ITV ditches Love Island in favour of more comedy
ITV has abandoned its strategy of using reality shows such as Love Island to compete with Big Brother this summer. It announced this afternoon that it is instead going to concentrate on providing viewers with a mix of drama and comedy shows. Yes, you read that right, more comedy on ITV!
Former TV news anchor Sir Trevor McDonald will present one of the new comedies. Although not known for his humour or quick wit McDonald has successfully guest-hosted Have I Got News For You in the past. The veteran broadcaster will now host News Knight - a satirical panel show in which Sir Trevor will look back on the week's events with the help of two guest comedians.
Also in the line-up is Ben Elton and Alexa Chung (current presenter of Channel 4's Popworld). The pair promise to provide a topical humorous weekly take on the latest trends in Get A Grip.
ITV will also be launching Tough Gig in which comedians are sent to spend a week with 'weird and interesting people'. They will then have to put together a stand-up routine based on their experiences.
There's also another series of Harry Hill's TV Burp on the way - the show is quickly becoming a major hit for the broadcaster (despite, we might add, the fact they annoyingly shuffle it about in the listings each week!). ITV are looking to capitalise on the fact viewers are flocking to the show thanks to the word-of-mouth buzz surrounding Harry's surreal take on the week's TV, the British Comedy Awards won and the well-received TV Burp spot aired on Comic Relief night.
Other programmes announced include a Martin Clunes comedy drama set in New Zealand called The Man Who Lost His Head and David Jason's Diamond Geezer. Other entertainment offerings from ITV1 will include Britain's Got Talent, Grease Is The Word, Peter Jones' Tycoon business series, Hell's Kitchen and The David Gest Show.
Although not specifically mentioned its likely Hello Delhi will be broadcast too. Written by a team of writers which includes Sanjeev Bhaskar, Hello Delhi is a pilot sitcom set in an Indian call centre.
Other comedies the broadcaster is currently working on include...
Inside Out: James Dreyfus plays a career criminal who supplements his income by acting in the Crimewatch-style reconstructions of his crimes.
Xtreem Soap: Spoof soap set in the fictional town of Waffingham. The show is created by comedian Harry Hill and the writers include Dan Maier, David Quantick, Brenda Gilhooly, Paul Hawksbee and Andrew Collins.
You Can Choose Your Friends: Sitcom reuniting Fresh Fields stars Julia McKenzie and Anton Rodgers. The pair will star as a couple about to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary.
Teenage Kicks: Sitcom written by Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Smith which tells the story of Vernon (Edmondson), an ageing punk rocker who moves into his teenage kids' student flat after a spectacularly nasty divorce. Vernon is genuinely excited about having the chance to be young again but his kids, Max and Milly, and their flatmate David, are mortified.
Editor Update: For legal reasons News Knight is to be re-titled before broadcast.