ITV2 has ordered Hey Tracey!, a quiz show hosted by Joel Dommett where celebrities attempt to win cash for members of the public with the help of a virtual assistant named Tracey.
Joel poses unusual question to the celebrities and if they don’t know the answer they can say “Hey Tracey!” and enlist the help of his very own virtual assistant. But forget your high-end Silicon Valley artificial intelligence – Tracey was thrown together by some sixth formers in the late 90’s as part of their technology coursework.
Each time one of the celebs summon her help, Tracey can connect them with someone in the real world that might be able to help. Less phone-a-friend, more like comedy cold calling. And that means everyone from dog groomers to massage parlours, piano tuners to equine dentists, roadside burger vans to reptile houses. Dr Pluto are producing the series for ITV2, with James Abadi and Sam Pollard serving as the executive producer.
“I’m super happy to be hosting new show ‘Hey Tracey’ for the sweet legends at ITV2″, Joel Dommett said in a statement. “It feels really fresh and funny while also making you squirm with awkwardness. I heavily campaigned to call it Hey Joel, but apparently I’m not famous enough and doesn’t work for the format. I can’t wait for everyone to see it – it’s gonna be a blast.”
While ITV’s Head of Digital Channels and Acquisitions Paul Mortimer, who commissioned the series alongside ITV’s Assistant Commissioner for Entertainment Peter Tierney, added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Dr Pluto on this crazy entertainment series, very much our subversive take on the TV Quiz Show. Hey Tracey! feels totally at home on ITV2, now the established entertainment destination for the twenty-something audience.”
