The general format of the show involves the host, Josh Widdicombe presenting the guests with a hypothetical situation to which they must provide their take on the best way of approaching the given situation, following the rules laid out by Acaster. The guest is then awarded points by Acaster, from 0 to 5, based on the quality of their answers, and the team with the most points at the end of the show wins. After awarding the points Acaster may present his solution to the hypothetical situation that would have gained all 5 points. In addition to general discussion between the hosts and guests, the show also features pre-recorded filmed inserts, and some role-play of the guests' suggested solution with James Acaster in the studio.
Production
Hypothetical was devised by Widdicombe with Matthew Crosby and Tom Craine, who also act as writers. The initial idea of the show was pitched via a WhatsApp conversation, and subsequently developed by London-based Hat Trick Productions and commissioned as a UKTV Original for Dave by Richard Watsham, UKTV’s director of commissioning and Steve North, genre general manager for entertainment and comedy, in July 2018. Joe McVey was announced as executive producer alongside Stu Mather at Hat Trick Productions with Sophie Le Good as producer. The show is filmed in front of a live audience at Pinewood Studios. The first series was filmed in August and September 2018. Acaster and Widdicombe have previously worked together, with Acaster appearing often as a guest on Widdicombe's XFM show. Widdicombe said of the TV show, and working with Acaster:
“I have spent the last decade of my life annoying other comics with these questions in cars and dressing rooms so I am delighted Dave have allowed me to claim that I was in fact researching a show and not just wasting everyone’s time. More to the point I cannot wait to work alongside the man who makes me laugh more than anyone else in comedy. I just hope this goes better than our 2009 Edinburgh show.”
This 2009 Edinburgh show was the work of Widdicombe, Acaster and Nick Helm, and, according to Widdicombe, the criticism they received for it was read out during filming of Hypothetical to warm upthe audience. The announcement of Hypothetical caused controversy due to a perceived similarity to the Danielle Ward podcast Do The Right Thing which had been made into a television pilot but not commissioned.
Episodes
Series 1
Series 1 was broadcast on Wednesdays at 10pm on Dave, with episodes available On-Demand at UKTV Play. Each episode features four guest panellists in two teams of two, alongside the hosts Widdicombe and Acaster.
