ABC, Kimmel call on Banijay’s Big Fan

US broadcaster ABC, late-night presenter Jimmy Kimmel and Banijay Studios North America are working on comedic game show series.

Big Fan will see super-fans go up against their favourite celebrities in half-hour, studio-shot episodes to see who knows more about the famous face. Andy Richter (Conan) has been signed up to host.

The format is based on a segment from Jimmy Kimmel Live!, aping the journey the popular miming format Lip Sync Battle made to screen after appearing as a segment on Jimmy Fallon’s NBC talk show. The Big Fan segment, Who Knows…? featured singer Katy Perry competing against a super-fan.

Lip Sync began life as a segment on NBC talk show The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and went on to become arguably the most-influential new format of last year, with distributor Viacom International Media Networks shopping it around the globe.

“Night after night, Jimmy Kimmel Live delivers a slew of great comic bits,” said David Goldberg, Banijay Group president and Banijay Studios North America CEO.

“There were many to choose from, but Who Knows…? featuring Katy Perry stood out as one that could be expanded into a really unique comedic game show concept that gives fans at home a chance to be part of the experience.

“Thankfully, Jimmy and ABC agree. Collaborating with Jimmy and Andy, two of the funniest people on television, on our first game-show format under the new Banijay Studios North America banner, is very exciting.”

Goldberg is executive producing along with Kimmel and Caroline Baumgard.

Banijay Studios North America launched in 2014 under the stewardship of former Endemol North America CEO and chairman Goldberg. The firm’s parent company, Banijay Group, is expected to complete its merger with Zodiak Media this month.