Channel 4 to boost comedy output in 2008
Channel 4 has become the latest TV channel to announce its 2008 line up. The broadcaster also announced that it is giving its comedy line-up a boost in 2008 after ploughing an extra £3 million into its entertainment budget.
Speaking at today's winter schedule launch, head of programmes Julian Bellamy said: "In August, we promised to spend less on American programmes and focus more on home-grown originals. We have indeed reduced our spend on US programmes and this has allowed our head of entertainment and comedy, Andrew Newman, to commission more original comedy than we have had for some years on Channel 4." He added that 2008 promised to be a "very strong year" for comedy.
Disappointingly there are no new British sitcoms listed in the winter line-up however, as reported previously, Peep Show, The IT Crowd and Plus One will be returning later in 2008, along with a full series of The Kevin Bishop Show.
Meanwhile here is a list of the comedy and entertainment series Channel 4 has announced it will be broadcasting in early 2008:
Big Fat Quiz of the Year
Janurary sees the return of Channel 4's annual star-studded entertainment fest, The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2007 hosted by Jimmy Carr, with celebrity teams including Jonathan Ross, Rob Brydon, Russell Brand and Noel Fielding.
Each of the celebrities will battle it out in this one-off special to see who knows the most about what hit the headlines this year, tackling questions such as "Can you name the famous scientist who defied gravity this year?", "Which London landmark met with a fiery end?" and "Who starred in an advert from beyond the grave?".
There will also be visits by a string of secret and seriously A-list guests to help the teams on. Last year stars included Borat, Myleene Klass, Boy George and Sir Ian McKellen. In 2006 "The Goth Detectives", Russell Brand and Noel Fielding, took the winner's trophy. Can they defend their title?
Shameless
Bigger, bolder and more outrageous than ever, the residents of the Chatsworth Estate are back with an extended fifth series of 16 new episodes of the comedy drama.
Fans of the award-winning series can look forward to Manchester's favourite father figure Frank (David Threlfall) managing to sire another Gallagher baby, despite a nasty electrocution incident and a dodgy ticker. Debbie (Rebecca Ryan) is left holding the chaotic Gallagher fort while Mum Monica (Annabelle Apsion) takes a more "hands-off" approach to parenting. And with Lip (Jody Latham) away at Uni, Mandy (Samantha Siddall) finds life as a single parent strangely cathartic.
Round at the Maguires', Mickey (Ciaran Griffiths) invests in a pink stretch limo for a new business venture, not forgetting that it makes the perfect shag pad. Mimi (Tina Malone) is facing up to her weight, and Paddy's (Sean Gilder) identical twin turns up to wreak havoc. Newlyweds Karen (Rebecca Atkinson) and Jamie (Aaron McCusker) begin married life living above the Jockey and, along with Ian Gallagher (Gerard Kearns), run the pub without the brewery realising they have a new landlord.
Elsewhere on the estate, counterfeit widow Yvonne (Kelli Hollis) finds love calling from the most unexpected direction. Love-triangle coppers Stan (Warren Donnelly), Carrie (Amanda Ryan) and Tom (Michael Legge) leave a trail of tear gas and chaos. And Lillian (Alice Barry) at last finds satisfaction as the "madam" of her very own brothel.
Shameless Preview Clip 1 and Shameless Catch-up Video
Balls of Steel
Mark Dolan returns to introduce a new selection of riotous performances from his team of comedians who battle to win the illustrious Balls of Steel trophy. The audacious jokers attempt to amuse with their nerve-crunching hidden camera set-ups, death-defying stunts and prank-style interview techniques that feature both celebrities and unsuspecting members of the public.
The new series features the return of Neg and his Urban Sports challenge, the fearless celebrity interviewer Olivia Lee, as well as the Annoying Devil and the daredevil Pain Men. They'll be joined by a host of new characters, all of whom will be competing for the cherished trophy.
Modern Toss
The acclaimed animated cult comedy sketch show returns for a new six-part series, drawn and directed by Jon Link and Mick Bunnage. A stylish blend of crudely drawn animation, live action and bizarre music, Modern Toss features a cast of surreal foulmouthed cartoon fools. It's a world full of badly-adjusted animated idiots who roam at will, fearless and free, arguing over nothing in particular.
There's a new crop of fresh-faced idiots keen to get stuck in as well as p 쇓 revious favourites: Alan, the ball of scribbled destruction; Swing News, a previously un-thought of news format involving a full swing band interpretation of local/global current affairs; Cheese and Wine, 70s style marginalised party guests try to make small talk with limited success; Topical Mouth Off, fast-paced radio phone-in show for under-qualified, ill-informed people with half-baked concepts for a better Britain; as well as Mr Tourette, the cack-handed sign writer whose challenging contemporary business brands are often taken for deliberately abusive drivel.
Featuring the voice talents of Simon Greenall, Paul Kaye, MacKenzie Crook and David Schaal.
Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong
Alan Carr, award-winning comedian, and one half of the irrepressible Friday Night Project presenting team, hosts a showbiz bash, with an exclusive guest list, in a new six-part entertainment series. With tongue firmly in cheek, Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong is the only show on television that pits members of the public against famous faces where both teams can win a slice of the high life.
The Law of the Playground
The Law of the Playground returns for a new series with a look at all the stuff we used to get up to at school and in the playground. From bunking off and cheating in class, to school trips and the end-of-term disco, the programme takes a light-hearted look at all aspects of school life.Contributors include Mylene Klass, David Baddiel, Vic Reeves, Dom Joly, Patrick McGuinness, Sean Hughes, Richard Bacon, Olivia Lee and Kevin Bishop.
Untitled Saturday Live Show
Russell Brand is to host a Saturday Live-style pilot in January. The show will feature performers from both Britain and America, and will be performed in front of a live audience. Channel 4 hopes if the pilot is a success, they may commission a full series. The arrival of this show comes just after BBC Three has announced plans for a similar show called The Wall.
Andrew Newman, head of Channel 4 entertainment told Broadcast: "This'll give him [Brand] the chance to try out new stuff and play to his strengths by giving him people to bounce off."
Reaper (US Import)
American sitcom that follows Sam (Brett Harrison), a life-long slacker who, on his 21st birthday, discovers that his parents sold his soul to Satan (Ray Wise) before he was born.
My Name Is Earl (US Import)
The multi-award-winning US comedy returns as Earl (Jason Lee) sets off on another string of adventures in an attempt to redeem himself for the wrongdoings of his past.