BBC Two orders topical comedy series The Mash Report
- Satirical comedy website The Daily Mash has secured a topical BBC Two comedy series
- Nish Kumar will host ten episodes of the satirical news show, which is currently titled The Mash Report
- BBC Two describes the format as "whip-smart, hugely timely and driven by some great new talent"
After a successful pilot, BBC Two has ordered a full series of satirical comedy The Mash Report.
Nish Kumar will host the 10-part series, described as "an up to the minute, satirical news show". Overseen by Princess Productions, it is being produced in conjunction with satirical website The Daily Mash, dubbed "Britain's most popular original comedy website".
Kumar has experience at hosting topical comedy, having previously helmed Radio 4 Extra sketch show Newsjack. He now presents Spotlight Tonight With Nish Kumar, a Radio 4's topical comedy which will ends its current series next week.
The Daily Mash was formed by journalists Neil Rafferty and Paul Stokes in 2007, and has since grown to become one of the UK's biggest entertainment websites. The website has also published a series of satirical books.
A working title, The Mash Report was one of three formats trialled by the BBC. The other ideas were That's It For The Week hosted by Romesh Ranganathan, and That Thing On Friday Night featuring Ranganathan again, but this time alongside Joe Lycett and Katherine Ryan.
BBC Two boss Patrick Holland says: "I am delighted that we are announcing this new topical comedy entertainment series from Princess. It is whip-smart, hugely timely and driven by some great new talent. I'd like to thank all the teams who contributed to the different pilots. The standard was exceptionally high, but we were drawn to The Mash Report's blend of great satire allied with the surreal. It feels really innovative."
Entertainment commissioner Kate Phillips says: "All three pilots delivered a great mix of terrific talent and original ideas, but Princess has provided BBC Two with a fresh and very funny format featuring an exceptional group of writers and performers. We can't wait to get cracking."
Chris Stott, Executive Producer at Princess Productions, says: "We're thrilled that the BBC has given us this fantastic opportunity to showcase such a brilliant, diverse range of up-and-coming comedic talent. There has never been a better time to bring acerbic and topical comedy to the channel."