BBC2 announces autumn comedy line-up
Although the industry has known about the series for a while, BBC Two has now officially announced the three main sitcom that will be making up its autumn schedule. They are...
Lead Balloon
Jack Dee returns in the critically acclaimed hit comedy Lead Balloon. In the third series, viewers learn a whole lot more about the world of Rick Spleen; Rick, on the other hand, appears to have learnt very little, as he suffers a near-death experience, is hit with a shock revelation about his family tree, and struggles to cope with yet more embarrassing episodes.
Meanwhile, tension mounts on the domestic front. When Rick's housekeeper Magda comes to stay while her boiler's being fixed, Rick is worried that it might turn into a more permanent arrangement. Ben and Sam's relationship hits the rocks – but can they summon up enough energy to get back together? Meanwhile, Michael the deranged café owner, discovers a secret that threatens to push him over the edge!
The Cup
The Cup is a new comedy series based on a Canadian sitcom. Shot in mockumentary style, The Cup is about Bolton-based Ashburn United Football Club and their quest to win the North and Midlands Under 11s Cup in Birmingham.
It rapidly becomes apparent that the real story of the sitcom is the appalling behaviour of the kids' parents as they try to live their own dreams through their children. This Hartswood Films produced comedy stars Steve Edge (The Visit), Jennifer Hennessy (Drop Dead Gorgeous) and Tanya Franks (Pulling).
Beautiful People
New sitcom starring Meera Syal and Olivia Colman adapted by Jonathan Harvey (Gimme Gimme Gimme) from the book Beautiful People. The comedy shows the wild childhood memoirs of Simon Doonan, Creative Director of Barneys, New York.
Exploring Simon's memories of his desire to escape suburban Reading and live among the 'beautiful people' from the perspective of his New York department store window, it features a host of eccentric characters: 13-year-old Simon and his best friend Kyle, who cannot open a fridge door without belting out a show tune; Mum Debbie, a whirlwind of matriarchal warmth in killer heels; Dad Andy, a lovable Irish softy and avid wine maker; older sister Ashlene, a wannabe ghetto queen; family lodger, blind Aunty Hayley; and lobotomised grandma Narg (gran backwards), who has lost God – but found a foul mouth.