2021 Irish TV series or program
The Big Deal is an Irish reality talent competition programme which aired from 4 September to 10 October 2021 on Virgin Media One.
Production
Virgin Media Television announced The Big Deal in June 2021 for a six-episode run. The programme would be presented by Vogue Williams, and feature Aston Merrygold, Boy George, Deirdre O'Kane, Jedward, and Lyra as judges.[1] It was filmed at the 3Arena in Dublin.[2]
The series is a co-production with Fox Alternative Entertainment—the non-scripted production arm of U.S. television network Fox, and BiggerStage—an agency led by former managing director of Virgin Media Television Pat Kiely.[1][3] Fox's president of alternative entertainment and specials Rob Wade explained that it had become more cost-effective to co-fund an initial run of a new, in-house format in a test market with similar demographics to the United States, than to produce one-off pilots. He explained that its performance in Ireland could then be used to help pitch the format to broadcasters, such as Fox and other potential international broadcasters.[4] In September 2022, Deadline Hollywood reported that Fox was developing a U.S. version of the format under the title Fame or Fortune.[5]
After performing for a panel of judges, acts must choose to either take a cash buyout and leave the show, or decline it for a chance to qualify for the series finale, where they could win the €50,000 grand prize.[6][1][7][8]
See also
References