Radio 2 schedules Comedy Week
BBC Radio 2 has announced that, between the 9th and 13th June 2014, it will be broadcasting a week of comedy showcases.
The corporation says: "The network, which now reaches a record audience of 15.6 million listeners a week, will feature a number of new and exciting one-off comedy commissions from established artists, as well as up-coming and emerging new talent."
On Monday 9th June, the station will broadcast Tommy Tiernan's Open Mouth. The programme features stand-up comedy from the award-winning comedian Tommy Tiernan. The BBC says: "Listeners can expect to hear stories and folklore, and tales of magic, myth, and drunken idiocy."
On Tuesday 10th, the station has scheduled Luisa Omielan's Party. The pilot, recorded in front of a live audience, stars up-and-coming comedian Luisa Omielan. Producers explain the show will "tackle the heady world of dating and heartbreak and share the highs and lows of her journey into - and out of love."
Broadcast on Wednesday 11th, To Hull And Back is a sitcom pilot from BBC New Comedy Award 2012 winner Lucy Beaumont. She plays Sophie, a woman living at home with her mum. They make a living doing car boot sales at the weekend - except they don't really make a living because her mum can't bear to get rid of any of their junk.
Listomania, set for broadcast on Thursday 12th June, is a new panel show pilot. Hosted by Susan Calman (pictured), the programme "will explore the world of the list, from the humble to-do list to the bucket list. Listeners can expect a show that lists everything from the magnificent to the mundane."
Additionally, on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th, the station will broadcast an interview with Jennifer Saunders. Speaking to Kate Thornton for Paper Cuts, the comedian will "talk about her extensive career and extraordinary life". She discusses her childhood and meeting her future husband and comedy partner Ade Edmondson on the early comedy circuit. She also talks about her comedy partnership with Dawn French and her battle with cancer.
Lewis Carnie, Head of Programmes for BBC Radio 2, says: "Radio 2 has a great history of bringing original and distinctive content to its listeners. We are proud to be able to provide a platform for these wonderfully talented performers for a week of programming that I'm sure the audience at home will find extremely entertaining."
Jane Berthoud, Head of BBC Radio Comedy, adds: "It's brilliant that we are able to make the programmes for Radio 2 - a network with such a history of comedy greats. And the line-up in the Comedy Week promises to showcase a new generation of comedy greats."
It was also confirmed today that the BBC New Comedy Award would return to Radio 2 and Radio 4 Extra later in the year.