Comedy

The first series proved a hit with viewers and was nominated for a Royal Television Society Programme Award earlier this year. 

The show, which is filmed in a gig environment, sees two teams made up of comedians, hip hop legends and celebrity hip hop lovers battle it out in front of a live audience.

Hosted by Rizzle Kicks' Jordan Stephens, the two teams will once again be led by TV presenter Maya Jama and rapper Lady Leshurr, with new guests joining the trio each week.

Coffee cup instead of goblet

Game of Thrones, Sky Atlantic/HBO

Over the past few years, UKTV channel Dave has notched up an impressive series of hits with home-grown comedies such as Taskmaster and Dave Gorman: Modern Life is Goodish.

Now it has high hopes for Sliced, a sitcom based on Samson Kayo’s crazy experiences as a South London pizza delivery driver, launched this month.

Written and created by Ruth Jones and James Corden, who also star in the series, the hit sitcom will be produced by Fulwell 73, Tidy Productions and Baby Cow Productions.

Gavin & Stacey originally aired on the BBC from 2007 to 2010 for three series, plus a Christmas special in 2008.

The show followed Gavin (Matthew Horne), an ordinary boy from Essex, and Stacey (Joanna Page), an ordinary girl from Barry, who spoke to each other every day on the phone at work.

If anyone ever doubted that comedy and tragedy go hand in hand, look no further than the much-garlanded BBC Two sitcom, Mum, starring Lesley Manville as Cathy, a late-­middle-aged mother coming to terms with the death of her husband.

Making a TV audience laugh is among the most difficult skills for any screenwriter to learn, but to make them laugh one minute and almost cry a few moments later is the hallmark of a very special talent.

A packed RTS Futures event, “Pitching script to screen”, offered aspiring writers and producers tips on how they should hone and sell their ideas to commissioners.

Leading the panel of seasoned comedy and entertainment practitioners was Tom Davis, the star of the RTS and Bafta award-winning BBC Three sitcom Murder in Successville.

Timewasters has charmed critics and attracted healthy audiences with its mix of jazz, time travel and good jokes. Notably, it also has an all-black leading cast but, according to its creator, Daniel Lawrence Taylor, it is, “first and foremost”, a comedy.

Mae and George (w/t) follows recovering addict Mae (Martin) as she seeks to take control of her life while juggling a relationship with her new girlfriend George and keeping her addictive behaviours in check.

Joe Hampson (Skins) will co-write the series with Martin, and the comedy will be produced by Objective Fiction, whose portfolio includes Game Face, Toast of London and Fresh Meat.

“WHAT A DREAM,” said Mae Martin of the new project. “We cannot wait to make this show with E4, Netflix, and Objective Fiction.”

BBC Three is at a crucial point in its history. With a new controller, Fiona Campbell, a budget raised to £40m and a regular slot on BBC One on Mondays to Wednesdays, the corporation hopes that it can stem the tide of younger viewers washing up on the shores of Netflix and YouTube.