BBC game show suffers blow as spin-off series axed after tanking in the ratings
THE US version of Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel has been axed after tanking in the ratings.
The comic dreamt up the Saturday night game show — a big hit on the BBC — during the pandemic, having to measure out social distancing in his set designer’s garden.
Three series on, it is still must-watch telly, with more than five million viewers over here.
But sadly the same can’t be said across the pond, where it premiered on NBC in December.
A US TV source revealed: “Michael was given a prime time slot and millions of dollars was put into giving the show the best chance to succeed.
“The channel also booked some major US celebrities like Christina Ricci, Ricki Lake and Tony Hawk.
“But sadly it just did not capture the imagination of audiences.
“American fans did not warm to the show or the contest.”
A senior insider at NBC confirmed: “The Wheel is not returning.”
Michael had signed a multi-million-dollar deal with the US broadcaster, working alongside top executive Mike Darnell, who is known for having the golden touch with British talent.
He helped Simon Cowell and Gordon Ramsay become household names Stateside.
The Wheel aired for two weeks across the Christmas period last year, but only averaged 1.5million viewers.
The format has just launched in France, with another host, and pulled in 2.6million.
Michael told me he had to audition for his own role after selling the show to NBC.
He revealed last year: “It was a really mean thing.
“The Americans bought the show quickly on Zoom in lockdown.
“Everyone seemed to want it after it had been on for one or two weeks here. It was crazy.
“And then they were looking for a host and I just kept getting told I was in the running.
“We painstakingly made a teaser tape of all my best bits.”
Your best is still good enough for us, Michael.
Bizbit
SKY Arts goes behind the scenes of the National Portrait Gallery’s refurbishment as part of four new programmes.
In one, Art historian Kate Bryan has unprecedented access to the London site as it opens its doors after three years.
Other shows focus on artists including Andy Warhol.
ENDERS’ MYSTERY KNIGHTS
WALFORD newbies Molly Rainford and Colin Salmon are lined up for an explosive storyline on EastEnders this week.
The BBC soap will focus on new family The Knights tomorrow and Thursday.
Former James Bond actor Colin joined Albert Square this month as boxer George “The Knightmare” Knight, with Strictly’s Molly playing his daughter Anna.
Since arriving, the family have found themselves in hot water after the disappearance of mum Rose, who is yet to be seen.
The BBC teased: “The truth about George Knight’s family is set to be revealed, to find out what really happened all those years ago.”
Tomorrow’s and Thursday’s episodes will air on BBC One and iPlayer simultaneously at 7.30pm, so viewers can watch the shocking truth unfold together . . .
Bizbit
APPLETV+ has cancelled the adaptation of FritZ Lang’s 1927 classic film Metropolis after rising pre-production costs.
Producer Sam Esmail had been working on the eight-episode series for seven years when writers went on strike, throwing the project into chaos.
ROSE UP FOR PART IN PAST
ROSE AYLING-ELLIS has hinted she wants her next role to be in a period drama.
The former EastEnders actress, who won Strictly in 2021, told Radio Times: “I would love to see a character in a period drama who is incidentally deaf, and I want disabled characters who are older, male and not white.
“At the moment, disability is seen as being vulnerable so it looks ‘better’ for a woman to be disabled.”
Rose is currently working on six-part ITV drama Code Of Silence and is fronting a BBC1 documentary about deafness, Signs For Change, this week.
So she joked she might be too busy to take on the role herself.
Rose added: “Before Strictly I was fighting for opportunities.
“Now I get so many opportunities that I have to say no to a lot.”