News snippets

John Lloyd (the producer of Blackadder amongst other things) is developing a panel show for Radio 4 loosely based on his BBC2 comedy quiz QI. In the show, a variety of experts in their chosen field have to interest a panel of comedians in an object or subject and convince them it should enter the Museum of Curiosities. QI regular Bill Bailey took part in the pilot.

Channel Five have given some YouTube pranksters their own series. Billed as a scientific Jackass the series will attempt to answer questions like Why can't humans eat grass like cows can?

BBC sketch show Man Stroke Woman is to be the latest comedy to head to America. A US version of the sketch show based on the UK scripts is currently in the works.

Stand-up comedian Ian Fox has made a pilot radio show based on his 2006 Edinburgh set. The Butterfly Effect, written by Fox and Carl Cooper, also starred Jo Enright (Time Trumpet), James Quinn (Phil in Early Doors) and Dave Turquoise. The show was recorded in Manchester by BBC Manchester's comedy unit. The producer was Paul Hardy (who's also recently produced a radio version of Toby Hadoke's Edinburgh show Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf - that'll be broadcast on BBC Radio 7 in early July).

The BBC published its annual Statements of Programme Policy yesterday. In the document it confirms that finding new comedy hits remains one of its core commitments. BBC1 must 'find new home-grown comedy that appeals to the mainstream'. BBC2 must 'focus on innovation in comedy by developing new sitcoms, comedy formats and sketch shows with mainstream potential'. Meanwhile BBC3 will 'continue to invest in new and emerging UK comedy content and performers - such as Karen Taylor - and give them room to experiment and take risks'.