Wednesday, 23 October 2024

Pictionary Comes to the UK: ITV Brings the Classic Drawing Game to Life with Mel Giedroyc

Image: ITV Press

By Jon Donnis

Get ready to laugh, guess, and draw your way to victory as Pictionary, the world's favourite sketching game, makes its way to UK television this December! In a partnership between Mattel, Inc. and ITV, the much-loved family game is being transformed into a fast-paced TV show, hosted by the ever-hilarious Mel Giedroyc. The 25-episode series, produced by Whisper North, promises to deliver all the fun, chaos, and outrageous guesses that fans of the board game know and love.
After a successful three-season run in the U.S., Pictionary is set to launch on ITV1 and ITVX, bringing the action-packed game to British screens. And what better way to kick things off than with a Christmas special? Viewers can look forward to a series of 24 episodes following the festive launch, with Mel Giedroyc at the helm, alongside two celebrity team captains leading their contestants to victory (or hilarious failure).
Sketch, Guess, Win – Simple Yet So Funny
The game's premise is as simple as it is entertaining: two teams go head-to-head, tasked with drawing images to match a word or phrase from a specific category. The trick? You don't have to be a brilliant artist – in fact, the worse your drawing skills, the funnier it gets. The teammates must guess what the drawings represent to score points and move closer to winning a fantastic prize. With Mel Giedroyc's quick wit and infectious energy leading the charge, it's bound to be a non-stop laugh fest.
Mel couldn't be more excited about her new role as host, saying, "Everyone is familiar with Pictionary, and I am so excited to help bring the game to life on television. It is such a pleasure to be a part of and I know people will love the show."
A Family Favourite for All to Enjoy
What's fantastic about Pictionary is its universal appeal. Whether you're playing at home or watching the show, the game is perfect for all ages, allowing families and friends to join in on the fun. Katie Rawcliffe, ITV's Director of Entertainment & Daytime, couldn't agree more: "I am thrilled we are bringing this much-loved game show to the UK. It's perfect for all the family to enjoy and play along at home. With Mel Giedroyc at the helm, Pictionary is in the hands of a true entertainer. Her infectious energy and quick wit make her the perfect choice to host the show."
Leanne Clarke, Assistant Commissioner of Daytime at ITV, echoed that excitement: "We hope viewers will come up with their own hilarious guesses and show their inner artist. And it is, of course, fantastic to have Mel hosting such an iconic game."
Whisper North and Mattel Deliver the Fun
The partnership behind this exciting new series is a powerhouse collaboration. Mattel, the creator of the original Pictionary board game, has teamed up with Whisper North, the production company known for hits like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. Sunil Patel, Whisper's Co-Founder and CEO, has high hopes for the show's success, especially with the Christmas special drawing in viewers: "I have played Pictionary with my children for many years and know this show will be a great hit across the UK – especially as a Christmas Special. We have an incredible production team, as well as a great talent at the helm in Mel. Pictionary is a great addition to the Whisper slate and huge thanks to ITV for making this happen."
Mattel's excitement is just as palpable. Alex Godfrey, Vice President of Content Distribution at Mattel, shared his enthusiasm: "Mattel is excited to see Pictionary's popularity with viewers, and we can't wait to bring this beloved game show to UK audiences, inviting even more fans of the classic game to join in on the fun."
When to Tune In
Mark your calendars because Pictionary is hitting ITV1 and ITVX at the end of this year, with a special Christmas episode to get things started. Whether you're a drawing pro or more of a stick-figure sketcher, this show promises to deliver laughs, suspense, and plenty of outrageous guesses.
So, gather your friends and family, brush up on your drawing skills (or don't!), and get ready for the ultimate guessing game. With Mel Giedroyc as the perfect host, Pictionary is set to become a UK favourite this festive season and beyond.


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