14 new comedies for Channel 4
Channel 4 have announced the long list of new comedy pilots that it will be broadcasting this winter. The one-off comedy trials will be shown under the channel's "Comedy Lab" label, its 10 year old programming strand described as a "unique televisual experiment to unearth the comedy stars of the future". Previous talent uncovered by the Comedy Lab strand includes Peter Kay, Jimmy Carr, Dom Joly and Russell Brand.
The new pilots are:
Ain't It Funny Being Coloured: A multi-cultural sketch show that looks at race, prejudice, stereotypes, and how everything isn't quite as it seems on the surface. Written by new up-and-coming comedy writer Indy Selvarajah.
Blowout: A concentrated burst of sketch show silliness from Glasgow. Fast, funny, feelgood and fun featuring everything from pointy fingers in the boardroom to Green Goblins in the bedroom.
Documental: The world's first-ever documentary sketch show in which the comedy characters are all real people.
Doug Stanhope, Go Home: Controversial American stand-up Doug Stanhope delivers hard-hitting, thought-provoking comedy looking at immigration in Britain. Why, he asks, would anyone in their right mind want to move here?
Karl Pilkington's Guide to Happiness: After disappointing exam results 19 years ago, Ricky Gervais' friend looks to find out if more intelligence and knowledge will make him happy by meeting some well-known intellectuals.
Shit Club: A brand new children's comedy sketch show for adults. A mix of wonky puppetry, odd animation and fuzzy live action, Shit Club is "that programme you vaguely remember watching when you were off school with the mumps".
The Smallest Game in Town: A comedy drama that eavesdrops on six dysfunctional friends who have met up every Friday without fail for the past ten years to play poker. They are all self absorbed with a bleak and black outlook on a world they believe revolves around them.
Swizz Call: Four up-and-coming comedians play host to a spoof quiz channel that offers the chance to contestants to win bizarre prizes if they can answer their ridiculous questions.
Next month the channel will celebrating 25 years of original British comedy by broadcasting six new 30-minute "Comedy Showcases". As we've reported back in August these specials will be: Bitter and Twisted, Eejits, The Kevin Bishop Show, Other People, Ladies and Gentlemen and Plus One. More about the Comedy Showcase season.