BBC to pilot new comedy chat show
The BBC is set to pilot a new comedy programme which blends sitcom and chat show elements together.
Same Time Next Week, which will be filmed in front of a live audience later this month, is set in the fictional Toxborough Village Hall. The main characters are irrepressible housewife Celia Jesson, her ridiculously sensible husband Fred and dashing local actor Gerard Jeremy.
The three characters "take a hilarious look at life in and around their fictional village with video diaries, reviews, letters and songs", and they also interview two celebrities within the studio setting too.
Celia is set to be played by Joanna Neary, who is perhaps best known for playing timid Judith in Ideal (pictured), but is also a Perrier nominated character-based stage comedian. Celia's boring husband Fred will be played by newcomer Al Kerr, whilst actor and 6 Music DJ Adam Buxton takes on the role of Gerard.
The pilot will be filmed on the 19th May at BBC TV Centre and members of the public can apply for free tickets via our tickets page
The BBC's last successful chat show/sitcom format was The Kumars At No. 42, based around a fictional British Indian family, which ran for over 50 episodes on BBC Two between 2001 and 2006.