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It could be you! If you have personality in abundance, a physique to match and everybody likes you, call Mark Linsey immediately. John Morrell reports.
Mark Linsey, managing director of dynamic new- comer Zeal Television has set his sights high. “I want to find a perfect male and a perfect female by the autumn.” Hang on a minute, dear reader. Don’t pick up the phone yet, better hear what Mark has in mind.
“Our Super Humans – 4 x 60 minutes to be transmitted in peak-time on Channel 4 – will need extraordinary skills in depth. We are looking for the UK’s ulti- mate super all-rounder.”
Linsey explains: “This is a sci- ence driven entertainment show commissioned by C4’s science department. The final eight con- testants in the on-air knock out competition must have: physical strength; mental dexterity; emo- tional stability; psychological capabilities; intellectual brilliance; sound genetics; charisma and sheer likeability.”
Sound genetics?
“Indeed,” says Mark, “this is a programme about how the human species has evolved over 400,000 years. We want to find out what makes us special now, so DNA comes into play. In our tests, we may well explore virility, genetics, reproduction.”
The adverts have been placed and the trawl is on. Auditions for the final eight will be held during
the spring. The Super Eight, who will eat, journey and travel togeth- er to a series of scientific, sporting and emotional tests, will have six weeks to prove their superiority.
“They will be amazing to look at and listen to; contestants in prime physical and mental condi- tion - but grounded in humanity and likeability.”
Executive Producer Linsey, 42, is toning himself up for the task with three-times-a-week Bikrani Yoga sessions in Kentish Town. Bikrani Yoga, he explains, involves going through 26 Yoga positions in an almost unbearably hot room.
Meanwhile, mere mortal C4 viewers on Monday nights in October, who don’t feel totally demoralised and woefully inade- quate, can try out the tests on- line from home.
The idea for Super Humans came to Zeal from Ben Hall, Tom Elleman and Jago Lee at Chatterbox with whom Zeal has a ‘first-look’ deal. Barbara Lee will produce the series.
It is one of a number of high profile global projects that will keep Mark Linsey on the 24/7 tracks for the foreseeable future – with his five-year old twins and 2 year old Joshua helping “take his mind off things.”
It is the global imperative that drives Linsey and his Zeal partner, chief executive Peter Christiansen. He says: “Our priority is to find formats that will play around the world then get them on tape as fast as we can with the highest production values.
“As soon as we have a for- mat, we start selling. Relationships with international partners is cru- cial. Getting to know producers and broadcasters globally; find- ing out what works and what doesn’t in individual territories.”
Currently, Zeal has format option deals in America, Europe, Australasia, India, the Middle East and South Africa. Zeal has high hopes are pinned on Under Construction, 65 shows stripped across the week for ITV daytime. Ten couples compete to win a £500,000 house. But first they have to live on site and build it. The format has been sold to Germany, where it is already in production, and Russia.
Linsey, whose producer credits include You Bet! For LWT/ITV and The Lily Savage Show for BBC, was Head of Entertainment at Tiger Aspect before leaving to set up Zeal in July 2001.
So, if you, dear reader, have ticked all the Super Human boxes mentioned above, Linsey would be delighted to hear from you. Check it out on www.zealtv.net.
BAFTA WINE CLUB
Four French wines from the warm Mediterranean south
The Languedoc is the place to be for the future of French wines.
The quality there has improved so dramatically in recent years that it is now the best value and most exciting wine region of France.
These reds are Grenache based and bear a remarkable resemblance to the more luscious wines from the Côtes du Rhône. They would be good with summer barbeques, as well as being ideal to accompany red or white meat and vegetarian dishes.
The white is refreshing and great with seafood.
All wines offered are outstanding in quality and value.
Domaine de L’Izard - AOC Corbières, 1999 - Red
All the grapes are hand picked in this small and exceptional vineyard in Corbières. This red is a dark cherry colour, well balanced, and intensely fruity.
Domaine de L’Izard - AOC Corbières, 2000 - White
Radiant gold colour, fresh on the palette with subtle fruited aromas. Wonderful summer drinking.
VdP de l’Herault Guilhem, 2002 – Moulin de Gassac
This deep red wine, packed full of fruits, comes from the famous Mas de Daumas Gassac, dubbed "the Lafite of Languedoc".
Côtes du Rhône Domaine de La Taladette, 2000
A traditional favourite from the ancient terraced slopes of the Rhône, included asafascinatingcontrasttothetwoLanguedocreds. Telluswhichyouprefer!
One off delivery charge of £5.00 per UK mainland address, no matter how many cases you order.
Special promotional price:
£70.00percaseoftwelve75clbottles, incVAT-£5.83perbottle
Try a mixed case of three bottles of each at the same special price: £70.00 per case, inc VAT
TO ORDER
Please complete the order form on the reverse,
tear along the perforated edge and send to Longford Wines.
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