The search is over as The Comedy Network today announced that Canadian comedian, actor, and writer Darrin Rose will host the English-language revival of the classic comedy game show MATCH GAME. Well-known for his roles on MuchMusic’s VIDEO ON TRIAL as well as MR. D, Rose is an internationally known stand-up comic who has appeared at Just For Laughs and the Edinburgh Comedy Festival. MATCH GAME is produced by Montreal’s Zone3 and will air exclusively on Comedy Monday to Friday at 8 p.m. ET/PT beginning October 15.
“Darrin’s comic timing, his charisma, and his charm make him the perfect match forMATCH GAME,” said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. “With his outstanding stand-up chops and wide range of on-camera success, Darrin is ready to put his own stamp on this iconic game show.”
As the host of MATCH GAME, Rose will take competitors through four rounds of play, while keeping a panel of six comedians and entertainment personalities in check as the competitors try to fill-in-the-blanks to match their responses to questions like “Suzanne had to call 911 because her boss’s blank was stuck in the photocopier.”
“It’s fun to be part of such an iconic game show, if only because my dad is finally interested in my career,” said Rose. “He said ‘the new Gene Rayburn, eh? I guess now I can stop telling my friends you’re a real estate agent.’”
A four-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee, including Best Male Stand-Up in 2011, Oshawa, Ontario native Rose was called “one of the hottest comics in Canada” by GQ Magazine. Rose has appeared twice on CBC’s HALIFAX COMEDY FESTIVAL, and he headlined his own half-hour stand-up special on CTV and The Comedy Network. Rose recently won a 2012 Canadian Screenwriting Award for comedy, following nominations in 2009 and 2010. He has toured across Canada and the United Kingdom. In addition to MuchMusic and CBC, he has appeared on LAST COMIC STANDING, Britain’s NUTSTV, XM Satellite Radio, and MTV LIVE.
MATCH GAME is based on FremantleMedia’s international format, with local versions having been shown across the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France and Mexico.
MATCH GAME is produced by Zone3 in association with Bell Media. Executive producers are Isabelle Bourduas and Michael Kronish. Martha Kehoe is producing. Sarah Fowlie is Director, Independent Production, Comedy. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Catherine MacLeod is Vice-President, Specialty Channels, Bell Media. Rick Brace is President, Specialty Channels and CTV Production. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.
