BBC Studioworks is providing full studio and technical services to three returning productions this June; Sky’s A League of Their Own, BBC One’s Mock The Week and ITV’s The Chase.
Produced by CPL Productions for Sky 1 and Sky 1 HD, A League of Their Own has called BBC Studioworks’ Elstree production hub its home since its third series in 2011. Series 13 of the popular sports-based comedy panel show is currently recording eight episodes between 24 June and 8 July in the 15,770 sq. ft. George Lucas Stage 2 and will make full use of BBC Studioworks’ adjoining production galleries.
Host James Corden on set in George Lucas Stage 2
In order to ensure the smooth running of this complex and diverse production, BBC Studioworks is providing a full support service including studio management, engineering and electricians, to back up CPL’s own camera, sound and lighting crew.
Another long-running production that has made a return to BBC Studioworks is BBC One’s satirical panel show, Mock the Week. Producers Angst, have begun a weekly residency across a six-week period in BBC Studioworks’ 10,800 sq. ft. Studio TC1 at Television Centre. The production began its run on 4 June and the last show is due to record on 10 July.
Dara O Briain and Hugh Dennis with the Mock The Week panel from episode one of series 17
The current series is airing on Thursday nights on BBC Two at 22:00. Television Centre was Mock the Week’s home for series one to 11, before the facility closed for redevelopment.
Back in Elstree, ITV Studios’ gameshow, The Chase, returns to Stage 9 between 25 June and 15 July to record 26 episodes of its award-winning format. In addition, 16 episodes of The Family Chase (with each episode featuring a family working together in an attempt to outwit the Chaser) will also be facilitated.
A seven-camera configuration will capture all the action of the fast-moving general knowledge quiz rounds. The ancillary facilities provided by BBC Studioworks include production offices, green rooms, dressing rooms and catering areas.
The production team is also returning to BBC Studioworks later in the year for the recording of an additional 75 episodes across September and October.
Other returning shows to BBC Studioworks this year have included ITV2’s Celebrity Juice, BBC One’s Pointless and ITV’s This Time Next Year.
