Channel 4 to broadcast phone-in satire

MediaGuardian has revealed that Channel 4 is to broadcast a satirical comedy based on a spoof premium rate TV quiz channel despite currently being under under investigation itself for its part in the current premium rate competition scandals which are rocking the industry.

The one-off satire is to be called Swizz Call - clearly a thinly veiled reference to Quiz Call, the Freeview channel C4 owned until recently. The comedy, which will air later this year as part of Channel 4's late-night Comedy Lab strand, will highlight the dodgy nature of the late-night participation TV channels.

Channel 4 said: "Swizz Call will be part of the new Comedy Lab season and satirises the genre of TV quiz channels. Four up and coming comedians play host to a spoof quiz channel in a sketch show that offers the chance to contestants to win bizarre prizes if they can answer their ridiculous questions."

The timing of the comedy is likely to raise a few eyebrows as the industry is still reeling from a number of shock scandals in which it seems everyone from Blue Peter right through to Channel 4's own Richard and Judy have admitted they have deceived viewers when running a phone-in competition.

Probably the most comedic scandal revolves around Quizmania - no doubt another target of Swiss Call. Last year the ITV Play programme invited viewers to play a competition to identify "things you find in a woman's handbag" - the answers were rather obscure to say the least: 'rawl plugs', 'a balaclava', 'rubber bands', 'directions', 'false teeth', 'contact lenses', 'a driving license' and 'plane tickets' were the correct answers!