Comedy Central new home to Takeshi’s Castle

Comedy Central is the new international home for Takeshi’s Castle, having acquired the rights to new episodes from a Thailand-shot version of series.

The Japanese game show will debut on Comedy Central UK in autumn 2017 before airing across Comedy Central’s international network of more than 33 branded channels, excluding the US, Canada and Japan.

UK comedian Jonathan Ross has been confirmed to as the voiceover for UK episodes.

The format, which features 100 members of the public attempting to tackle a series of crazy obstacles with the ultimate aim of reaching and storming the castle, follows the format of the original Tokyo Broadcasting System hit Takeshi’s Castle, which first aired in Japan in 1986.

The show become a cult phenomenon on Challenge TV in the UK in 2002 and elsewhere around the globe.

“Takeshi’s Castle is the gold standard of physical game shows and we can’t wait to bring the delightful mayhem of this show back to the UK with this new series,” said Louise Holmes, vice president and general manager at Comedy Central UK.

“Jonathan’s comedic brilliance will add a fresh level of funny to this well-loved format for both original fans and hopefully, a whole new generation of ‘Keshi-heads’.”