Taye Diggs (“The Best Man Holiday”) will host “You’re Back in the Room” (working title), the new eight-episode one-hour hypnotic comedy game show. Additionally, award-winning hypnotist Keith Barry, who stars in the original U.K. show, will join as resident hypnotist.
“The second I saw this show I knew I needed to be a part of it. It’s the most unique blend of comedy and competition I’ve seen in years,” said Diggs. “I’m also quite excited as this is a program I can watch and laugh at with my six-year-old son.”
Based on the smash-hit U.K. format of the same name, “You’re Back in the Room” (wt) features physical comedy and unpredictable situations, as contestants work together in teams and are challenged to complete a variety of simple, everyday tasks, from frosting a cake to blowing up balloons… after being hypnotized. With big money at stake, these contestants need to work together as a team, but their entranced state causes hysterical hurdles that unwittingly sabotage their progress.
The series will begin production in July.
Taye Diggs currently stars as “Detective Terry English” in the drama series “Murder in the First,” currently in its third season. Diggs recently concluded a multi-episode arc on FOX’s hit drama series, “Rosewood,” before ending his run in the title role of Broadway’s “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” historically marking the first time an African-American took on the title role.
He recently wrapped production on the upcoming feature film “One Shot,” opposite Topher Grace. Other TV credits include “Private Practice,” “Daybreak,” “Will & Grace,” “Ally McBeal” and “Kevin Hill.” In 2013, Diggs appeared in “The Best Man Holiday,” the sequel to the hit feature comedy “The Best Man,” in which he also was featured. Additional film credits include “Baggage Claim,” “The House on Haunted Hill” and “Go.” He also is the author of two children’s books.
Keith Barry is the world’s leading TV hypnotist, mentalist and brain hacker. He has toured for many years showcasing his skills across the globe and has starred in over 40 international TV shows, his most recent being the U.K. version of “You’re Back in the Room.” Barry also starred in cable’s “Deception with Keith Barry” and the Irish TV Studio series “Brain Hacker.” He also has appeared many times on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “Conan,” among others. Barry has been awarded both the prestigious Merlin Award for “Mentalist of the Year 2009,” and “Best Magician in Las Vegas 2009,” as voted for by the Las Vegas Review Journal. His TED talk has been in the Top 20 TED Talks since 2008 and it currently has over 10 million views on the TED Talks website and over 30 million views in total. Barry is the Chief Magic and Mentalist Consultant on the upcoming feature film “Now You See Me: The Second Act,” slated to premiere in June.
“You’re Back In The Room,” produced by Tuesday’s Child, debuted in the U.K. as the No. 1 new unscripted entertainment series in 2015, ending its first season as a Top 10 series overall. The series is currently airing its second season and the format has been produced in France, The Netherlands and Australia and optioned internationally in multiple territories, including Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Portugal and Spain.
“You’re Back In The Room” (wt) is executive-produced by Tuesday’s Child in association with BBC Worldwide Productions. Karen Smith and Joe Sungkur serve as executive producers.
About Tuesday’s Child:
Tuesday’s Child Television is a U.K.-based independent production company specializing in entertainment and popular factual programming. It was launched in September 2012 by Karen Smith, the co-creator of “Strictly Come Dancing”/”Dancing with the Stars.” She was also former Shine TV joint MD (“The Magicians,” “Gladiators,” “Got to Dance,” “The Biggest Loser”). In addition to the hugely popular primetime series “You’re Back in the Room,” Tuesday’s Child has produced “Sean Conway Running Britain,” for Discovery; RTS-nominated “Superstar Dogs,” hosted by John Barrowman for Channel 4; “RV Rampage,” hosted by Amanda Byram and Henry Cole for Travel Channel; and “For What It’s Worth,” for BBC One.
About BBC Worldwide Productions:
BBC Worldwide Productions is a key business division under BBC Worldwide North America – part of BBC Worldwide, the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – which operates as a studio in the U.S. and Canada. Based in Los Angeles, BBC Worldwide Productions develops and produces original content, as well as scripted and unscripted projects based on BBC formats/brands across all platforms. The studio is responsible for the ratings juggernaut “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC), “Getting On” (HBO), “Top Gear” (History) and the upcoming limited series “The Night Of” (HBO).
The above press release was issued by FOX.