Sky has made three entertainment commissions alongside a run of stand up specials for Sky Max.

In Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham, the comedian is heading to North America, home to no fewer than eighteen Birminghams, from Canada’s Saskatchewan province, down the East Coast, through the Midwest and into the Deep South. Joe will explore their history, their collective Brummie cultural commonalities and form official ‘Friendship Agreements’ with as many US Birminghams as he can. “As the climax of the series, he will invite some of his new Brummie chums back to his own Birmingham for what will doubtless become an annually bostin global event – the International Day of Birmingham.”

Joe Lycett commented: “I am delighted to be making this show for Sky which will finally secure me enough money to move to London.”

Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham is co-produced by North One and My Options Were Limited. Steve Gowans and Hannah Chambers are Executive Producers, Nicola Silk is Series Producer-Director. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Barbara Lee.

Rob & Romesh Vs has been reordered for series 7. Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan will return to Vegas and team up with the UFC to explore the world of mixed martial arts and look at Heavy Metal at its UK heartland, Download Festival. They’ll also take on Wildlife as they go behind the lens and test out their photography skills as part of the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and they’ll dive into Hollywood to see how they fare in the world of Hollywood Stunts. Rob & Rom will also head to Alexandra Palace to try their hand at the nation’s newest favourite sport, Darts, for a one-off special early next year.

Rob & Rom Vs is produced by CPL, a Seven.One Studios company. The Executive Producers are Murray Boland, Danielle Lux, David Taylor and Bill Righton. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Barbara Lee.

In A League of their Own: The Rally, Jill Scott, Maisie Adam, Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp will be paired off into teams and pitted against one another in the ALOTO Rally Cup. The dash across Europe will be in six rally stages, deploying planes, trains and automobiles, as each team bids to reach their destination with the most points and hoist the all-important ALOTO Rally Cup. Along the way, the teams must also complete a series of perilous and sometimes ridiculous off-road challenges to earn points as they blaze through Paris, Lake Geneva, the Alps and finally reach Turin, home of The Italian Job, for their exciting last stretch.

A League of their Own: The Rally is produced by CPL, a Seven.One Studios company. The Executive Producers are Murray Boland, Danielle Lux, David Taylor and Mus Mustafa. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Barbara Lee.

New stand-up specials will also be airing on Sky this year, with shows from UK comedians including David Baddiel: Not the Trilogy; Lucy Beaumont: Live from the Royal Court Theatre; Tom Davis: Underdog; John Kearns: The Varnishing Days; Stewart Lee: Basic Lee (Live from the Lowry) and Chris Ramsey: Live from London. These are the first ever televised specials for Lucy Beaumont, Tom Davis and John Kearns.

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Arts and Entertainment, Sky, commented: “We’re proud to bring you the laughs on Sky Max with a Who’s Who of brilliant British comedy talent and the world’s best magician all in one place. We have firm audience favourites, Rob and Romesh Vs, A League of Their Own, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, as well as recent additions like The Overlap and Hold the Front Page, and we’re introducing the wonderful Joe Lycett to our joyful line up. In a stressful world, we need all the laughter we can get.”

Unscripted Entertainment programmes are commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Entertainment for Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content for Sky UK and Ireland. The Commissioning Editors for Entertainment at Sky are Barbara Lee, Shirley Jones and Dwayne Eaton.

• David Baddiel: Fame, Not The Musical (1×90); My Family, Not The Sitcom (1×90); and Trolls, Not the Dolls (1×90), airing on Sky and NOW, are produced by Avalon.
• Lucy Beaumont: Live From The Royal Court Theatre (1×60), airing on Sky and NOW, is produced by Avalon.
• Tom Davis: Underdog (1×75), airing on Sky and NOW, is a co-production with Off The Kerb Productions & Mighty Pebble Pictures.
• John Kearns: The Varnishing Days (1×75), airing on Sky and NOW, is produced by Avalon.
• Stewart Lee: Basic Lee (1×120) airing on Sky and NOW, is produced by Drum Studios in association with Awkward Films. The Producer Director is Colin Dench. The Executive Producers are Danny Carvalho and Andy Holland. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Dwayne Eaton.
• Chris Ramsey: Live from London (1×60), airing on Sky and NOW, is produced by Avalon.