Channel 4 fast-tracks Scrotal Recall sitcom pilot to series
Channel 4 has ordered a full series of Scrotal Recall, a new sitcom about a man who must tell everyone he's ever slept with that he has Chlamydia.
A pilot episode of the sitcom was commissioned for the network's 4Funnies strand, but the network has now confirmed that the show will become a six part series.
The comedy, which has been written by Tom Edge (The Midnight Beast), focuses on the 'disastrous exploits' of twenty-something Dylan Witter, who is told he must contact everyone he's had a relationship with to tell them of his infection.
Dylan's not proud of the number of women he's slept with, so he decides to use this quest to make sense of a decade of squandered opportunities, broken promises, and romantic car-crashes.
In each episode, Dylan will seek out a different girl from his STI contact list, as he remembers a sexual encounter he'd previously tried his hardest to forget. Joining him on this trip down memory lane are best friend Evie, and terrible influence Luke. Both have been by Dylan's side for the past decade, mopping up the blood, sweat and tears.
Channel 4 says: "Love hurts, especially when you urinate. The result is a unique comedy brimming with humour, heart, and mild genital discomfort."
The central character will be played by Dustin Demri-Burns (pictured), who is also one half of sketch double-act Cardinal Burns. The second series of Cardinal Burns will be broadcast on Channel 4 shortly.
Murray Ferguson, from production company Clerkenwell Films, says: "We're delighted to be making Scrotal Recall for Channel 4. Tom Edge has come up with a brilliant concept for a comedy, with bright, funny and engaging characters. The result is a unique comedy brimming with humour, heart and mild genital discomfort."
Other formats in the 4Funnies strand include a self-titled sitcom from Roisin Conaty, the mockumentary The Revengers!, Flack starring Sheridan Smith as a PR woman, Sit.com from David Baddiel, and Catastrophe.
Talking to the Radio Times, Channel 4 comedy boss Phil Clarke says he has "high hopes" for both Flack and Catastrophe. The latter stars Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney as "an Irish woman and an American man who make a bloody mess as they struggle to fall in love in London".
According to the magazine, Scrotal Recall and Catastrophe "are leading the race for full commissions". It adds that David Baddiel's social media focused family comedy "is also thought to be highly regarded within C4 and to stand a good chance of a commission".
Scrotal Recall will go into production later this year.
It was also announced today that Channel 4 has given a full series to Raised By Wolves, a 4Funnies pilot that has already aired. Talking about the two commissions, Phil Clarke says: "I am delighted to announce two new comedy series commissions. Scrotal Recall is a clever, witty story about love, commitment and sexually transmitted disease and Raised By Wolves is the charming and funny story of Caitlin Moran's unique childhood, a tale of self-taught girls growing up on a council estate in Wolverhampton."