Madeleine Smithberg’s satirical format fronted by journalist who exposed Harvey Weinstein
Ronan Farrow, the journalist who exposed Harvey Weinstein, is to front a late-night satirical show for Channel 4.
Farrow, who published his 10,000 word expose in the New Yorker earlier this week, is developing the format with Madeleine Smithberg, one of the creators of The Daily Show.
The series, which is currently in development with the working title Cocks News, will offer a satirical take on the UK as seen through the eyes of America.
The 30-minute show is produced by Canadian indie Soshefeigh Media and will be shot in LA.
Farrow, who is the son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen, previously worked for NBC News and hosted investigative strand Undercover with Ronan Farrow on NBC’s Today Show.
Smithberg co-created Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Lizz Winstead. She previously worked on shows including Late Night with David Letterman and Steve Harvey’s Big Time Challenge.
The development is being overseen head of entertainment Ed Havard and entertainment commissioning editor Syeda Irtizaali.
Havard said the project was part of a wider strategy to identify new and emerging talent, on and off screen.
“We’re keen to tap into the US’ satire and topical programming”
Ed Havard, C4
Speaking at Broadcast’s Commissioning Forum, the former Question Time editor said: “Looking at the success of The Last Leg, we are very keen to find something that can sit alongside it at 10pm that has a satirical tone.
“One of the great traditions in the US is their satire and topical programming and we’re keen to tap into that and see what that different skillset could bring. Lots of US talent has come through Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show, different shows that we don’t have in this country. Our nursery slopes are still dominated by panel shows.”
Havard added that Farrow and Smithberg made a “formidable combination”.
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