Drop the Mic, the popular rap battle segement from The Late, Late Show with James Corden is being shopped as a format by CBS International, along with Late Late Show production company Fulwell 73.
The segment has garnered nearly 40 million viewers since its debut four months ago. Read on for format details.
CBS STUDIOS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES VIRAL HIT “DROP THE MIC” NOW AVAILABLE AS A FORMAT
AMSTERDAM and LOS ANGELES – OCTOBER 6, 2016 – CBS Studios International, along with Fulwell 73, today announced that “Drop the Mic,” the hit rap battle segment on THE LATE LATE SHOW with JAMES CORDEN, is now available as a format to international broadcasters.
DROP THE MIC, from the same creators of social sensation “Carpool Karaoke,” has become an online hit in a short space of time, attracting nearly 40 million views on YouTube since it began on THE LATE LATE SHOW four months ago. Guests on the segment include Academy Award-winner Anne Hathaway, Kevin Hart, David Schwimmer and Rebel Wilson.
In each episode, four celebrities are pitted against each other in a rap battle royale packed with “I can’t believe they just said that” moments. Each week, the studio audience chooses a new winner.
“The unique mixture of comedy and music in ‘Drop the Mic’ has won itself a legion of fans around the world,” said Paul Gilbert, Senior Vice President of International Formats, CBS Studios International. “We’re excited to offer broadcasters the opportunity to take this winning format, leverage the success of the existing segment and make it into their own.”
“‘Drop the Mic’ is such an exciting format, it can be cutting-edge comedy but with a musical fun side,” said Ben Winston, Executive Producer, THE LATE LATE SHOW with JAMES CORDEN, and Co-director of production company Fulwell 73. “Every time it airs, it has become a massive viral moment. We know this will create some really memorable television around the world.”
In the U.S., along with being a regular segment on THE LATE LATE SHOW, the “Drop the Mic” format has been picked up by Turner Network (TBS). Ben Winston, James Corden and Jensen Karp will serve as executive producers.
About CBS Studios International:
CBS Studios International is the leading supplier of programming to the international television marketplace, licensing to more than 200 markets in more than 60 languages across multiple media platforms. The Studio participates in international channel ventures, currently comprised of 18 channels in 24 languages across over 100 territories, reaching more than 70 million households worldwide. CBS Studios International also exports a diverse lineup of formats for local production around the world. The division distributes content from CBS Television Studios, CBS Television Distribution, Showtime, CBS News, CBS Films and a library of more than 70,000 hours of programming. CBS Studios International is a division of CBS Corporation.
About Fulwell 73:
Fulwell 73, set up in 2005 by life-long friends Ben Winston, Leo Pearlman, Ben Turner and Gabe Turner, strives to make top-quality television and film productions.
The company first came to the public’s attention in September 2007 with the release of its debut feature “In the Hands of the Gods” (Lionsgate). The film received great critical acclaim, opened on more screens than any other UK-made documentary and appeared in cinemas around the world.
Since then, Fulwell 73 has produced many films and television programs across different genres. Its most recent theatrical film releases include: the most successful sports documentary of all time, ”The Class of 92” (Universal Pictures); the huge box office hit “One Direction 3D: This is Us” (Sony/Columbia); and the bestselling independent film of Q4 2014 “Guvnors” (Metrodome). Its next film project is the eagerly anticipated “I Am Bolt,” a cinematic sports documentary which is to be released globally by Universal. The film gives unparalleled access to Usain Bolt as he trains for the Rio Olympics, following him to his self-prophesied retirement later this year. Fulwell 73’s television slate is extensive, including many shows with some of the world’s top talent; Justin Bieber, Robbie Williams, Jimmy Carr, One Direction, Michael Mcintyre and Jack Whitehall have all made shows with Fulwell.
Fulwell 73 also co-produces THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN with CBS Television Studios. As well as being a digital hit, with over 1.8 billion views, and two Emmys in its first full season, THE LATE LATE SHOW also hold the record for the highest viewed clip in the history of late night television with “Carpool Karaoke with Adele.” Fulwell 73 is also co-producing two spin-off shows with CBS Television Studios: “Drop the Mic” for TBS and “Carpool Karaoke” for Apple.
Photo courtesy of CBS