Replica Michael Parkinson To Host “World First” AI Podcast; Channel 4 Greenlights ‘Poison’ Doc; Keshet Germany ‘Messiah’ Comedy – Global Briefs
Replica Michael Parkinson To Host “World First” AI Podcast
An AI replica of iconic TV presenter Michael Parkinson is to host a podcast. Parkinson is leading Virtually Parkinson, which will be a completely unscripted conversation between a guest and the late TV host – a “world first,” according to its creators. Producer Deep Fusion Films said the AI Parkinson is built using knowledge garnered from his career, including his back-catalog of more than 2000 interviews with some of the most important cultural figures of our time. It is the latest AI series from Deep Fusion and was commissioned by Night Train Media’s fledgling label Night Train Digital, which manages the official Parkinson YouTube channel. The podcast series is planned to be released later this year with the full support and involvement of Parkinson’s family and estate. The chat show host died last year aged 88 following a stellar career. High-profile guests on his show included Muhammad Ali, Elton John, Madonna, Helen Mirren, Tom Cruise and Robert De Niro. “We couldn’t be more proud to announce this as Night Train Digital’s first major commission,” said director Caitlin Meek-O’Connor. “Through this partnership with the team at Deep Fusion, we are creating innovative new content as well as being trusted with such an iconic archive to bring Michael Parkinson to global audiences some of whom have been fans for decades, others who will be discovering him for the first time.”
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Channel 4 Greenlights Doc About Canadian Chef Who Sent Poison To Suicidal Young People
Channel 4 is to tell the story of a Canadian chef accused of sending more than 1,000 packages of poison to suicidal young people across the globe. Poison [working title] from Wonderhood Studios follows the investigation of The Times Social Affairs Editor James Beal into Kenneth Law, who is currently facing multiple charges of first-degree murder in Canada. In 2022, Beal was contacted by a grieving father, searching for answers about his son Tom’s tragic death. He wanted to know who had sent his son this deadly poison, and how they could get away with it, and this investigation ended with Law facing charges, which he denies. In the UK, the National Crime Agency has identified 97 victims that died after buying the poison which was sold on Law’s website. “In a time where suicide in young people is on the rise, this series comes at a poignant moment,” said Channel 4 commissioner Anna Miralis. “This is a gripping story which allows us to see the humans who are behind the statistics of deaths linked to Kenneth Law.”
Keshet Lands German Version Of Comedy Series ‘Messiah’
Keshet has landed its first local adaptation of comedy Messiah. German streamer Joyn has ordered a version of the show, which centers on a one-hit-wonder stuck in his 1990s moment of success, now running his mother’s former restaurant, with dreams of relaunching his music career and climbing back to the top of the charts. The move comes after Keshet Germany launched in the nation as a standalone scripted outfit. Developed and produced for ProSiebenSat.1’s streaming platform Joyn by Keshet Germany, Messiah (8×25’) is written by Sebastian Colley (Kroymann, How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)) and directed by Felix Stienz (Merz Gegen Merz, Unter Freunden stirbt man nicht (You Don’t Die Among Friends)). “Every territory has its unique music scene, and Keshet Germany and Sebastian Colley have nailed Germany’s 90s Eurodance movement and Messiah’s moment in the sun,” said Keshet International MD of Distribution Kelly Wright.
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