The Keith Lemon Sketch Show gets 2nd series
The Keith Lemon Sketch Show is to return for a second series.
The ITV2 format sees Leigh Francis, appearing in character as Keith Lemon, spoofing various TV shows and mimicking celebrities.
The first series, which concludes this Thursday night, launched with nearly 1m viewers five weeks ago. However, clips from the show have proved to be even more popular online, with a video spoofing the Kardashian family now approaching 8 million views on Facebook.
Leon Wilson from production company Talkback confirmed to Broadcast Magazine that the strategy for the programme is to target the internet as well as TV.
He said: "During development, we talked about how big this show could be online. We looked at every sketch as a potential viral, and put the Kardashian sketch out first because we figured it had the most potential. We very specifically went for a lot of celebrities with global appeal, in the hope they'd get picked up online. We want them to go viral in the same way as Lonely Island [the US sketch troupe co-founded by Andy Samberg]."
News of the second series was revealed by Francis at the TRIC Awards. Speaking in character, he said: "We are doing a second series. But I'm not allowed to say. I got told today. I'm not allowed to tell you we've got a green light for a second series. I can't tell you."
Talking about the reaction from the celebrities featured, he added: "People seem to be quite glad that they're involved with it really. I don't think it's really offensive. Everyone I do, it's people I like. And nine times out of ten it's people I know who will get it and go, 'Ooh, you little knobhead'."
Below is a clip from the show spoofing This Morning. It features adult content:
Update (20th May 2015):
Now officially confirmed by ITV, Keith says of the series' return: "So chuffed to be doing a second series of me sketch show. It's a nice fing to say you've got a sore throat from laughing at work. Hope it's not too warm whilst we're filming, that fox suit can get pretty hot! Feels like ya balls are in a cuppa tea!"