Rob Beckett's Smart TV returning to Sky Max for Series 2 (original) (raw)

ExclusiveFriday 13th September 2024, 11:00am by Jay Richardson

Rob Beckett's Smart TV. Image shows left to right: Alison Hammond, Rob Beckett, Josh Widdicombe

Rob Beckett's Smart TV is returning for a second series, British Comedy Guide can exclusively reveal.

Rejoining Beckett as host, Josh Widdicombe and Alison Hammond are also returning as team captains on the Sky Max panel show about the small screen, with six more 45-minute episodes ordered for broadcast next year.

Concurrently, Hammond will host her first ever podcast, a spin-off from the series with the working title Smart TV Podcast. The presenter will interview a celebrity guest about the television that made them who they are today in each of the 21 episodes.

"I am absolutely buzzing that Smart TV is coming back" said Beckett. "It brings me so much joy to be able to sit down for a bit. As a father of young children, the only time I get to sit down is on the toilet and hosting a TV show.

"Although it's great having Alison and Josh sat next to me on the show, when they follow me to the toilet it becomes a bit overwhelming. Especially when Alison does one of her big laughs when I'm wiping."

Hammond added: "We're back babs! I can't wait for the three musketeers to be reunited for another series of Rob Beckett's Smart TV, and for my team to win every single episode. I hope Josh is ready!

"I am delighted to be hosting the new spin-off podcast for Smart TV, it's going to be so much fun, and you bet I'm going to be getting all the tea from our wonderful celeb guests coming on."

Widdicombe paid tribute to both Hammond and Beckett, his co-host on the Parenting Hell podcast, remarking that he "cannot wait" to record Smart TV again as "I love spending time with Alison, and Rob is nice too if you like that kind of thing.

"My plan is that the show becomes so successful that we end up doing a round all about Smart TV... on Smart TV."

Launched in February with eight episodes, guests on the panel show have included comedians Romesh Ranganathan, Alan Davies, Richard Ayoade, Roisin Conaty, Jon Richardson, Natasia Demetriou, Joel Dommett and Joe Thomas, as well as the likes of David Tennant, Anna Maxwell Martin, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Charlie Cooper, Cush Jumbo, David Morrissey, Daniel Mays, Russell Tovey and Nicola Coughlan.

Produced by Talkback (QI, Never Mind The Buzzcocks), a Fremantle label, Rob Beckett's Smart TV is executive produced by Kate Edmunds and Mark Barrett for Talkback.

The series was commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, director of Sky Arts and Entertainment at Sky, with Shirley Jones the commissioning editor. The Smart TV Podcast will be produced by Tom Corrigan (Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe, Question Team).

Currently starring alongside Ranganathan in the seventh series of Rob And Romesh Vs on Sky Max, Beckett begins his stand-up tour Giraffe on 19th November at the Central Theatre in Chatham.