Zeppotron Signs Deal with David Earl & Joe Wilkinson

Banijay UK’s Zeppotron has signed an exclusive development deal with comedy duo David Earl and Joe Wilkinson’s Big Oval Place for unscripted TV formats.

The two-year deal will see Earl and Wilkinson develop formats from travelogues to factual entertainment to reality shows. Earl previously worked with Zeppotron on 8 Out of 10 Cats and 8 Out of 10 Cats Countdown.

Previously, Earl and Wilkinson created, wrote and starred in the sitcoms Rovers and The Cockfields and worked on three seasons of Ricky Gervais’ After Life. Earl also co-wrote and starred in Brian and Charles, while Joe’s acting credits include Sex Education and Him and Her.

The duo launched Big Oval Plate in 2020. They produce and host the podcast series Chatabix through the company.

“As well as being brilliant comedic performers and writers, Joe and David are also blessed with wonderfully inventive minds and an astute knack for coming up with unusual, funny ideas that nevertheless have a big, mainstream sensibility,” said Ruth Phillips, co-managing director of Zeppotron. “We’ve loved working with (and laughing with) Joe for many years on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and can’t wait to now join forces with both him and David to make great programs together.”

“I’m very chuffed to be working with Zeppotron,” Earl commented. “The fact that me and Joe can now come up with stupid ideas for TV and they have to at least be polite and listen to them is a lovely feeling. I do hope they remain patient with us though.”

Wilkinson added, “I am very, very, very excited to be collaborating with Zeppotron. It’s been a joy to work with them over the last ten years on some of their brilliant shows. They are so fantastic at making ideas come to life, and I’m really looking forward to having more fun with them on some new ideas.”