Russell Howard to make new comedy show for Sky 1
- Russell Howard has signed a two-year deal with Sky 1 to make a new comedy show for them
- The Russell Howard Hour will start in 2017, after he has completed his stand-up tour
- Today's news suggests that hit BBC format Russell Howard's Good News has finished
Sky 1 has signed up Russell Howard.
The stand-up will make a new comedy show for the channel, the title of which has yet to be decided, in a two-year deal.
The 14-part weekly series will be filmed in front of a live studio audience and will be produced by Avalon Television, the same production company that makes Russell Howard's Good News.
Today's announcement suggests that Russell Howard's Good News has finished, at least for the foreseeable future. Normally the stand-up would present a series of his hit topical BBC show in the autumn, but this is the first year since 2009 that the show has not been filmed.
A spokesperson from the BBC confirmed to British Comedy Guide today that there are "no immediate plans for another series" of Russell Howard's Good News. However, the corporation points out that Howard will still appear from time to time on their channels, for example last weekend he appeared on Michael McIntyre's Big Show.
Howard has recently been working with Comedy Central, which has aired two series of stand-up showcase format Russell Howard's Stand Up Central, and - most recently - Russell Howard & Mum: USA Road Trip. A second series of the travel show has been ordered, to air on Comedy Central next year.
Howard's new show for Sky 1 will launch after his forthcoming stand-up world tour, which runs between February and July 2017.
Speaking about the new series, Russell Howard says: "I am delighted to be making this new show for Sky. It's obviously the best part of a year away but I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in."
Adam MacDonald, director of Sky 1, said: "Russell is brilliantly funny and I can't wait for his intelligent and incisive wit to be a big part of Sky 1. His new show with us will be a fantastic mix of everything we love about Russell and lots of new inventive comedy. It will be an incredible addition to Sky 1."
Jon Thoday from Avalon Television says: "We are excited to be working on a new show with Russell and delighted by Sky's ambition for it."
Before he heads off on tour, Howard will film a not-for-broadcast pilot for Sky. He is performing a warm-up gig in London tomorrow to prepare.