In a thrilling announcement, the popular American game show “Password” is making its much-anticipated debut in the United Kingdom with an exciting new series set to air on ITV and ITVX. Produced by Talkback, a Fremantle label, the show promises to captivate viewers with its comedic brilliance and star-studded lineup.
“Password” will feature two of the UK’s biggest entertainment personalities, comic genius Alan Carr and acclaimed actor and writer Daisy May Cooper, as resident Team Captains. The multi-talented Stephen Mangan will take on the role of the host, leading the contestants through this hilarious word association game.
During each episode, Alan and Daisy will pair up with contestants and provide one-word clues to help their teammates guess a mystery “password.” The teams must connect on a deeper level and strive to synchronise their thinking as they take turns guessing the crucial password across multiple rounds. Viewers can anticipate uproarious clues, amusing guesses, and plenty of laughter as Daisy and Alan endeavour to assist the plucky contestants in winning a cash prize in the grand Jackpot final.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Stephen Mangan said, “Password is a fantastic game show, so it’s an absolute pleasure to be the host. Although how I’m going to keep Daisy and Alan in line, I don’t know!”
Alan Carr added his own humorous twist, stating, “I can’t wait to wipe the floor with Daisy. She’ll be heading back to the West Country with her tail between her legs. If only her brain was as big as her mouth.”
Daisy May Cooper confidently chimed in, “I’m looking forward to knocking the glasses off Alan with my exceptional talent for this game. I know that, given both our training (Me – drama school, Alan – Tesco), that between us (meaning mostly me), we will be able to win people lots of cash (just to reiterate when I say ‘we,’ I mean ‘me’).”
Talkback’s Managing Director, Jonno Richards, expressed his excitement about launching “Password” in the UK, stating, “We’re so excited to be launching Password in the UK with the fantastic Alan, Daisy, and Stephen. These three stars, combined with some brilliant contestants and a cracking game, promises to be a real treat for the ITV viewer.”
Katie Rawcliffe, the Head of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV, echoed the sentiment, stating, “Password is a brilliantly fun format greatly complemented by a fabulous on-screen trio in Alan, Daisy, and Stephen. 2023 has been a great year for game shows on ITV, and there are plenty more to come in 2024.”
The original “Password” was created by Bob Stewart for Goodson-Todman Productions, now owned by Fremantle, the producer of “American Idol.” The show initially premiered on CBS in 1961 and ran for an impressive 1,500 episodes before moving to ABC in 1971. It enjoyed revivals on NBC in 1979 and 1984, and CBS also produced a primetime series called “Million Dollar Password” in 2008. The show made a successful comeback in the US in 2022, with Jimmy Fallon as the star and Keke Palmer as the host, becoming the most-watched new unscripted series premiere of the summer across US broadcast networks, outshining five other titles. The format is now set to launch in Spain and Mexico.
The UK adaptation of “Password” will consist of seven episodes, each running for 45 minutes. The series is executive produced by Jonno Richards and Laura Gibson for Talkback, with Juliet Morrish serving as the Series Producer. The show was commissioned by Joe Mace, Commissioning Editor at ITV, and Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV.
Fremantle holds the international production and distribution rights for the “Password” format, ensuring its widespread availability across the globe.
With the arrival of “Password” in the UK, audiences can look forward to an exhilarating game show experience filled with laughter, wit, and nail-biting moments as contestants aim to crack the all-important password and claim the coveted cash prize. Stay tuned for the premiere on ITV and get ready to be entertained like never before.
