Next series of Harry & Paul delayed due to BBC disagreement
It has been revealed that Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse had a disagreement with BBC Two, after the channel made them drop a sketch from the last series of their sketch show.
The Radio Times reveals: "A new series of the Harry & Paul sketch show may happen - but not for a while, thanks to an apparent disagreement between the pair and BBC Two over a sketch that was dropped."
The topic of the sketch that caused the tension has not been revealed. The magazine notes: "Enfield won't elaborate because it gives opponents of the BBC ammunition."
The comedy duo were talking to The Radio Times to promote Harry And Paul's Story Of The 2s, their highly anticipated one-off special in which they spoof most of BBC Two's best known shows.
The one-hour special sees the comedians dress up as the stars of various BBC programmes, including comedies such as The Young Ones, Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, QI, The Office and Mock The Week.
Talking about a sketch in which the pair satirise how Monty Python extended their sketches long beyond the punchline, Whitehouse says: "We have a little laugh at Monty Python's expense. Only because Monty Python was the be-all and end-all of us when we were young. It's not really mocking it. It's a homage."
The duo say they don't think they are going to offend any of their peers in the special, with Enfield explaining: "I don't like upsetting people. There's no point in being mean. I don't think I've done anything worse to anyone else than I've done to myself. It's really affectionate." However, he does admit that Paul Merton might not like being sent up in a spoof of Have I Got News For You in which he is seen to constantly interrupt proceedings with a surreal comment.
Harry And Paul's Story Of The 2s has already been in the headlines as The Daily Mail has tried to stir up controversy around a spoof of Danish crime dramas featured in the show. Focused on a young boy called Pingu, the sketch in question also features a girl in a burka. The comments below The Mail's story suggest the newspaper has failed to stir any concern.
In the interview, referring to how newspaper reports forced executive Peter Fincham from his BBC job over the documentary about the Queen, Enfield defended the BBC, saying: "It's fairly obvious that the Mail is a direct competitor with the BBC. It's totally in its interest to smash the BBC at all times, ditto Murdoch. But the idea that the BBC listens to these people..."
Harry & Paul launched in 2007 and has so far run for four series. The disagreement with the BBC over the dropped sketch is not the only reason the show hasn't yet returned since its last series in October 2012 though. Paul Whitehouse explains: "Harry tires of the characters more quickly than I do. Really, it's down to whether we can sit down in a room together and one of us not go and get coffee or text or phone but come up with some ideas rather than just sit there frustrated. So we'll hopefully sit down at the end of the year and see."
Both the comedians are currently busy with other projects. Enfield is developing some un-named new projects via his new independent production company Balloon. He is also set to reprise his role as Jack Whitehall's dad in the hit BBC Three sitcom Bad Education.
Meanwhile, as previously reported, Paul Whitehouse is now working on turning his Radio 4 comedy Nurse into a BBC Two series.
Harry And Paul's Story Of The 2s will be broadcast on Sunday 25th May at 9pm. The preview reviews for the programme have been highly positive. The show forms part of a weekend of comedy programming to celebrate the 50th anniversary of BBC Two. Below is the trailer: