Rai, Banijay’s Endemol Shine Italy create AI-driven improv comedy format

AI-driven improv format Fake Show was created by Rai with Endemol Shine Italy

Italian pubcaster Rai has created an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven improvisation comedy entertainment format with Banijay-owned Endemol Shine Italy.

Fake Show (Diffidate delle imitazioni) is hosted by Italian actor, comedian and author Max Giusti and will air on Rai2 this autumn in a primetime slot.

The format uses AI to generate unpredictable situations, rules and games for celebrities as they showcase their improv skills, impersonating characters, dialects, objects, sounds and even their fellow showbiz counterparts.

Aiming to create hilarious laugh-out-loud viral moments, it comes shortly after Banijay set up its first creative fund to finance formats that involve AI.

Endemol Shine Italy is behind the local production of entertainment formats including Big Brother for Canale 5 and Deal or No Deal for Rai1, as well as LOL: Last One Laughing Italy and Celebrity Hunted for Amazon-owned Prime Video.

Leonardo Pasquinelli, CEO at Endemol Shine Italy, said: “Fake Show promises a comedic and fun evening highlighting the world of impersonation, improv and imitation.

“We’re excited to showcase AI in helping create eccentric sketches which the audience will love to watch again and again. Full credit to the team behind the format’s creation and delivery, including our very talented host Max Giusti.”

James Townley, chief content officer for development at Banijay, added: “We are seeing continued demand for light-hearted formats that put a smile on viewers’ face and Fake Show guarantees just this. With AI at its heart, this ground-breaking format is versatile, scalable, connects audiences and we’re excited to see what the future holds for it.”