Sky 1 HD commissions Going Wild With The Joneses 1 X 60
Sky 1 HD has commissioned Plum Pictures to make GOING WILD WITH THE JONESES, a standalone, one hour adventure with Steve Jones, set deep in the Kalahari Desert. Production on the series will commence in July with the show set to launch on the channel later this year.
Two years ago Steve Jones and his brothers went wild down the Amazon. Now Sky is sending them to one of the most inhospitable terrains on earth with a challenging companion, their reluctant traveller father Keith. Fondly described by Steve as ‘Wales’s most unreconstructed man,’ finding a similar family dynamic in a completely different culture will be a memorable journey for the Joneses.
The San Bushmen of the Kalahari are considered the oldest culture in the world, an ancient tribe of hunter gatherers who share their slice of home with packs of lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, wild dogs and warthogs. The Jones boys will have to pull their weight amongst the Bushmen for a week, learning to hunt, kill and eat wild animals. The boys will build fires; brave traditional dress, dance and sleep under the stars and help the San people dig for water.
Women hold a high place in the tribal hierarchy, another unfamiliar tradition that Steve, Keith and co will be expected to embrace by babysitting and entertaining the children of the tribe, who have no social duties besides playing. A gastronomic surprise awaits the Joneses, as the Bushmen and their families are known for eating almost a hundred different insect species including grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, moths, butterflies and termites.
Antonia Hurford-Jones, Entertainment Commissioning Editor for Sky, commented: “GOING WILD WITH THE JONESES will be a really entertaining insight into family dynamics the world over, as two completely different cultures collide. Being able to spend time with the Jones family as they face the many challenges of surviving in the Kalahari, will be a charming, funny and touching experience for the Sky customer.”
Will Daws, Plum Pictures said: “I'm not so worried about how the Joneses will adapt to life amongst the Bushmen, I'm more concerned whether the Bushmen are ready for a week living with the Joneses.”
The series will be produced by Mark Jones, Plum Pictures, executive produced by Will Daws, Plum Pictures.
By 2014, Sky expects to invest £600 million a year in British programmes across its portfolio of channels. This commitment follows the success of home-grown content such as entertainment hits GOT TO DANCE, AN IDIOT ABROAD and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, dramas such as STRIKE BACK and MAD DOGS, comedies such as TROLLIED, SPY and STELLA, and factual shows such as ROSS KEMP EXTREME WORLD and the BAFTA-winning documentary FLYING MONSTERS 3D.
Following the addition of Sky 1 HD to Sky Go, customers will also be able to watch all upcoming home-grown comedies on the move on iPad, selected smartphones and laptops at no extra cost.
Notes to editor
For further information please contact:
Rachel Tate
Publicist – Sky 1 and Sky Living
02070326481 / 07850732717
Rachel.tate@uktv.co.uk
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