”
Name That Tune, which started as a radio show before migrating to television in 1954, was originally created and produced by orchestra conductor Harry Salter and his wife Roberta Semple Salter. The musical game show sees two players compete in a race against the clock to test their knowledge of songs performed by a live band. Each episode features a rotating series of games, which culminate in the famous ‘bid-a-note’ round. The contestant with the most money at the end of the bid-a-note challenge wins the game and takes their prize pot into the ‘golden medley’ bonus round — and the chance to win a $100,000 grand prize.