US and International options for What The..?! and Radio Gaga

Independent international distribution company Lineup Industries has inked deals on two formats with the newly-formed Critical Content, headed by Tom Forman and Andrew Marcus. The deals include US options for Radio Gaga, a highly original and uniquely touching format following a hyper-local radio station, and light-hearted hidden camera show What The..?!.

“Radio GaGa is such a unique format,” said Tom Forman. It’s part talk show, part documentary, part buddy comedy, part tearjerker. In short, it’s exactly the kind of smart, groundbreaking, nuanced television Lineup Industries finds that we love at Critical Content.”

Julian Curtis at Lineup Industries adds: “Our deals with Critical Content are fantastic examples of the kind of alliances we look to forge with both producers and talent, ensuring we work with the best possible local partners to maximise the potential of each format we represent. Both Radio Gaga and What The..?! are original, touching programmes which resonate internationally – and we look forward to rolling them out in new territories.”

Set to be the next vehicle for Catfish’s Nev Schulman and Max Joseph through the US deal with Critical Content, Radio Gaga sees the two hosts travel through the country in their mobile radio studio, stopping to set up camp in various small communities. They then spend the next 48 hours running a radio station for the locals – taking everything from song requests to confessions. Radio Gaga searches for nuance, humor and emotion, the soul and the soundtrack of a particular place. What is unique about this community, and what connects those who live there?

Devised and produced for NPO1 by David & Co., and represented globally by Lineup Industries, What The?! is setting a new trend in formats – showing that the impossible can become possible.  Members of the public secretly undergo weeks of training overseen by an expert to master a skill which is completely out of character for them. During the training our host offers encouragement and support whilst also meticulously planning a stunt to reveal the skill to all the subject’s friends and family. Maybe your Granny isn’t quite as frail as everyone thinks? Imagine your surprise when she jumps on a dirt bike and chases down the bikers who’ve been making your quiet lunch in the country a nightmare! Or your shock as your raver friend gets up in the middle of a restaurant to perform a classical solo on violin. The participants in What The..?! have something to prove, but often end up surprising themselves the most of all.