'Robot Wars' Is Coming Back to British TV

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**reds8n**

ah the happy time I spent mocking those participating, whilst refusing to admit that I lack the know hows to do so

https://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/very-important-news-robot-wars-is-coming-back-to-british-tv-vgtrn-992?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=viceuk&utm_medium=social

After what's been a pretty gakky start to 2016, there's finally some cause for celebration: Robot Wars is back. Everything incredible about the BBC Two classic – Sir Killalot, Shunt, the father-son teams spending months building a robot, only for it to be instantly set on fire – is set to return later this year, with six hour-long episodes.

The original show, as if you need reminding, featured contestants building robots to compete in a robotic fight to death in front of a live studio audience, helmed by Craig Charles, who used to end each episode with a Robot Wars-themed poem.

Charles is yet to confirm his return, but BBC acting Controller of Entertainment Alan Tyler has promised a "mix of real people, real passion and raw power". He also added that the programme would be filmed in a "literally bullet-proof" arena in Scotland. Literally bullet-proof!

Although some may see this as a hackneyed regurgitation of ideas by the BBC, Kim Shillinglaw – Controller of BBC Two and BBC Four – disagrees, describing the show as an "absolute TV classic", adding that it was a "fantastic example of the content-rich, factual entertainment that BBC Two excels at".

.. give us something else to moan about at least eh ?

**Tibbsy**

This is the best news I've had all year. I love Robot Wars.

My Dad went on it many years ago, but unfortunately I was too young to attend.

His robot was useless anyway

**Ouze**

Aweeesome. That was carried over here on some channel, along with Scrapheap Challenge, and I dearly loved them both back in the day.

**Ratius**

I've already used heavy breathing cat pic once today so will hold off this time.
But omg, is this a winner.
I was literally addicted to RW back around 2000.
Chaos 2 with back to back victories in season 2-3 I think heheh.
And please God let them get Craig back, looking back I think he did it all completely tongue in cheek and could we ll see him downing several pints after each show to wash away the nerddom but boy did he bring some passion to it

**Nostromodamus**

The American version (Battlebots) was on TV again last year over here. Cheese wedge with a flippy bit seems to still be the best design.

**Ratius**

Cheese wedge with a flippy bit seems to still be the best design.

Only in Robot Wars could this sentence make any meaningful sense

**Do_I_Not_Like_That**

It never went away - the repeats are still being shown on challenge. As I write this, an episode is about to start in two minutes.

**Relapse**

Ratius wrote:
Cheese wedge with a flippy bit seems to still be the best design.

Only in Robot Wars could this sentence make any meaningful sense

The cheese wedge. International sign for victory.

**Avatar 720**

I'm on the fence about this. I'd love to see RW back, but part of me wants to sit on the happy memories I have of robots like Hypnodisc and Razer literally destroying other robots, and moments like the iconic slaying of Matilda.

As much as we've been promised the old 'raw power', I can't help but wonder if it'll still be as rugged and almost tangibly violent as it was between 1998 and 2003 (I'm not counting the Channel 5 guff; that was Robot Wars in nothing except name), given the array of technological improvements made since then. I liked the almost painfully slow claws, and clanging flippers, and having to design weapons to be srimechs whilst not losing general usability.

I'm not sure if that'll make a comeback, or if well see a shift to being able to stuff as much high-performance gear into a capable chassis, and fights that are decided in seconds by super-weapons or simply by who put the most money into their robot. Back in the original series it felt like most competitors were on similar levels technology-wise, with money not exactly buying you a great deal more. Now? I'm not sure that you can except that same level of equality in the technology.

Maybe I'm just jaded, but I can't shrug the feeling that the old RW feel might be lost.

**A Town Called Malus**

Nostromodamus wrote:
The American version (Battlebots) was on TV again last year over here. Cheese wedge with a flippy bit seems to still be the best design.

Nah, cheese wedge with flippy bit and rapidly rotating disc of death

**Nostromodamus**

A Town Called Malus wrote:
Nostromodamus wrote:
The American version (Battlebots) was on TV again last year over here. Cheese wedge with a flippy bit seems to still be the best design.

Nah, cheese wedge with flippy bit and rapidly rotating disc of death

Ah yes, disc of death was quite satisfying to watch, but will probably be considered too dangerous for the Brit version. Health and safety and all that.

**Avatar 720**

Nostromodamus wrote:
A Town Called Malus wrote:
Nostromodamus wrote:
The American version (Battlebots) was on TV again last year over here. Cheese wedge with a flippy bit seems to still be the best design.

Nah, cheese wedge with flippy bit and rapidly rotating disc of death

Ah yes, disc of death was quite satisfying to watch, but will probably be considered too dangerous for the Brit version. Health and safety and all that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypno-Disc

If something like that's banned there will be uproar from fans of the old series.

**Ratius**

given the array of technological improvements made since then

Thats actually whats got me excited tbh. Whilst some of the older robots were cool, a lot of the fights were pretty damn dour and being honest unfun to watch. Slow, clunky robots with gak control and finesse just bashing off each other.
I hope to see a new generation of really cool mechanics and ideas this series.

And Sir Killa Lot with a Pirate hat.

**SilverMK2**

I think you will get a lot more "pro" teams entering these days. Hopefully it is still based around battles to the death.

Will be interesting to see what the rules are on projectiles amd other more offensive non-flip/cutting weapons will be. Would love to see more tanks, tasers, etc...

**Silent Puffin?**

Nostromodamus wrote:
Health and safety and all that.

Its being filmed in a bullet proof arena. It may be just for marketing but I'd like to think that there is a good reason for the choice of venue

**jhe90**

That was always fun,

But modern tech could make them more inresting

**Chute82**

I can't remember but did they have traps, flames, saw blades and stuff built into the arena floor? Or am I thinking of another show

**Tibbsy**

SilverMK2 wrote:

Will be interesting to see what the rules are on projectiles amd other more offensive non-flip/cutting weapons will be. Would love to see more tanks, tasers, etc...

If I remember correctly, flying robots, projectiles and electrically charged weapons like tasers were banned. Flamethrowers were banned too for competitors, obviously the professionally controlled house robot was excepted.

How much of that will change with the new series remains to be seen.

**Compel**

I've gotta say, I found robot wars got boring after people stopped trying to destroy things and just went for flipping them over.

**A Town Called Malus**

Compel wrote:
I've gotta say, I found robot wars got boring after people stopped trying to destroy things and just went for flipping them over.

Yeah, flipping was pretty much always the best weapon. It made you, if you built your robot right, immune to being flipped except into holes or out the arena.

**Bromsy**

The new Battlebots was pretty good, there was a fair amount of carnage.

And they started allowing flamethrowers - there was even one match where a guy used a net, because the new rules came out and didn't specifically ban them as had been the case since forever. Gotta love the rules lawyers.

**reds8n**

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/rw-logo?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_press_office&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=corporate

Dara O Briain and Angela Scanlon have been announced as the new presenters of Robot Wars when the series is rebooted for BBC Two, with Jonathan Pearce returning as commentator.
Dara and Angela will get up close with the robots, the teams and get feedback from the Robot Wars judges while legendary commentator Jonathan Pearce will return with his inimitable take on the Robot Wars fights.

All the Robot Wars action will come from the new purpose-built fighting arena in Glasgow, which will allow viewers to get even closer to the action, with state-of-the-art cameras capable of capturing every crushing, sawing and scorching moment in incredible detail.

Dara O Briain says: “I am thrilled to be presenting Robot Wars. For too long, the schedules have cried out for a show in which dedicated amateurs, toiling day and night, handcraft sophisticated automatons built on the delicate interplay of hand-wired servo motors with custom-built circuit boards and fingertip motion control, just to see them get smashed to pieces by a dustbin carrying a massive hammer. It's war, and how I love it so.”

Angela Scanlon adds: “I'm so excited to be joining such a legendary show that, after all this time, still manages to make people squeal with joy. I cannot wait to see the robots in all their metallic glory playfully destroying each other!”

Jonathan Pearce says: “Robot Wars is an immensely enjoyable programme to commentate on. I am delighted to be involved and back among the cut and thrust of the robot battles. ACTIVATE!”

Channel Editor of BBC Two, Adam Barker, says: “I’m thrilled that Dara O Briain and Angela Scanlon will be fronting BBC Two’s reboot of Robot Wars. Alongside the welcome return of Jonathan Pearce bringing his unique commentary to proceedings, they are the perfect team to bring to life all the excitement and drama from the arena and explain the innovation and technological advances being showcased in the new and improved robots.”

Acting Controller of Entertainment, Alan Tyler, says: “We are delighted to have such an enviable line-up of talent at the helm of the new series. Dara is the perfect host for Robot Wars. Funny, intelligent, warm and genuinely enthused by both the engineering science and the passionate people behind the machines. I'm slightly worried he may actually apply to be a contestant. Angela’s razor-sharp wit and clever curiosity, alongside Jonathan’s expertise and insight, complete a perfect partnership. We can’t wait to bring the new series to the BBC Two’s audience.”

The new Robot Wars logo for the series, designed by Jump, has also been unveiled.

Mentorn Scotland’s Executive Producer, Andrew Robertson, says: “The logo totally encapsulates everything that is new about the series: updated technology, modernised armour, contemporary design and a seismic updated tonal shift from the original series.”

The new six-part series will be produced by Mentorn Scotland, part of the Tinopolis Group, in association with SJP Media, and will feature a new structure with more robots, more battles and more science than ever before. It also includes a raft of technological advances since the show first aired over a decade ago, and viewers can expect to see more innovative fighting machines as teams of amateur roboteers battle it out to win the coveted Robot Wars title.

Robot Wars fans can apply to see the battles first hand in the studio audience by contacting lostintv.com; by emailing info@lostintv.com or by calling 0208 5308 100.

Follow Robot Wars on social media:

Facebook: facebook.com/ukrobotwars
Twitter: @ukrobotwars
YouTube: RobotWars

**notprop**

Noooooooooooooooo!

I don't want Dara and all his 'science is cool kids' bit. I want Craig Charles and his tacky catch prases!

**Ratius**

FFS Dara O' Briain. Cant stand the eejit

And they better not mess about with SirKillaLot.

**notprop**

Awooooooooga!

Yer won't catch Dara shouting that, just some silly factual nonsense about pounds per square inch this and the bending moment of 3mm steel plate that. It won't be comedy Dara either, just serious moon face Dara.

Awooooooooga!

That is all. :(

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Awooooooooga!

Me again.

At least JP's in it. Old skool slightly over excited commentating is always welcome.

Awooooooooga!

**Soladrin**

I for one am happy with Dara. Besides, I always thought the presenter was annoying but I guess I was a child back then with mediocre english at best.

**feeder**

Great news! Robotwars was great fun.

I'm looking forwards to all the robot-themed jokes on MtW at Dara's expense.

**Soladrin**

feeder wrote:
Great news! Robotwars was great fun.

I'm looking forwards to all the robot-themed jokes on MtW at Dara's expense.

Oh god yes, that's just more fuel for them.